The rest of the story...

The previously blogged incident went down something like this...
After a grueling 2 hours of Dahlke bowling in which I lost my 2 years running bowling title, we were standing around returning shoes, chatting, etc.  There was an arcade area in the bowling alley and the little kids had been playing in there for some time when one of them came running over and said, "We have a problem.  Caleb is stuck in one of the games."
My brother Gabe was closest so he walked over only to return a few seconds later and said to me, "Yeah, we have a situation.  You may want to come."
I walked over completely unsure of what I would  find. 
What I found was Caleb INSIDE the crane vending game desperately clutching a couple stuffed balls and crying.  He was sitting on the edge of the retrievel bucket looking completely pathetic.
My first thought was that he wasn't going to come out without those balls and I knew I couldn't get him out holding them so I had him drop them down and took those out.
For once in his life, he followed instructions very well.  I had him stand at the back of the bucket and then sit so his legs were out and under the door.  Then I did what any rational person would do...I pulled.
He had to lay completely on his back and turn his head to the side to get it under the door which I was pushing up on.
After some more tears and hugs, I asked him if he was scared (cause he sure looked scared!).  He, of course, said, "No. I just wanted you."
And the real kicker after this whole ordeal, when I asked him if he wanted those balls that he went up into that thing to get he said, "No.  I want different ones." 
REALLY?!?!?!
So, I returned the balls to the bowling alley and we buzzed on out of there with no prize, no picture and nothing but the image of him in a big plastic box sitting on top of all those stuffed animals with tears running down his chubby cheeks seared into my brain!

If you've ever wondered...

if it's possible for someone to get up in one of those vending claw/crane games (much like this one...)

rest assured that it is in fact possible.
If you're 3
and determined
and have no concept of stealing
or fear of small spaces
or you lack the ability to comprehend that you may not be able to get out if you go in.
Or basically if you're Caleb.

Christmas vacation

in bullet points.
* making children wait til 3:00 in the afternoon to leave for their grandparents house should be avoided at all costs.
*Putting your 3 year old in the back row seems like a good idea until he starts spitting on his sister and pulling her hair and you have to unbuckle and climb in the back with your arse in the air for all humanity to see to get your hands on him.
*There really is nothing like going home.  There is an aura around my parents house that is calming.  I doubt that is the case for everyone, but it is for me. 
*Upon arriving at my parents, K-Love says "Bye, Mom."  Huh??  I guess it has been awhile since we've stayed with him at Gma's.  He assumed we're were just leaving him there again.
*It was the year of the flashlights.  I got the boys each one for their stockings, my mom and sister-in-law got them each one .  Weird, but they love flashlights so it's all good.  Now I have to buy a load of batteries.
*I love going to my dad's church.  No Christmas is complete without hearing Away in the Manger sung painfully off-key by exuberant young children. Warms my heart every year.
*On that same note-I love my dad's sermons.  You'd think after all the thousands of sermon's I've heard over the years, they would get old.  They don't.  The older I get the more I appreciate his understanding of our Lord and his joy in sharing that gospel.
*I never sleep much at my parents.  It's almost always because I'm up at an ungodly hour with one or more of my siblings hashing out life, love, religion, politics, or just laughing til we're all in tears.  I don't mind the lack of sleep.
*I love going to Chad's parents' house.  It's WAY out in the country and so pretty.  We eat amazingly well, it's always cozy warm and I usually get a nap in at some point while I'm there. Score!
*The annual Dahlke family bowling expedition is always a blast.  I drove 2 hours this year to participate because I had won the previous 2 years and had to defend my title.  Unfortunately, I was way off my game and got beat twice.  Maybe next year?
*And of course, no blog post would be complete without a Caleb story, but this story deserves a post all it's own!
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!  I sure did!

Sweet gift

My brother Jake and his wife are E's godparents.
They sent him the neatest gift for Christmas.  The gift was as sweet as E's response to it.
They have good friends in Denver that started The Mango Project. http://www.themangoproject.com/.
It is such an amazing project.  Please go check it out!
For the god-kids, they donated a tree in their name.  E was so surprised by that and got a huge, bashful smile on this face and said, "That is so awesome!"  We looked it up and he learned alot about mangos and families in another part of the world.
Those are the gifts that truly keep giving!  Love it!

