Overheard

C:  I have two grandpas, one grandpa died.
R: Jesus will put him back together.
C: No, he was really sick and died, he can't come back.
R: Yes, Jesus will put him all back together.

Mom: What is that called?
R & Mom: Resurrection

He really does listen!

Like a rockstar

In December we attended Archer's first band concert.  It was great.  I, ever the crybaby, swelled with pride to watch my gawky, head-bobbin, pre-teen keep time to the music.  This May we gathered again to watch the much improved band dazzle us with their skills.  They have skills.  Some, of course better than others but when combined, it was wonderful.  I still enjoyed lots of slack-jawed head-bobbin that goes along with keeping time.  There may have been less head-bobbin outside of the percussion section however, our main focus was on the drummers. 

Archer impressed us with his dexterity of playing the snare and bass drums, the rock shaker, and the triangle.  I have to admit that seeing my boy play the triangle made it difficult for me to keep from exploding with laughter.  I grew up enjoying Ed Grimley, a true proficient.  

My boy is of course much more than Ed Grimley and he rocked out that triangle like no other.  I think it might be time to say that I am the proud mother of a middle school band member! 

It's not about the money money money

Turning 12 is not about the awesome strip of money.

It is not about getting your first cell phone.

It isn't about playing the bass drum, the snare, triangle and rock shaker during your band concert.

It isn't even about getting straight A's the entire school year.

Turning 12 is about receiving your Aaronic Priesthood ordination from your dad.

It is about being a really great big brother to two silly siblings.

It is about being a wonderful son.

We are so grateful for Archer.  What a great example he is to our family.  It is wonderful to watch Archer work for his merit badges in scouts.  We are impressed with his responsibility with all that we have entrusted him with.  We are in awe of his dedication to taking care of his Diabetes.  Archer doesn't complain about the testing or shots.  We are swollen with pride as we watch him take a shot without flinching.  Archer is a great boy that is quickly growing into a young man full of potential.  It has been 12 years already and we are excited to watch him through the next 12 and beyond. 

Special

Emma spent some time this spring preparing for a track and field event.  A Special Olympics track and field event.  I supported the effort, bought the shirt, and scheduled to attend.  It was so matter of fact.  I proudly smiled at the typical peers that I recognized from the neighborhood, impressed at their willingness to serve these special needs friends.  It was not until I saw my girl line up with all of the special children that I understood where I was.  I am so very grateful that I didn't think about attending a Special Olympics track meet until I was in the thick of it.  I may have found a way to be busy that day.  So, so thankful I was present.  I was fully there.  I delighted in watching my girl lope down the lane; I cried instead of cheered.  I cried for the full heart that I felt that hot day celebrating incredible children.  We cheered as if our kids were in the Olympics, we reveled in each child's event, we were in the moment.  I didn't feel sad, nobody looked at my girl with the "what's wrong with her" look she sometimes gets, it was fantastic.  I thanked God for the blessing of Emma.  I thanked God that she was not the blind girl being lead by a friend.  And, I cried as I thanked God that Emma was not in the wheelchair race being pushed by a friend.  So very grateful I was there and fully there.  Next year will be even better.

 50 yard dash

 Turbo Javelin

 Softball throw

 Refuel

Proud Momma

Memories

In the efforts of clearing out and reducing the amount of stuff around here, I decided that it was time to part with an old artifact.  I love this shirt for many reasons:  comfy-armpit hole and all, glory days relived, mom appliqued it, and memories.  I hate to admit how old this shirt is, I have not visited the halls of the UNR college of business in almost two decades.  Isn't closing in on twenty years time enough to get rid of the shirt?  It was a wonderful time in my life but I have new duties and offices to fulfill.  I documented the shirt(the matching scrunchy has long since departed) so I can remember the life I lived so long ago and the goals that I had that turned out so far different but so much better!

Guess who.....

Graffiti (singular: graffito; the plural is used as a mass noun) is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner

Easter outfits

Gotta love em!

He did this pose on his own!