Snowy Christmas and New Year Wishes

What a winter in MN! Snow, snow and more snow. It sure feels like winter...and it really felt like Christmas with all the white stuff around. Made traveling a bit tricky but not bad for us...staying in 'Kato at Big TK's cousin's house for Christmas Eve and then home enjoying the beauty of winter on Christmas Day. Kels and Lil' TK were spoiled again...but given that they have Christmas and Birthdays within 5 days of each other and then pretty much nothing for the rest of the year...it's not really a bad thing. Just a couple more days off school and then it's back to routine for everyone. Here's hoping 2010 brings health, happiness and employment (for Big TK)!!!

Basketball Season

Lil' TK has his first tournament for basketball this weekend. It's not really much of a tournament with only 6 teams and the goofiest schedule ever seen but it's a chance to watch him play ball and that's what counts. Kels has her last volleyball game as well. She has really been doing a great job of serving and understanding the game better. Looking forward to starting the WAVA (West Area Volleyball Assoc.) volleyball program next spring.

Big TK is busy looking for a job and assistant coaching Lil' TK's basketball team. Ang is trying to get everything ready for Christmas and make a dent in her scrapbooking. It's a daunting task...

This is Kels and her "God-Brother" Jack. Ang and Big TK are his Godparents. They are so cute together.

Winter fun!

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Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Kopps spent the day with Ang's family in the Cities. Aunt Terri has a beautiful big house and was kind enough to host again this year.

Kels was excited for all the new babies that were going to be joining the festivities this year. Matthew, Wyatt, Alyssa, Claire and Kendall were the stars of the show with all the aunts, uncles and cousins waiting their turn to meet the newest members of the Schilling family. All the attention gave the moms a chance to relax a little and socialize...there was no shortage of babysitters!

The food, as usual, was awesome and more than enough.

The laughter, as usual, was hearty and from the soul.

The love, as usual, was something to truly give thanks for.

We hope everyone had a safe, happy holiday.

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Thanksgiving Hostess Gifts

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Merry Christmas

Ang got this poem from her Uncle Mike and thought it was appropriate to share as we start gearing for CHRISTMAS.

'Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say,
December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit,
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod,
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa,
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down,
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears,
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen,
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter,
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith,
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded,
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree',
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say,
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!

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Updates

There's nothing really to update from the Kopp household.
Big TK is playing with his buddy Matt in a group they call Accoustic Inc. Next local gig is 11/21 at the Loose Moose (formerly Chevy's). They will be playing in St. Paul on 11/14 at Half Time Rec.
Kels is playing volleyball and doing awesome.

Lil' TK has basketball practices going on.

Both are doing well in school.

Ang coaxed the kids into some pics...

Basketball and Stuff

Lil' TK made the "B" team for the 6th Grade West Traveling Basketball program. He has some great friends on the team and it sounds like a good coach. The coach is a former East player who has been coaching in the JR High program there. Hope he can get use to the Red/White spirit on the West side of town!
Practices start Monday...so, here we go again - rolling, rolling, rolling....

Big TK is in a band again. It's just him and Matt...Accoustic Inc. Two guys, Two guitars, A whole lotta music. They've already played at The Flame Bar in St. Peter to a good crowd. And have been asked back for a couple more shows. They are playing at the WineCafe in Mankato on Oct. 30th, the Flame on the 31st (maybe), the Half Time Rec in St. Paul on Nov. 14th and the Loose Moose in Mankato on the 21st of Nov.
Ang thinks they need a Facebook page to keep all their fans in the loop! ;-)

It's snowing here today. All the fall leaves are STILL on the trees. It has been one weird autumn. Ang loves autumn...but she thinks she missed it this year.

Peace - Out...

