We survived these past 2 weeks, in great part to prayer & in great part to friends and family that have rallied around us. In the midst of Jean passing away, we tried to keep the girls going with their normal activities (Girl Scouts, School, Soccer, play dates, etc.) but it was quite the challenge. Taylor did not win her bid for election to President of her school, although her speech was fantastic! Little spats along the way with rivers of tears and emotion were easy to identify as being caused by other things. We have persevered.
In addition to being joined at the hip with the Burton family, Sammie and I finished our soccer season together and we've already had our team party. It was fun to coach my "Super Stars" and come to the realization that Sammie isn't ready to play a different sport in the spring. She earnestly wants to continue playing soccer and so I've signed up to be her coach again in the spring. Taylor's Team finished soccer just this past weekend, earning a top finishing spot (#1) in the league going into the playoffs, and finishing 2nd as a team in the season-ending tournament. Emotional as it was to finish in 2nd place, the team really pushed hard through 3 playoff games including a double-overtime ending! We were all exhausted, and the 90 degree weather didn't help to cool the emotion of the finish. As a parent I would have loved to see Taylor play a more forward position for more than the 1 quarter she played this weekend, however she's a stellar center-D (center defensive guard) and works amazingly with the goalie. It's easy to see why the coach chose to keep her there. Emotions ran high on the side lines, but we've all breathed a sigh of relief to put this season behind us. Taylor is already talking of spring soccer and is excited to try out for the Plus team at the conclusion of spring. Way to rebound T!
As if soccer wasn't enough, our girls ALSO participated in the 
annual talent show at their school. Taylor and her friend Ellie did a beautiful piano/violin duet to "Silent Night," and Sammie and her best buddie Abby sang a duet to "Crocodile Rock." They really got the audience into their performance, and neither act showed any real signs of nerves. What pro's! Eric's Dad and Uncle were on hand for the talent show, and really enjoyed the comic relief provided by some of the acts performed.So now we can head into Thanksgiving without sports on the brain, or a talent show to prepare for. There are not any family emergencies at the moment, and we're looking forward to sleeping in on the weekends and preparing our home and hearts for the family gatherings that are fast approaching. We're ready for this change, and the change will do us good.
ps - Thank you for all the warm thoughts, cards, emails, flowers, and plants. Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers. Thank you to those who attended Jean's Memorial Service Life Celebration. We've had so many compliments given to our family on the way Jean's life was celebrated. But truly our friend and pastor, Skip deserves the recognition for setting the tone and for Jean giving us much to celebrate. God Bless You all.
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