Weekend Update

 This past weekend was a pretty busy one. Friday was the last day of school already. I dropped the kids off at school, went to the final chapel service, and then did some last day of school cleaning. After cleaning, I ran to the gym, the grocery store, cleaned and then picked the kids up from school. They got to clean, eat pizza, and then go bowling for the last day of school. Bowling was a good activity because it ended up being a rainy, cold day. 

Friday evening was pretty chill. We enjoyed some time outside, did some yard work, and then just relaxed at home with the kids. We watched a couple episodes of our show, ate some popcorn, and enjoyed being done with school for the year. 

On Saturday, we had a very cold, windy soccer game for Elliott at 9:00 am. It was 44 degrees, but felt like 35 degrees, and it was just miserable. I had to dig the winter coats, gloves and hats out again. We didn't even make Emma go because it was so miserable. Elliott's team ended up losing 2-3, but honestly we were all just ready to get out of there. 

After soccer, we got Elliott a Scooter's smoothie, and then we were home for a little while to catch up on things. Around 2:00pm we left to meet Mom, Rachel, Ryan and Emily at the Round Lake Winery. We all had a good time drinking some wine, eating food, and visiting. The winery was beautiful, the wine was good, and the food was mediocre. When we were done eating, the sun poked out and the wind went down, so we were able to walk around the explore the grounds a little, and it was really nice. We all headed home around 7:00pm. 

Sunday was filled with church, kids singing in church, and then confirmation and confirmation parties. We had a good time visiting with everyone and celebrating Lily and Chole's confirmations. After the party, we came home and taught Elliott how to mow lawn, planted some perennials, and then headed out to another Elliott soccer game. This game was much warmer and sunnier, but it was still very windy. And Elliott's team lost like 6-0, it was pretty rough. Somehow, the kids at the last minute got invited to a sleepover at the Polzins', so they did that and had a really good time. 

Yesterday was a very Monday, Monday. It was about 50 degrees, very windy, and really rainy. It was gross. I love the rain, but the cold and wind is getting old. After work, I picked up the kids from the Polzins and then Elliott ended up getting picked up by Jim and Barb to hang out at the farm for the rest of the week. He was pretty excited to head out there. Our little nomad Elliott, I feel like he's never just home. Emma stayed here because she has Hannah P's birthday party today into tomorrow, so it's back to the Polzin house later this afternoon. 

Since John and I are kidless tonight, we are heading to Maribella's downtown tonight for supper. That should be a fun time! We are also starting to get ready for camping this weekend. This weekend is Memorial Day already, and we are camping at Lake Vermillion. It's going to be an interesting weekend because there is rain forecasted and it's only going to be in the 60s. But, we plan to make the most of it. 

Who's taller?

Beautiful winery 

Lawn mowing lesson 

Spring Update

 It's been 3 months since I last blogged. Sometimes I fall behind on blogging, but this time it's gotten a little out of control. However, these past couple of months have been pretty crazy, and life changing. My dad died unexpectedly about 6 weeks ago, so that has been quite the journey. I'll try to catch you up on everything that has been happening around here. 

The rest of February and the beginning of March consisted of finishing up the basketball season. Bethel played Good Shepherd a couple more times, but wasn't able to beat them either time. However, for the GPLHS basketball tournament, Bethel beat Good Shepherd by 2 points, thanks in part to Emma's 2 free throws she made with 57 seconds left in the game. They ended up winning that game, and man it was fun to watch. I was one proud mamma. The next day, Bethel lost both basketball games, but by only 2-3 points each time, so they were right there. 

Mom and Dad made the trip to Watertown to see the games, and stayed in the hotel with us as well. We had a really good evening at the hotel visiting with everyone, playing hearts, having some drinks and just enjoying ourselves. On Saturday, after the games, we went to Dempsey's with mom and dad and had a great meal, some drinks, and dad insisted on paying. That was the last time I saw my dad in person. I'm glad we have such a great last memory, but I still can't believe he's not here anymore. 

In March, we had Jen Aaberg's Wedding, which was really fun. The wedding was at Bethel and the reception was in Viborg. It was a really fun day, and the kids really enjoyed themselves, especially at the dance. We also had the GPLHS Honor Choir and the Michigan Seminary Choir (on different Sundays) come to Bethel and perform for us. They were great concerts, but required meals and we even hosted 4 Seminary men at our house overnight. It was actually pretty fun and not as stressful as I thought it would be. 

