S T U N N I N G

The video streaming did not start up online until the third quarter, so we listened to the radio until then.
Oh, what a game it was and oh what a game Justin played.
He had some beautiful receptions.
So, so proud.
So, so exciting!

Here is Butler's re-cap of the game.

September 21, 2013

Highland stuns No. 4 Butler with 23-21 road win

      

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Highland (2-2)	7	3	7	6	23
Butler (4-0)	0	0	14	7	21
El Dorado, KS | BG Products Veterans

Highland	Butler
Pa: B. Bergeron - 294 Ru: Marlon Mitchell - 27 Rec: Justin Dickey - 89	Pa: Hunter Vaughn - 97 Ru: Ty Suggs - 69 Rec: Dawson Elliott - 33

TEAM STATISTICS	Highland	Butler
Passing Yards	294	97
Rushing Yards	38	144
Turnovers	4	4
Time of Poss.	35:44	24:16

full stats

EL DORADO, Kan. – The No. 4-ranked Butler Grizzlies were stunned at BG Products Veterans Sports Complex on Saturday, falling 23-21 to visiting Highland after the Scotties scored the go-ahead with eight seconds to play in the game.
The loss is the first for Butler in a home game since 2005 and the first-ever loss for the Grizzlies in 11 games played in the new stadium.
The game-winning score came on a 5-yard pass from Brandon Bergeron to Desmond McGee in the back corner of the end zone. It capped a game in which Highland built a 17-0 lead and then saw Butler come all the way back to  lead 21-17 late in the contest before the late-game dramatics.
Butler fell behind early as Highland scored on a 3-yard run by Marlon Mitchell with 2:45 left to go in the first quarter. The Scotties added a 31-yard field goal with 1:31 to go in the first half and Highland led 10-0 at the break. It is the second time this season the Grizzlies have been held scoreless in the first half.
Highland added to its lead early in the second half. The Scotties intercepted a short Butler pass and returned the ball deep into Grizzlies territory. One play later, Highland's Brandon Peters cashed in a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 17-0.
The Grizzlies eventually responded. Butler kept the ball on the ground and pounded the Highland defense, going 59 yards in 11 plays capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Miles Thomas to make it 17-7.
Butler got the ball back promptly on a 35-yard interception return by Tyler Hayes. Two plays later, Chris Carson ran in from two yards out to make it 17-14.
Butler would take advantage of another interception in the fourth quarter and score another touchdown on a four-yard run by Chris Carson to give Butler its first lead at 21-17 with 8:55 to go in the game.
Butler had the momentum and seemingly had the game in control, especially after Bergeron was sacked by Nick Cook and Ulric Jones and fumbled near midfield with 5:02 to go.
Butler, though, would fumble the ball back to Highland with 3:21 to play. The Scotties then embarked on their game-winning drive.
Butler falls to 4-1 overall, 3-1 in Jayhawk Conference play. Highland improves to 3-2 overall, 2-1 in conference play. The Grizzlies are off this weekend and will travel to Garden City for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Oct. 5.

H I G H L A N D v. Butler

It's game day.
I'm happy to be watching Justin's game tonight with not only my boys and my mom but my man. After a long seven weeks, it's wonderful to have him home safely.

Justin and the Scotties are playing at Butler. Kick off is at 6:00pm KS (CST) time.

Highland (1-1, 2-2) at (3-0, 4-0) #4 Butler

The link to watch is through Butler's sports department.
I anticipate it being much clearer.

Hopefully, this link will work:
http://www.ihigh.com/butlergrizzlies/broadcasts.html?mode=school&state=&schoolid=26476&status=upcoming

Highland v. Dodge City link

It's Saturday which means football around here...

Highland is playing Dodge City (24) at 1:00 Kansas time.
If you would like to watch live online, here is the Highland link:

https://highlandcc.edu/pages/sports-live-stream

Looks like Dodge City might broadcast it as well.
Here is their link, which might be better, or work in case Highland is not working.

http://www.conqsports.com/

crazy busy T I M E

I'll eventually {maybe} finish telling about Italy, Sweden, Poland and other trips we have taken in the last six months. This week, I'm going to work my hardest to document a crazy busy last two weeks.

The timing could not have been more perfect for my mom and her dear friend, Marine to come to Germany for a visit. She is now known as my Tante {aunt}- it was just easier to introduce her to people this way. She is family.

