We had some grand adventures early in our lives together - Paris, London, Aruba, Antigua, Scotland, and many places in the contiguous United States. We loved those times and yet, there’s something marvelous about this time in our lives as well. We still travel, which you’ll read about later, but home is definitely NOT a four letter word, if you know what I mean. We’re raising homebodies who are so involved that being at HOME becomes literally precious time. Especially now, when all three kiddos spend an inordinate amount of time in gyms with us on the bleachers or the side lines. When we see people whose kids are out of school, they tell us we’ll miss this time, much like when our kids were babies and they said we would miss that, too. At some point, we’ll reminisce about this busy time, just as we occasionally miss when our kids were babies. We’ve also made the purposeful decision that the stage we are in, whatever it may be, should have the opportunity to be the best stage in our lives together….so far.
Gabe - 14
This kid. I marvel at how much he’s grown and how he’s still not embarrassed to hang out with me. G is in 8th grade and at 6 foot 1 inch, I literally look up to him. He’s a pretty laid back kid, which is in stark contrast to those years of 45 minute tantrums. He is a creative, easy going, quirky teen with a great sense of humor. He still loves to read, his ipod, and video games, too. Last winter he played basketball, and surprised us both by joining track and field in March. He enjoyed throwing discus, high jumping, and long jumping. G played defensive end and tight end in football for the 8th grade team this fall, and is playing both 8th grade and C-squad basketball so far this winter. I’m sure he finds Matt and me a bit trying after games. It’s a challenge to sit in the crowd and be quiet (we’re not often successful with the “quiet” part). I also know that we can be a bit intense with our expectations, but we try as much as we can to say, “We just love to watch you play.” He has an amazing confirmation leader and a great group of boys during this second confirmation year at church. Gabe also is a percussionist in the band and sings in the choir.
Ben - 12
Ben Bob is in 6th grade and I am grateful to teach him about Minnesota History every day. He’s got a creative and loyal set of friends and is kind to everyone. He has the biggest heart and especially loves to show affection to his grandparents and great grandparents. He loves to read books about Marvel characters and could tell you the backstory for any of them. He’s got an amazing memory for anything he’s read and yet, still forgets to turn in homework, brush his teeth, and put in his rubber bands. Ben played baseball this summer, grudgingly attended track and field camp, and played flag football this fall on the same team as his sister. He still loves his action figures and has developed a fascination for a few out of the ordinary video games = Undertale and Five Nights at Freddy’s. Ben has the biggest heart and a deep ability to care for others. He knows when someone needs a hug and is quick to make amends if something’s gone wrong. He knows just the right thing to say and definitely uses that to his advantage when negotiating bedtimes and treats, etc.
Lyndee – almost 11
Fierce. Sensitive. Perfectionist. Loving. Lyndee Lu is almost 11 and in 5th grade. She loves school and is working for the A honor roll. It is so fun having her in the same building and that I get to see her every day in school. Lyndee went to Good Earth Village camp this summer and was away for 3 days, though to me, it felt like longer. She played flag football this fall and scored a touchdown during the homecoming halftime game! She’s playing 5th grade basketball and I get to coach her along with 16 of her teammates. I love to watch her play and know that her fierceness will serve her well in more places than just the gym. Lyndee started playing trumpet this year in the band and unlike her brothers, never needs to be reminded to practice. She also sings in the choir and loves to read, play with barbies, make imovie trailers, and is a huge animal lover. We think there may be a vet in the family in the future.
Matt
In his fourth year teaching at Century High School, Matt has been challenged again as one of his classes is “Careers in Health Promotion.” He’s had to expand his teaching repertoire to include classroom tools and assessments. Matt’s been able to provide the chance for his students to hear guest speakers from all across the health industry - athletic trainers, prosthetic designers, officials, activities directors, adaptive PE teachers, and more. As a Pine Island Track and Field coach for 21 years, Matt again led an impressive team of athletes last spring to 2nd place in the State True Team Meet. It was miserable and wonderful at the same time as it poured the entire meet. There are so many things learned by athletes and coaches through athletics - triumph and humility all in the same experience. Matt also gets to coach Ben’s 6th grade BB team and it’s fun to talk shop with each other on practice and game days.