We also purchased a new furnace and ac unit in March. We were living on borrowed time with our 20 year old furnace and air conditioner, so we finally bought a new one. That was one full day of strange men in my house and an expensive bill, but it feels really good to have it taken care of, and both operate very well and much quieter and more efficiently than our old one. 

April brought in a new month of cool, windy weather, working in the greenhouse, dyeing Easter eggs, soccer practice, and then the news that stopped everything. April 2nd, 2025 changed all of our lives. I had a day off of work. and spent the day cleaning, running errands, and then taking the kids and myself to the dentist after school. We were dressed and on our way to church for choir practice and then a Lenten service when my mom called me and told me that dad had passed away unexpectedly. I didn't even know what to do or say, Needless to say, I didn't go to church, and I headed to Minnesota the next morning to grieve, be with family, and help plan my dad's funeral. It was a crazy, devastating couple of weeks. 

We did have some good family time. I spent so much time with immediate family and extended family. There were neighbors and friends who stopped by, dropped off food, drinks, paper goods. It was so nice to see so many people come together. The wake and the funeral were really difficult, but also very supportive from family and friends. We all leaned on each other, prayed, cried, laughed and got through it. We still miss dad a lot, especially mom, but we are creating new memories and continuing to move forward, just as dad would want. 

After the funeral, we went back to work, soccer practice and games, softball practice and games, Bethel softball games, school plays, graduation, other school events. Life continued to move forward, so we moved forward with it. We stay pretty busy in general, so that helps to keep my mind busy and focused. I do call mom about every other day, and she is having a harder time keeping busy and not feeling lonely. 

On Mother's Day weekend (last weekend) I went to Minnesota by myself to spend time with mom and the rest of the family. On Saturday evening, we met at Ryan's to have supper and a bonfire. It was a really nice time. Julie and Todd stopped by. So did Mark Clobes and Michelle. It was really nice to visit with people and just enjoy a beautiful evening outside. 

On Mother's Day we went to church, then a brunch at Squirrel's, and finally to Babe's Blossoms to pick out some plants to plant in memory of dad from a gift card we got from the funeral. Overall, it was a nice weekend. Mom was still feeling down for a lot of the weekend, but we tried to pick her up and help her feel a little better. 

Thursday was dad's birthday, so it was another tough day. Mom and some friends and family went out to eat to honor dad's birthday. That was nice to see. I just worked a normal day and then had Lily's 8th grade graduation to help decorate for and then attend. It was a nice evening, and another event out of the way so we can finally relax. 

This weekend, we have some soccer games and then we are going to Round Lake Winery on Saturday to meet up with mom, Ryan, Emily and Rachel for supper and drinks. Hopefully it will be a good time. Sunday is Confirmation Sunday with some parties to follow. After that, we are officially in summer mode and hopefully not quite as busy as we have been. And we leave for Seattle in 2 weeks. Yay!

There's a synopsis of the past 3 months. They have been challenging, exhausting, fun, sad, beautiful, and just about every other adjective you can think of. I'm hoping more normal days are ahead. 

GPLHS Tournament 

Wedding Selfie 

Greenhouse Fun 

Kids singing with Seminary Choir 

Family Time after dad died

Celebrating Aunt Jill's Life 

Dad's Funeral 

Meeting Todd and Julie's new dog 

Arrangement from the Nelsons 

Easter Eggs 

Easter Sunday 

Easter at the farm 

School Play 

Peter Pan play in Brandon 

Spring Play

Panther for a Day 

Tree is blooming 

Kentucky Derby Party 

We won for best dressed 

Visiting Dad 

Puppy fever 

My favorite softball player 

Hammock time 

Cold Weather and Basketball.

 We are in our typical cold stretch of the winter right now. Today, the morning temp was -16 degrees. So, it was a little big chilly. 

It's been a couple of weeks since I last blogged, so I will try to catch you up. A few weekends ago, Good Shepherd came to Bethel to play some basketball games. We ended up losing all three games again, but the kids played so much better than their first games. Elliott had a really good game. He didn't score any points, but he was getting rebounds, making good passes, and hustling all game long. Emma also had a really good game. She scored 12 points, hustled, boxed out, and had a lot of fun. Bethel hung with Good Shepherd for the first half, but there were no subs again for the A team, so in the second half they ran out of steam and Good Shepherd pulled away. Grandma and Grandpa Kiecker came to the games. After the games we got Boss' Pizza, played some card games, and then called it a night. 