2009 Christmas Card Collection

2009 Christmas Card Collection

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How to take great Fall photos

How to take great Fall photos

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Trick or Treat

So, this is a bit out of order but we had kind of a scary week at the Kopp household.
Kels - who is so rarely sick or at the doctor that they actually archive her file in between visits - got the flu. We are not sure if it was THE flu (H1N1) but she sure was sick. Fever, stuffy, no appetite, achy, exhausted...Out of school for two days and then took the rest of the weekend to recover. She still looks like she's tired and doesn't have much of an appetite but is back in school. Thursday night...she was nursing a fever and complained of being cold. Pulled her hands out of under the blankets and they are bluish. Ang FREAKED out. After all the news reports and stories about the symptoms little Nathan Schilling had before he passed, Ang was a little on edge. Kels took a warm bath and snuggled up in some warm jammies and blankets and her hands and lips (which also looked blue to Ang but Big TK thought she looked fine) pinked up and she looked better. Kels went to bed with 4 big blankets on her and slept pretty sound it seemed. Ang, of course, checked on her as much as possible. The next morning she spiked her highest fever in the morning but by the afternoon was down to almost normal. Ang took her in to get a flu shot during the weekend when her fever had been gone for 24 hours and today, Kels is back at school. Hopefully - we are done with that flu stuff!

Lil' TK had basketball tryouts this weekend for the Mankato West 6th Grade Traveling Team. They will have 2 teams, A and B. He said he had a great tryout and even pulled off a few plays he hasn't been able to before. Ang thinks that taking him off his ADHD meds and allowing him to actually grow for the last 5 months has helped his coordination and strength. He is close to 5 feet tall. He's still a skinny thing... but he looks more sturdy and athletic instead of just runty now.

Snowing here in Katoland today. Too early. Not fun. But it's Minnesota.....whatcha gonna do?

Last Game for the Lions

Lil' TK and the SI Lions played their last game in the FREEZING COLD this morning. Beat the Bears 13-0 to end the season with a 5-1-1 record. Then he had to run to Basketball tryouts for the 6th Grade traveling team. What a day! Tryouts continue tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Kels starts volleyball practice on Monday...

And Ang just tries to keep the calendar updated and correct.

SI Lions keep on a rollin'

Lil' TK and the SI Lions won again on Saturday 6-0 versus the Fairmont Cardinals. Lil' TK had a great game despite the rain and cold. All the boys were frozen afterwards but happy for a win. Ang took Lil' TK to Big Dog for lunch as a special treat for playing so hard.

Big TK and Kels went to see the Twins play the Royals on Saturday. It was Kels' first time ever at the dome. They had suite tickets and were able to see everything. Daddy and Daughter had a fun day together and the Twins winning only made it better...

Fall Sports Wrap-Up and Other Stuff.

So - State didn't go as well as Kels and her team had hoped. After some amazing weekends of softball, the Orange team was ranked 2nd out 105 teams and put in the small, competitive AAA Fall State Tournament. 7 teams. They ended up 6th or 7th. Not sure. Still 7th out of 105 ain't bad! Would have been nice to see them go deeper in the tournament and not finish out the year with an 0-2 day but it's 11/12 year old softball...stuff happens.

Lil' TK and the SI Lions are still going strong with a 14-7 win over the Knights of Lake Crystal. Two more games and football season is done. Then it's on to Basketball. Tryouts are the 10th of Oct. A/B splits and cuts this year. Fingers crossed!

Big TK is still looking for a different job and plugging away at the book sales job he's in now.

Ang is still losing the battle of the bulge but tries each day to do her best.

Ang and Big TK found out that someone who had been a good friend to them when they lived in Chicago died unexpectedly on 9/29. Only 50 yrs old and mother to 3 boys. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Life Lessons

Found out that Ang's brother's 6 year old nephew died 9/24 from complications of the flu. We've never met him but it doesn't make it any less sad. Ang hasn't talked to the little boy's father since about 1994. Nothing good can ever come of a life ending that soon...that quickly. Uncle Diggit was pretty upset and that upset Ang, Lil' TK and Kels the most. Here's hoping for the best....for everyone.

Obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?n=nathanael-david-schilling-nathan&pid=133578682

Lions and Softball and Music, Oh My!

Kels - What an awesome weekend of softball for the 12U Peppers Orange team. 2-0 AGAIN. Won 7-4 against Hopkins Gold (who went into the weekend with a better record!) and won 4-0 against Prior Lake Blue (who beat us earlier in the season). Another great game at 3rd base...even tackling a runner in a "pickle" to get the out. Pitched the 2nd game and was ON FIRE (according to her coach!). Ang's phrase for the day was "rockin' awesome"! 4 inninings - faced 15 batters total. Defense was strong...the team was gellin' and the bats were singing. It was worth the 4 hours in the car to watch the games!

Lil' TK - The SI Lions didn't have quite as successful a weekend losing 27-7 to the Packers. Injuries and - to be honest 'cockiness' - got the best of them. They've been playing so well that it seems they thought they would roll right by this team too. The Packers are probably the best team in the league right now. Ang thinks this might have been good though...give them all something to think about and work towards.

Big TK - Spent 5 hours at Crossview Covenent Church on Sunday playing for the services with an orchestra the church brought down from a bible college in Roseville. He said the music was great and the experience fun. Next up for Big TK is a gig at the Flame Bar in St. Peter fillingin for Matt's group Key West Rejects. It will be Matt and Tom on accoustics doing a very eclectic set of songs. Should be interesting and fun!

Ang - still recovering from 4 HOURS in the car on Sunday to get Kel to her games in Hastings and back. But busting with pride over how well she did...and thinking her little QB Lil' TK is the handsomest thing in a football uniform ever!

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SI Lions 2009, Peppers and Rejects...

Lil' TK and the SI Lions tied with Loyola in their Tuesday night game. 7-7. Though they came out strong...I think the full school day and the heat took their toll. Lil' TK had some great tackles and was strong at QB. They play again on Saturday morning...
Kels and the 12u Peppers Orange play in the Fall State Qualifier on Sunday in Hastings. Here's hoping they come out as strong and confident as they did last weekend!
Big TK has his first music gig in a while coming up on 9/26. The Flame Bar in St. Peter. Just him and Matt on acoustics. Key West Rejects. Should be fun...especially looking at the song list...

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What's happening...

Lil' TK spent the weekend at Mound Lake in Northern MN by Little Falls. He and his friend, "Bang" and Bang's dad caught over 20 fish and fried them up for supper. Lil' TK brought some home so we could have a taste of his adventure. YUMMY!
Kels' 12U Peppers Orange team went 2-0 again this weekend. Beat Hopkins 20-1 and Waconia 10-0. Kels didn't pitch but played an awesome 3rd base and hit the snot out of the ball. The whole team played really well and really smart which was fun to watch. State qualifier is next weekend.
Ang is working on self-improvement, home improvement and organization improvement. She would really rather take a nap though.
Big TK is playing in a couple of different bands...a couple church related and one with a former band member from Love Monkey. A two-man acoustic thing, 9/26 at the Flame Bar in St. Peter and 10/30 at the Wine Cafe in Mankato!

School's In!

School started yesterday for Kels and Lil' TK. They moved from the friendly and comfortable confines of Hoover Elementary to Garfield Middle School for 6th Grade. That's right, 6th GRADE!!!!! Riding the bus for the first time since Kindergarten also. Growing up way too fast!

Bus was 20 minutes late yesterday...which only added to Kels' anxiety. That was the one thing she was the most worried about...the bus. Then Lil' TK got a "sticky" locker and was late meeting up with everyone to get on the bus to go home...So, not sure the bus is the favored mode of transportation anymore. But Ang and Big TK think they should ride it since it's a free option and makes life easier in general. Before we know it, they will be driving and then the real fun begins. Not.

Remember 9/11.

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The Lions Win Again!