From the mouth...

of a hilarious, naughty, sweet three year old.

Early morning before I had gotten up for work, Caleb crawls into bed with me and falls back asleep.  I always make a big deal about him snuggling with me cause someday he's not going to anymore and that makes me sad.
Anyway, he woke up while I was getting ready for work and said the sweetest thing in the ugliest, gravely voice, "MOM, COME NUGGLE WITH ME!"  So, of course, I hopped into bed with him, but told him I could only lay down for one minute.  He was not happy about this and said, "No, stay.  I want to snuggle with a BIG girl and a TALL girl." 
At which point, I didn't know if I should be offended.
Next...
The other day, I plopped myself down on the loveseat and banged my foot on our coffee table.  Caleb was playing with some toys on the coffee table.  I said, "Ow! Caleb, can you rub my foot."  His response, "I am not that guy."  Huh?? 
 I started laughing and he said again, "I am NOT the guy that does that." 
And at church yesterday...
He was playing "quietly" with a stuffed bunny and bear from the nursery.  "Agh. Grrr.  Bang.  I kill you.  I shoot you.  I'll shoot your mom."
One of us may need therapy.

Basketball

Oh, man do I love basketball.
I do.
Some of my earliest memories are on a basketball court with my dad and brothers.
I love the smells and sounds of a gym. 
I had the privilege of growing up with a dad that was a basketball coach and had access to a court basically whenever I wanted.  I loved it.
I had one of those AH! moments this weekend with Elijah.  He had a tournament here in town on Saturday and they played in the championship game late that night.
Now, he loves playing basketball, but had not been getting a lot of playing time and rightly so.  He didn't play with this team last year.  He tends to be more concerned about doing something wrong then just being aggressive.  He hadn't quite gotten the feel for where to be on the court.
His play from the previous weekend to this weekend were greatly improved. 
And so in that championship game, he played alot and played well. 
With just a few seconds left in the game, they were down by 2 and he made a LONG jump shot to tie the game!! 
AH!  I was so happy for him.  I know that feeling.
They ended up losing by 1 in OT.  They were so bummed, but I was super proud of my ball player.  That was a gutsy shot. 
I asked him after the game what he was thinking before he shot.  He said, "I just thought if I made it, my team could maybe have a chance."  :-)
AH!

Good grief

My grandpa died Monday night.  My mom's dad.  He was in great health.  Active, spry, no cancer, no major health issues.  He died in his sleep.  No warning.  No, "I don't feel good."  He had bought new shoes that day.  
I'm so painfully sad for my mom and my grandma and my aunt and uncle.  My grandpa had his faults like the rest of us.  He and my mom knocked heads at times.  He was not always nice to her.  But, wow, was he loved by all of us. 
He was funny and silly and generous.  He always smelled like coffee and always wanted a kiss on the cheek.  It made his hearing aid squeal and he thought that was just a riot.  We all did too.  He was stubborn and outdoorsy and handy.  He loved my grandma like crazy.  He was quick to share his opinion and quick to give a hug.  He will be so very missed. 
It makes me think about losing my dad which is kind of silly maybe.  I have a really great dad and I just cannot even fathom what it will be like to lose him.  My heart hurts for my mom who is now without her daddy. 
Blah!  
Death and holidays are no bueno.  Death and any time of year is hard, but holidays...ugh!
A few other things have hit this week.  Our Katie had a rough weekend and is dealing with some seriously hard stuff.  I hurt for her.  A good friend is in the hospital with some health problems.  Several friends are struggling with what has been given them. 
I just want people I love to be healthy and well, happy and whole.   
What's always amazing about all of this is that our lives march on.  My life, my mom's, Katie, others...it just keeps moving along.  
Grief is a powerful force and not one easily overcome.  I've seen it so often wrapped up in a little package and quietly carried by those who grieve. 
I'm not entirely sure it ever leaves you. 
And in all of this we all have so much to be thankful for.  Grief and gratitude seem to be the best of friends.

