Buddy boy with all his swimming ribbons and awards (minus the Will to Win plaque, which hangs in the office/concession stand at the pool).  That's a lot.  But, I love that it wasn't about the ribbons and awards for him.  It was about having fun, trying something new, getting stronger, learning, and making friends.  Success!

El Paso Swim Invite

We experienced a big swim invitational for the first time today.  We arrived in El Paso by 8:15am and found dozens of pop up canopies set up all over and hundreds of 8-11-year-old swimmers and their coaches and families milling about.  We found Caeden's team and he got in the water to warm up right away.

Jeremy found the concessions and got his "coffee."

We tried to warn Caeden [without freaking him out] that the competition was going to be tough today, but he was determined to enter 6 events!  That's the way to learn and get experience, Buddy!

He swam the 50 Free for the second time today, and just like Thursday evening, his goggles went down around his mouth as soon as he jumped in.  He was distracted the whole time and finished 25th out of 25.  The rest of the day, I made sure to help him get his goggles on right before each race.

His second race was the 100 Yard Medley Relay with Nathan, Cale, and Brec.  Caeden swam the Free.  They did well in their heat, but ultimately were disqualified because one of them turned over too soon.  A good lesson on learning very specific rules.

Caeden's 3rd race was the breaststroke.  He still has a lot of learning to do one this stroke, and was disqualified.  We won't find out exactly why until the coach gets the detailed packet of info about all the day's events and scores.

Next was the 25 Yard Freestyle race.  Caeden came in 28th place out of 31.  

He really did a good job.  

He also did the 25 Backstroke, which is still super new to him.  He got 15th place. 

The sisters were really supportive today...  ;)

Seriously though, we do have a lot of fun hanging out with these families!

The final event of the day was the 100 Yard Free Relay with Nathan, Brec, Caeden, and Cale.  They did a great job, came in 3rd, and took 2 seconds off their time.

This was the first meet Caeden got to choose which events he would swim.  I'm sure he is wiped out, but we are proud of him for choosing to do 6 events and try his hardest in each one.  

He is learning every time he gets in the pool, and he is having a BLAST doing it!!

These 7 are the only ones from the team who came to the invitational today and competed.

L to R: Brec, Zane, Cale, Rylee, Nathan, Eva, Caeden

After the meet, we drove to Washington and had some yummy Monical's pizza--FAVORITE!!  Then we drove to Peoria and test drove a car my parents are looking at.  (We're a lot closer to Peoria than they are!)  

And as a bonus, we got to stop at Busy Corner and have some PIE!!!

Caeden chose strawberry rhubarb, Annah chose peanut butter Oreo...

Sylvia had the house specialty, Door County Cherry...the BEST!!

Jeremy chose triple berry, and I had red raspberry.  (Mom, he said the triple berry wasn't nearly as good as yours.)

It was a long day, but so great to spend it together!

Gridley Swim Meet

This overcast evening's swim meet was hosted by the Gridley Gliders.

Octavia Otters having a team meeting before the meet started...

Caeden, in the water, warming up...

Annah got new glasses today!

The kids write their races on their hands with Sharpie when they get to the meets, so they will remember to go to the bullpen when they are called.  Caeden swam in 5 events tonight:

He swam the Freestroke leg in the 100 Medley Relay,

tried the 50 Free for the first time,

25 Breaststroke,

25 Freestyle,

25 Backstroke,

and a leg of the 100 Free Relay.

Once in a while these two get along for a few minutes...

Sort of.

I think the girls enjoy watching Caeden's swim meets much more than they've ever enjoyed sitting through his baseball games.  I think?

No, really, they do enjoy it, because some of their friends swim too, and everybody just has fun at these meets.

Jeremy gets some attention too, because several of the same boys who swim are on his wrestling team.

Almost to the wall in the 25 Backstroke...

Before lessons and the meet tonight, we stopped in quickly at the Swim Team Store in Normal and bought Caeden some nice goggles and a new jammer that fits him better.  I was emptying his wet things from his backpack after he went to bed tonight and noticed that he wore his new jammer with the little plastic tag thing still in it tonight.  Seems like that would hurt, but at least he didn't try to rip it out and make a big hole in it.  Funny kid.

Pontiac Swim Meet

Pontiac has a really nice indoor pool. The swim meet there tonight was great.  Our Octavia Otters swam against Pontiac and Flanagan.  Both Pontiac and Flanagan have indoor pools and swim year-round.  Caeden's team is a summer-only team.

He is still loving swim team!

His goggles are not the best, and fell down around his neck and distracted him during his entire 25 Free tonight. 

Dad tried to help adjust them, but says we need to go to the swimming store and get some "real" goggles.

Brec likes to hang out with Annah and Sylvia. We are all enjoying the swim team families.

Caeden swam 2 relays and 3 individual 25m races tonight.  He got 2nd in backstroke! 

Kissing Genes

 Caeden has been asking more and more questions about "the facts of life," and it was time to "do some 'splainin.'  Saturday, at the track meet, he randomly asked me, "Mommy, how did I get to look like Daddy? Did some of his genes go into you when you guys kissed and that's what made me look like him?"  Uh, something sort of like that, buddy.  (Clearly, time to have a talk!)

