Distinguished score for reading

Sixty-five (65) of our current juniors scored Distinguished on the KCCT Reading test, the only test they took last year.  Those students are Allison Artman, Myriah Barnett, Victoria Callahan, Sarah Campbell, Michael Choe, Ben Christian, Evan Coartney, Sloane Costelle, Meredith Crum, Shana Cunningham, Rowan Davies, Amanda Degruccio, Ellie Demuth, Katarina Dewey, Sam Dugan, Shelby Foote, Theresa Ford, Caitlin Francesconi, Katelyn George, Allison Hall, Chelsea Harris, Bill Hines, Lukas Isenhart, Amanda Jack, Sharmeen Khan, Austin Kotarski, Olexandra Kovalenko, Ameliah Larson, Charles Laun, Kirstin Lee, Devon Lowe, Amanda Marques, Jonathan Martin, Eliza McCauley, Taylor McGuire, Molly Melia, Taylor Moore, Lillian Neidhardt, Natalie Newman, Maddie Orman, Kaajal Patel, Anthony Piedmonte, Kassidy Price, Anna Rauh, Claire Richards, Nathan Richardson, Whitney Shemwell, Tyler Simpson, Claire Sinnott, Hannah Smith, Hunter Smith, Samuel Sowell, Claire Stanton, Katie Stinebruner, Caleb Taffer, Calley Thompson, Bryon Vantreuren, Nicole Walton, Gina Watson, Lindsey Wattley, Rosemary Weiler, Morgan Whittinghill, Natalie Wimsatt, Casey Wohlgemuth, and Madeline Zentner.  Reading and writing are Devon's hardest subjects.  This is incredibly great and amazing news to our family.  We are so proud of Devon's efforts to overcome such challenges in his life.   To think he has gone from not being able to read, to reading resource to regular classes in 6th grade, and now to a Distinguished on the KCCT!

First game of Indoor Soccer

Tonight was yet one more athletic event for Robert.  It seems crazy, but we are all excited for him to join in the LSA indoor soccer winter league.  It is the first game of the season.  The game was supposed to start at 9:30, but the other team didn't show, so they won by forfeit, and scrimmaged at 9:50.  Even though Robert is a guest player for the season he starts the game.  When you haven't watched indoor soccer in a while, it is really exciting to see how fast the ball travels and how quick these boys have to be.  Robert played midfielder.  I love watching him play in this position.  He can stop the ball on a dime, turn and distribute to the available player.  He had several great passes for an assist.  Indoor soccer is high scoring - lots of action all the time.

Robert disappointed when his half court shot didn't go in.

This league was supposed to be U14, but they combined the U14 with the U15, so here is Robert a true U13 player playing against U15 players.  You can see the size difference in the photos.  The great thing is, there isn't a difference in the foot skills.  YEAH!  At one point in the game the goalie for the opponent's team was out of the box and Robert took a shot from inside the half court line and it was a perfectly kicked ball right over the goalie's head, bounced to go into the top corner of the goal, but hit the bottom edge of the cross bar and bounced straight down.  We couldn't tell if it actually went in or not, but they didn't count it as a goal.  I don't know if it was a goal or not, but it was a beautifully played and perfectly kicked ball!  So nice!

Last run of the night

Robert stayed for a second game.  They quarters go fast, so there were two games in the amount of time of a regular outdoor season game.  He had a great time getting to know the players on the team.  He knows some of the boys from school.  Ryan is his friend that invited him to play!  What a great night!

2nd Place for Robert at the Middle School XC State Championship

And they are off.  The NOMS boys had the very last and worst starting sport for the race.  It was at the end of a long line with 260 ish other runners on less of a hill.  It was a disadvantage, but it didn't matter.  See the runners run away from the crowd at first in an area that parents and spectators can't really observe.  Then, they come up over a hill, down and around a corner.  

