The second half of 2018 has passed in a blur. So many things have changed in our home, and in the mix of change my own priorities had to change. Blogging was set aside - and for the time it was right. I was maxed out. But in the quiet days of advent, as I prepare my heart and mind for a new year, I feel this longing to record some of the journey. I know that "treasuring these things in my heart" for me includes recording it. It is how I best process and savor and remember. So, in a nutshell. . . this will celebrate and record the major stuff of 2018.
The biggest news?!?
Jamison and Ida got engaged on a mountaintop in Norway in August.
We were thrilled.
A few weeks later, I took their engagement pictures.
And October 12, 2018. . . they eloped.
Surprise!
While the plan to have a traditional church wedding in Norway this August remains in place, they were advised to marry sooner for reasons of immigration. . . so they went to the courthouse and got hitched. And proceeded to live in separate campus apartments until the semester ended.
Love is not simple or easy, but it does conquer all.
They are currently celebrating their first Christmas as a family of three in their very first apartment together.
We have been joking that their Christmas card should say something about the rumors about their quick wedding were correct... they were expecting A PUPPY!
While their journey is not typical or simple, they are crazy in love and so good together. We adore Ida and are so thankful that she is now officially and forever a part of our family!
(They have many hoops to jump because immigration is very complicated and expensive, so your prayers are appreciated.)
One more highlight of the year in regards to the newlyweds. . .
In an amazing and incredible turn of events, Ida had an phenominal cross country season. At one point, over a year post surgery, she doubted she would ever run well again. She determined to be happy with doing her best, whatever that may be, and set a goal to be the #7 runner on her team so that she could travel to Nationals one more time. Now since before surgery Ida was a several time All American runner, shooting for #7 on the team was a huge "downgrade" - but rather than give up, she chose to persevere. And as she chose gratitude and humility and perseverance, healing happened. I knew she was running better and better, but when Jamison texted me that she finished 3rd at the Griak (a HUGE MN meet) I spent the whole day holding back tears of gratitude. Her season continued to be amazing. She finished 12th at Nationals on a rainy, mud covered course with Jamison there to cheer for her and the rest of her family - both the American and Norwegian - watching on the internet. All of us cheering and panicking and crying with joy and relief, celebrating her success from near and far. It was amazing. She is amazing. And the healing power God grants our bodies and minds is amazing.
Moving on. . .
About the same time Jamison was off in Norway proposing to his wife, we dropped Sierra off at UND. Her transition to college life was rough. Just a few weeks into school, a new friend was raped. Sierra was central in caring for her after this crime took place. Needless to say, it was traumatic. I still cry thinking of her. . . both hers (the girl who was raped and my beautiful daughter as she bagged clothing for evidence and loved and supported her victimized friend). Never have I wanted to move a child home as much as I did in the days and weeks that followed. Sierra struggled in ways she had never struggled before, and I wanted her HOME, safe and protected. Yet, I did not want to teach her to retreat in fear. It was ugly people. Campus life at UND seemed wild, crazy, and unsafe. And at times it was. She had to dig deep, redefining who she is and who she plans to be. But slowly, through many prayers and tears and sleepless nights, I have watched a woman emerge. She is stronger and wiser than the girl in the picture above. She does not have everything figured out, and she is learning to be OK with it. It has been a rough road, one I would NEVER wish her to travel, but God uses all things for our good and His glory. Watching her learn to trust that has been miserable and beautiful all in one.
Brenna has blossomed.
She is a sophomore and LOVING life as the oldest Dietrich. It has been such a joy to spend time with her. I am learning that for much of her life, she chose to quietly wait her turn. She didn't want to fight to be heard and in our noisy home, you either have to get noisy or wait your turn. It is NOW her turn! Talking to her for hours has been incredible. She is fun, crazy smart, artistic, realistic and all around one of my favorite people in the universe. These last months with her have been such a gift.
As for me, the HUGEST transition of this year has been the choice to home school.
After an incredible amount of prayer, research, soul searching, and asking of the experts, Chad and I decided that the best educational option for Joshua would be to home school. He has some unique educational needs. The public school system destroyed his self esteem. The Innovation School restored much of his self esteem, but did not fill educational gaps. I wiggled and squirmed, avoided and excused - but in the end it was clear to Chad and I both, that it was time I put some skin in the game.
It has been hard people.
He has cried.
I have cried.
There have been days we have pushed each other to the edge. It has taken more self control than I knew I was capable of possessing to teach this unwilling learner. There are afternoons I collapse in a chair in Chad's office and unpack "school" for an hour, trying to process and emotionally recover from the hard of the day.
BUT
I am 1,000,000,000,000% sure it is the right decision. (Though some days I wish I were not!)
In order to get past some of his educational gaps, he needs to work one on one with someone he trusts. He needs play. He needs purpose - which to him is old-fashioned hard work, not reports, science experiments or books. The flexibility that home schooling provides is miraculous. The growth that I am witnessing is amazing.
This photo is perhaps the best evidence of his growth.
He tested for his first taekwondo belt last week. He began in September. He so wanted to do it, however his coordination was lacking, following instructions was not on a list of things he enjoyed, and trying new things caused BIG time anxiety. Watching him test bravely and even as a leader in some ways, just 2.5 months later brought tears to my eyes. And when at the end of the test the Master told the kids they were going to break a board, I may have panicked slightly. Could he do that?!? I glanced at Chad, who has been the parent in charge of taekwondo, and I saw a bit of concern in his eyes as well.
Later, this is what Joshua told us. "my first practice kick, I thought... oh boy, this board is strong... BUT I am stronger. I can do this thing!"
And he did.
And he proudly let me take a picture.
And he was thrilled to have me post it on FB.
And he sent the picture to his brother and cousins.
Confidence, faith, determination, emotional self-control - that is our wish for him. Along with literacy and math skills. BUT if we had to choose, we would choose character over scholastic accomplishment every time. I feel blessed to have a front row seat in his journey.
At the center of all this change, is the two of us.
Of all the things in my life I have to be thankful for, he is numero uno.
Keeping up with our growing family and business is not easy. Staying connected in the midst of the chaos is a choice, and Chad is so good at holding tight, keeping me grounded and loving me well. There is never a day that I take for granted the friends, lovers, business partners, and unified parenting team that we are. This year we will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and I am so humbly grateful to say I am more crazy in love with this man today than I was 25 years ago.
My heart overflows.
OK - so I know I have not mentioned Krissy, Devin, Wyatt, Sophia or Mataya. The short answer, they are good. Steady! Think no news is good news - and trust that I will include them soon. I am hoping to blog more in the year to come. I miss being able to look back at the daily and remember the moments. Life is full and rich and noisy and bold and so busy. SO BUSY! But carving out time to remember is important to me. Hopefully, it can be a source of personal peace and joy once again in this year to come.
