Thanksgiving 2019

Oh fall how I love thee but as Thanksgiving arrives I am ready to turn the page from fall decor to the lights, ribbons, bulbs, greenery and outdated ornaments. Outdated ornaments...that's another subject all together. My girls love to bring up my ugly rubber chicken ornaments. 

THEY AREN'T CHICKENS...THEY ARE STARS. 

Nothing makes my heart swell like having my family all together. Tree decorating didn't take place until Emma (and Joe) came home the Wednesday before thanksgiving. I keep forgetting, year after year to buy a new start for the top of the tree. Again this year I have a santa hat up there. Disappointing, I know. :)

Thanksgiving day Reagan flew out to California with her club soccer team for a pointless tournament. They did well but we missed having our girl with us. The rest of the family spent the day at Helen and Lynn's again this year. Due to a snow storm Angie and John missed the big meal. We didn't get to see Stephen and Holly either, as he has been battling cancer. It's been rough, chemo is a butt kicker! We look forward to seeing everyone at Christmas.

This time of year I start seeing "What are you thankful for" posts on social media. A couple years ago I started a gratitude journal which has been great. I don't want to be thankful one month a year. Even in the hard times, there is something to be thankful for. Writing these things out turns my frown upside down. I am thankful for dinner and decorating with all my kids!

National Letter of Intent Signing Day 2019

The day is finally here, she is officially a Husker!

Almost three and a half years ago Reagan went on her first college soccer recruiting trip. During those 40 months she has started high school, attended 10 high school dances, taken 9 (or 10) AP classes, gone on TEN unofficial recruiting visits, learned to drive, traveled the United States from Minnesota to Florida over to Arizona and up to Washington to play soccer, had 3 different jobs, taken 3 art classes, volunteered with school and church, gone "creekin'", had shingles, recovered from ACL surgery, represented her school and school district city wide, won multiple soccer and academic awards, laughed with friends, cried with mom, visited family, gone on her first date, acted silly and made us proud. (she may have gotten in trouble a couple times too but we won't talk about that) She loves soccer and spends countless hours training to improve her skills but she's so much more than a soccer player. We know you have limitless opportunities ahead of you. The future is vastly unknown and while it can be scary it is also wildly exciting. I believe in you!

God made you for such a time as this. 

2020 Husker Soccer Recruiting Class

Support System

Public Speaking

Friends and Husker Teammates

Papa is wearing Grandpa Warren Raabe's sweatshirt. He
would be so excited to have a Husker Athlete in the family

COMETS

I love this picture. We remind our kids, "Remember where you came from!" Reagan joined the Comets team as a 1st grader. Coach Mike shared his love of sports with the girls and now look at these 3 MWHS Wildcats headed to college to play soccer.

These girls are Elite Girls Academy club teammates and Millard West high school teammates headed for the next level...NCAA Division 1 college soccer. 

Loyola Chicago, U of Nebraska-Lincoln x2, U of Nebraska-Omaha and Loyola Chicago.

This senior year has been a series of check marks...
apply for college...check
official visit...check
signing day...check
graduation party up next

"For I know the plans I have for you (Reagan)," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Jeremiah 29:11