I had planned to get Jeremy and Caeden signed up for the Your Body, God's Plan workshops this spring, but it didn't happen. I recently bought the How You Are Changing book, and since we had a couple hours together while the girls were at rehearsal tonight, I went through it with him.  When he asked what we were going to do, I told him I had a book that would answer some of his recent questions.  He got nervous.  We drove to the park, and rolled the windows down since it was a beautiful evening.

I must say that the How You Are Changing books are really wonderful resources, and I highly recommend them to Christian parents who want a biblical and biological way to begin the explanation of puberty and sex to their children.  (We have only used the books for ages 10-12 so far, but I know they do have books for younger and older age groups as well.)  The books have helpful drawings and Q&A sections, but what I love most are the scriptures and prayers at the end of each section.  It really helps take minds off the awkwardness and remind both parent and child that these things are not "dirty," but part of God's amazing design--when we follow his plan for them.  

Caeden was very surprised at some things, but overall, I think he was glad to understand some things better.  At one point, when Psalm 139 was referenced in the book, I mentioned that it is one of my very, very passages of scripture because it talks about how God designed and knew us before we were even born, and what a miracle it is when a baby grows inside a mommy.  I had my box of favorite scripture cards in the car, as I always do, and he picked them up and read Psalm 139 out loud.  

We didn't quite finish the book before having to pick up the girls, but when we stopped reading, he said, "Wow, this is a lot to take in.  I could really use a donut."  So, after we picked up the girls, we went to Casey's to get donuts.  The kids ate some while I pumped gas.

After we got home, Caeden and I finished the last little section of the book.  He had questions throughout the evening, but perhaps the funniest was, "Is there ANY way besides "THAT" that my [someday] wife can get pregnant?"  When I said that maybe surgically, but... He said, "That is definitely what we are going to do!  For now, I'm okay with that response from my 10-year-old boy.  Love him.

"For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand—"

- Psalm 139:13-18

My boy

It has been quite a week with my boy.  

Monday, when he got home from school, he was awful to me--talking back, refusing to do anything asked of him, just being rude.  I yelled at him.  Too often the only way I can get him to stop and listen  to me is to be louder and scarier than he is being. I hate that.  

I had to take the girls to rehearsal before Jeremy got home to take Caeden to wrestling, so he was home by himself for a little bit.  When I had dropped the girls off, I tried a FaceTime call to the computer at home to see if he would answer.  He did.  And right away he apologized for how he had acted earlier.  And so did I.  And we had a good talk about being respectful, and listening, and getting rid of self-pity and having a servant's heart.  And he understood how awful he had been.

And then we made silly faces at each other and I took screenshots.

Wednesday evening, Caeden was upset because a flyer was passed out at school about football sign-ups coming soon.  He knows we won't allow him to play (for reasons I won't write about here, but are not his fault at all).  He has asked to play the last couple years, and was pretty bummed that we won't let him.  We had a long talk with Daddy this evening about why we don't let him play, how to let that teasing roll off him, and what's really important in life.  It's so much bigger than football or 4th grade or kids teasing him, and I think he's starting to get that sometimes.  

We were able to talk tonight about how being a Christian should look different than "the norm" in our society, and how if he continues to be kind even when others are not, eventually he will become known for who he really is.  Sylvia was able to share with him how that played out for her just today.  These days of growing up are so hard emotionally and spiritually, but when we can have these tough talks and pray together as a family it feels good to end up with God's peace that passes understanding holding us up.

Thursday our afternoon/evening schedule was a bit different than usual.  Sylvia didn't have a cello lesson.  The guys didn't have wrestling practice.  So, we had a few minutes to take Caeden's guitar to get new strings.  While we waited for it, I took him to get a haircut--wayyyyy overdue.  He looks so much better, and is happy about it too!

Tonight, the guys did have wrestling practice.  I dropped Caed off and tried to get a picture of his funny pants.  All his sweatpants were in the dryer, and he grabbed a pair of size 8 jeans (He is growing out of 9's right now.) to put over his shorts to get to practice.  He could barely get them up past his knees.  Silly boy.  

It is a wonderfully difficult privilege to be a mom.

This kid

This kid.  I love him to bits, and at the same time he drives me crazy with his constant whining and complaining, arguing, selfishness, and self-pity.

He didn't realize his Dad was going to have to go back to work after lunch today, and that he was going to have to go back to church with me and the girls while I worked during their youth group time.  He didn't bring anything to entertain himself, and would not stop whining about having nothing to do.  He did the same thing last Sunday, and I made him make a list of 10 things he has to be thankful for.  It was a good list, but it sure didn't stop the whining and complaining for one second.

Today, he put in a Tom and Jerry DVD while I worked in Pastor's office, but it stopped working after a while.  More whining ensued.  I had him go out to the car to get the 6 missionary books that were there, and he whined about them being boring--at the same time as he talked excitedly about what was going on in them.  

His attitude stinks, and I'm not sure how we're fostering this.  We talk with him about it all the time, and he realizes it when it's brought to his attention.  Yet, he argues with every thing we ask of him, and talks back constantly.  He is strong willed, selfish, and stubborn like his momma.