Amy
I’m a messy perfectionist. My house is frequently disastrous. My children have been free range parented more often than I care to admit. I like to cook, but still fall far short of perfection in that and most areas in my life. I read once that perfection in the Bible doesn’t mean without error, it simply means complete. I hold tight to that and hope that my children and my husband know that I give my complete effort to do the best I can at that moment. I am grateful for our kids and their conversations, imagination, and humor. I am thankful that my husband of almost 22 years is patient with me. I am fortunate that my job teaching 6th graders and coaching fulfills me, challenges me, and gives me purpose. Days are not easy, but there is something wonderful about each day. Dr. Sood from the Mayo Clinic, in his book The Guide to Stress Free Living says, “For the first three minutes that meet your family, meet them like a long lost friend, and resolve not to improve or judge anyone.” So, I take a deep breath when I pull in the driveway, and resolve not to ask my family to pick up their dishes, socks, jerseys, etc. At least not until later…..
Family
We put almost 5,000 miles on our tires this summer in two separate trips. The kids are at great ages for long road trips and it is a whole lot less expensive than flying! In June, we drove north through North Dakota, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia to take in the wonders of Banff National Park. Our good friends, the Koppelmans, traveled with us. We all agreed that it may be the most beautiful place we’ve even seen. We hiked, sat in hot springs, waded in clear Canadian water, rode a ski lift, and saw wildlife. After a few days there, we drove south to Glacier National Park and Whitefish, MT, where we treated to an amazing hike around Avalanche Lake with our friends and former Pine Island residents, the Lenochs. What a gift it was to enjoy fellowship in such beautiful surroundings. We kayaked, paddle boarded, rode alpine slides, and hiked. The kids also zip lined and Matt and Ben went horseback riding. If you haven’t been to Banff or Glacier, they should definitely be on your bucket list. In July we got to host Chris and Bree and family and Seth and Kaela and family and numerous friends. At one point, we had 22 people sleeping in our house. It was so great to step all over and bump into each other and just know that spending time together is more important than PERFECTION. Instead we were COMPLETE in our joy and love for hanging out with each other. In August, we drove out to see my sister and her husband in Brockport, NY. Heidi and Al treated us to a lovely vacation. We got to explore the college campus, walk along the Erie Canal, eat great food, play rousing games of dominoes, take an Erie Canal tour through the locks, and go to a Rochester, NY Redhawks baseball game. We hope next summer to travel again and see some of Matt’s side of the family on either the East or West coast. They’ve got both coasts covered! :)
Pets
Here’s the rundown–Dash - Great Pyrenees/Goldendoodle - 6 years old STILL with a wanderlust and a short attention span. He thinks he’s a small dog and that dog food is the best thing he’s ever tasted. Tucker – Golden Retriever - 5 years old with a deep affinity for Lyndee. Mia-The tortoise who was Ben’s is now Lyndee’s in a trade I want to know nothing about. Wrigley – yellow lab – age unknown. He loves to go for rides to pick up Gabe from BB practice and lets the other dogs know that he is king of the house, and the couch, and the beds. Toonces, the cat, gave one backward glance to Matt and was never seen again. So, even though I said I’d never get a cat, I’m now on cat #2 - a strange little dude named Leo who we still can’t quite figure out. The dogs are better mousers than he is, but hopefully he’ll learn.
This Christmas season, we are filled with joy to share times with family and friends. We know we are imperfect and just hope for Grace in our lives in order to live our best, complete, messy, lives. Merry Christmas!
Love, Matt & Amy, Gabe, Ben, and Lyndee ~ Wrigley, Dash, Tucker, Mia, and Leo
