Inspection News

With everything going on in the Heinisch family, selling our home has only added to the stress.  Originally, we wanted to put the house on the market after graduation.  Since we had a prospective buyer, however, we had to list it several weeks earlier.  Getting the house ready for pictures, signing contracts, and reviewing information has taken up a lot of our time.  Last week we found out that an inspection had been scheduled for the Friday before graduation.  I was incredibly afraid that I wouldn't be able to get everything ready by then, but thankfully I finished just in time for his 9 a.m. inspection.  

I didn't know what to expect, but the inspector was super friendly.  He had arrived before Cameron and I had headed out for breakfast, which was earlier than planned.  Thankfully, he didn't care if we were home or not.  He hadn't even finished walking the outside before we left.  With everything going on, I didn't even think about the inspection for the rest of the weekend.

On Tuesday we got a notice that the buyers had accepted the house as is.  That was great news as we wouldn't have to do any extra work to the house or negotiate the price because of repairs.  That meant that all of my hard work getting everything ready this past year had paid off.  I talked to our realtor after the inspection report was signed.  She said that it was the cleanest inspection that she had every seen.  That made me even more proud.  I called my dad right away to let him know that all of his help with my endless list of projects had made a difference.  Now all we have to do is wait for their financing to be approved.  I have loved our home, but am definitely ready for all of this to be over.  

Spring Sports Awards

Meg had several doctors appointments today.  She wasn't thrilled about that, but all went well and she was on her way to Bloomington by 3:30 this afternoon.  Brett and I loaded up his car and played Pass the Pigs before he headed home following his 2 p.m. dentist appointment.  Cal went back yesterday which made for a very quiet house this afternoon.  

Tonight, I met Doug at Bethany for our last event as parents of a high schooler - the spring sports awards program.  We enjoyed watching Cameron earn all conference awards as a golfer and for his academic achievement which will earn him a patch for his jacket.  He was also recognized by Bethany for his academics and athletics as well. As much as we loved watching Cameron's hard work acknowledged, the best part of the night occurred when Eldon had to fill in for Jon as the mc for the golf awards.  He wasn't quite prepared for the responsibility, but did an awesome job.  He handed out the sportsmanship award to Keagan in front of the entire assembly and then gave Cameron his MVP award with the golf team in attendance.  He talked about each golfer and gave them all individual "awards" as well.  It was probably my favorite awards program ever. I was glad to find out later that Jon was only late because he had overslept.  I was afraid something serious had happened, but instead the early morning practices and his late night work schedule at the ER had caught up with him.  He did make it at the end to thank Eldon and talk to the team and parents for a little while.  Overall, it was a fun way to end ten straight years of high school sports awards programs.     

Absolutely Spent

Doug was up early to take Phil to the airport.  We were so thankful that he could come out this weekend as it meant a lot to Meg and Cameron.  It was also nice that he could fly into the South Bend airport.  We left the Civic there for him on Friday night just in case his flight got in late on Saturday.  Thankfully, it didn't and he was able to enjoy both of the weekend's celebrations.

Doug and I spent time picking up today.  I wasn't in a hurry to take everything down, but we did need to get all of the tables cleaned and ready to go back to Champion tomorrow.  We also took Grandma and Grandpa back their outdoor furniture as well.  We took a break from cleaning to attend Samuel, Luca and Beka's graduation open houses.  Samuel's was at his house by the pool and focused on his sports achievements, especially his triathlon competitions.  There was a beautiful board with pictures of him and his dad as well.  Luca and Beka held theirs together at the Goshen College Cabin.  It was fun and we got to see Cameron there.

As nice as the open houses were today, I realized that I was completely spent this afternoon.  It was like all of the adrenaline had left my body and I could barely talk to anyone.  It guess it made sense since we had worked so incredibly hard this year to get to this weekend.  Therefore, I really appreciated that we didn't have too much else to do today.  This evening we enjoyed a low key evening of playing Ticket to Ride before Grandma and Grandpa came up for a round of Oh Hell.  I appreciated time relaxing after such a busy weekend.  

Cameron's Graduation

The last Heinisch graduation was absolutely wonderful.  We started the morning setting up for the open house.  Phil, Doug and Brett worked on the outside while Cameron and I decorated the inside of the house.  We hung poster sized collages, put both of his banners on doors, set framed pictures of Cameron around the house, displayed a collection of his trophies, awards and medals, and found the perfect spot for the t-shirt quilt that I made him.  The cakes and IU decor were perfect for the celebration.  