It was planned kind of last minute for them to come stay with me and help while Jim has been in Alabama for his seven-week academy.

What I did not know is how much I really needed them. I like to think that I am quite self-sufficient and independent. I can usually hold things together.
Not perfectly, but I usually do ok.

With what we have gone through this last month, our world has been rocked.

I have been shaken to the core.
The tears flow more easily than they have my entire life.

Knowing how difficult this has been on me, I can not even imagine the anguish and pain my dear friend is experiencing having lost her daughter.

I was supposed to start work two weeks ago today. Working as a sub last year in the elementary school, I was placed from February until the end of the year in one of our special-education preschool classes.

I absolutely fell in love with the little ones and was hired to work a permanent full time position this year.

I was super excited. Super excited up until the happenings of this last month caused me to re-evaluate priorities.

After planning and making it through Josie's Memorial Run, I asked to be put back on the substitute list and gave up my job.

I need the flexibility. I need to go see Justin play in Kansas. I need to be here for my family.

I really needed time to recuperate.

Grateful for an amazing staff at school, I was shown so much compassion and open arms assuring me that it was fine for me to substitute and take some time off now.

It was an immediate weight lifted from my shoulders at a time that I was quite depleted.

This time off also enabled us to travel quite a bit, laugh, play, work, cry and enjoy the time together.

Oh, what an adventure it was...

First up: Our Rustic Cabin

Highand v. NEO

Excited to watch Justin play tonight as Highland takes on nationally-ranked Northeastern Oklahoma at home.

Jim is on his way to watch the game from Alabama via Granny's in Illinois. We will be watching online here in Germany!

Kick off is at 7:00pm Kansas time, that is 2am here in Germany! Yikes!

Justin is #82, 6'5", 220 pound TE

Here is the link to watch live online:
https://highlandcc.edu/pages/sports-live-stream

Y E A H ... school is in session

Maybe things can calm down now.... maybe...

Ty started college last week.
So grown up.

Well, too grown up except his mama still has to drop him off and pick him up from school every day.
Oh, well.
I think he'll survive.
The downside of living in Europe.

J O S I E ann

My heart is in Texas tonight. And, tomorrow. And, for a long time.

Justin is en route with his good friend, Jon who drove down from Chicago to pick him up.

He told me they would laugh along the way. I really hope they do. And, Jon has been told to make Justin eat.

They have lots of mamas there who are waiting to hold them and hug them and comfort them.

This brings me some peace. It's still very painful.

I know she is good and she did what she needed to do here on Earth, but it doesn't take away the pain that she is gone. As upset as I have been, I can not imagine what my dear friend is feeling. Or, her sweet sisters. Or, the rest of her family.

Gone too young.

Oh, I love her.

time with my children is P R E C I O U S

I found this magazine article years ago.

 

Slipped in the front sheet protector of my binder of go-to recipes, I usually read through it when I am planning meals.

 

8 Resolutions Every Mom Should Make

 

I am inspired by them all, but as I opened my recipe book over the weekend, my eyes were immediately drawn to resolution number eight. 

 

I will remind myself daily that time with my children is precious.

 

This last weekend, we received the devastating news that as a result of a car accident, Justin's girlfriend from high school is now gone. Last fall, as he chose to go to Kansas to play football, she went to Central Michigan University to play soccer.

 

The accident was Friday. She passed away Sunday night.

 

As I had to tell Coleman and Caden the news, I simply started by saying, "Josie was in a car accident." Caden's face dropped and he immediately asked, "Did she break her arm?" I think like most the thought would never run through his mind that she is no longer alive. 

 

Thoughts immediately ran through my head that she was a tough, strong, healthy, young gal who would make it. She's a fighter and determined. I think for me, that made it even more unbelievable to think of her not making it.

As soon as she passed, my friend Amy's words were posted on Facebook:

 

 

Josephine passed away tonight 11:30pm. We are all at peace. She is donating organs . We will know funeral arrangements in a few days. Only rule: wear bright colors!

I love you all and this has been an amazing journey with Jo. I will miss her so much but Pete and I are very much at peace. We have had some amazing insights into who our daughter was. I can't wait to share everything with you all.

 

Even having gone their separate ways almost a year ago, we have all been greatly affected and shaken- especially Justin as he is already struggling with long days of conditioning and two-a-days at football.

