Everybody is “busy”. The world goes faster and faster it seems and we all are busier, often by our own choosing. My husband and I don’t want our family to be busy and not have it be valuable family time because of our schedules.
There needs to be value to our family behind “busy” scenes and schedule. In order to balance a teenager’s busy weekend schedule combined with family time, we cram as much into a weekend at times as we can. Our remote rural location has us often driving hundreds of miles to get to our final destination and once we’re there, we launch into busy weekend mode balanced with family time that includes a lot of visiting and fun.
The teenager’s first love is basketball so often our weekends equal basketball busy. He plays year round and this weekend we returned to my old stomping grounds in Grand Forks, ND for a spring tournament with his Fargo, ND based team.
In between games, we had some quality play time and fun with my lifelong “bestie” Sara and her two boys, Sam and Lucas, who were visiting for the weekend. As you can see the kids weren’t thrilled to be taking a picture together…and that is because…
they were wiped out from the water park play and arcade game playing they had just completed.
Daddy may have had just as much fun at the water park as the kids. I’ll share a video of Miss A and her newest love of the kid water slide tomorrow.
There was a new coach on the bench this weekend with our teenager. It was the big guy who has taught us our love for basketball, my dad or otherwise known as Grandpa Fred.
Grandpa Fred was there in Hyslop Sports Center where he starred 35 years ago for the University of North Dakota on the bench next to his grandson. I was a little emotional and very nostalgic to see it. We had a crew of loyal friends and family in the stands to take it all in and enjoy from our “Auntie” Rennae and family, to my grandpa, mom, brother, friend Sara and more.
My surreal moment of the weekend came later in the weekend when our son played in my home high school gym for two games with my dad as his coach for a game.
Through it all we had troopers of little sister fans who excitedly waited for half time concession treats with Daddy.
Our most special moment of the weekend came on a visit in between games to my Great-Great Aunt Iris, age 105 and still living on her own.
Anika Iris is named after Great Aunt Iris.
They love each other dearly. Iris said Anika “just tickled” her yesterday during our visit. Anika is no longer our quiet and shy girl. She is a boomerang and always on the move. She climbed right into Iris’s lap and gave her hugs and kisses. It made all the miles and “busy” schedule worth the entire weekend.
The games matter to teach discipline, team work and more life lessons but in the end…
it’s the moments away from “busy” with our family and friends that matter most in life. Like the above pictures that spans five generations and 104 years a part in their age. Iris sat and told Hunter of graduating from the University of North Dakota in 1928, the struggles of the Great Depression, her father asking her to return home in his time of death, her years of teaching, being a Librarian and the many joys it brought to her. It reminded me that those are the moments that I want our children to have in between the busy life schedules that they will cherish long after basketball playing years are over.
With busy and a late night arrival home last night comes my lack of Hunk of Meat Monday post today. I begged my GriggsDakota mom to guest blog for me to highlight her fantastic seasoned roast beef she served us all last night at the farm. But she hadn’t taken pictures! I’ll be back next Monday with my regularly scheduled Hunk of Meat Monday.
You can link up with Beyer Beware today and enjoy the easy family recipes posted. I’ll be using a recipe from there today to pull off supper in between activities of our busy Monday schedule.
What moments matter most to you in your family life?
Beautiful Post!!!!
Great family time for you guys….and GO AUNT IRIS! How fantastic is living to 105 years old and still living on your own?!
P.S. LOVE the name Anika!
How wonderful! Your photo of Aunt Iris had me in tears. I remember stories my grandpa told of the Great Depression before he passed away. Life is busy, but I’m really happy I took the time in my younger years to enjoy some family time. Thanks for reminding me because my kids could use some slow down in their busy lives too.
I’m a big basketball fan and I love the photo of Hunter and Grandpa too! Very cool memory for them both.
Loved the photos with Grandpa and Aunt Iris! Glad you all enjoyed your family time!!
wonderful family sharing time… 🙂
Love, love, love the pic of Hunter and your Dad. That is a picture that Hunter will treasure someday. Sounds like a great weekend!!
What a crazy but wonderful weekend you had! LOVE your story! From basketball to Aunt Iris, there are all sorts of connections to be made and memories to cherish.
This is all so true. I spent the weekend with my family too, and visited my 98-year-old grandmother. Lots of laughter and love. Nothing better!
What a great weekend! Your dad had to have such a great time coaching your son. Love the pics. Right now, I feel like we are spending lots of time reading books preparing for our AR tests!!!