Her First Graduation

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come

As a "victim" of the vid-19 (like everyone else) this girl did not get a high school graduation ceremony. Today was her first. We are proud of her hard work, great grades, multiple interests, overcoming obstacles and fighting to finish strong.

This last semester was a rough one, rehabbing from ACL surgery and struggling to figure out what her future would bring. Time and time again God meets us right where we are. I hope she knows she can do hard things because God has given her great strength. Reagan can meet a challenge and turn it into good. I'm not sure that she is sold on that message yet, but I know it to be absolutely true...every time.

 After graduation Reagan will begin a master's program in Nutrition and Exercise Science and play her 5th year with the soccer team. We look forward to seeing #7 on the pitch once again. The healing path continues but Reagan thrives in competition, she will do well!

Mom and Dad with the Grad

Liv and Regs

Joe, Emma and Willow were there in spirit

I really thought we would retake this picture but it didn't happen. Dang. 

Uncle Rodger and Aunt Laura got up at 4:30am to make it to Lincoln in time for 9am graduation. Now that is dedication. So good to have their support. 

Funny note, Laura is a nursing instructor at UMKC in Kansas City. About half way through our brunch today, Riss' older sister said, "Hey Reagan, your aunt was my sim-lab instructor during nursing school." What a small world. Amber is now a nurse in North Carolina so I guess Laura did a good job preparing her for working in the field. 

Family and friends celebrating our two favorite graduates

Reagan and Riss became teammates and best friends within days of meeting each other back in January of 2020. I am thankful that their friendship brought this whole group together. Ben and Christine are lovely people, too bad we didn't get to know them sooner. 

And then below is one of my chalkboard creations. It's just a fun thing I like to do.

However, it was raining so didn't even take it to brunch today.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

A Husker Finding Hope

You’ve read in this blog about Reagan’s soccer “career” over the years of micro soccer to real teams to competitive & travel soccer to high school and then the injury to the recruiting process then the college commitment. We thought once she signed the National Letter of Intent in November 2019 and moved in the dorm in January 2020, the day she would take the field to play her first D1 collegiate soccer fame was right around the corner. Who knew there were curve balls in soccer? 

Reagan has now been in college for a full year and has yet to put on her Huskers uniform for anything more than media day. So again, we are looking toward the spring for game one. It has been hard for Regs but we are proud of her attitude and desire to rise above. 

A couple weeks ago Reagan’s coach recommended her to be interviewed by a Husker journalist who in turn had a writer at FanWord write this article in her voice. (Interesting way of doing things.) So >> Click Here << to read Reagan’s thoughts on her journey to playing soccer for Nebraska. 

Fall 2016

To

Fall 2020

College Kid #2

!!GO BIG RED!!

We have been talking about, planning and waiting for this moment since she was a sophomore in high school. We actually started planning on that first college visit in early August 2016 before her first day of high school. So with that much thought this shouldn't have been a big deal. but of coarse it was. We were sending baby bird #2 out of the nest to make her way in the wild. 

Literally, a college campus is "THE WILD." 

Reagan spent every possible moment of Christmas break with her friends until they all had to go back to school on January 6th. At that point, she had to start packing. How was she going to wrap her brain around putting all of her belongings in to boxes and hauling them 45 minutes west on I-80 to a college dorm room? It wasn't just the packing, she was stuck on all the unknowns. 

The roommate

The teammates

The campus

The expectations

The food

The study time

Was she good enough

Was she smart enough

Would she be lonely

I completely understood her concerns but I also knew she would be fine. Don't get me wrong, I was praying for God to show up in all those areas. Guess what? He did! So even though I had some concerns I knew it would all work out. 

Remember when Emma moved to college I was stuck in an immobilizer on the couch for 6 weeks. I cried from the time they left the house until Chris got back home. So as hard as it is to scoot the baby birds out of the nest it is also exhilarating to see them move on in their journey. This process was a joy.

The process of packing is messy!

 The process of unpacking is messy as well!

Saturday, January 11th we loaded up my Prius and Chris' Escape with all the things a college freshman needs in a dorm room and three of her family members. An hour later we were unloading boxes, bags, rugs, decorations and snacks with 4 of her new soccer teammates. Reagan's unknown roommate had never responded to her emails and DMs which left us curious about who she was and if she was even going to show up for the semester. The moment of truth was upon us as Reagan inserted the key card into the locked door. What would we find? We found a smelly dirty room. Dirty clothes in her drawers. Trash and food from last semester under Reagan's bed. A fridge covered in opened food packages. And dust bunnies the size of my Prius. It all makes me laugh now.