 

You never expect this to happen to someone you know.

 

As much as I have cried uncontrollably this weekend, I have also had some strong feelings as I have thought about her continually which have brought a tiny bit of peace.

It's hard to find a picture of Josie that she is not smiling- she was so happy.  

 

Family is everything. She was the oldest of five girls. Four girls now are really missing their big sister. Two are between Ty and Coleman, one is Coleman's age and one just older than Caden.

 

How we treat others is huge. The outpouring and comments of love on her Facebook page and in articles is beyond touching.

 

She saw and did more things in her short time here than most people do in a lifetime.

 

They are working on funeral arrangements now. Along with her soccer coach here in Germany and another friend, we are putting together a service/reception next week and a memorial run/birthday party in two weeks.

 

Usually one to like to simplify things, I had the feeling today that we need to go BIG.

 

Huge.

 

Her soccer coach had the idea to take donations and start a Josie student-athlete scholarship fund given to a Ramstein High School student who shows the character that she displayed. 

 

No doubt, t is going to be a long week. I also think it will help those of us here to focus on the positive and feel some peace.

 

The number of lives that she impacted is growing by the minute.

 

Josie is fine. She's done her work and I have no doubt passed her test of life with flying colors, just as she passed every other test here.

 

The calls, texts, messages and understanding friends, coaches {past and present}, family and especially Justin's sweet, patient, sensitive Ashten have meant the world.

 

I will remind myself daily that time with my children is precious.

 

F L O R E N C E , italy

We didn't see David.
I just had to get that out right away.
We should have stopped to see him, but we are ok that we didn't. Next trip.

There are those who travel here and have every minute mapped out. They have the need to check every single country and sight off the list. I admire what they are able to accomplish and see.

There are those who do not leave the base, have never driven the Autobahn and eating out is BK. Seriously. There are lots of them. I know- it sounds unbelievable. A shame.

I like think we fit somewhere in the middle.

We love to travel. We love to check countries and sights off our list. The boys are fairly easy to travel with as well. Easy as long as we don't go too crazy.

I have to remind myself that doing too much in a trip really can take the fun out of it for them. If they're not happy, we're really not too happy either.

Florence was one of those cities that I did not push on them.

We gave them the option to check out Florence with the adults, or stay at the villa and swim.

Ty took one for the team and stayed home with the littles.

They were happy. We were happy.

So- Justin, Ashten, Scott, Jazz, Jim and I headed out for an afternoon in Florence.

On my itinerary of our week in Tuscany, I had several day trips outlined. I like to have options. There were more things to see and do in a two-hour radius of our house than anyone can possibly do in a week's time or even a month's time.

Florence was a quick 45-minute drive from our villa making for an easy day trip.

Our greatest challenge with Florence was finding the parking garage. In researching, I was told to park underground at the train station. It was secure and easy to walk from there to see everything.

* click on photo to enlarge

We had it in the GPS but for some reason with six {6} of us looking we passed the entrance to the underground parking garage at least five times {maybe 10 times} before we finally spotted it.

Looking at this picture, it is still difficult for me to see where you drive under.

You can see the blue P signs, but the ramp going down was a little tricky for us.

In that space of time we drove in circles looking for the parking garage, we managed to drive the wrong way down road and were told we couldn't park in a spot because it was a blue spot {or wasn't a blue spot- can't remember now}.

It was more than a little stressful.

We also managed to keep calm and laugh along the way in this major city with crazy drivers.
Again, Jim's driving skills were at their finest- he is really incredible especially under pressure.

Florence is magnificent.
Florence is artsy.
Florence is old.

After parking and getting some food, we walked the short distance to the Dom, or Cathedral. As we turned the corner and saw the square- I could not get over how massive and huge and colorful the buildings were.

Oh, and the white, pink and green Tuscan marble. I loved the marble.

In spite of not being our first large city, it was still jaw-dropping and extremely impressive. With each large cathedral we have visited {Cologne, Carcassone, Notre Dame, Strassbourg...}, the feeling is the same while each has been so different.

They are extremely impressive especially considering the time frame in which they were built.

The dome of Florence's Duomo {Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore} was completed in 1436. The cathedral is Europe's fourth largest church and the city's tallest building.

