Summer in a Nutshell

Another summer flew by in a flash, and tomorrow I go back for my 7th consecutive year teaching middle school ELA in Goessel. This summer had its share of challenges (lightning strike, hail, HOT weather, well water pump problems), but overall, we did have time to relax and recharge before another busy school year. Here are some random photos from July and August.

LOTS of swimming:

Wheat harvest was a bit of a bummer because some of it was hailed out, but we managed to enjoy the tradition anyway without a lot of setbacks.

One setback with 30 acres left to go - the header bar broke.

Tracking Grandpa's return from the elevator.

More swimming:

Another trip to Camp Mennoscah

We worked to get Caiden ready for K-State. He moves in on August 17!

Coach Tang showed up at orientation!

This pile grew throughout the summer!

I worked on putting together some new bookshelves for my classroom. Another painting project we completed was our new front porch railing (I just don't have pictures of it!)

Delaney enjoyed a week of volleyball in Hillsboro with her team.

We finally found a vehicle for Cambry on the 2nd try. She's all set for school now!

And, she found amazing success at the county fair - Grand AND Reserve Champion in her class of photography!

Delaney turned 12! She enjoyed her favorite mac and cheese at Panera after some shopping!

Caiden had his last dr. appointment with Dr. Patron. We were blessed to have him see Caiden through all 18 years of his childhood!

Looks like Caiden outgrew him!

And then Caiden smashed Delaney's finger in the front door - accidentally, of course! So, we drove back to Newton - this time, to the ER. We are definitely thankful for the doctors in our lives! I guess you could say we ended summer with a 'bang!'

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Pre-Christmas Surprise

On Dec. 22, I woke up to Caiden not feeling well. In fact, he said he hadn't ever felt the kind of pain he was experiencing that morning. Reluctantly, I made an appointment. Long story, short - it was good he complained because he ended up having his appendix out that afternoon! It must have been at the very beginning stages and thankfully hadn't burst. So, we were in and out of the hospital by midnight that night. Maybe the worst part about the whole thing is that his wisdom teeth surgery had to be postponed since it was supposed to be the very next week. He'll go back to school minus an appendix, but still having his wisdom teeth until February 16! Pre-op Post-op

League Champs!!

Delaney and her teammates had an amazing volleyball season! They ended the season undefeated in the Wheat State League, and they only lost 2 matches overall. They had a notable win over Moundridge, 2 wins over Elyria, and THREE wins over Little River - all teams we have had trouble with in the past. They were so fun to watch, working as a team and developing throughout the season, and they ended as the league tournament champs. Thanks to Raechel Boese and Tara Churchill for their work with these ladies. What a fantastic way to end Delaney's middle school volleyball days! The immediate aftermath of a 3-set win over Elyria for the League Championship! A Team 8th Graders Team Selfie Coaches Churchill and Boese Scenes from the BIG win over Moundridge:

Mid-Summer Happenings

I'm trying to remember that I craved "slow and easy" days during the school year, and I feel like that's what I've had this summer. It has been refreshing to wake up in the morning and have a flexible to-do list; although I have to admit that some days do feel long. I suppose that helps me appreciate my teaching job! In not particular order, here's what we've been up to: Endless fixing and revamping in the shop: Digging up potatoes and pulling up a generous onion crop! Look at the size of that potato! The 4th of July fireworks were outdone by the sky this year! Enjoying my walks at sunset: Many, many green beans to can and pickle. Thanks to the girls for cleaning and stemming them! I had been keeping tabs on an Oriole nest near the garden, and one Sunday, I witnessed the "fly-away!" It was a noisy affair as the parents and babies kept calling back and forth. I almost can't get over the fact that I had time to stand and watch the whole affair

Days With the Duerksens

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