Brett is not alone in that struggle. Most of us spend our early twenties searching for our own identity, finding out that we cannot always change the world and wondering what path we are on. I have given Brett some words of encouragement and suggestions for what to do when he is feeling down as have several of his friends. Ultimately, however, it is just going to take time and patience. Time to learn and grow and the patience to find a path. Brett will get there, I know, and hopefully he will come to see that the journey is what makes us who we are.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
A Rough Week
Brett has been passionate about many things in his life, but none as much as his love of his country and the Catholic church. Thus, this week has been a rough one for him. It is not just the changes in society that have made him feel overwhelmed. He is also struggling with the fact that he really loves his internship and isn't ready to give that up. He doesn't know where life is leading him and isn't sure where to look.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
The Working Man
Cal started working as a dishwasher about a month ago and it still amazes me that he likes it as well as he does. Today he was thrilled to announce that he got a raise and now makes $9 an hour. He also told us that his boss said that he has the best attitude of any dishwasher he has ever had. He has shared numerous stories about his co-workers and the happenings in the kitchen. I believe his favorite moment so far was when Just a Friend came on and the entire kitchen staff joined him in singing along.
We are thrilled that Cal has enjoyed his newfound position. We didn't push him to get a job as we knew he would be busy with summer school, golf and tennis. We are so glad that he decided to do this however. He is learning a lot and having fun along the way. He is keeping busy and hasn't had to ask us for money for quite awhile. In face he has contributed greatly to his own gas fund and the good news is he hasn't run out of gas since May!
We are thrilled that Cal has enjoyed his newfound position. We didn't push him to get a job as we knew he would be busy with summer school, golf and tennis. We are so glad that he decided to do this however. He is learning a lot and having fun along the way. He is keeping busy and hasn't had to ask us for money for quite awhile. In face he has contributed greatly to his own gas fund and the good news is he hasn't run out of gas since May!
Friday, June 26, 2015
The Dunes
Meg left early this morning for a day at the Indiana Dunes with Preston. He also invited Jared, Jacob and Cameron Gillum. The hiked the dunes, flew kites, picnicked, used the mental detector, and swam. Meg said that she had so much fun and was glad to be invited. Preston's mom took some nice pictures of the group. We were very happy that she went as well even though I was nervous because of the rip tides. Meg enjoyed making fun of me for that, but she came home safe, so I didn't mind getting picked on.
Cam had a busy day as well. He had tennis this afternoon in Warsaw. They played matches and games against and with tennis players from Bremen's summer camp. After tennis we came home to get ready for his slumber party. I had promised him that he could have one if he made 500 points in AR this year. He invited Chance, Braxton, Ryden and Evan. I was worried at first as we had planned outside activities, but the weather did not cooperate. Cam came up with a lot of great games for them to play downstairs and I bought prizes at Wal-Mart for them. They ended up having an awesome time. The cupcakes and Lil' Hugs were a big hit as well. Jurassic Park was the movie of choice. I could hear the dinosaurs roar all the way upstairs.
Cam had a busy day as well. He had tennis this afternoon in Warsaw. They played matches and games against and with tennis players from Bremen's summer camp. After tennis we came home to get ready for his slumber party. I had promised him that he could have one if he made 500 points in AR this year. He invited Chance, Braxton, Ryden and Evan. I was worried at first as we had planned outside activities, but the weather did not cooperate. Cam came up with a lot of great games for them to play downstairs and I bought prizes at Wal-Mart for them. They ended up having an awesome time. The cupcakes and Lil' Hugs were a big hit as well. Jurassic Park was the movie of choice. I could hear the dinosaurs roar all the way upstairs.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Shopping Spree
Meg asked to go shopping this summer before school starts. We have a trip planned for the first week in August. Today, however, we were able to go to Kohl's and Target before we went to 7 on 7. Meg has lost weight since the last time she went shopping and grown a little taller. Thus her size has changed. She picked out some really cute shirts at Kohl's and found a new swimsuit at Target.
I always have fun taking Meg shopping. She loves to go as much as I do. She doesn't quite have my love of a good sale yet, but I know one day she probably will. She did enjoy the fact that she got to use her debit card today so I could use my second coupon for $15 off. It was a quick trip, but fun nevertheless.