The Baptistry is famous for the bronze doors and is one of the oldest buildings dating back to the 4th century. Each panel shows a scripture through pictures.

We tried to go through the Cathedral but were turned away because we were wearing shorts. Oops.
They weren't even short shorts, but rules are rules. Instead of purchasing the paper smock-like article that allows you to pass security into the church, we took a couple pictures in the entrance and headed back outside.

From here, we split up going different directions with a time to meet back up.

Justin, Ashten, Jim and I were excited to go up the Tower {Campanile di Giotto} next to the Dom. Jazz and Scott checked out the rest of the city.

The view from the top definitely made the climb worth every one of the almost 500 steps.

With a super narrow winding staircase, it was nice to have several landing look-out landing spots to take a break and take in the view.

With our fear of heights, both Ashten and I thought we were incredibly brave walking across this metal grate looking all the way down. Jim and Justin {along with the other people taking a break} probably thought we were crazy.

Even knowing it was secure and we weren't going to fall through, it was scary!

On to the top- it was nothing shy of astounding.

The view of the Cathedral along with everything else within the these hills of Tuscany was beyond impressive.

Love. Love. Love.

91 degrees is hot over here

On a normal day, 91 degrees is blissful in my opinion.
I love the heat.
I love 100.

I know this is cool for Arizona.
Or, most anywhere else in the US right now.

In Germany, it is a little different.
There is no air conditioning.
Kind of like Alaska, only it is a little hotter for a little longer here.

Nope, just fans.

This being our third summer in Germany, it is definitely the hottest. The whole month of July has been sunny and warm and perfect for days at the pool.

Look at this nice melted coconut oil sitting inside the cupboard looks like it just spent a minute in the microwave.

It has been much-needed sunshine, but it makes for warm, stuffy, sticky nights.

We keep everything {rolladens} closed most of the way during the day, and crack the windows at night.

Of course, that only lets the bugs in. My legs are covered in bug bites.

It's ok.

I know the grey skies are just around the corner.
I love this sunshine.

T Y is an adult... 18 years?

In all of the craziness of Caden getting hurt, I almost forgot to post the news that we officially have two adult children!

He wanted to go bowling, the pool and a good German dinner.

Can you guess how this turned out?

Yes, he landed straight on his side causing a sting and quite a few "Ahhhhs" from anyone watching.

Yep, he's 18!

We went to the bank first since he's now old enough to have an actual checking account/debit card on his account. That took too long, so we decided to go straight to the pool and skip the bowling alley.

As soon as Jim was off work, we left the pool and were ready to head to dinner.

Have I mentioned yet how much we L O V E  the food here?

We do.
ALL of it.

The place I picked to eat at in downtown Kaiserslautern had closed its doors. Bummer. The second place we went to try was only open on weekends. The third place was open and was good. Not our favorite, but good.

Yummy schnitzel, pommes and salad. The salads are so good here.

It was a great time for a super fun kid.
Welcome to adulthood.
Yikes!

documenting L I F E

I'm way behind.
I'm going to try to catch up this week.

Our goal while living four years in Europe was to create memories. I feel we have grown stronger and closer as a family while seeing as much as we can in our limited time here.

Sharing our memories and every-day life experiences has been an easy way for me to stay in touch with friends and family.

I'm not good at calling home.
As soon as everyone is up and moving, we are usually working to get through dinner and bedtime is in sight.

I'm really not good at sending pictures or letters.

Along with connecting with family and friends, my main motivation for blogging has been to document our adventures. The good and the bad.

Life moves fast. I'm trying to not only enjoy it, but would like to remember it as well.

That being said. I still have not finished documenting Stockholm, Keukenhof, Holland or our Italy trips. To add to that, I just spent 24 hours making a day-trip to Boleslawiec, Poland.

I am working to get back on track and catch up.

the F A C E of HIGHLAND

Football season is right around the corner.
I just wish it wasn't so hot in Kansas.
I bet the boys wish it was a little cooler too.

Check out these videos of the Highland Scotties.

The Face of Highland

2013 HCC Fall Trailer

Are you Ready?

We are impressed with these coaches turning this program around.
It should be an exciting year.

a day in the life of a T O U G H guy

It was just another day in the life of Caden.
Without a doubt, he is our little tough guy. We are constantly reminded of this truth.

Here were some stitches and another crash and a little {major} fracture here. A few more tears and blood are here. Have I made my point?

