Summer 2009

Summer is half-way over and the heat has definitely hit Texas. Here's a recap of what's been going on with the Ward's:

Nick is at summer school up at K-State. He came home for a few weeks in May. Bill went up for the weekend of July 4th. They played golf and had some nice time together. Nick gets done on July 31 and will head to Estes. More on that later. Nick has loved his first year at Kansas State. In fact, he mentioned that he had an easier transition to college than many of his high school friends. He's very happy with his fraternity, Delta Upsilon, and the friends he's made at KSU. He enjoyed playing intramurals, and I think he might even be playing baseball this summer. (Well, it's just that he said he was, but hasn't mentioned it in a while...so I don't know for sure!)

Connor has been rehabbing his shoulder, and doing general strength and conditioning for football. No, your eyes have not deceived you...Connor is going to play football. It's a calculated risk and we'd certainly appreciate your prayers! He will have a special brace for his shoulder and will (I think) only play offense, specifically quarterback. I know! That's a surprise, isn't it? He's never played QB before, but he's been working very hard. In fact, Legacy just won the consolation bracket of the Texas Private Schools Coaches Association's 7-on-7 football tournament. We were probably one of the smallest schools there...certainly every team we played had different sets of boys for offense and defense, while we only had 10 players total. After going 1-2 in pool play, we were put in the consolation bracket where we went on to win every game! It was very exciting but very, very hot! Over 100 + humidity kind of hot.

Kelly went up to camp at Kanakuk Colorado on July 7. Our plan was for me to pick her up on July 19 and head to Estes Park, but last Saturday night we got a call that we needed to come get her because she was sick. She and about 50 others. She was negative for flu but had a fever and flu symptoms. I left Sunday morning to go get her, and am with her right now in a hotel in Pagosa Springs, Co. She is feeling better and has a great attitude about it, but was very disappointed about having to leave camp. Kanakuk has been hyper-vigilant due to the swine flu (media frenzy). I can't really blame them. It sounds like they'll be reasonable regarding refund prorations, and we've already signed her up for next year (at her request). So tomorrow Kelly and I will head to Estes.

Connor is going to the Bahamas next weekend for a 4 day trip with a school family that he loves (on their private jet!). Our kids lead more interesting lives than their parents do :)

We hope to all be together for about one day in Estes! Kelly and I will be there from July 13-Aug 6ish. Connor will come around the 23rd-Aug 1. Nick should come on the 31st-Aug 6ish. Bill, the 29th-5th. Sounds complicated, doesn't it?!

Connor is home!

Before the surgery...not too happy to be there!

Connor's surgery was long, about 3 hours, but the doc was able to repair everything through the scope. He did report that it was much worse than the MRI showed. He is stable and "over-tightened" in an effort to keep him stable. The injury did cause a little divot on the ball his shoulder that the surgeon shaved the edges down a bit to try to soften it. We will be praying that it will completely fill in so it won't be the source of future problems and arthritis. We do appreciate your care, concern and prayers!


At home with the ice machine, 20 mins on/40 off around the clock :)

Connor to have surgery again

Connor re-injured his shoulder Friday night. It popped out while he was playing basketball with some friends. Then it popped out again in his sleep that night (that was an experience I hope we never repeat!). An MRI shows extensive damage so it's back to the OR for him. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7:30. Please pray with us that the surgeon will be able to accomplish the surgery arthroscopically...that will reduce his healing/PT time by about 4 weeks. Either way, the goal is to have him back and ready for senior year football season (his MRI was even looked at by the team doc from the San Diego Chargers, a former colleague of our surgeon/LCA team doctor). We thank you for your prayers and will keep you updated.

Unfortunately, baseball is now over this season for Connor. But here is some of what it looked like:

It's been a while...

Hey everyone. I haven't posted on the blog in a while, mainly because I'm using facebook now and those of you who are on facebook are keeping up with us (and us with you) that way. But (unfortunately) not all of you are on facebook, so I wanted to give you an update of what's been going on with the Ward's.

State Football -- the last time I posted we were headed to state. It was a good game but we came up 3 points short - 33-30. Unfortunately there were a couple of very questionable calls that could have had us win by 10 points, so it was a tough loss. Connor definitely enjoyed rejoining the team.

Christmas - we so enjoyed having Nick home. Unfortunately, all 3 of our guys were sick with some very nasty stomach virus during the break. Bill missed 3 days of work -- the first time I can ever remember that happening. It kept Nick home for a while but he was able to see all his high school friends before heading back to KSU early to catch the K-State/OU basketball game. It was a really good game and he said it was worth it to come back early, though KSU lost. Nick loves K-State and his fraternity, Delta Upsilon. He has been able to connect so quickly do to pledging. DU is a dry house (which means no alcohol allowed on the property -- something Nick's mom and dad like :)and has some great guys in it. Nick is thoroughly purple and seems to have a new motto: EMAW (for you KSU grads :).

Basketball - Connor went straight from football to basketball. He had a good season and his coach has told us that he is receiving 1st Team, All-District honors (though that hasn't officially been announced yet). I filmed the last home game and put together this short (3 min) video of some of his highlights -- especially a buzzer-beater to tie the game -- and an impromptu shoulder-hoist by his friends. I don't think he'll ever forget that night.

Kelly - recently made the JV tennis team so that will be keeping her busy. She is a good student and enjoys doing a lot of writing in her spare time, as well as community service. We've been serving together in National Charity League, a mom-daughter service organization.

Valentine's Day -- Bill and Connor are standing in line outside the K-State basketball stadium right now waiting to go inside for the KU game. Nick and his fraternity bros have been taking shifts since yesterday to keep their spots in line...for them but not for Bill and Connor. Bill, Connor and Connor's friend, Brooks, have student tickets that we purchased. Bill reports that he is the oldest student in line! It should be a great game. I'm glad Connor was able to go as he had the flu and had been sick for a week. Go Cats!

Baseball -- it's started although Connor hasn't caught up with the team yet due to basketball and then the flu. Next week!

Hope all is well with you and your families!!