Lil' TK and the Sports Institute Lions won their 2nd football game of the season 14-12 over Fairmont. Awesome game...so much fun to watch. Lil' TK ended up getting stepped on (that fleshy part right by the shin bone - OUCH!) and had a limp for the rest of the day but the win was worth it...especially since the other team was a little cocky and a little obnoxious. Kels had the weekend off from softball  and had two friends stay over. New friends even...not Hoover girls. It was neat meeting new kids. They all went to the West football game (Scarlets won!) and had fun jumping on the trampoline.
Tomorrow is conferences and pictures...then school starts on the 10th. The summer flew by...sort of. There are days school couldn't come fast enough! Bring on the fall!

Great Weekend for the Kopp Athletes!

This pic is from summer softball - look at the detemination!

Kels and the 12U Peppers Orange team went 2-0 this weekend in Jordan. Kels played/pitched GREAT! The team really stepped up (except for a few "bonehead" plays). It's neat to see how much Kels has matured as a person and a player. She is definitely a leader on this team.

Lil' TK and the Sports Institute Lions won thier first football game of the season beating the Steelers 14-6. Lil' TK was the QB for the 1st touchdown and scored the extra point. Had an AWESOME tackle right in front of Ang and just played great. Him and his Center (and best friend) "Bang" worked great together. After the disaster that was the 2008 season...it was great to see this team have more confidence and show that in their play on the field. Big TK is one of the Head Coaches on this team and though a few play calls didn't go as well as envisioned...he did a  great job helping to prepare the boys for this and keep them motivated.

School's almost here

So - with the fall air refreshing everything here in beautiful MN, the anticipation of school starting is in high gear. Lil' TK could care less...Kels is very excited to get back to school. Wish her enthusiasm for education would rub off on Lil' TK...but if it doesn't have anything to do with sports, he's not all that interested.

Another thing that fall brings is Ang starts looking for places, ideas and poses for pics of the kids for Christmas cards. Ang loves how fall makes such a colorful background for posed pics. Now - to get Lil' TK and Kels to mellow out enough to stand/sit next to each other for few minutes without erupting into a screaming/hitting match. Aren't 11 1/2 years olds a blast?? yikes.

Speaking of Christmas cards...Pear Tree Greetings is a company that is part of the group Ang works with. Cute stuff. Cool site for designing photo greeting cards and  just playing around with colors and designs. Check them out! http://www.peartreegreetings.com/

Peace - Out...

Fall Softball

Kels' Peppers Orange team went 1-1 today at their first double header of the fall season. They lost 3-2 to the Prior Lake Blue team (who pitched their #1 pitcher from summer ball) and beat the Orono team 9-6 (Kels pitched). Great start for a team with a lot of girls who don't have much Peppers experience. Big TK said he had a couple parents from both opponents come up to him and ask him if Kels was his daughter and tell him how good a player she was. Pretty darn cool.

Band lessons start for Kels tomorrow...clarinet. Ang played saxophone and Big TK played percussion so this is new for us. She seems to really like the instrument though and can already get a decent sound out of it most of the time. So - we'll see how this goes. Lil TK isn't gonig to do band. He doesn't have the patience for it and he wants to focus on sports.

Got both kids' reports in from 5th grade on the big testing they did. Smart little turds! Both above benchmark in every area. Now...to get them back on track when school starts and focused again.

ChChChChanges...

Ang saw leaves turning colors on some trees already.
Too weird.
Of course, then August had to make up for the cool summer with 90 degree days and humidity.
The back and forth in the weather is giving Kels fits...stuffed up all the time. Allergies?

Lil' TK got his football gear. Brand new Riddell helmet like the HS players use. It's "sick" to quote him. Very shiny, very white, very new pants too. Ang is hoping to get pics of him in it before "tryouts". This year...the football teams are made based on tryouts...not sure yet if it's an A/B type thing or just to have even teams. Either way...Lil' TK will love the chance to make some new friends and play with some people he hasn't had a chance to before.