We knew when he was two and we made our first trip to the ER {when he split open his nose} that there were many more ER trips in his future.

Yesterday was another one of those trips.

We had just arrived at the swimming pool. Mieseau- our favorite outdoor pool. Within fifteen minutes of arriving at the pool, I looked up to see Caden in Ty's arms covered in blood.

He and Ty went down the slide at the same time. Caden said he was on his knee and with a little extra push from Ty, we think he flipped over and hit his mouth on the slide.

Ty said even with the water, crowd and kids everywhere he heard the bang and knew that he was hurt.

There were little pieces of the red fiberglass from the slide on Caden's neck and towel from the crash.

Seriously, he took chunks out of the slide. What seven-year-old does that?

I jumped up off my towel and in an attempt to remain calm started wiping the blood off to see where the source was. I realized it was his mouth, but was not prepared for how gruesome it would look. This photo is with all of the blood wiped up.... much better looking.
He said he hit his tooth on the slide. As soon as he made it down the slide, he looked over at Ty and said, "Ty, my tooth."
He definitely hurt both front teeth. Both front permanent teeth.

At a glance {without looking too closely since I had to hold it together and figure out how to get to the hospital from where we were}, his right tooth looked as though he chipped about half of it at a diagonal angle.

His left tooth looked gone and the hole where the tooth was seemed huge. The amount of blood coming out was huge.

I told the other kids to gather their things and head to the car. Ty was amazing and carried Caden.

I ran to the German lifeguards to ask for some ice. Even speaking in German, they thought I was CRAZY. There is little to no ice in Germany. Not for your drink, not for an injury.

I finally got them to give me a plastic bag and luckily had ice in our cooler to make an ice pack.

After finding the address in the GPS, we were on our way- just 15 minutes to Landstuhl and the ER. En route, I had Ty texting Jim to have him meet us there.

I had our friend texting her mom to meet us there as well {she took the other kids home and Ty to work later}. I knew we would be a while.

Both Jim and Heidi were at there shortly after we arrived. Luckily, Jim was in a class and he had arrived home from work as soon as Ty called.

We are reminded once again {especially being here in Germany} how important our good friends are to us. We are so grateful.

After a while at the ER with the doctor not sure what to do, it was decided we would go to the dental clinic.

They gave him some Tylenol and Motrin and we were on our way.

I am so grateful we happen to know one of the doctors in the dental clinic. She worked on Justin and Ty's teeth. Her husband coached them both in football.

It's not often that I use the phone-a-friend card, but we wanted to make sure there would be someone in the clinic.

The ER doctor told us they couldn't get anyone to answer the phone at the dental clinic which worried us. Little did we know- we was calling the on-call phone at 3:00 in the afternoon instead of calling the clinic DIRECTLY since it was open. Ugh.

As we left the emergency room, I received a comforting call on my cell that our friend had called the dental clinic doctor and let them know we were on our way.

She also gave the general dentist a head's up that he needed to keep the oral surgeon and pediatric dentist there so they could check him out as well.

Just knowing she and her husband both took the time out to make the calls for us meant a lot and calmed my nerves.

As soon as we arrived {a 15-minute drive from the ER}, they were ready for him. The pediatric dentist was the first to open his mouth and knew immediately that his tooth was still there. Jammed and twisted, it wasn't knocked out.

The body is amazing.

The doctors agreed that this was a good injury. Caden would be alright. In time, they expect his tooth to come down and straighten itself out. His gums should close up as well. At the worst, they think he might need a little orthodontic help on that one tooth to straighten it out.

They spent a while covering up the cracked tooth to seal the nerve and reduce his pain. We will have to get that tooth fixed as well.

As if we were not amazed enough- the most amazing part of the whole experience was Caden.

He did not shed a single tear. No crying what-so-ever.

When they asked his pain level on a 1-10 scale, he said about a 3. Of course, he was clinching his fists and grimacing as the van hit each bump on the way to the hospital.

Then, he told them when he fractured his jaw the pain was about a 4. We decided his pain scale is a 1-5 instead of a 1-10.

The doctors {all 4 that he saw} were beyond AMAZED at our little tough guy.
We heard no fewer than a dozen times how shocked they were with him holding himself together.

We are excited to see how long this little tooth takes to drop back down.