Waterland Land

Well, I bet you’re surprised to see this, huh? I don’t know why I haven’t written anything since the first entry. Maybe I was waiting for some inspiration or some wonderful event. The fact is, maybe I was waiting for a less lazy feeling to be overcome by a sense of ambition. Whatever, here goes…

I just spent a week at Waterland Land. For those that might not know where this land is located, it’s in a little town called Windsor, Colorado. About 10 miles from Fort Collins. My bro & sis in law Brad & Stef are raising their 3 children in this small former farming community. Brad & Stef spend their 14-hour days working as a team to ensure the 3 Waterland kids get a great education in and out of school. And on their breaks they run a very successful wholesale petroleum company Team Petroleum. If you ever need any bulk petroleum products, these are the folks to see.

Brad & Stef have had a standing invitation for several years to go out to Las Vegas this time of year, but this is the first time they could schedule the time. Now folks, when I say schedule, I mean SCHEDULE. When NASA schedules a shuttle launch I’m sure it involves a great deal of planning to include each and every minute detail. I’m here to tell you that the NASA planners don’t have anything on Brad and Stef. That’s because the Waterland kids are involved in life. These guys are not taking a sip of life every few days. It’s a big gulp every day. Let me explain by detailing a typical day while I was trying to run things:

7:20 a.m. – Leave the house to deliver Logan and Haleigh to their separate schools.
7:40 a.m. – Drop Logan off and head to Haleigh’s school.
8:00 a.m. – Drop Haleigh off at her school

(Ashleigh takes the bus to her school & catches a ride to gymnastics after school)

2:46 p.m. – Pick up Logan at his school
3:15 p.m. – Pick up Haleigh at her school
4:00 p.m. – Make dinner for Haleigh and Logan
5:30 p.m. – Take Haleigh to volleyball practice
6:00 p.m. - Take Logan to Hockey practice
6:30 p.m. – Pick Haleigh up from volleyball practice
8:00 p.m. – Pick Ashleigh up from gymnastics
8:15 p.m. – Pick Logan up from Hockey practice

Now I left out the work time, cooking time, homework time, cleaning time, washing clothes time, etc. as I am retired and no one expected Uncle Dave to do much of this.. But keep in mind that Brad & Stef are paying the freight on all this activity so they’re still holding down their jobs at Team Petroleum during their downtime. Not to mention cooking, washing clothes, cleaning house, homework, etc., etc., etc.

Also, don’t think that there’s going to be much of a break on the weekends. That’s when the tournaments, meets, and games are scheduled. I can’t imagine how they keep up with everything. I was there a week, and exhausted myself without hitting a lick at a job. These kids are loved, my friends. And it shows. And I’m so proud Brad & Stef asked Uncle Dave to lend a hand. After a brief rest, I’ll be ready for next time.