March 2017

March 2017

            By the time March comes around, everyone is usually ready for the weather to get warmer and start going outside a little more often.  I know the girls are wanting to go outside and we are doing our best to accommodate when it is warm enough.  They are already talking about their birthdays and the pool then opening.  Our March was a little busy, but a calm month compared to April and then we are into the summer. 

 

            Debbie has had a few things going on this month.  She has continued her MOMs group at church with their meetings every Wednesday and she went out for drinks with the other moms after one of the sessions.  Her thyroid is functioning a little closer to normal, but it is still causing her heartrate to be too fast.  She is working with her doctor to figure out the right medicine and has an appointment with a specialist in April.  She also went out with her “international girl’s dinner” group where they went out and had a good Mexican dinner. 

            I had another trip to Minnesota this month.  I’ve lost track of the trips, but this one of the best as my agenda was lighter than normal and I got to work out 2 times.  I did have to watch Purdue & WV lose their NCAA tournament games at a bar by myself, but at this point, I’m nearly a local and know several of the staff at the restaurant I go to!  During that trip, it was the anniversary of my dad’s passing and I enjoyed talking with some different people in my family and Laura and Pete allowed me to listen to the eulogy over Facetime.  I went to a Pacers game vs. the Timberwolves with Jeremy.  We went directly from work and had dinner downtown and enjoyed dinner and a few beers before watching the game. 

            The girls completed their basketball at the YMCA and they were most excited to receive their trophies at the end of the season!  They also went to a birthday party for our neighbor, Lucas, at Skyzone.  The following weekend, they went to another birthday party for another neighbor, George, at Bounce U.  As I mentioned, they enjoyed some of the warmer weather and had a chance to be outside playing on the swing-set, riding bikes / scooters and playing with neighbors. 

Sarah’s Things of the Month

            Sarah has had some periodic bad dreams this month, causing her to yell out in her sleep.  Our best method is to leave her alone as if we go to her, she isn’t awake and it causes a harder time getting her back to sleep.

Allison’s Thing of the Month

            Allison had a field trip to the Children’s Museum with her class this month.  She also had a “Tiger Trot” for her school to raise money and encourage the kids to have a fun spring break.  Allison had an eye doctor visit this month and we needed to get new lenses. 

A few more items from this month:

• We went to one of the fish fry events at Christ the King.  It was well attended and fun to see so many of the other people from the church and school.  The only downfall was when we told Allison to “watch” Sarah and we later saw a parent carrying Sarah across the gym crying!  Apparently she was tripped and fell! 
• I volunteered in Allison’s class room and helped the kids learn about spelling some words related to St. Patrick’s Day.
• Allison’s parent teacher conference went well and she is doing well and progressing toward 1^st grade. 
• Deb and I went to Blind Owl for a quick date night and enjoyed some NCAA basketball. 
• We got our master’s bedroom remodeled over the last 2 months.  Deb did a great job selecting the materials and fixtures. 

February 2017

February 2017

            We were back to our normal crazy schedules in February.  I took a trip with the guys to go skiing in Crested Butte and Deb took the girls skiing in Davis, WV.  Around all of that was plenty of things going on with the girls and Deb and I keeping busy with family, work and friends. 

            For the 2^nd time in 3 years, I went with some buddies to Crested Butte, CO to go skiing.  Freddy, Watkins, Anderson, Foulke, Lawton and I went over Superbowl weekend.  We left on Saturday and were able to be settled in, having some beers and picking up our skis by the time the afternoon started.  It isn’t easy to get to Crested Butte, so the lines are short and that means you rarely to take a break.  I was pretty excited as I went down some black diamonds each day that I didn’t attempt 2 years ago when we went.  It was a great time, but I can tell we are getting old when 3 straight days of skiing for a bunch of guys averaging 40 years old had several of us slowing down or quitting on the last day when there was 6-8 inches of fresh powder. 

            Presidents Day weekend, Deb took the girls to Davis to get them on some skis and hang out with her parents.  It sounds like they loved it and since it was a little warmer and they had snow on the bunny hill, it worked out well since the girls weren’t ever really getting cold.   They enjoyed seeing Deb’s parents and spending some time at the “ski / snow house.”  After skiing the first 2 days, the weather didn’t cooperate and it rained on the 3^rd day so they stayed at the house and entertained the girls.  Deb had a small hassle on the way home with a leak in one of the tires on the Traverse, but a two hour delay got it fixed up and the girls did well during that delay.  While they were away, I went out with some friends on Friday and Saturday evening along with spending time with my mom as she recovered from her knee surgery. 

            I also spent a few hours that weekend moving everything out of our closet and bathroom to prepare for the renovation of our master bathroom.  Deb has spent the last few months working with our contractor and everything is coming together nicely.  As I write this, the work is mostly done and I think everything left is cosmetic (paint, towel racks, etc.). 

            Debbie had her thyroid scan earlier this month.  She and the doctor are still trying to figure out exactly what is the right course of action.  The doctor did say she could work out and told her it was OK to take the girls to WV to go skiing, but I know Debbie still has a high resting heart rate and we are hoping by the end of the month before we go on spring break things will have settled down. 

Sarah’s Thing of the Month

            Sarah is probably one person I shouldn’t be coaching.  She is trying to play basketball but gets too “tired” running back and forth and only likes the “practice part” because she doesn’t have to run.  I asked her about this and she said she doesn’t like it when her legs get tired.   

Allison’s Thing of the Month

            Allison and I went to the “Me and My Guy” dance at Christ the King.  I tell you what, those girls can dance and I had to bust out some of my moves from Where Else or Rock Lobster.  Also, Allison participated in her first mass at school and did a great job during the petitions and singing a song at the end with her class.  Finally, she also got to go on her second field trip with her class, and they went to the Children’s museum.  We have come to realize that if Allison goes on a field trip, she is absolutely exhausted and tired when she gets home!

A few more items from this month:

• Our entire family went to a “family picnic” to celebrate Catholic schools week at Allison’s school. 
• I took the girls to a “Daddy Daughter Night” at Butler to watch the women’s basketball team play a game.  We had a nice dinner and the girls enjoyed the balloon animals and some popcorn.  Unfortunately, they weren’t brave enough to give the mascot, Hink, a high-five, but there is always next year! 
• We celebrated Valentine’s Day in our usual fashion by heart-shaped pizzas and a few beers.  The girls enjoyed buying flowers for Deb and we enjoyed exchanging cards. 
• Deb started going to a “MOMS” ministry at Christ the King where she meets with other moms and talks about the many things that mom’s deal with. 
• Deb and Tracy were finally able to get together for a sushi night!