Cal arrived shortly after lunch, so that we call all travel to Bethany together.  Meg, Nick, Grandma and Grandpa met us there.  The ceremony started promptly at 3 p.m. Cameron led his classmates in the processional and we got some great pictures of him walking to his seat.  After a short speech by the head of school and the acceptance of the class gift, Cameron and Jessa were introduced as the student speakers.  They took turns talking about their class, graduation and the future.  They were absolutely impressive.  I was very proud of Cameron and only teared up once when he talked about Richard. Overall, it was a perfect send off for their class.

After the diplomas were handed out, we took pictures of our family together in the courtyard which turned out very well.  Meg and Nick stayed behind to give me a ride home while everyone else headed home to get the food ready for the open house.  Meg and Nick talked with several teachers and Bethany students that they knew while I took pictures of Cameron with his friends.  

The open house started at 5:30 and we had a steady traffic of guests.  The Bethany community came out in full force to wish Cameron well.  We also appreciated having Uncle Dan, Aunt Kim, Morgan and Addie join us as well along with several family friends and members of Grandma's family.  I was extremely thankful for all of the tables and chairs that Doug borrowed from Champion as we used each and every one of the them.  There was a line of cars around the neighborhood for most of the evening as everyone enjoyed visiting with one another and playing badminton and corn hole in the backyard.  Doug's brats were a big hit.  I was afraid for awhile that we would run out of food, but only the side dishes disappeared completely.  It was a little overwhelming at times trying to visit with everyone, but overall it was a wonderful evening that will long be remembered.  Knowing that it was the last big celebration in our home on Sunset Drive, made it even more special.

Meg and Nick's Engagement Advice

What started off as one of the most stressful and scariest days of our family's lives, ended with a beautiful engagement party for Meg and Nick.  The afternoon was a tough one to get through as we had a situation with Cal that made us believe that he wasn't going to be able to be home for tomorrow's graduation and that his health was in danger.  Thankfully, that issue did resolve itself with a lot of help from Doug and I.  Because of our time spent with Cal, it took a little more work to get ready for the engagement party and a little while for Doug and I to calm down.  At first I wasn't sure that I would be able to get myself together for the party, but in all actuality, having the engagement celebration tonight was the perfect way to unwind and remind myself of all of the positives in our life.  

The house looked beautiful as Meg had decorated the home with framed pictures of her and Nick along with vases of flowers and pretty tablecloths.  The food was delicious.  Grandma Jane, Nancy and I all provided appetizers and desserts for the night.  Paula, Gabrielle, Mallory, Stella, Alistar, Philip, Rachel, and Sarah were able to join our family and the Yoders for the celebration.  Nick hosted a corn hole tournament for everyone.  Uncle Phil even joined the festivities.  We had all of the guests write notes to Meg and Nick when they arrived.  Before the party was over, the newly engaged couple read the advice given to them out loud to the group.  I loved listening to all of them.  Meg's favorite was from my dad, "Learn the husband nod early."  I really liked Mallory's since it was based on different Beach Boys songs, a common bond between her and Meg.  What I loved most about the advice was that this was exactly what the Heinisch family did for Doug and I when we were newly engaged in the summer of 1992.  Overall, it was a wonderful evening, filled with a lot of good wishes for the happy couple.  We felt blessed that so many were able to attend and that they all stayed late into the evening.  

School's Out Forever

Twenty-three straight years of having a Heinisch child in school ended this afternoon as Cameron walked out of Bethany for the last time as a student.  I would like to say that it was bittersweet, but it was time.  Although the number of years sounded long, 4140 school days during that time period made it seem even longer.  Cameron was more than ready to be done and I was definitely right there with him.  School would no longer dictate our schedule and the endless days of classes would be over.  School days weren't all bad, but they were more than tedious at times.  Thankfully, the extra curricular activities and friends that the Heinisch children made during those years helped to make those days a lot more bearable.

The last day of school is always a great one, but today's was even more fun than usual.  Cameron didn't have to be at Bethany until 10:30, so we decided to go to breakfast at Lux Cafe this morning.  It was absolutely packed, but we were still able to get a table relatively quickly where we enjoyed good food and conversation about school memories and senior faith statements.  It was a nice way to start the day. 

While Cameron was at Bethany setting up for graduation, enjoying a catered luncheon and rehearsing for the ceremony on Sunday, I stopped at the store for some last minute items.  I had just enough time to finish cleaning the house before Doug arrived.  We saw Cameron later in the evening at Avery's home.  He, Jordan, and JJ all had their open houses under tents in the Rusel's backyard.  Doug and I were impressed with the setup and enjoyed the atmosphere very much.  It was the perfect way to celebrate the last day of school and kickoff graduation weekend.  