Kels started practices for Peppers Fall Softball. Likes her new coach. And gets to be on the same team as one of her best friends. Coach Joel likes to work on fundamentals...which confuses Kels (why do we spend so much time on catching and throwing drills?) but Big TK and Ang are thrilled...fundamentals are key. Yeah!

Ang is no longer employed by MAGFA - Mankato Area Girls' Fastpitch Assoc. - as Organization Manager. Position eliminated. It's sad and it's a relief at the same time. While with MAGFA...a lot of really positive changes were implemented and the Mintz and Stars programs were starting to show some great progress. Not that Ang did it all herself...but did do a lot of the work to get new things implemented and will miss seeing the progress in all "her girls". But its a relief not to have to deal with all the politics and ego trips on the board. Big TK resigned as Equip Mgr and Chair of the Finance Committee as well. It was time. We are worried that Mankato Girls softball will be taking some steps backwards now without someone with true dedication willing to spend countless hours being involved but hopeful that someone (either on the board or the good Lord above!) will be watching out for the youth who enjoy the sport.

We are Familyyyyyyy

Brody was too cute NOT to take pics of! Bean Bag Tournament was a hit!

Uncle Greg doing the happy dance...

The Casio side of the clan.

The 19th Adrian Family Reunion was held on the coldest flippin' day in August ever. Saturday, August 1 did not cooperate for this get together. But the food was good, the company was awesome and the bean bag tournament was a huge hit.

The Adrian's are Gramma Nita's side of the fam...her mother was one of 5 Adrian sisters who are "honored" each year.

The end of the season.

Baseball and Softball is officially done. Peppers 12U Blue took 2nd in their pool, then lost two games on Saturday to be eliminated from the tournament. But - we knocked Farmington Orange out of the tournament before we were sent packing so the weekend wasn't a total loss. ;o)

11 yr old Royals Maroon took 2nd in their pool and then lost a heartbreaker in their State Tournament. Single Elimination tourneys are just mean. Big TK said Lil TK did what he was suppose to do...Got on base, got in scoring position and then got stranded. The team had a lot of fun though and they loved having another opportunity to play ball.

Adrian Family Reunion (Big TK's mom's side) is in Mankato on 8/1. Should be fun. Already missing ball though...

Nationals - Day 1

Peppers Blue are 2-0. Tight games. Great defense. Need to get the bats swinging but otherwise lookin' good! Day 2 - here we come!

Last Weekend of Ball

Kels has Nationals in Eagan this weekend. We start at 10am on Thursday and pool play goes until Friday. Only 3 games though. Ang is thinking of taking Monday off to recover from 4 days (hopefully) of softball.

Lil TK and the Royals Maroon team are giving the State Tournament another go. They got into the MSF State in New Ulm this weekend. Ang is sad she won't get to see them play but knows they will do well. Here's hoping for a better ending than the MBT State tourney...

T-Hawk

Oh...and Lil TK got a mohawk for state.

Took a little getting use to. And no - he didn't lose a bet.

MBT State Tournament

Mankato Royals 11yr old Maroon took 15th or 16th in the MBT State Tournament. Tough Weekend. The number "1" seemed to be our nemesis this weekend. We lost the right to be in the Championship bracket by 1 run (all 3 teams in our pool were tied at 1-1), we won our next game by only 1 run (it wasn't pretty but a win is a win) and we lost the Consolation bracket semi final game by one run (to ONE very annoying Bloomington team!).

Lil TK was really bummed...it was a hard weekend for him. He had really high hopes for his team and himself this weekend. But Ang and Big TK are really proud of him for how he showed he has the best attitude of any little 11 yr old player...ever.

Highlight: Lil TK hit an opposite field triple in our loss on Saturday to Eastview. A TRIPLE!! It was so awesome. His team needed him to hit and not only did he hit...he hit it opposite field. Something he had just been working on in camp at Sports Institute. It was pretty cool.