Basement

I love having an unfinished basement.  It really is nice to have a place the kids can essentially destroy. 
And they do...horribly.
They destroy it so badly that it makes me want to finish my basement immediately.  I lay awake at night thinking about how the layout would be and what we can do with all that space.  It's not gonna happen anytime soon.  We still don't have a garage and I'm thinking that's probably more important then a finished basement.
That does not stop me from thinking about it though.
The kids and I cleaned the basement yesterday. 
I brought up 4 bags of TRASH! 
Not kidding.
Literally trash.
Broken toys, food particles, papers, unmentionables.
I purposefully do not go downstairs for weeks at a time. 
I daily throw toys down the stairs cause I like having a toy-free upstairs.  Makes me feel organized...until I do venture downstairs then I feel like a total slob.
I have no idea the point of this post.
The basement is already messy again and in a few days it will be destroyed and then in a few more weeks I'll clean it again. 
And so my life goes...

Fargo, Fargo, Fargo

"WHY would you go to Fargo?" said with a tilt of the head and a confused look on the face.
This is most often the response I get when I tell people we're going to Fargo. 
I just kinda laugh cause that was me a few years ago.  What I didn't know is that Fargo is cool and not just temperature-wise.  It really is a neat city with funky, cool stores and fun stuff...and most importantly,the current home of our good friends, the Hazeltons.

I am a big fan of friends who are just super easy to be around. No pressure, easy-going, sweats and pjs, or out on the town--doesn't matter.  They are just fun!  So while it sounds ridiculous to drive 12+ hours for 2 days, it's really not.
We had a great time, the Bison won, and I got to spend about 20 hours in the car with JUST my hubs! 

Alot can be accomplished in that much alone time.
We were able to stop at Chad's brother's grave, which is nice since we live so far away.

So, truth is, we'd turn around and go again this weekend if we could and someone would take our kids again!
As a side note, my super awesome, brilliant, super hero of a mother had our kids over the weekend and they all had a blast, of course. 
The funniest story from their time is that they lost The Boss" in Bass Pro Shop for a few minutes.  Apparently, he snuck away and jumped the line to get his picture taken with Santa Claus.  After the picture, they asked where his mom was and he said, "I don't know."  Then they found my mom who had been walking around yelling his name. He had the rather pricey picture of himself with Santa so it was a win/win! :-)
So, if the Bison make it to the championship game, we're going.  It's in Texas, which compared to Fargo, is just a quick little jaunt!!  GO BISON!!

Blessings

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. 
I have sweet memories from childhood of helping my mom set the table with the nice china and watching her put together the massive amounts of food that 10-20, sometimes 25 people would consume.  After dinner, everyone would say what they are thankful for.  All the typical things were said, but it always gave me the warm fuzzies to hear it said out loud.
It's the one holiday that has stayed most true to itself.  It hasn't been taken over by Santa and gifts, or bunnies and chocolate.  It's a day to zero in on what you do have, not what you don't. 
Count your blessings.  Cook and eat.  Sleep and watch football.
What's not to love.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Cute vases

Saw this idea on Pinterest, of course, and thought I'd try it out. 
I used 2 wine bottles and a beer bottle that I'd saved from the past few weeks.

This was super easy and really super cheap if you happen to drink wine or beer anyway.  Even if you're not a regular drinker of the alcohols like we are, I'm sure you know someone who could save you a few! :)
I had yarn laying around from my occasional attempts at knitting so just used some of that. Also used a little bit of hot glue here and there while I was wrapping them.

You'll need to glue it at the top when you're getting started and when you're wrapping down and around the curve in the bottle.  That keeps it from creeping up.  Also a little glue at the bottom to keep it from slipping off and you're all set!

It probably took me about 10-15 minutes to do all three. 

I think they are lovely with or without flowers. 

I'm thinking even Christmas gifts??

So thanks again, Pinterest!