The girls may not be close friends but they will be fine for the next 4.5 months.

That day 4 strangers in Husker Soccer apparel carried boxes and gave us helpful tips. Kinzie, Riss, Carly and Alicia are now Reagan's people. That first night they went out for dinner and watched movies. The next morning they all went to church together. WOW! So many answered prayers! 

In general, the soccer team has been overwhelmingly helpful. Each girl has touched Reagan's life in one way or another to help her transition into college life. Only 4 days into Reagan's college experience she told me, "mom, this is the best decision I have ever made!" Since that day, she has repeated that sentiment in various ways. It brings me such great joy to see my child so happy.

Classes are going well too. If it were up to Regs, she would just play soccer. HA!! Maybe one day that dream will become a reality. 

 Reagan, you are going to surprise yourself.

You are BRAVER than you believe

You are STRONGER than your seem

You are SMARTER than you think 

and LOVED more than you know!

I am the one right behind you, cheering you on and if you slip along the way 

I will also be the one helping you up. One last important message below

DON'T FORGET TO...

 AND

Reagan's High School Graduation Party

It came

It went

It was a success!

We had over 210 friends and family come through the doors to celebrate Reagan. I'm sure we greeted each person but there were some who I hardly remember having much of a conversation with. But thank you all for sharing your Sunday afternoon with us.

My people came to the rescue

Susan and Kimberly, you are AWESOME! Thank you for everything you did to help us set up, serve food and clean up. You get me. You make me smile. I miss you both!

School Friends

Girl Cousins

Mark & Claire from CORE PT

The Grandparents

Colton and Reagan

Will S

Kenzie B

Kaylee B (almost family)

Cece B

 Cookies and More Cookies

Reagan wanted Chocolate Chip cookies...we had 600. I couldn't help but order the cutest sugar cookies in the midwest from Angie Foley of Branson. I wish I had a better photo of her designs. They look amazing and taste just as fabulous!

 The menu - Walking tacos and Chocolate chip cookies.

In case you were wondering, 45 lbs of taco meat fits in a 22 qt roaster oven

I was so busy getting ready for the party I didn't focus on getting good pictures of all my decorations. These center pieces were simple but just what I wanted. I spray painted books, placed on burlap wrapped in red and black ribbon and 2 framed photos; an early childhood picture and a senior picture. To finish off the look we added cups of m&ms and 2020 confetti. 

When I track down a few more pictures I will be adding them. It's truly more for me to look at years later than for my blog readers. 

What a great day of celebration!

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

The Royals . The Adults . The Huskers

What a weekend of celebrations!

The fun began Thursday evening with Reagan representing her senior class on the homecoming royalty court. She was super excited to get a free ticket to the dance. I guess it's the small things. 

Friday was Reagan's 18th birthday. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of my girl over the years. Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! You are an adult in some states but not yet in Nebraska! :)

18 YEARS OLD!!

Friday night after realizing her driver's license was expiring we headed to Lincoln for Reagan's Official Visit to the University of Nebraska. Wow! This is really happening!

Team dinner and a night at the Basketball Red-White scrimmage followed by a Rick Ross concert. Who is that you ask? I asked too and when the extremely loud nasty "music" began most of the adults in the building flooded the exits. 

The recruits have known each other for a couple years, playing together twice a year at camps and keeping in contact via social media. But the parents all met this weekend. Chris and I are looking forward to doing soccer life with these people over the next 4-5 years.

2020 Recruiting Class

Saturday was filled with tours, meetings, uniform sizing, team meals and lots of fun.

Saturday evening's itinerary included an all sport UNL recruit/parent dinner and then the Husker Football game vs Ohio State. Instead of the game Reagan squeezed in homecoming dinner, pictures and the dance back in Omaha.

pinning on a flower isn't so easy

Colton & Reagan

Colton and Reagan have known each other for years, growing up in our church youth group. Two kids in different high schools playing sports at a very high level keeps them busy. I love the friendship they have and the understanding of commitments to school, sports and friends. They had a funny disagreement about flower color...blue for Creighton Baseball or red for Husker Soccer.

MW Soccer Besties
They sure do clean up well!

The Gang

Sunday morning we were up bright and early, back to Lincoln for breakfast with the team, pre-game workout and meeting.

Recruits on Hibbner Soccer Field

And our final celebration was on Monday night. Family steak dinner at Texas Roadhouse means the birthday girl gets to sit on the horse saddle and yell "Yee Haw"

Texas Roadhouse Celebration

Reagan's birthday gift is coming later this month...pictures to come!