Good News for Pilot Boy

Meg came home late last night.  Nick's oxygen level had returned to normal and he was feeling a lot better.  The doctors still wanted to keep him overnight, but since Nancy was able to stay, Meg decided to come home with Kyle.  I was asleep when she arrived, but heard from her in the morning about her previous day.  It sounded very scary to me.  Only forty planes a year had this issue, which made it extremely rare.  The good news was that it shouldn't happen again, but that didn't alleviate everyone's heighten sense of awareness of the problem.  

As Nick knows that I have always been a nervous flyer, I chose this time to once again suggest a different career.  I got nowhere with my ideas, even though bus drivers got paid very well.  Since my career advice was no help, I then tried to give him piloting advice.  Although I thought it was a great idea,  Nick wasn't quite ready to wear an oxygen mask everywhere he went.  I settled instead for getting reassurance that he would chose a different employer.  I was glad to hear that and also that he would be home tonight safe and sound.  

A Huge Scare in the Air

Nick called this afternoon.  At first I was surprised when I saw his number come up, but realized that Meg was talking to Maddy.  I thought that maybe he had a question about the upcoming engagement party and couldn't get ahold of her.  I knew that he was flying today, but until I heard his voice, I didn't think much about that.  

As soon as Nick started talking, I became extremely concerned.  He was looking for Meg and sounded a little disoriented.  All that I could get out of him was that there had been an emergency, he was in the hospital and that he thought that he would be alright.  I tried to ask him what happened, but soon realized that he just wanted to talk to Meg.  I was worried about him, but decided that the best thing that I could do was hang up and get ahold of her.  I called her, texted her and ended up paging her just to make sure that she knew that it was important.  

I heard back from Meg within ten minutes.  Nick's plane had had to make an emergency landing in Indianapolis due to decompression in the cockpit.  Nick was able to get his oxygen mask on in time, but the older pilot passed out before he did.  Nick took the plane off of autopilot and started to descend.  The pilot woke up and wanted to ascend, but Nick wouldn't let him.  They needed to land before either one of them became extremely ill.  Thankfully, the airport was close.  The runway was already lined with with firetrucks and EMS as they neared it.  They landed safely and Nick was immediately taken to the hospital in an ambulance.  It all sounded incredibly scary.

Meg was on her way to Goshen when Nick called.  Nancy and Kyle said that they could pick her up at Bethany so that they could all ride to Indy together.  Grandma and I got Meg's car for her so that she didn't have to worry about that.  The trio arrived just after 6 and were very happy to report that Nick was feeling a lot better.  The doctor had him on oxygen and planned to keep him overnight for observation.  I talked to Nick briefly and was glad to hear that he was feeling a lot better.  I couldn't even imagine how intense the situation was for him.  Nick told us that he had heard a voice say, "Put your mask on."  I don't know if that was his training kicking in or the voice of God.  Either way, I'm just happy that he survived a near tragedy.  

Senior Night at Golf

Waking up at noon felt strange, but after going to bed at 6 a.m., it was necessary.  I was incredibly glad that Cameron and Meg were able to take care of themselves these past couple of days.  It definitely would have been a challenge to be up at 7:30 this morning.  

I showered as soon as I got up so that Meg and I could run to New Market in North Webster to pick up the cake for senior night at golf.  It was way bigger than I thought it would be, which made us laugh as there were only seven boys on the team and the cake fed 96.  Cameron had invited his friends as well, and thankfully we would have plenty for all.

After lunch, Meg and I headed to Walmart to pick up ice cream, plates and utensils for the celebration.  Fortunately, Kris Shenk said that she would keep the cake and ice cream for us until the end of the match. With the 80+ degree temperatures, there was no other way for us to keep it all cold.  We talked to Cameron before the match, he was excited about the night.  He felt really good about his game and also liked playing with the Lakeland golfers.  Unfortunately, a missed putt on eight and an out of bounds on nine inflated his score to a 45.   

The disappointment of Cameron's score, however, was eased tremendously by the strong support that he found from his friends, family, classmates, teachers, coaches and players tonight.  As the only senior on the golf team this year, he received a lot of attention.  From listening to Jon's speech, it was well deserved.  Cameron had given his all to the golf team this season, even driving the entire team to practice on a daily basis.  It was nice to hear him recognized for his contribution to Bethany golf over the past five years, especially when we weren't even sure that they would have a team this spring.  I also appreciated all of those in attendance tonight.  I loved seeing the outpouring of support, but was also happy that hardly any of the oversized cake was left afterward.  As I walking out, Jon stopped me to tell me how much he enjoyed Cameron.  He said that after taking his own boys out of the equation, Cameron was by far his favorite Bethany golfer ever.  I could totally see that, especially after his 8th grade year when the majority of the team was had the last name Shenk.  It only made sense that he fit right into that family.