On Saturday, Mom and Dad headed home in the morning and John, the kids, and I headed to Brookings for a Jackrabbit double header. We shopped at the Jackrabbit store, and Emma got a nice hoodie and Elliott got a new hat. We had a ton of fun watching the Jacks. The girls played first, and we all enjoyed the game and a Jackrabbit win. Then, we stayed for half of the boys' game, and then we headed to Cubby's for supper and to watch the second half of the game, and some of the NFL football games. Emma's day was made because Mesa Byom came into Cubby's while we were there to eat supper with her parents. Emma kept looking at her and she even told her "good game" when we left. She had a great day. 

In other news, John has been doing some ice fishing when he has time. Elliott fishes with him sometimes. The kids also did the Kid's Fishing Derby again this year. Both kids participated, and Elliott got 8th place out of 300 kids. So, he was pretty excited and he won some pretty cool prizes as well. Both kids also got some free fishing poles. They all had a good time. I stayed home and caught up on some house things, went to the gym, and did typical Stacy things. 

I've been busy getting the Robot program up and running at work. I had to build our cart for the CORE, make all the preference cards, and just do the general work to get the robots running at the ASC. It's been busy, and a little stressful, but overall it's gone pretty well. I have put in some extra hours, but it was satisfying to be a apart of something new. 

This past weekend, the kids had another basketball game, this time against Cornerstone Lutheran School. My parents decided to come again to watch the kids play, and Jim and Barb came as well. The games were interesting. I don't think Cornerstone had ever played a basketball game before, and they got destroyed by Bethel. It made for some fun basketball watching for us. Elliott had 10 points and a lot of rebounds. And he ever got to play with the A team. Emma scored 18 points, had a ton of rebounds, and had a really fun time playing. Emma and Elliott even played at the same time for part of the game. Proud momma moment. After the game, we had some pizza, played games, and then called it a night. 

On Saturday, Emma and I had ticked to go to the Jackrabbit women's basketball game. It was Women's Sports Day in Brookings, so Emma and I got there early (we were actually the first ones there). Before the game, there were stations to go to that were run by other Jackrabbit student athletes. Emma and I got to make bracelets, make posters, get temporary tattoos. get free T-shirts, and take photos in a photo booth. We had a lot of fun. We also sat in the lounge/student area for the game, and had a really good view for the whole game. The Jacks won, Emma got ice cream, and we even got to get autographs at the end of the game. Emma and I were first in line for autographs, and we got every single player's autograph. Emma also made a bracelet for her favorite player Mesa Byom, and she got to give it to her during autographs. She was so happy. 

After all the excitement, we met up with John, Elliott, and Mom and Dad and ate supper at The Pheasant. It was pretty good. Then, we stopped at a Brewery for some games and a couple drinks, and then it was time for us to head home, and mom and dad to head home. 

Sunday was the Superbowl. We decided to just keep it chill this year and stay home. We went to church, shopped at Walmart (where I found boots and shoes for both kids for $5 a pair, it was crazy!), worked out with the kids. We are into lifting weights lately. We bought some dumbbells, and I pull up some Fitness Plus exercises on my phone, and the kids do them with me. It's pretty fun, and it's so good for them. Then, we played Superbowl Bingo during the game, ate some nachos, meatballs, and homemade chicken tenders. The Eagles beat the Chiefs in one of the most boring games ever. There were some good commercials, but the halftime show by Kendrick Lamar left something to be desired. 

This past week has flown by. The weather has been really cold, and snowy. We had no snow a week ago, and now we have a good 5 inches outside. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and I have a couple fun gifts for the kids I'm going to set out tomorrow morning for them. They also have another basketball game tomorrow against Good Shepherd and then the kids are going to Jim and Barb's house after the game so they can do some sledding this weekend. They are pretty excited. John and I are looking forward to a nice evening to ourselves as well. 

Tonight, John is at church council and Emma is in Watertown right now with the Tomczaks to watch some basketball. She probably won't be home until 9:30pm or so. The rest of our weekend is pretty open. It's kind of nice to not have much for plans and just enjoy our weekend. 

I'll try to be better about keeping up on my blogging so these posts don't get so long-winded. Basically, our life right now is basketball, work, and school. But, it's fun, and time keeps flying by. 

ballers

Jackrabbit girl 

Junior Jackrabbit 

Emma trying to get Mesa in the background 

The Davinci Robot at work 

Ice fishing 

4H crafts 

More basketball 

Women's Sports Day @ SDSU 

Making posters

And bracelets 

Mesa's bracelet 

Brewery Fun 

The $5 Walmart Shoes 

Post workout vibes