Six years ago
1/23/18 – brain surgery
1/23/24 – sent kids off to school, going grocery shopping this morning, and I get to play volleyball tonight.
Today looks very different from six years ago. 
Tag: Shecklet #4
New day, new school!
Local public school, here come the Sheck girls!
Clothing choices, bus stops in the neighborhood, new friends, and new opportunities. We are all excited for what this big change will bring.
Last Day @ DVA
After 11+ years, our family decided to leave the only elementary/middle school our kids have ever known.
The girls are ok with the decision, excited even. We received several kind messages from teachers – some who had taught the boys.
On to new adventures next week!
A good run
All good things must come to an end.
The Shecks had a good 17.5 year run.
A kid got left at church after Family Formation tonight.
Text from child left behind: Where are you?
Parent #1 replies : In the kitchen.
Kid goes to kitchen at church and replies: I don’t see you.
Meanwhile, Parent #2 realizes what is going on and says to Parent #1,
“How did you and #4 not realize #1 wasn’t with you when you left the church?”
Mother’s Day 2023
5/14/23
Today is sandwiched between a day I remember as a painfully low day and one that brought immense joy. Three years ago on 5/13/20, we found out that Astrid had died. Tomorrow is her older brother’s birthday. And though it will get its own post, I will briefly mention that Astrid’s birth day is the next day, 5/16.
Next year it looks like I will be spared the aligning of her non-heartbeat day with Mother’s Day. I’m grateful for that. As the parent of a child who died before they “should” have, these Hallmark holidays can be especially difficult. It’s a fine line to walk being excited to have kids around and yet recognizing things are not complete. Someone is missing. (Two someones, actually.) And while I do want to be upbeat and cheery for my four Shecklets, my melancholic self tends to notice who is missing. And that makes me sad.
I can’t believe it has been three years since we lost Astrid. The times I imagine her as the age she “should” be are fewer than in the past, but I do tend to picture her as an almost three year old around this time of year. I see my four kids getting older, growing in independence, and I enjoy each one of the so much. And yet, when I stop and look, I realize my picture is not complete. Someone is missing.
New snowboard 
February 2023
I have never owned my own brand new snowboard. Until now. Gave the new equipment a go after demo-ing a Solomon board a few weeks ago. I went with a basic K2 one and really like it!
Unfortunately, my second time out on it, I took a hard fall to my lower back and was done for the season. 
Until next year!
U of MN bball game
Jake and I took Shecklet #3 and Shecklet #4 to a Gopher Women’s basketball game this afternoon. The league the girls played in partnered with the Gophers to offer discounted tickets. The Gophers didn’t end up with a win, but it was still fun to be back in The Barn to watch the game. Afterwards, the girls got to go onto the court and have their picture taken with teammates who attended. We had friends capture a picture for us in our maroon and gold.
Winter bulletin board
I spent a few hours at the girls’ school updating another bulletin board today. Several teachers plan to have their kiddos color sweaters to help fill in the empty space. I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s complete.
