Parsons Vikings

Our new home....Parsons, Kansas. Finally starting to feel like home a little. I am a little lonely I won't lie but hopefully when we start getting more involved we will find a group of great friends.

We moved the older two boys in a Pitt State yesterday! That was kinda fun....I honestly was a little shocked at how kids in college have to live, I only lived in dorms for a semester and it was a pretty nice one. I know they will have great fun and meet great friends there. It is a wonderful school , I am almost tempted to go back to school and further my education....I have actually been thinking about doing just that!

Tomorrow I interview for a job at Lincoln Elementary School.....one of my sisters friends works there and called me. She said they have a huge group of Kindergartners and thought I would fit in great with the staff there. I said well....I guess I do know my colors and can count to ten .....so maybe I will give it a whirl. I can just see it on the first day....."Teacher...Mrs. Vratil said a bad word!!!" Let's just hope one of them doesn't puke and I don't stub my toe and I think I will be able to keep the profanity from flyin!

Sam starts school Friday....he is havin a great time here. I am so thankful for that. He is playin football, I haven't seen that many bruises on a body since Justin played. Not to mention the weather here is twice as miserable as Larned...but now that 2 a days are done I think he knows he is gonna live!

Barry is really enjoying his job. I think he knows he is making progress and sees the future there and feels encouraged by that. A new mill will be going up first..that will take some time but will be a huge plunge forward for their feed yard.

Since we have moved here we have had a lot of heart ache....my sister diagnosed with breast cancer....her dog died and my 58 year old aunt passed away. This has all been a heavy burden but is getting easier. My sis has had her surgery and is doing well. My mom has been here and helped her for the last 10 days. Chemo will start in September and she is really dreading the hair loss. It will be a very hard time but I know it will end soon. By Christmas hopefully the chemo will be over.

We have a lot to be thankful for and I am very blessed to be close to Kim during this time and close to the college that the boys are at. I feel like this is our home more every day. The most positive things so far in Parsons have been the savings......no charge for enrollment, only a $155 dollar electric bill, at an all electric house, but the thing that cancels it all out is....there is a flippin Walmart 3 minutes from my house...and I have gone aaaallllooootttt.

Well it is time for bed and a new start tomorrow!!!

Rhonda

WOW...BASKETBALL what can I say...it has been quite a year......it is not over yet. Struggling to stay positive.....this is only a problem for me......my son never complains....I am in awe of that. No one seems to cut this team a break, including me, but ya know they have overcome a lot. Justin personally has struggled with blisters the size of Texas, a severe mono like flu, bruised and bloody toes, I can't count the cheap shots in the face he has taken....wow......now I know when I watch at higher level of playing just how much these players have to deal with. Oh yeah and I forgot to mention....Justin has been playing with a torn LIBRIUM..shoulder cartilage. Surgery as soon as the season is over. I tried to talk him into doing it now to end my misery but he says no way. I will be thankful for the memories when I forget about the things that piss me off.

I hope you enjoy these pictures....I am so appreciative of the coaches daughter for taking them. I have a hard time remembering to take pictures and when I do they are no where near this good. Justin has a huge vertical without a doubt. He is enjoying his teammates too. They seem to be loyal to trying very hard to be a team. We leave our burdens and strive on to making memories of Justin's last year as a beloved basketball player.....at least as an INDIAN. I would bet a million he will enjoy basketball at a rec center somewhere for a long time to come.

Visiting colleges and planning his surgery are next....then graduation. For those of you who know me.....that will be another blog......I see adults living in my house now and next year it will be way emptier....Sam will be the main focus.....muhawwwww (evil laugh) and trying to pay for two in college will be the other focus. I love my life and I love my boys...all of them. Peace out.......

Rhonda

Some of the shots taken by coaches daughter....2011.

GRADUATION

I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry, I'm not gonna cry! YA RIGHT! I can't believe it, we have made it through and have a boy graduating, WOW, it is weird, I am really getting up there, my parents were fricken old when I graduated. I hope the weather holds out and is OK and I hope I don't hurt too many people's feelings before this is all over with. I get a little testy when planning big events......I never used to be this way, it is a new thing, I hope my family still loves me until I get through this stage.

Garrett is going to live out back in the barbershop......so he can do laundry and learn to be on his own....yeah we'll see how that goes. I am not having extreme sadness or anxiety because he is not leaving. Barton County Community College MWF and work TT. I think he is smart to do this for a semester, he really has no idea what he wants to study.....so this is a smart way to start. I really am proud of him.

I have always been that mom that wants her kids to live close by and come by in the morning for coffee, and the grandkids walkin here after school for cookies and milk. I just want them to be good parents and husbands, you know you can't go to school to learn that. I would never tell them to not go to school or make them think they couldn't go to whatever college they could. I would find the money and a way.......so I wasn't surprised to hear Garrett's plans. He is my son and I think he likes it here for now! I truly always thought he would play ball, I am learning that the little map I had in my head is an etch a scetch. He will make his own choices, it just might be better than the map I had goin on!! But don't you think for one minute that I won't get my 2 cents in.

Planning on a fun weekend with family and friends. Anyone that knows who we are and would like to come join us is invited. There will be great food, great people and I am sure some good ole laughter too. A friend helped me out with a picture video, it is so great and means so much to me and I know Garrett is gonna love it! Thank You so Much Karren. You are so dear to me! Please stop by and say HI!

Give me a hug next time you see me.........I never act like I need one, but always do! LOL.

Till next time...Rhonda