Wise old person

The older I get the more I realize this strange life is a series of circumstances, experiences, and epic failures meant to shape and mold us into something resembling a wise, educated old person.
I know these types and I want to be them some day.  My grandparents, for example.  Lots of wisdom rattling around in their heads. 
Seriously, though, I find it shocking at times what experiences shape us.  It's not always what we expect.  Some of the most defining moments of growth have often been in the silent hours of night with sleepless babies, in the moments of torment throughout the day as I wrestle with the hows and whys of any number of things.   The microscopic changes in how I think, or speak, or cope seem to occur in the unnoticed processing of my choices and experiences.   It's rarely been in a single defining moment.  Time, thoughts, prayers, experiences, conversations.  Every single one of them are valuable when we are conscience of them.
I'm sure you've heard someone say about a young person who has passed away that they were so "full of life."  I find that so ironic.  My 91 year old grandma is full of life.  She doesn't get out much anymore, she struggles with various ailments (although in quite good health for being 91 and a diabetic most of her life), but she is FULL OF LIFE.  I understand what is meant when that's said about a child, but it seems so backwards. 
So, I honestly have no idea where all this mumbo jumbo is coming from today.  I just keep thinking I want to truly have a "full life" and that means a huge range of experiences, emotions, and struggles. 
I want to be that wrinkly, wise, educated, old lady someday. 

Project

I must confess...I've been coveting the coffee sacks that have been sitting the back room at the coffee shop. 
I love them. They are so rustic and authentic and coffee-y.
So my fav boss, Joan, said yesterday that she had put 2 back for me.  YIPPEE!
I would imagine that if you had a desire for coffee sack, a local roaster or coffee shop would sell you a few.  Not sure how much they would run you, but probably not much!
So, I had a few things in mind for them so as soon as we got done schooling yesterday I set to work.
First order of business, nail one to the wall. Very difficult, I know.  I couldn't decide which way to put it up and I think I may change my mind.
Side 1.

 
Side 2.  Crummy picture.  I think I like the other side better...

I wanted to use the other sack for curtains in my kitchen. I picked this sack cause I super liked the stripe through it

So after some measuring of windows and the sack, I decided that I would pull the seams out of the sides and make a new seam along the width to put the curtain rod through.  Worked out beautifully, although got a little messy with the fibers getting all over. 

I used the twine that I pulled from the sides to make my seam across the width. 

Instead of stitching all the way across, I figured I could just put a few stitches every 5-6 inches and that would be sufficient.  I like taking short cuts!
So that's what I did.  I made the seam about 2 inches wide, which was pretty snug putting my rod in.  I would make it 3+ inches wide if I did it again.
And the finished product...

Oh, coffee love!!

A New Chapter

It seems my life has had very distinct chapters.  Each change has brought a new set of experiences, friendships, occupations, and outlooks. 
From the moment I met Chad I knew I'd be a football wife.  Our life together didn't start out that way, but we both figured it would lead to that. 
He has a passion for football.  He loves the intricacy of it, the opportunities for growth it provides both physically and mentally, the competition. 
So, it's sad to say that he's done with coaching for now.  I say for now, because so little in life is predictable. 
He struggles when he feels like he's not able to give his all to something.  We're going on 5 years of that situation.  He's been constantly divided with his job at the Y and coaching football.  The Y is what has paid our bills and with CrossFit has now become something he really enjoys.  Football has always been what he loves to do, so we have stretched time and resources to the max to do both. 
He's taking one for the team, our team.  The kids and I. 
I will miss it terribly.  There is something magical about being so personally invested in a team.  You're more then a fan when you're a coach's family.  The players become more valuable to you.  You don't just want them to play well, you want them to make good decisions, mature and grow under your instruction on and off the field, and feel good about being apart of a team.  That takes alot of investment in time that Chad has not had to spare. 
So, I don't know what this new chapter holds.  I'm not sure what life will look like next August when we're not spending our afternoons and Saturdays at the field.  I don't what what I'll do when I have a husband around on the weekends. 
I'm excited to find out...and a little nervous.

