Friday Night Football

Jessica has the best friends. Tonight they are meeting at the football game and then going to see a live band at Vernon Lanes.

Jessica and Maddie

Jessica, Frannie, Atalie, and Andrew: BFF's

Seniors and Loving IT!!!

Robert and Marissa run in the Tiger Run

8/28/10 - the Tiger Run

Robert's first race running cross country is at River Road. They started early in the morning: middle school girls at 8:40 a.m. and middle school girls at 9:10 a.m.

A strong finish

Looking good down the finish line

Robert finished his first 3K at 12:38

Robert's 3rd game: Radcliff

Saturday, 8/28/10 Javanon vs Radcliff

Robert played 100% of the game - and had an amazing game.

Robert on a one v one situation - good move

won the one v one - looking to pass it up

win the toss

sprinting to the ball

Great win 3-1 (could have even been more)

Devon runs for NOHS in the Tiger Run

Devon has always not been much of a runner. When he was in elementary school, Betsy used to have to go to school on the days Devon had the mile run to run with him to keep him from walking (the entire thing). Then, when Devon played soccer, he would run during the games - no problem, but practice - that was a different story. Well, after all the hard work Devon did this summer, and realizing he is in the best physical shape of his life, Devon joined the high school cross country team. The team has been practicing all summer; Devon joined at the beginning of August.

The day is finally here - the Tiger Run; Devon's first race. He is running a 5K for the first time ever. He has been running with the NOHS Cross Country team for only 4 weeks.

The boys huddle and chant

Devon in the stretch

Devon at the finish

By the time Devon ran, the course had been stirred up quite a bit. Dry grass "dust" was floating in the air everywhere. Allergies were killing everyone. The way the course runs - the boys run out a ways then circle back. This give spectators a chance to cheer them on at a few strategic places during the race. At the first opportunity for Betsy to cheer on Devon, she says, "Way to go Devon!" He replies, "I can't breathe!!!" Betsy is panicked. She actually had a premonition about this just moments before he came up that stretch when she saw all the grass dust floating in the air. She says several personal prayers asking Heavenly Father to just help him finish the race....please just help him breathe enough to finish the race.

Well, that is exactly what Heavenly Father did. Devon finished the race and then, shockingly collapsed to the ground.

Well, a few hours earlier, I needed to have Marissa's asthma inhaler, so I was carrying it in my purse. I never have her inhaler (nor mine for that matter). Luckily, when the medic asked me if I had his inhaler, I was so blessed to be able to say "Yes" and hand him the inhaler. Devon came around and cooled off in the big water spray from the fire engines. What a dramatic way to finish the race.

Devon's time was 21:03 for his first 5K!!! So proud of him.

Our New Kitty - Jasper

This is Jasper! He is so cute. Actually we got him before school started but I forgot to Blog about it. We bought Jasper at an adoption facility in PetSmart. He was approximately 6 weeks old when we got him. He is so lovable and adoring. We can't get enough of him. He is feisty and runs around at full speed (not knowing how to stop on hard wood floors). He's so cute!

I think of him as a big puff ball. He's so cute!!!

This is Jasper!

Jasper likes to chase ribbons and strings

Jasper is fascinated by the guinea pig

"What's in the cage"

One of Jasper's favorite places to hang out is with Betsy in her office. He sits on her side desk and keeps her company while she works on the computer, or projects. He's so much fun to have around.

Planning Devon's Eagle Court of Honor

It seems like I spend every minute of my time planning and making preparations for Devon's Eagle Court of Honor. The Troop and Team are really supposed to do this, but no one really knew what to do - so I am doing it.

Devon deserves the best court of honor ever done. I am so impressed with him. I can't believe we didn't even know if he could handle the scout program and all it's requirements many years ago...hear we are at the pinnacle of success. He always outdoes any expectation I've had for him.

My list seems endless:

invitations

asking people to participate in the program

printing programs

ordering supplies, awards, etc.

collecting letters of commendation

planning refreshments

planning decorations

the order ---

the flow ---

who will come

Robert's 2nd game: OCYSA Legends

Robert's second game was against OCYSA Legends U13 team. It was a little hard for Robert since he had friends on the other team, Seth Bacon and Jack Dugan.

First half we were ahead 2-1; after half time we looked like we were asleep...they scored 2 right away. Luckily we stayed focused and determined and scored another goal to tie up the game. With a little more time we could have scored one more.

Robert was mid or defense most of the game. He had some great opportunities for a long ball to Alex. Alex was open on the forward right. Alex scored once from Robert's pass.

Robert with a throw in to Ben

Conner passing the ball to Robert for a run.

NOMS Cross Country Scrimmage

8/20/10 (Friday night) The evening was extremely hot. We knew before the race even started that it would add some time to the kids scores - it's just so hot.

Marissa battling it out for her place. Marissa had a 15:16 run.

She passed Katie at the last minute.

Robert running hard to finish strong. Robert had a 14:03 run

Robert's 1st game: against CSC

Robert's U13 Javanon Red Team: Coach Tim Rice

Alex "Drip", Ross, Ben, Tyler, Harrison, Matt G., Alex

Brack, Conner, Zach, Robert, Garrett, Jackson, Matt "Butch" and Matt "Shews"

Pre-game instructions!

