A Different Summer Than Planned

How does the saying go... something about the best laid plans? That's what comes to mind when I think about our summer. Eddy has an amazing professional opportunity--he will be an assistant coach for a new baseball team, based out of Milwaukee, that is part of the Northwoods League. The League is made up of players that are mostly Division 1, with 30 players in the league last year being drafted by the majors. The team will be playing home games on a brand new, artificial turf, 1,500 seat stadium at Concordia University campus. The team plays 70 games in 75 days. He has two Sundays off and a 3-day stretch in July. The team is part of the Southern Division, so games will be played in Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison, Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids, LaCrosse, Eau Claire, and Battle Creek Michigan.
What does this mean for us? Well, the kids and I (and sometimes grandparents, I hope!), will be making some road trips. I'm grateful for my new work schedule, so that gives me more flexibility with traveling. My parents are retiring, so they have offered to help. Eddy's parents have offered their continued help as well. We have hired a recent college grad to mow the lawn and a housekeeper will be coming every other week to clean. We have amazing friends and neighbors who have also offered their help. Right now, my biggest concern is being able to get my work outs in, as I'm running Grandma's Half Marathon on June 16.
I'm so proud of my husband. He's "thisclose" to being done with his final project, which means he will be graduating with his Master's!! Motivation to finish is difficult when there isn't an immediate benefit upon completion, and with him being so busy with work. But he's doing it! To be asked to help coach this new team shows his reputation in the baseball world. The head coach asked many people for opinions on who he should ask to assist, and Eddy's name kept coming up. He is going to learn a lot, teach a lot, make a lot of contacts, and come back to UWS an even better coach.
And I have to say, I'm proud of myself. I have been calm, taking it one day at a time (so far anyway!!). This is an opportunity that Eddy couldn't pass up, so we'll make it work.
We'll have lots of photo ops on baseball fields this summer, but this will be the last one of our family on our front steps until Eddy gets back on August 13 (unless the team makes playoffs!).