Congrats to the Mankato Royals 11 yr old Gold Team for winning the State Championship. They hit the snot out of the ball and played some really great defense. Lil TK was so proud of his former team and his friends. He was their biggest fan I think. And when Tripp threw the final strikeout...Lil TK was one of the first on the field to congratulate them. That's what Ang calls a great attitude.

Royals Maroon State Tournament

Lil TK's team is headed to the MBT State Tournament in Richfield this weekend. Ang heard a rumor that they are ranked 2nd in the State. Pretty darn cool. We are all looking forward to a great weekend of baseball!
Next on the agenda...Kels' 12U Blue Peppers team going to Nationals in Eagan July 23-26. Then we are done with ball...hard to believe.

12U is very blue...

Kels' team got eliminated from the State tournament on day 1. Got there at 10...heading home by 2. Double elim tourney...no mercy. They could have won both games but didn't seem like their hearts were in it. Too bad...this is a really talented group of girls when they get their heads in the game...

Update on the Royals Tournament:
Lil' TK and the 11 yr old Maroon team went 6-0 and took 1st Place - Champions!
Way to go boys...great weekend of baseball!

Kels is now CASTLESS and the doctor said she can start playing ball again. 1st practice is the 5th so we'll see how it goes. She is spending the weeekend with her friend Holly and family on the lake in Elysian.

Ang thinks she needs to get herself some friends by a lake. ;o)

Ang, Lil' TK, Big TK and a bunch of other kids will be selling kettle corn at the MSU Fireworks show tonight - Red, Hot and Boom. Cute name. Money raised from helping sell ANGIE'S KETTLE CORN (no relation unfortunately) will help MAGFA. What a great way to spend the 4th.

Happy 4th of July everyone.

Be safe, Have fun, Hug a soldier.

Mankato Royals Tournament

Lil TK's team is 3-0 at the Mankato Royals Tournament and headed to the championship bracket games on Sunday. He had a great game on Friday with a couple of awesome catches and great hit to the outfield for double. Today he stole home (against the wishes of the coach) and was safe - whew! Little gutsy but it worked out ok. Friday we played a team from Belle Plaine...the coach was such a jerk it was comical. Fortunately the boys let their bats and gloves do the responding to Coach DinkHead and we sent them packing!

Kels is supporting the 12U Peppers Blue in New Ulm this weekend....just 5 days until the cast comes off!! She can't wait - and neither can her team, her coach and her mom! The girls went 3-0 as well and will be playing for hardware on Sunday.

Big TK sang in a wedding today for one of Ang's co-workers. He said it was really nice and it was at our church. Got a little dough for his time so maybe this can become a 2nd job for him. Every little bit helps.

Hope to post pics soon. If you are looking for an informative, fun site to check out - go to http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/.

Starting up - Again

So Ang decided to start blogging again about what's going on with the Kopp Crew.

Kels broke her wrist in two spots - and we don't even have a good softball game story to go with it! Cast comes off 7/2 and she should be able to play again right away. Cannot wait!!! Only missed two tournaments...the Mankato one on June 12-14. That was a bummer. We were hoping to have some family come and watch that weekend. I must say she is a pretty awesome bench-warmer. She should be back and ready to go for State and Nationals. Here's hoping she comes back stronger than before.

Lil' TK has his Mankato tournament this weekend. Hoping for hardware! It's always fun to win your home tournament. The boys can do it if they believe...they are a really talented group of ball players! Go Royals Maroon! Then we gear up for State. I don't get to see too many of his games so this weekend will be nice to just hang out and be a baseball mom for a bit.


Big TK is still plugging away at a job he is way too qualified for but whatcha gonna do? I'm proud of him for sticking it out for the good of the fam.

Ang is still at TOG - knock on wood. Things are so scary. Here's hoping she is someone they need for a long time because the insurance is something we desparately need. All she can do is the best she can do and hope it's enough.