Well, Jacob finally did it! He got contacts.
This should help his running career a bit. The rain was pouring down in one of the last races he ran. I'm not sure how he was able to see because I thought surly he could use some wind shied wipers on his glasses! Thankfully, the race was on a track...After that race I determined that he at least would try contacts...we'll see if he wears them! : )
Monday, August 9, 2010
A Welcome Home Surprises...
On our flight home we had a layover in Houston. Walking toward our gate I heard a familiar voice call out my name. Now, I had just been traveling all over the world and was not expecting anyone to know me!! It happened to be a much loved coach from Jacob's middle school, Harshman. It was Coach V.
When you look back on your life there are certain people that stand out in your mind. They may be coaches, teachers, or friends. Coach V is one of those people. I don't know how many kids he has had contact with but I know there will be a string of kids that refer back to their school day experiences and say, "If it hadn't been for Coach V believing in me...I wouldn't be were I am today!"
Seeing Coach V was part of our transitioning back home. It was a sweet reminder of all the good things we like about our life here in Indy!
We give thanks for Coach V and all the other adults who make a difference in the lives of kids.
When you look back on your life there are certain people that stand out in your mind. They may be coaches, teachers, or friends. Coach V is one of those people. I don't know how many kids he has had contact with but I know there will be a string of kids that refer back to their school day experiences and say, "If it hadn't been for Coach V believing in me...I wouldn't be were I am today!"
Seeing Coach V was part of our transitioning back home. It was a sweet reminder of all the good things we like about our life here in Indy!
We give thanks for Coach V and all the other adults who make a difference in the lives of kids.
The climb of death part 2 - well actually it was in a boat!
Around 10am one morning, Jacob decided that he would swim out to the buoy. We are staying at our cousins beach house on Camano Island. Uncle Roger was telling Jacob how he often goes for a swim...and Jason was telling Jacob how he often went for a swim when he was Jacob's age..so Jacob is all pumped up and ready and decides he will also go for his "own" swim.
It's not warm out and the water is cold (50 degrees F or perhaps lower) cold enough to be very cold. It's the Puget Sound. Jacob starts his swim and looks strong. Then Jason notices that Jacob is breathing hard and starting to grunt - then Jacob begins floating on his back. That's when we realize Jacob is in trouble. Anyway, Jacob had the presence of mind to swim to the boat that was at anchored. He pulled the ladder out and climbed in. Jason scrambled around and found the oars to the row boat and headed out to rescue Jacob.
Sometimes when we need some one to rescue us we think that we have failed in our task. This was such a proud moment for Jason and I as we saw Jacob problem solve and realize his limits. It's not easy to ask for help or wait to be rescued...some people would see this as a defeat but we saw it as a great victory for Jacob!
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Jacob also had a 2nd adventure that same day. It involved a boat and lots of cold water....you'll have to ask Jacob for the rest of the story!
It's not warm out and the water is cold (50 degrees F or perhaps lower) cold enough to be very cold. It's the Puget Sound. Jacob starts his swim and looks strong. Then Jason notices that Jacob is breathing hard and starting to grunt - then Jacob begins floating on his back. That's when we realize Jacob is in trouble. Anyway, Jacob had the presence of mind to swim to the boat that was at anchored. He pulled the ladder out and climbed in. Jason scrambled around and found the oars to the row boat and headed out to rescue Jacob.
Sometimes when we need some one to rescue us we think that we have failed in our task. This was such a proud moment for Jason and I as we saw Jacob problem solve and realize his limits. It's not easy to ask for help or wait to be rescued...some people would see this as a defeat but we saw it as a great victory for Jacob!
----
Jacob also had a 2nd adventure that same day. It involved a boat and lots of cold water....you'll have to ask Jacob for the rest of the story!
What makes your heart sing...
Jason drove off Sunday afternoon for St. Meinrads in a mustang for the last week of his sabbatical.
What makes Jason's heart sing? I can tell you!!!
1. People
2. Salmon Fishing, and
3. Driving a convertible mustang
There have been several moments during our sabbatical where I saw Jason experience pure joy. Driving the Mustang was one of those times!
One of the things we will take away from our sabbatical was the time Jason spent learning more about Winston Churchill. Churchill worked hard and he played hard. I think we are always afraid to "play hard" because it seems so unnecessary and a waste of time, money and resources. What we have learned from Churchill is the necessity to play hard - which in the end does rejuvenate the soul and prepare you to work hard.
So with that in mind and the question we were to answer from our sabbatical grant, "What makes your heart sing?", Jason rented a convertible mustang! It's funny how some things can bring such joy and laughter to your soul as driving around in a convertible mustang. I can't think of a better way to end our time together as a family than having each one of us ask Jason/dad to take us for another ride around the block...in the Mustang!
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