I told him this week there will be absolutely no screens.  No Kindle.  No iPad (which has already been taken away for the entire quarter of school).  No TV.  No computer.  No Wii.  No movies.  

None at all.

I want him to know that life is not about being constantly entertained.  That leads to constant distraction.  I want to help him develop a servant's heart.  I pray it is not too late, and that he will change his ways.  Lord, help us!!

It's no coincidence that our devotional as the kids were going out the door this morning was about self-pity.  

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." 

- Hebrews 12:1-2

"Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,

for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.

They exult in your righteousness."

Psalm 89:15-16

Meeting the Doc

I took Caeden back for another orthopedic appointment today, and this time he got to meet the doctor himself.  (We saw an assistant previous times.)  He was great with Caeden, and very nice.  He seemed so genuinely interested in us and the situation.  He checked out Caed's hat, and was apparently impressed or surprised that I had actually made it.  He asked Caeden if he'd been wrestling, or even wrestling around with friends.  (He has not.)  Caed was as honest as possible, and told him he has played a little basketball, and has done some push-ups and other things.  Dr. N. seemed impressed that he had done push-ups, as that is a pretty good strain on an elbow.
After assessing him, he said that Caeden is healing much faster than expected, and that he doesn't need to return for another appointment! He said he shouldn't wrestle for at least another 2 weeks, and that he just needs to be honest with himself about how he thinks the elbow is doing.  I told him Dad = Coach, and he said just leave it up to him to decide when he can return to practice.  (Coach Daddy said the season ends in 2 weeks, so he is done anyway, like we thought.)
Dr. N. told us the elbow is the most sensitive joint in the body, so Caeden should be extra careful not to jump back into using it too much before he is 100% healed.  He ok'd him to return to P.E. class activities--except for contact sports.  So, in 2 weeks, the compression sleeve can come off, and hopefully Caeden can resume normal activities.  We are very thankful for his good care and quick healing!

See ya later, splint!

Caeden saw the orthopedic specialist again today, and has improved so much that he doesn't have to wear the fiberglass splint anymore!  He did great with resistance testing, and only had pain during one. So, now he has a compression sleeve and the sling only.  (Still no contact sports, but he can participate in P.E. activities that don't require contact--specifically a game they'll play tomorrow with foam balls!)  He can even go without the sling at home, and is supposed to exercise his elbow 4 times a day.  Although he wishes he could jump right back into wrestling (especially for the tournament this weekend and home meet next week) and can't, we are so pleased with how quickly he is healing!  

Elbow Fracture

While the boys were at wrestling practice tonight, the girls and I were at home watching The Muppets.  About 7:30, Jeremy called and asked me if we had any ice packs at home.  I told him I didn't think so and asked what was wrong.  He said Caeden had hurt his arm during practice and he was taking him to the ER!  Then he thought to ask Caeden if he wanted me to go along.  Caed said yes, so they stopped by to pick me up so I could sit in the back of the car with him.  Poor little guy was crying and obviously in pain.

I texted the PoC staff, and they all responded with encouragement and prayers.

We prayed that the ER would get him in quickly and be able to diagnose and treat him quickly, and that he would have kind nurses and doctors to help him feel better.  God answered all those requests.  

Caeden had x-rays.

I was thankful to be allowed into the X-ray room with him.  The part where he had to straighten his arm was the worst part of the time in the ER.  It really hurt, and he teared up again.

After a while, the doctor came in and said, "Hey buddy!  What happened?"  He very kindly told Caeden that he thought he broke his elbow.  The sweet nurse gave Caeden some pain medicine and put a fiberglass splint on his arm. 

Jeremy was such a great daddy in the waiting moments, keeping Caeden calm and even laughing a bit.  Caeden is so most sad that he won't get to wrestling anymore this season. After we left the ER and Jeremy went into CVS to get Caeden's prescription, Caeden asked me if this meant I would never allow him to wrestle again.  He seemed surprised when I told him no, that I just wouldn't want him to wrestle with fear of being injured again.  He assured us he wouldn't be afraid.  

When we got home, Caeden prayed for his friend that he was wrestling with when it happened.  He doesn't want him to have any guilt, because it wasn't anyone's fault.  

Tomorrow we call the orthopedic doctor and see what is next...

Killer Whales and Missed Assembly

Last semester, Caeden did a poster book report on Killer Whales.  He finally got it out of his book bag this week to show me he got an A on it.

We need to do better about making sure I see his papers in a timely/daily fashion.  

Today, I picked the kids up from school for lessons.  I went into the school to help Annah carry her backpack because I got a call from the school nurse today, who said Annah pulled a muscle in her back during P.E. this morning while doing pushups and was really in pain.  Elementary kids are released from class first at the end of the day, and Caeden came down the hall to me and handed me a wrinkled certificate.  There had been an honors assembly, he had received an award for getting all A's last semester, and I had missed the whole thing!  I've never missed an assembly, but I didn't know about this one at all.  He says he didn't receive a note or a school calendar, but the school is usually great about informing parents.  I'm not sure what happened, and I'm so sad I missed it.