Ballparks, Family Visits and Lots of Rain

This past month has been a very busy one for the Rosenlund household. The kids geared up for the last day of school, and there were presentations, shows, field days, trips, and awards. Meile was voted the Citizenship Award by her class, one of only two per classroom to receive an award for their behavior, school achievement, and contribution to the school. She received her award at the 5th grad graduation/program night. There was songs, presentations, and a great video/slide show for the children.


Take Me Out to the Ball Game
With the approach of summer, the older kids are signed up for sports; Meile in softball and the boys in baseball. The City has a series of leagues and our local park hosts a wide array of baseball and softball teams. With practices early on and the games over the past couple of weeks, we spend almost every night at the ball diamond. The kids are having a great time and their teams are showing some great improvement.

Matthew's First Year
Our little Matthew Bryan celebrated his first birthday. This boy was born at perhaps the most tumultuous time of our lives, with my move to Nebraska a week after his birth, Becky and the kids alone for two long weeks, the family's move to Nebraska, selling the house, etc. He rolled with it all and is doing great. He began walking in April and has been running ever since. Not one to be found sitting in your lap, or anywhere else for that matter, he runs like a drunken sailor around the house, knocking his head on walls, corners, tables, and the fireplace. I think I need to get him a helmet. All the kids got him presents and the boys chipped in for Matthew's first car (a convertible no less).

Family Visitors
This last two weeks has seen a series of family visitors. First, a few weeks ago, Allison called us up on a Sunday afternoon and asked if she and Eric, recently returned from his tour in Iraq, could come to visit. We were delighted and prepared the boys room for our honored guests. Eric brought with him some of his medals, citations, and photos from his tour. The boys were insatiable listeners as Eric was asked to provide all sorts of information on vehicles, armament, military strategy, and other facts. We showed them some of Grand Island, and they had some great times at our baseball games.

They visited the kids at school for lunch one day and were the talk of the cafeteria. One friend went passing by and asked the boys who this was visiting. When the boys said that Eric was a Marine, this friend's jaw simply dropped like Eric has sprouted another head. He stood there, mouth agape for some moment, then breathlessly asked, "Can I sit by you?"


The following week, Becky's brother Ben, currently living in Los Angeles, flew in following a graduation in South Bend he attended in support of Melanie and Darren. Becky drove into Omaha and picked him up from the airport, and we enjoyed a couple of days of decent weather, though it quickly turned chilly, then rainy, then a decent downpour for three days. In all, we received nearly 6 inches of rain over 3 days, and I spent many evenings monitoring the rising water in local creeks and rivers. Despite the poor weather, we all had a wonderful time, and even celebrated Ben's 30th birthday in grand Rosenlund style (cupcakes and presents).

CERT Graduate
A warm congratulations to Dad for finishing up his CERT training with co-workers at OC Tanner. As some of you may know, CERT is a program to encourage everyday people to get involved through training and exercising to help one another following a disaster. Our family has been very involved with CERT since moving to Colorado. Becky is a volunteer, I train, and the kids are regular "mock victims", even helping out at our most recent exercise three weeks ago. Way to go Dad!

Hazardous Weather
As I watched reports of the tornadoes that struck northern Colorado last week, I thought of my many friends and colleagues in and around the Windsor area. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the tornado. This, coupled with our own flooding and storms in south central Nebraska reminds us of our responsibility to get ourselves ready for emergencies. Becky and I strongly encourage you all to review your own emergency plans and supplies. Now really is the time to prepare, so good luck and you know where to go for information.