Basketball is in full swing. Luke and Joshua have been practicing and practicing as much as they can get in. They are asking Daddy to take them to the gym in town to practice. One of the young men that works at the gym center, has offered to help Luke as much as possible. Luke is doing great, but he is working especially hard at getting the ball up to the basket. At Friday's game, Luke caught four rebounds, and Joshua intercepted the ball from the other team. They are both working hard on their game and they are having so much fun with it.
 | |||||||
| Luke is on the far left waiting for the ball. |
 |
| Joshua is guarding the boy with the basketball. |
This week was also the Blue and Gold banquet for Cub Scouts. Luke was recognized for completing the Tiger Cub requirements, and Joshua was recognized for meeting the Bear Cub requirements. We are so proud of both boys for meeting and exceeding the Cub Scout requirements. For the rest of this year, the boys will have a chance to work on electives and other requirements, The Blue and Gold Banquet was so nice. First, the boys were recognized at mass. Joshua very quickly volunteered to bring up the communion. We are so proud of these guys.
Another accomplishment this week was that Joshua won second place in the Young Author's contest for his story called, "The Life of a Person with Food Allergies." It was a great story written from Joshua's heart. Joshua worked hard on this story and it paid off! Luke's contest will be in a few weeks.
 |
| Our second place award winner! |
Some sad news for the week comes from the Litteken family. Daddy's cousin, Glenn, passed away after a long, hard battle with cancer. And your Great Aunt Laura passed away on Sunday after her 2nd battle with cancer. We are so sad for ourselves because we will miss them so much, but we are also happy to know that they are in heaven and cancer-free!
It makes me sad to think of how many deaths you both have had to deal with in your short lives. I think you both have learned not to be scared of death. You have learned that heaven is a real place where there are no tears, pain, and nothing bad happens there ~ only pure happiness. But along with that, I know you have experienced the sadness and emptiness that comes with death. That is something I wish you never had to experience. It is a part of life. Grandpa Al, my Dad, passed away one week after Luke turned one. Two years later, Papa Ed passed away. Along the way, there have been aunts, uncles, cousins, Daddy's best friend, friend;s parents and children....sigh..........too much and too many. :(
It seems to get harder as I grow older . Death seems to be happening to so many people in our family and in our lives. While it is a certainty in life, it has not gotten any easier or less sad at all. I probably feel a bit more sensitive to it as well because Daddy and I were a little older parents than usual. Daddy and I often talk about wanting to be around you guys for a long time when you are older and have children of your own. I dream of someday being the best Grandma to your children. I dream of babysitting your children and spoiling them rotten as only Grandma's can do!
I love you both more than ever!
Love,
Mama