It was when two runners came up over the that I got ready to start taking pictures - what did I see Robert in the lead, with Alex McCarty, a friend and teammate right next to him.  Robert looked confident and strong.  What a great start! 

From there the runners continue down hill, over a bridge and into another area that loops around a grove of trees.  (spectators can't get to this area).  As they come up the hill you can see to NOMS runners, Robert in the lead and Alex only 5 feet behind him.  Wow!  Robert is running a great race.  

  

From here there is only approximately another 600 meters to go.  Robert hasn't run any 4K races yet this year, plus he played a game of soccer before coming to the meet.  He must be tired, but he is still looking strong!  The boys head into the old track area from here.

As they come around the last corner of the track you can see Alex is working really hard to catch up to Robert.  Robert is fending him off, but Alex is taller and stronger, and has also ran at all the 4K races.  With only 5 feet left in the race, Alex passes Robert.  They finish with less than a second between them.  Robert ran such a great race!  I'm so proud of him!

Robert's soccer game in Cincinnati

Robert had a great game against CSA in Cincinnati on Saturday at 10:00 am.  This is the first of three athletic events for the day.  He played mid wing for the game which is a great position for him.

At half time the score was 2-1 our lead.

The game ended in a tie 2-2.  Both of CSA's goals were on corner kicks.  Our goals came from a free kick and an earned goal.  Everyone worked very hard.  The teams were evenly matched.  

After the game, Mark took Robert to Subway and then down to Lexington for the Middle School XC State Champion.

Another crazy Saturday

Just for the record:

Saturday:
7:15 AM - Mark and Robert leave for Cincinnati
8:00 AM - Devon and Marissa to the school for bus
10:00 AM - Robert's soccer game in Cincinnati
10:30 AM - Devon runs at Metro Meet of Champions
     (Devon runs amazing race, Betsy takes him out to lunch to celebrate)
1:00 PM - Betsy leaves for Lexington
2:00 PM - Betsy take photos of Middle school Meet of Champions (State Championship)
3:00 PM - Robert run in State Championship Open (came in 2nd place)
     (Dinner)
4:30 PM - Beth takes Devon to work
7:00 PM - Marissa to friend's holloween party
9:30 PM - Robert's indoor soccer game

Devon is my Champion

And they are off!  This is the Metro Meet of Champions.

Devon ran in this race last year and got a time of 18:21.  He wants to do better than that this time, and even get a PR if he can.  

Devon is in a good position at the first check point.

Second loop around Devon looks strong.  He has been with Andy Powers the entire race.

Devon finishes is a cluster of other runners which can slow you down.  He looks like he is sprinting hard.  He finished with at time of 18:19.  Yes, he beat his time from last year and only missed his PR by 3 seconds.  A new season best for Devon.

He has one more race on Tuesday.  

Great job Devon - way to run hard!

Permanent Sub Position at Liberty

Today the principal at Liberty Elementary school, Jane Smith, called me to offer me a permanent substitute position to teach 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders in the resource room.  This is what used to be called special ed.  There are 14 boys and girls in total - not all of them at any one time.  I will be subbing for a lady going on maternity leave.

I accepted the position and am very excited.  I should start next Thursday.

Reviewing the Past

Today I started the project that I have wanted to do for years and for one reason or another it has never made it to the top of my priority list.  Those reasons could fall into the normal excuses of not having time, the kids keep me too busy, there aren't enough hours in a day, I am involved in too many other projects, when I finish scrapbooking I'll do it, but the plain and simple truth of the matter is that I wasn't sure what would happen when I faced this project.

The project is recording all the letters and correspondence between  my mother and myself since she left me when I was only 14 years old.  I think a part of me died that day - they day she just left our family and took one of my sisters with her.  I've had buried it for so many years, and then she passed away 20 years ago.