Robert started the game at right defense

On the move

Quick to the ball. Here he kicked and the other player hand-balled it.

Robert taking the free kick

Alex and Robert - teamwork

Close up

Looking for options

Being aggressive

Happy with a 1-0 win!

Great game. Robert played a very important role in the score. He stole the ball from their defense, passed to Ben, Ben passed to Zach for the goal. Great set up! Great game.

Friends come to visit Robert's first game

8/21/10
Robert had a special surprise (that I didn't tell him about before the game)...his friends from his previous team came to support him and watch his first game. It was so nice of them to go out of their way to support Robert.

Matthew picked up Robert

Great friends

Matthew, Robert, Mason, Eric and Ben

These boys have always been silly - times don't change

Matthew, Robert, Mason, Eric and Ben

First Day Substitute Teaching this year

Today was my first day substitute teaching this year. I was Germaine Russo, one of the art teachers at NOMS. It was a supercalifragilistic day!

The 6th graders were so quiet and quick to do whatever I asked them to do. We did self portraits together. I think I learned more than they did. Next, 8th graders - wow, compared to last year, these 8th graders were a dream. They were so kind and helpful. They are working on landscapes. Mustang 11 was the next class - it is a "character building" class - probably my favorite. Last was 7th graders - they were fabulous too - we worked on similes and metaphors for creating toilet paper mache food art. So creative!

I love great days! I came home feeling on top of the world.

Some Storm

Oh my goodness - last night a storm came out of nowhere pouring rain like a bucket was being tipped over our neighborhood. If that wasn't enough, then the wind started up. It was 10-20 miles per hour at first, just taking down the volleyball net, but then it really started to pick up. Mark and I went in to get out of the storm...

As I was looking out the back door's window I noticed the chairs on the back deck moving. I looked over to the trampoline and saw it shaking. I was just starting to tell Mark, "Hey, the wind is shaking the trampoline, maybe we should ..." and that's when it happened.

I saw the trampoline just fly up into the air, hit our deck, fly through the air like it was a frisbee until it hit my neighbor's house and then disappear down Championship Court. The rain was so heavy I couldn't even see the black or blue of the trampoline, but my worst fears started going through my mind - how many houses is it going to hit? Oh, my gosh! The poor kids - they pooled their money together and bought the trampoline on their own. They helped Mark and I put it together. We got 50 pound bags of mulch and sand to it weight down. None of it counts right now, the trampoline is gone - damage is done.

As the storm lightened up, we were able to see that a "STOP" sign is actually what STOPPED the trampoline from flying down Championship Court - THANK GOODNESS (THANK GOD!). It was astonishing. If you have ever tried to lift the trampoline you realize how extremely heavy it is, and now - looking at it - folded in half - or even quarters astonishes me. The wind just picked it up and played with it like it was a small tinker toy. We also saw our beautiful plum tree and our ornamental tree were horizontal.

Some huge blessings to be counted despite the damage - 1) no body was hurt (that's a big one considering our family's history), 2) Sean's car wasn't home - other wise the trampoline would have hit it, 3) there was minimal damage to our neighbor's house (somehow it hit right at a bay window, but didn't break the window! 4) it could have been so much worse.

Well, we have great neighbors - everyone came over to help. Everyone - the Greens, Heagys, Rolfes, Davis's all came out to help transport the multiple parts and pieces of our "dead" trampoline.

First day of school

8/11/10 - I can't believe this day came - twelve years ago I put her on the bus to go to Kindergarten, bitting my lip and staying super strong until the bus pulled away, and then tears filled my eyes as I watched my sweet little girl venture into an new world. Now twelve years later, I am watching that same sweet girl prepare for the last year of school at home. She is a senior at North Oldham High School. She attends early morning seminary with Devon before school starts. They are off for their early start today.

Jessica drives to seminary and to school every day.

First day of school for Jessica and Devon!

Devon is a sophomore attending at North Oldham High School. He is taking a very hard course load (Accelerated Algebra, Accelerated Chemistry, AP Euro, Humanities, English 10, Spanish 11)

Robert and Marissa, my middle schoolers

Robert is starting 6th grade

Marissa is a big 8th grader this year

Another significant milestone for this year is that I no longer have any kids at the elementary school level. It is so hard to believe but "little Robert" isn't so little anymore. He's starting 6th grade at North Oldham Middle School. He's excited to attend with his sister and all his friends.

This is Marissa's last year in the middle school. She's grown up in so many ways and yet it is still so hard for me to comprehend my "little Marissa" as an 8th grader. She is so excited to start this year and be back with her friends.

Robert and Aaron

One of the best things about Robert being in middle school is that Robert and Aaron can ride the bus together again! What a great day!!!

Wednesday, August 11

Girls night out

On Thursday, August 12 we had an unofficial RS "Girls Night Out" It was awesome. A bunch of us (Heather Toombs, Dina Smith, Elizabeth Sanders, Suz Gabay, Pam Olson, Denise Hettinger, Cynthia Madsen, Serina Jankovich, Michelle Neilson, Ruth Ann Lewis, Me, Kathryn Farnsworth and Debbie Dowdy met at the Olive Garden for dinner, dessert and good laughs.

