Cal and I spent the morning at Tristen's grandfather's funeral. We had wanted to go to the visitation yesterday, but basketball got in the way. It was a very long funeral service (two hours), but a nice one at that. Cal talked on the way home about his feelings if Grandpa Cutes would die unexpectedly. I know how he feels as I was devastated when Paw Paw died and I was well into my thirties by then. I told Cal that he did not have to worry. I can see me wheeling Grandpa into the basketball games when Cal's own children are playing, so he can let the coach have it.
When we arrived at home Carl and Jeanette were here. I know it was a lot of trouble to get out here because of the oxygen tanks and such, but we appreciated their effort. We watched Sleeping Beauty in the afternoon until Aunt Jan and my Mom came to visit. Jeanette was able to see Meg's new bedroom furniture and Carl enjoyed a nap in the hammock. Meg and Cam always entertain them with the piano songs, but this time Cal was even able to join in. That was a real treat.
My parents joined us for a steak dinner. After some lively conversation the Heinisch children took turns with Grandpa Cutes and Doug at badminton. It was such a lovely evening that made for a perfect night. Today reminded me that life really is "a blink of an eye." I will cherish the moments we have with our family for now. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Friday, June 13, 2014
Summer Basketball and Golf
Cameron had his first Elkhart County Golf tournament of the year this morning. It was at Meadowvalley in Middlebury. He spent the night at Mom and Dad's, so they could leave early. He practiced last night, so he felt he was ready. From all accounts he blew his opponents out of the water. They played five shortened holes and Cam shot a 24, seven strokes better than second place. He brought home a nice trophy and a lot of golf stories. His first stop was the golf course to tell Bob and Rena all about it. Next he filled Alex and Cal in on all of his stories of the day. The best part of the win is that it qualifies him for the end of season tournament of champions in August.
When Cam and Meg left for their sports camps at Bethany Christian, I headed to Bremen for Cal's first summer basketball shootout. I was more nervous about Cal's adventure than I was about Cam's. Besides open gym and pick up games with his friends Cal hasn't really played much since he broke his ankle. It was excruciating watching him sit on the bench last winter. I totally expected the same experience today as well.
Happily, I was more than wrong. Cal started on the JV squad and was rarely off the court. He looked great, led the first game in rebounding, was a leader on the floor and did everything that his coach asked him to do. Barry relied on him to lead his squad, ran Titus and complemented Cal while he was in the game putting him as an example for the players on the bench. All of this was a complete 180 degree turn from winter basketball.
I was proud of Cameron today for winning his tournament. He has worked hard and it paid off today. I was most proud, however, of Cal. His ankle was a major setback last year. He work hard and overcame a challenging situation. The lessons he has learned will definitely help him later in life.
When Cam and Meg left for their sports camps at Bethany Christian, I headed to Bremen for Cal's first summer basketball shootout. I was more nervous about Cal's adventure than I was about Cam's. Besides open gym and pick up games with his friends Cal hasn't really played much since he broke his ankle. It was excruciating watching him sit on the bench last winter. I totally expected the same experience today as well.
Happily, I was more than wrong. Cal started on the JV squad and was rarely off the court. He looked great, led the first game in rebounding, was a leader on the floor and did everything that his coach asked him to do. Barry relied on him to lead his squad, ran Titus and complemented Cal while he was in the game putting him as an example for the players on the bench. All of this was a complete 180 degree turn from winter basketball.
I was proud of Cameron today for winning his tournament. He has worked hard and it paid off today. I was most proud, however, of Cal. His ankle was a major setback last year. He work hard and overcame a challenging situation. The lessons he has learned will definitely help him later in life.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
7 on 7
Tonight Meg played in the first 7 on 7 soccer match of the summer season for Doug's girls' team. They played two games and I was very impressed with Meg's soccer skills. She has really improved in the past year. She understands how to pass, where to be on the field and what she needs to do to help her team.