Well, about 4 years ago it all started to creep back into my life as I found that my children had or were soon reaching the age when my world turned upside down.  Everything I had buried and ignored, thought was dead and gone came out every once in a while with a, "you only have a few chores, when I was your age I had to … because I had no mother to take care of me."  Followed by an, "oops, didn't mean to say that - where did that come from?"

Well, today I started with letters from 1980 - the year she left me.  They are sad and I feel her pain as I read each one.  I guess I didn't write her much, but as I read each one, I find myself saying, "Yah, well you left me."  I really don't want to revisit that time in my life.  I hated it (and there are few things I hate).  It was the darkest, most depressing time I've ever felt.  It was extremely painful for me as a young teenage girl, and I had forgotten most of it, moved on, so they say; but I don't want to forget it, I just want to overcome it…and so the adventure into the past begins...

Juggles

Robert has been working on his juggling.  He was at 42 … then 63 … then 87 … and tonight he wanted to show me that he could get to 87, but he juggled to 133.

Two games - Two losses for Robert's soccer team

First Game is against LFC

Robert's first game of the day was at 9:00 am at Masterson Station in Lexington.  It was the first morning this year with frost on the ground.  The field was soaking wet and water sprayed up as the ball was kicked.  It seemed we were slipping and falling due to the wetness as well, ironically it didn't seem like their players were slipping as much (crazy).  Robert played against this team, Lexington Futbal Club (LFC) Premier when he was on Thoroughbreds.  We were a very even team with them then, and it turns out we are very even team with them now.   Although, the players for LFC have grown; they were huge as you can see later in the photos.  

he's huge

We lost 0-1 on a very unique play.  It was our fault, but more importantly it was a learning point.  The goalie and our sweeper had a miscommunication.  Big C tapped the ball back to the goalie, Trey with pressure on the ball, and Trey picked up the ball.  It was a pass, so the referee blew the wistle to stop play.  Trey put the ball down to get into position in the goal, the rest of the boys were getting out of the way when at the very same time the LFC team took an indirect kick into the goal - score.  The referee had never blown the wistle to start play, but he counted the goal.  It was the most bizarre and yet real play.  We learned a big lesson - don't ever put the ball down until you are ready for action.

Second Game is against Cup Black - the best team in the league

Okay to start off with, I had a feeling this wasn't going to go over very well because our boys had a hot dog picnic after the first game at 10:45 (early).  Hot dogs are not the best thing to eat in between games, but who was I to complain.  It was a lovely time to get to know the other players and their parents so it did have it's advantages as well.

first to the ball

short pass to teammate close by

We lost this game 3-0.  We played a very good game.  We had shots on goal that either went wide or straight to the goalie.  The other team was faster to the ball, and quicker to distribute the ball.  

Henry County Invitation

It was a perfect day for a race, and the timing in the day couldn't have been better.  The boys JV race was at 1:15 pm.  It was around 64 degrees and sunny with a very slight breeze, just enough to cool you off as you ran.  The course was very difficult but not due to hills.  There were sections of the course that were very narrow (5-6 feet) and sections covered with gravel instead of grass or dirt.  Runners had to be careful not to twist an ankle while running in spikes over the gravel.

As you can see below the NOHS boys JV team had a perfect score.  They took 1-6th, 8th and 10th …  Devon came in 6th in a NOHS shut out at the Henry  County Invitational with a time of 19:00.  He was presented a trophy - wahoo~

Results:


1 #293 Terkula, Steve 12 North Oldham 18:23.11 1

  2 #275 Gordon, Austin     10 North Oldham  18:31.02   2
  3 #278 Krohn, Erik        11 North Oldham  18:44.84   3
  4 #295 Walker, Danny      09 North Oldham  18:47.37   4
  5 #284 Powers, Andy       12 North Oldham  18:59.61   5
  6 #281 Lowe, Devon        11 North Oldham  19:00.09   6
  7 #346 Romero, Dylan      10 Oldham County 19:22.96   7
  8 #270 Brazeau, Luc       09 North Oldham  19:28.18   8
  9 #334 Hoffman, Benjamin  10 Oldham County 19:30.30   9
 10 #289 Strench, Will      10 North Oldham  19:31.90        
 11 #288 Stevens, Seth      09 North Oldham  19:33.53 

