Libby's new pet?

 Things seem to be going well in Centerville Iowa.  Libby made it through her midterms and the season has started.  She's leading a bible study?  I learned from google photos.  (Haven't gotten to ask about this yet.)  But yesterday she facetimed for a minute to show me the stray kitten she's picked up.  Not sure how that is going to work out, but at least the White family (the family from the branch that she coaches for) owns the vet clinic in town.  Maybe she can trade coaching for fixing this animal?  Maybe they'll watch it when she comes home for Christmas?  What dorm allows animals?  I guess they all have to know when it's an ESA?

It is pretty adorable!

Saying Goodbye to Ann

Ann is the adorable girl on my left in this picture.  She was a spunky, full of life little gal that I was so lucky to know.  As she grew up, her disabilities led to many struggles.  It was a blessing that she found a home at the Rainier House starting in 2020, a place that could help meet her needs and keep her safe.  

We never expected for a pulmonary embolism to take her so young.  She was still very full of life.  Listening to the tributes by her dad Brett, Clark, and her sister Emma yesterday was so beautiful.  When we sang the closing hymn, and I thought about the words, "God be with you till we meet again," I felt like they didn't quite fit the scenario.  Ann, in fact, in her true, healthy, beautiful self, is someone I haven't had the privilege to meet yet.  The Ann who struggled with bipolar, manic depression, and was developmentally delayed isn't the Ann I'll meet again.  That Ann got to leave her struggles in mortality.  We'll get to meet an Ann with all the radiance and joy of the Ann we knew in this life. But it will be an Ann who also has all her mental faculties.  Who will know and understand all the things that challenged her so much on this earth.  

While we are going to miss her--I know she's finding joy in what she loved here--and so much more.  I can't wait to meet you for real, Anner Banner.  

Homecoming 2025

 Ben was all excited to ask a girl to Homecoming.  We made the cutest poster.  But she told her friends she would say no if he asked (he was going to bring a bunch of the freshman team to her volleyball game to ask her).  So he was a bit bummed.  Then through the grapevine he also heard she was sad he didn't end up asking her.  Whatever I guess.  Her loss.  And he had a great time with his friends.  He did end up crowd surfing and losing his phone for a big chunk of the dance, but otherwise he had a good time. Dinner at Mazatlan, the dance, and then the Nile haunted house.

Ben has tall friends

Love this kid (Derek told him to take some funny ones for us since we couldn't be there.) 

Sarah got ready with her friends at Amelia's house. 
Then they went to Eden Garden Cafe for dinner.  She loved it.  She got banh mi and taro milk tea.  
Then they went to hang out at Amelia's house for some bananagrams.  Then they went to the dance, hit up Dicks for shakes and fries.  They finished the night watching a movie at Amelia's house.  (I need to thank Amelia's family for doing all that hosting!  

Sarah went to Edmonds Beach with her friends for pics.  They look so great!

Sarah found her dress for $20!  Adorable! 

These are a lot of the friends she went with last year.  I was sad I wasn't able to help them get ready this year since we were at the after party for Ann's funeral.  

Our Football Player

Ben is having so much fun playing football.  He enjoys being part of the team.  He enjoys the games (two really close games this week, so not a lot of playing time).  And I'm really enjoying watching him.  It gets me outside (for better or for worse, haha.) 

This week I got to watch 2 games.  Sarah and I went to the game at Kings on Monday.  There the team did not win.  Ouch.  So close.  So close.  But it was a great place to watch football! 

Then on Wednesday I went up to Everett to watch Ben and Geneva came with Keri and Sam, who had arrived that day from Virginia for Ann's funeral.  They were great football spectators.  Even though they didn't use the scoreboard, so we were never quite sure of the score since we arrived a bit late, we were pretty sure we won when the Stormrays stopped a 2 point conversion and our team went wild.  We indeed won 14-12.

I also went to the Varsity game on Friday--since it was homecoming.  I've been forbidden to go back, since they were 5-0 before I went to a game and they lost really badly on Friday.  Oops. But the Mariners won--moving onto the next round of the MLB playoffs (in the 15th inning).  And the Huskies won.  So it was a 2 for 3 in sports night at our house.

Love these pics of Ben from a parent who does great work.  And these pics from the stands.  It really was an incredibly beautiful night on Wednesday.

See the rainbow? Beautiful. 

Only a few weeks left in the season.  Hoping for more nice clear nights!