I had already eaten dinner with Devon and Mark (so Devon would eat his baked potato) so I had a diet coke and chocolate mousse cheese cake. I didn't go for the food - I went for the chance to get away and be with friends.

I small realization came to me that evening as I left: I can spiritually feed myself, but I can't socially feed myself. That was the perfect night with great friends. We are so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people.

Laurel Lane Ladies celebrate "freedom"

It's tradition - once the kids go back to school the Ladies of Laurel Lane meet at the Summit Starbucks for a reprieve. It's so wonderful to get together with friends without the distractions of being interrupted by phone calls, "mom, can you...", "mom, so-in-so just ...", etc.

Maureen was there first, then Fran, Paula, Betsy fourth (she had to stop and get a caffeine free diet coke, and finally Kelly. The fab five are together again. Super!!!

It is especially nice for me. These friends are like family to me. My sisters live in Washington State and the Washington DC area - nowhere near me.

A day full of Surprises (good and not so good)

Today the heat index went over 105 before we hit noon - crazy hot! So we couldn't play outside, or do some of the normal things that we enjoy during the summer.

The day started with a SURPRISE phone call from my dear friend, Sandra Orr asking if her son could come spend a few days with us. Sure thing - we'd love to have him!!! He's like a son to me.

Second SURPRISE is another phone call from someone I've never met, but that used to attend our ward. She is having a baby, but they have moved about 2 hours away from Louisville. The SURPRISE was that Mark had told her that her mother could stay with us when the baby was due (she asked him if she could - and he said yes), BUT Mark had forgotten to tell me. The SURPRISES continue when she tells me that her mother is coming today - YIKES - I've just returned from a three week long vacation (2 in fact) and my house (and my brain) are not ready. Mark said she was supposed to come after August 10th - SURPRISE.

So the day goes on - I clean the house, put luggage away (finally), do wash, get Devon's physical done, take him to a YM pool party, and take Marissa and I to our pool. While at the pool, the soon-to-be mother calls me to let me know her mother isn't coming until tomorrow (woosh) that's helps, but "BY THE WAY can my daughter stay with her?" SURPRISE #3 - hits me in the face. See I am hosting a "End of Summer party" for Marissa and her friends on Friday. Having a total stranger and a 17 month old baby in the house while having 10 teenage girls at a party wasn't my idea. Okay, but what am I to say - no...come on - this SURPRISE just keeps going.

SURPRISE four comes when a wasp stings her on her arm as we are getting ready to leave the pool. She is in so much pain from the stinging sensation. That wasn't supposed to happen.

So we have a delicious rib, crescents, corn-on-the cob dinner! YUM! Jessica has dishes -yeah! Mark and I decide to go for a jog. It's been over an hour and it's past 8:30 so the temperature should be fine. I take my puffer (asthma) before I run (which I never do, but I tell Marissa to do every time she runs). I feel great as I run - I've never NEVER felt so free running. My lungs stay open and I can breathe!!! YIPPEE! Then after about 2 miles and a steep up hill climb all the sudden I can't catch my breath. I have the worst attack I've had in years out in the middle of our jog. Mark helps me and we make it home. That was the last SURPRISE and the worst of the day. I had never felt that type of pain from asthma. It felt like a chocker was placed around my neck and someone was squeezing it.

Luckily - I felt better, Jessica made cookies while we were running and I was able to work on my scrapbooks and blog. All in one CRAZY day.

COWABUNGA BAY

7/30/10 - On our last day in Salt Lake City (actually Draper, UT) we decided to brave Robert's head wound and go to the amazing water park called Cowabunga Bay. Since Robert was allowed to get wet from the shoulders down, and since he was allowed to take showers - we (Betsy) decided he could go to the water park, but not do any of the rides that would get him completely wet.

We were very lucky - and Robert was very careful. Robert was able to do all the water slides because they have shallow ends that he was able to sit up near the end and slow down.

We had a super fantastic time!!! We really enjoy a day of relaxation and cool water.

Robert (11) and Marissa (13) at the start of the day

Robert, Betsy and Marissa

Betsy loved this water park because it was all based on a Hawaiian Theme!!

Having too much fun- Robert and Marissa!

On their way to another slide.

Robert coming down the "Hang 10"

Marissa coming down the "Hang 10"

It is said to be the larges Water slide construction in the world!

Look at all that water! A huge bucket just tipped.

Robert had to be extra attentive to the bell sound that goes off just before every bucket tip. He did a great job at keeping away from the bucket drops.

Betsy's new favorite saying

Anticipation!!! (Marissa laying on the concrete)

Oh My Gosh!!! That was super!!!

We stayed from 10:30 till 3:00. After having a great day in the sun and water, we cleaned up and headed south for Provo. Tomorrow we will pick up Jessica and Devon from EFY and drive to Albuquerque, NM to pick up our deserted car.

What a great day with the kids!