There were several other girls on the team that I felt really improved from last year as well. They played in an indoor league over the winter and attended as many open gyms as they could. Overall, however, I was pretty frustrated with the rest of Doug's team. He had to leave for a county council meeting, so his new assistant coach was in charge. With Doug gone the girls decided to change their strategy and reverted back to all of their bad habits of last year. The midfielders stayed back and for most of the game there was only one person forward of the midfield line. They made Meg play fullback which is not the position Doug normally puts her at. Needless to say we got destroyed by an opponent that we should be able to play with. One of the varsity girls even said at the end of the game, "Don't worry about it new players. You'll get used to losing."
Doug talked to his assistant coach after the game. She was a lot more positive about it all, but noticed a lot of what I did. Doug was frustrated when I talked with him. He will come up with a plan going forward and it will get better. He has put a lot of effort into girls soccer. I hope the girls realize that.
There were several other girls on the team that I felt really improved from last year as well. They played in an indoor league over the winter and attended as many open gyms as they could. Overall, however, I was pretty frustrated with the rest of Doug's team. He had to leave for a county council meeting, so his new assistant coach was in charge. With Doug gone the girls decided to change their strategy and reverted back to all of their bad habits of last year. The midfielders stayed back and for most of the game there was only one person forward of the midfield line. They made Meg play fullback which is not the position Doug normally puts her at. Needless to say we got destroyed by an opponent that we should be able to play with. One of the varsity girls even said at the end of the game, "Don't worry about it new players. You'll get used to losing."
Doug talked to his assistant coach after the game. She was a lot more positive about it all, but noticed a lot of what I did. Doug was frustrated when I talked with him. He will come up with a plan going forward and it will get better. He has put a lot of effort into girls soccer. I hope the girls realize that.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Movie Time
Brett got off early tonight. He has worked everyday the past week. We decided to take advantage of his early arrival to catch a movie with him.
Brett had been wanting to see Maleficent since it came out on May 30th. Cam and I thought we would like it to, so we headed to the 7:45 show. We have all seen and enjoyed Sleeping Beauty. The reviews had been mixed and with Angelina Jolie in it we weren't quite sure how it would be.
From the opening scene we were all hooked. The story was told from Aurora's perspective and it showed Maleficent as more than just a one dimensional evil fairy. Cam and Brett loved it as much as I did. Our goal now is to take Meg back with us.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Family Time
Meg, Cam, and I had lunch with Brett today at one of his favorites - The Root Beer Stand. The food was good and we enjoyed his company. Brett has been so busy with work, school and his internship that we haven't spent as much time with him as the Heinisch children would like. Thus, we started making plans so that we can enjoy his company.
Tomorrow night we are going to go see Maleficent. Next week Cal and Brett are planning on catching the sequel to Planet of the Apes. On July 11th we are traveling to Chicago to meet the Montavon family for a day at Six Flags. Finally, we just booked our hotel rooms for Cincinnati next weekend, so we can return to our favorite Ohio amusement park, King's Island.
We are all looking forward to the trip. Cal asked if he could bring Jayce and we are hoping that works. Meg asked if she could bring a friend and then promptly invited Brett. I know that Doug and I will be taking turns riding the rides with Cameron We both struggle with rides that spin, but hopefully, we can handle it all. No matter what, it will be a lot of fun getting away and spending time together as a family.
Tomorrow night we are going to go see Maleficent. Next week Cal and Brett are planning on catching the sequel to Planet of the Apes. On July 11th we are traveling to Chicago to meet the Montavon family for a day at Six Flags. Finally, we just booked our hotel rooms for Cincinnati next weekend, so we can return to our favorite Ohio amusement park, King's Island.
We are all looking forward to the trip. Cal asked if he could bring Jayce and we are hoping that works. Meg asked if she could bring a friend and then promptly invited Brett. I know that Doug and I will be taking turns riding the rides with Cameron We both struggle with rides that spin, but hopefully, we can handle it all. No matter what, it will be a lot of fun getting away and spending time together as a family.
Monday, June 9, 2014
All Sports, All The Time
Today was a total sports day for the three youngest Heinisch athletes. Cam and Cal started the day off at basketball camp. Cal was a counselor and Cam was a camper. From there Cal headed to the middle school for basketball practice and Cam headed home to rest.