I always have fun taking Meg shopping. She loves to go as much as I do. She doesn't quite have my love of a good sale yet, but I know one day she probably will. She did enjoy the fact that she got to use her debit card today so I could use my second coupon for $15 off. It was a quick trip, but fun nevertheless.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
A Day at the Lake
Today was Cam's reward day from 4th grade. He had won this Day at the Lake in his classroom auction. They were supposed to have it in early June, but the weather delayed it. Today was cloudy, but no rain so they were able to have their celebration. There were four boys and two girls. Cade and Jared were two of the boys and Cam had a great time with them.
The group first went swimming with at the Syracuse Public Beach and then went to one of the teacher's family cottages for tubing and boating. Cameron loved the tube they used. He fell off once and learned to hold on for dear life. He was sure he screamed the loudest, but said there was definitely a lot of screaming. They stopped at the sandbar to swim before heading back to eat dinner.
Cam was very happy when I picked him up. He had had a great time. It was a nice way to end his time at Milford elementary. I am glad that he won this reward. He could finally see that sometimes "nice guys do finish first."
The group first went swimming with at the Syracuse Public Beach and then went to one of the teacher's family cottages for tubing and boating. Cameron loved the tube they used. He fell off once and learned to hold on for dear life. He was sure he screamed the loudest, but said there was definitely a lot of screaming. They stopped at the sandbar to swim before heading back to eat dinner.
Cam was very happy when I picked him up. He had had a great time. It was a nice way to end his time at Milford elementary. I am glad that he won this reward. He could finally see that sometimes "nice guys do finish first."
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Cleaning and More Cleaning
Cam and I tackled the basement today while Meg cleaned out her room. The basement was a big commitment, but not as big as in the past. We definitely got rid of a lot of toys last summer so there just wasn't as much to pick up. The incentive for Cam to help today was getting paid and having a slumber party on Friday night. Meg's incentive was to go to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner tonight if she got her portion done. Everything looked so much more organized by the end of the day. Some dusting tomorrow and we should be complete.
Cal did not join in on the cleaning of the day. He had a golf tournament and was gone until close to 3 with Dad. Cal didn't qualify for the one spot to Florida that was open, but he and Dad had a lot of fun. In all honesty I don't ask Cal to help much on the cleaning. Right now he is working five days a week, taking two classes at summer school and playing tennis two days a week. I would rather have him keep up on that then argue with him about cleaning or picking up.
I remember when I first went back to work. After being home for sixteen years we realized that we would have to change some of the cleaning duties. Doug offered to take over the bathrooms and I asked the Heinisch children to help pick up and put away their own laundry. It was an adjustment for all of them because I was always home or my Mom was around to help. I knew this would good for them and I should have asked more of them before I even started back to work. Meg, Cam and Brett transitioned pretty well from having me home all of the time to working part time. There were a lot of reminders at first, but those have lessened over the years.
Cal, however, has never really changed his thought process on cleaning and/or organizing. It never has been a priority to him. This was never more apparent than this morning when he got out of the shower, wrapped himself in a towel, ran downstairs and grabbed some clothes out of the laundry basket and headed up without taking the entire basket up. I could have jumped him or reminded him or nagged him, but I didn't. In fact I really haven't said much to him about his room or laundry or cleaning since I went back to teaching. The one time I asked him to take his clothes up and put them away he said, "Why don't you quit your job and do it yourself?" The part of Cal's personality that made him feel compelled to say that he got from me. I realized at that moment I could tear into him and fight a good fight about it or I could back off, appreciate the fact that it was an adjustment to everyone that I was working, and keep on him about more important items such as academics. Thus, I still put his laundry away today, pick up his bathroom and bring down his water bottles several times a week.
Meg asked me last week why I clean Cal's room and not hers and Cameron's. I promised her that when Cal goes to college I will help keep her room picked up and organized if she wants and then when she leaves I will help Cameron. It seems like a fair trade for now. They are not as busy as they will be in their later years of high school and I can keep up with cleaning one of the Heinisch children's room, the household chores and work. Soon enough Cal will have moved on just like Brett. For now I will just appreciate having him here even if it means that I have to pick up a little bit more.