Competitive Humility

Or Humble Competitiveness?
Pre-CrossFit classes I did not think I had a problem with this issue. 
Apparently, I do.
I enjoy competition, always have.  It's fun to compete, it's more fun to win. 
And that's where I have a problem.  I like winning and it makes me crazy if I lose when I know I should have won.  I think it's gotten worse as I've gotten older.
These CrossFit classes are a whole other beast. 
Competition is an outward condition by most standards.  You vs. ?? 
But, You vs. You? 
Schizophrenic, anyone?
It's true.
I have to continually tell myself I'm competing against myself when all I want to do is get the best time or at least beat the people I feel like I should beat. 
It's not about anyone else but me.  It's about beating what I think I can do and being ok if today's not the day that that happens.
It's so very superficial and self-absorbed!  I know this.  And in this case, I'm not sure it's a bad thing.  I can't control how other people perform, or if they are knocking out a PR today.  I can only do my best.  It's what I tell my kids all the time.  Maybe it's time to take my own advice.  Easier said then done some days. 
Humility in competition.  Win or lose.  Best time or worst time.  PR or no PR.
CF brings out the strangest things.  It's like a self-help program wrapped up in a fitness class, wrapped up in a college level weightlifting class, wrapped up in awesomeness.

25

11/12/11-Luke would be 25. 
What would he be doing?  He was a creator, thinker, doer.  He and his best friend had a lawn care business as kids.  He was always trying to come up with the next great idea.  My mom was sure he would be a millionaire.  Few doubted that.
It's when I think of those things that I think it's truly unfair that he was taken so young.  He had plans, things to do, girls to have swoon over him, mountains to move.  He had the faith to move them.
What's so shocking at times, is that he will never age in my mind.  He will always be 14, 15, 16.  Not 17, 18, or 25.  I can only speculate who he would have been.
Life is unpredictable that way.  I had no idea or plans to be having my 3rd baby at 25 when I was 16, but that's what 25 held for me.  Luke at 15 had no idea that 16 would be it for him. 
It's easy to be sad on days like today.  My desire is to celebrate today.  To remember him healthy and vibrant and ambitious and funny.  To consume root bear and gummi bears til I'm nauseous and tell stories about him to my kids. 
Happy Birthday, Luke the Duke!

For your freedom...

It's hard to imagine the individual sacrifices of millions, but if you have the opportunity to hear just one story from one veteran today consider yourself fortunate.  It means that vet survived and is alive to tell you their story.
I am honored to be from a family with a history of military service.
Both of my grandfathers served.  2 of my brothers have at one time been in. My younger brother, Isaac, is currently on deployment.  My husband served for 4 1/2 years of which I am eternally grateful to have been given the window into that life.  It is so hard to describe or imagine unless you have done it.  Both of Chad's brothers still serve as Navy Chaplains.  His dad was in the Air Force.  I know there are many more in our extended family. 
I had to say goodbye many times over 4+ years.  Once when I had a 19 month old and a 10 day old baby.  Chad wasn't going to a war zone, so I didn't fear for his life, but thousands and millions over the years have had to endure, knowing their spouse was in daily danger.
I stand in awe of those who not only sacrificed while they were in the military, but are able to carry the memories of war with them for a lifetime.
I'll never forget my Grandma Dahlke telling me about the weeks after London was bombed during WWII when she didn't know if my grandpa was alive.  Last she had heard, he was in London.  3 weeks she waited for that news.  3 weeks!!
Can you even imagine that? 
My grandpa was not one to talk alot about his memories or experiences.  Thankfully, my grandma was.  I would imagine my grandpa saw things he just didn't want to share. 
War is ugly.
I think there are many Americans that don't want to truly understand war.  We don't want our day to day lives disrupted, but we don't really want to know how that is maintained. 
I'm also a firm believer that war creates a magnitude of destruction and chaos that should be avoided, if at all possible.    
There is one thing I know for certain and why Veterans Day is so very important...and that is sacrifice is sacrifice, whether that is time, resources, skills, a limb, or a life.  Each and every veteran and those serving now sacrifice something so that my day to day is not disturbed with gun fire and bombs, persecution or dictatorship.  I can raise my children in a safe community, go to the church I choose, shop at the stores I want, in essence, choose. 
I get to choose.  Millions around the world are not given that freedom.
So thank a veteran and their families today for not only sacrificing for your freedom, but for the freedoms of those across the world as well.

He just keeps goin'...with a smile.