After piano lessons Cam and Meg went to their respective athletic camps at Bethany Christian High School. Cam is trying the soccer camp for 3rd to 5th grade and Meg is in their basketball session for middle schoolers. I was proud of them for trying the camps as they did not know any of their fellow campmates. Both had a great time and talked about their afternoon all the way home.
Cal talked Gage, Aaron and Jayce into playing golf this afternoon after practice. He played them in a scramble - those three against him. It ended in a 39 all tie. After that we headed to the Spring Sports Award for the high school. Cal had a great night. He was featured several times on the Spring Sports DVD highlight reel and earned his chevrons for being a three sport athlete and varsity golfer. He also received a certificate for achieving the status of scholar athlete. This is the sixth time he has received that honor in as many seasons played throughout his freshmen and sophomore year. Cal was also given a plaque for being the Most Improved Player of the Year. Steve felt that his improved play helped the team the most this year. The hope is that they will make it out of sectionals next year. It is the perfect goal for them to work on.
All in all it was a great day for athletics in the Heinisch family. Summer has just started and there will be many more days like these ahead of us. Hope the weather is as beautiful as today as well.
After piano lessons Cam and Meg went to their respective athletic camps at Bethany Christian High School. Cam is trying the soccer camp for 3rd to 5th grade and Meg is in their basketball session for middle schoolers. I was proud of them for trying the camps as they did not know any of their fellow campmates. Both had a great time and talked about their afternoon all the way home.
Cal talked Gage, Aaron and Jayce into playing golf this afternoon after practice. He played them in a scramble - those three against him. It ended in a 39 all tie. After that we headed to the Spring Sports Award for the high school. Cal had a great night. He was featured several times on the Spring Sports DVD highlight reel and earned his chevrons for being a three sport athlete and varsity golfer. He also received a certificate for achieving the status of scholar athlete. This is the sixth time he has received that honor in as many seasons played throughout his freshmen and sophomore year. Cal was also given a plaque for being the Most Improved Player of the Year. Steve felt that his improved play helped the team the most this year. The hope is that they will make it out of sectionals next year. It is the perfect goal for them to work on.
All in all it was a great day for athletics in the Heinisch family. Summer has just started and there will be many more days like these ahead of us. Hope the weather is as beautiful as today as well.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
The Fault in Our Stars
Meg had been asking me to see the movie "The Fault in Our Stars" with her. She had heard about the book from several of her friends and was anxious to see it on the big screen. We knew it would have some sad moments as the lead character is seventeen and is terminally ill with cancer. Her doctor recommends a support group for teens with cancer. She reluctantly joins and in doing so meets the love of her young life.
As the story unfolds and their love grows there are a lot of fun moments with typical teenage antics (egging the car of the girl who breaks their friends heart) and even a trip to Amsterdam. There is also a lot of sadness as any story about terminal illness would bring. As tears rolled down my cheeks I realized that I was not crying for the same reason the girl a few rows in front of us was. Although it was very sad thinking of these two young hearts being ripped apart for no other reason than chance, I couldn't help but think of the parents. That's who I identify with now. I didn't understand at seventeen what it was really like to love unconditionally as only a parent can. I can think of nothing worse than watching your child die.
I am glad that Meg invited me along. She still felt The Blindside was sadder. It may have been, but what I appreciated today was the reminder of just how precious life is. There are no guarantees.
As the story unfolds and their love grows there are a lot of fun moments with typical teenage antics (egging the car of the girl who breaks their friends heart) and even a trip to Amsterdam. There is also a lot of sadness as any story about terminal illness would bring. As tears rolled down my cheeks I realized that I was not crying for the same reason the girl a few rows in front of us was. Although it was very sad thinking of these two young hearts being ripped apart for no other reason than chance, I couldn't help but think of the parents. That's who I identify with now. I didn't understand at seventeen what it was really like to love unconditionally as only a parent can. I can think of nothing worse than watching your child die.
I am glad that Meg invited me along. She still felt The Blindside was sadder. It may have been, but what I appreciated today was the reminder of just how precious life is. There are no guarantees.
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