Cal did not join in on the cleaning of the day. He had a golf tournament and was gone until close to 3 with Dad. Cal didn't qualify for the one spot to Florida that was open, but he and Dad had a lot of fun. In all honesty I don't ask Cal to help much on the cleaning. Right now he is working five days a week, taking two classes at summer school and playing tennis two days a week. I would rather have him keep up on that then argue with him about cleaning or picking up.
I remember when I first went back to work. After being home for sixteen years we realized that we would have to change some of the cleaning duties. Doug offered to take over the bathrooms and I asked the Heinisch children to help pick up and put away their own laundry. It was an adjustment for all of them because I was always home or my Mom was around to help. I knew this would good for them and I should have asked more of them before I even started back to work. Meg, Cam and Brett transitioned pretty well from having me home all of the time to working part time. There were a lot of reminders at first, but those have lessened over the years.
Cal, however, has never really changed his thought process on cleaning and/or organizing. It never has been a priority to him. This was never more apparent than this morning when he got out of the shower, wrapped himself in a towel, ran downstairs and grabbed some clothes out of the laundry basket and headed up without taking the entire basket up. I could have jumped him or reminded him or nagged him, but I didn't. In fact I really haven't said much to him about his room or laundry or cleaning since I went back to teaching. The one time I asked him to take his clothes up and put them away he said, "Why don't you quit your job and do it yourself?" The part of Cal's personality that made him feel compelled to say that he got from me. I realized at that moment I could tear into him and fight a good fight about it or I could back off, appreciate the fact that it was an adjustment to everyone that I was working, and keep on him about more important items such as academics. Thus, I still put his laundry away today, pick up his bathroom and bring down his water bottles several times a week.
Meg asked me last week why I clean Cal's room and not hers and Cameron's. I promised her that when Cal goes to college I will help keep her room picked up and organized if she wants and then when she leaves I will help Cameron. It seems like a fair trade for now. They are not as busy as they will be in their later years of high school and I can keep up with cleaning one of the Heinisch children's room, the household chores and work. Soon enough Cal will have moved on just like Brett. For now I will just appreciate having him here even if it means that I have to pick up a little bit more.
Monday, June 22, 2015
A New Courtyard
Meg made it to all three of her sports today, but is not going to be able to make it to basketball the rest of the week. I am impressed that she has kept up with this rough schedule. It has been tiring, but she's done well and so far no injuries.
Cal took today off from work to go to tennis, but it ended up being cancelled due to an impending storm that we never ended up getting. He didn't mind and took the time to practice golf. He has a tournament tomorrow to get ready for.
Cam had a golf tournament this morning. He finished fourth and was ok with that. He struggled with the greens. Playing all of these different courses has been hard on his putting.
Doug and Meg went to soccer tonight and I went to my library board meeting. For the first time in months I felt pretty good about where we are at and hoping that I can cut my commitment level down. This month has been crazy, but the week of July 6th should finish several projects and then I believe I can be less involved. The best part about this month's meeting was the presentation from Beyond Landscaping. They have proposed a new courtyard for the front of the library that I was very impressed with. Everyone seemed to really liked it and once we hear from the county council about our additional appropriations we should be able to decide if we can start this spring or need to wait for fall. Either way it would really add a lot to our library landscaping.
Cal took today off from work to go to tennis, but it ended up being cancelled due to an impending storm that we never ended up getting. He didn't mind and took the time to practice golf. He has a tournament tomorrow to get ready for.
Cam had a golf tournament this morning. He finished fourth and was ok with that. He struggled with the greens. Playing all of these different courses has been hard on his putting.
Doug and Meg went to soccer tonight and I went to my library board meeting. For the first time in months I felt pretty good about where we are at and hoping that I can cut my commitment level down. This month has been crazy, but the week of July 6th should finish several projects and then I believe I can be less involved. The best part about this month's meeting was the presentation from Beyond Landscaping. They have proposed a new courtyard for the front of the library that I was very impressed with. Everyone seemed to really liked it and once we hear from the county council about our additional appropriations we should be able to decide if we can start this spring or need to wait for fall. Either way it would really add a lot to our library landscaping.
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