Or more of a smirk, really.
If you haven't met my husband or had the privilege to get to know him, I hope you get the chance some day.
I'm gonna brag about him for a bit so if that sort of thing doesn't float your boat, you can skip today's post.
He has always been passionate about fitness and health and over the years it has been impossible for me to not absorb some of his enthusiasm, despite my best efforts! 
His education and career choices have centered around fitness.  His choices in his personal life reflect what he teaches.  He walks the walk.
He loves all things fitness and health and wants others to love it too.
Enter CrossFit.  I've talked about it before, but check it out, if you haven't yet.  http://www.crossfit.com/
We started doing CF workouts with a few friends almost 2 years ago.  As soon as he started, he knew this was for him.  It is the perfect combo of strength, skill and variety.
I, on the other hand, whined and complained my way through workouts for a long time. Over time, though it changed my mind, as much, if not more then it changed my body.  In a society that is obsessed with appearance, CF opens a window into what being healthy and fit looks and feels like. 
So, after about a year of doing workouts, he knew this was something he wanted to share on a broader scale.  After pitching it to the Y, becoming certified, and training several clients under its philosophy, it's a go. 
Throughout this process, he has sacrificed the entirety of any personal time he may have had to continue doing his jobs, while getting ready to launch CrossFit McPherson Y!
While keeping up his duties at the Y, he did demolition in the basement of the Y, offensive coordinated at McPherson College, planned weekly workouts for nearly 100 football players, has taught CPR at the college for the past few weeks, and served on a board at our church.
He is calm, efficient, and organized, which is the only way we would have survived the past few months. 
I am in awe of how well he handles stress without complaint, maintains relationships with his family, and just gets it all done and done well.  He has yet to crack, (except for a little mishap this morning that required a few stitches :)
He just keeps going with a smile.  He makes me want to be a better person.  Makes me feel like I can take on anything.  Makes me want to take a nap sometimes (one of us has to!)
So, yeah, I'm proud of him.  Super duper proud.

He strikes again

I think we should be part of a reality show.  I am sure my days are more interesting then the Kardashians or any "real" housewives of any county or even the Osbournes, although we don't have accents so that is a strike against us, I suppose.
Mostly I just want someone to document Caleb so I can show him what a piece of work he was as a toddler.  I'm sure I won't remember everything(Thank Goodness!) so it would be nice to have videos archived for another time.

In our latest saga, he has gotten increasingly contradictory over the past few weeks.  Regardless of what you say, his response is to the negative.  Here is how the majority of our conversations go...
Me: "We're going to read a book." 
Caleb: "No, we're not." (as he reaches for a book).
Me: "I'm going to make lunch."
Caleb: "No, you're not." (as he heads toward the kitchen).
Me: "The sky is blue."
Caleb: "No, it's not."
Me: "I love you."
Caleb: "No, you don't."

As you can imagine, this is entirely pleasant and makes for joyous hours of interesting dialogue that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Now, think for a moment if this is your day to day (of which, despite my ranting, I truly do love), then as you're getting ready to head to the Y to workout, your eldest son tells you, as you're coming downstairs, to go look in the bathroom and this is what you find...

That is Comet. And my camera does not do it justice. It's on the walls, the mirror, caked on sink and toilet, sprinkled into the mudroom and on a bench.  Basically, everywhere.
He emptied the can.  Looks like he had fun doing it based on how high it was on the walls.
Upside?  It's lavender scented so that's suppose to be soothing, right?

Food

I cannot for the life of me get this kid...

to eat anything except pb&j and cheese quesadillas.
I think he, in fact, as a little bit of peanut butter on his face in this picture.
Here's what he eats on a regular basis: scrambled eggs, pb&j, grilled cheese, cheese quesadillas, cheese pizza, and pretty much any fruit.
 
That's about it.  No soups, casseroles, crockpot concoctions... nothing. 
He'll randomly say he likes green beans or broccoli, but that's hit or miss and it can't be mixed with anything.
It mostly annoys me and rarely deters me from trying to get him to eat whatever it is I cook. 
I refuse to make a meal for 6 people based solely on the likes and dislikes of one person. 
So, I just keep hoping one of these days he's try something new and say, "hey, that's pretty good," and we can add to the list of things he'll eat. 
Until then, I'll keep making food he probably won't eat.  Cheers.