out of 29

The NOHS girls Varsity ran a great race.  They came in 2nd behind Oldham County (a AAA school).  Marissa had her best race EVER!  She set three goals - score in the top 10, PR and come in first for her team.  She did all three!  GO MARISSA!  She came in 4th place in the Varsity race for NOHS at the Henry County Invitational with a time of 20:49 (10 second PR) and she came in first for the NOHS team.  She, too, was presented a trophy for finishing in the top 10.


Play back:  She said it was hard to keep up with Shelby for the first mile.  When she caught up with her she stayed with her for the second mile, but as she came out of the second mile she took off and just kept going.  Mark said she looked like she loved running - and she does!  Can you believe our little (86 pound) freshman came in 4th place in the Varsity race! Way to go!

Results:

Event 7  Girls 5k Run CC Varsity
==========================================================
    Name                 Year School        Finals  Points
==========================================================
  1 #306 Grogan, Caroline   10 Oldham County   19:08.70  1
  2 #307 Grogan, Margaret   12 Oldham County   19:48.83  2
  3 #319 Mullins, Hannah    11 Oldham County   20:41.59  3
  4 #262 Lowe, Marissa      09 North Oldham    20:49.78  4
  5 #397 Wilberding, Kylie  09 Trimble County  21:04.89  5
  6 #252 Beyea, Caitlin     12 North Oldham    21:06.54  6
  7 #299 Bear, Chelsea      10 Oldham County   21:06.98  7
  8 #180 Fischer, Cassey    12 Henry County    21:10.87  8
  9 #250 Adams, Shelby      11 North Oldham    21:14.60  9
 10 #318 Mullins, Haley     11 Oldham County   21:16.05 10

 out of 45. 

Fall Break

This year fall break is all about the family.  We are staying home because the kids are still involved in fall sports and can't get away…

so we are making the most of it at home.  The very BEST part of fall break is that I/we get to sleep in.  It always feels like we desparately need a break right around the time fall break is scheduled.  I'm so grateful for that.  I was so worn out and now I can, at least, catch up on my sleep.

The kids are enjoying their free time.  Monday the got up (late), did their chores and then enjoyed the rest of the day!   Tuesday was $5.50 movie day.  Devon and Robert saw Real Steal and Betsy and Marissa saw Abduction.  Both action packed movies!  We were supposed to go to ride go-carts on Wednesday but it rained all (ALL) day so we went to the mall instead.  If you can believe it the Apple store was closed - it was the dabue of the 4s phone.  Thursday was a wet rainy day until XC practice.  Friday, Devon had to work and the younger kids enjoyed the Wii (without Devon controlling what game to play), then I took them to Qdoba for lunch.  Of course, every day around 4:30 they had XC practice and Robert still had soccer practice in the early evening.

Over all great week of relaxing, sleeping in, taking it in.

Javanon vs Hammer FC - win 3-1

Robert and Betsy left the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY right after Devon ran, stopped for Subway in Frankfort, KY and then drove directly to the Collegiate soccer fields in Louisville.  He had to be there by 2:15 for a 3:00 game.

Robert's team had to wait 35 minutes for the game to start.  This couldn't have been the worst day to have something like this happen.  Robert and his friend and teammate, Mason Rice needed this game to start and end on time so that they could get to their cross country meet by 4:50.  The game was supposed to start at 3:00 pm, but the refs didn't show/start the game until 3:35.  With each half being 35 minutes and a half time there was no possible way we would make the meet in Buckner, KY

As far as the game went - it went very well.  For the majority of the game we controlled the ball.  We had great passes, remembering to take the ball back if needed and redistribute.  We have a few players that still just long ball it, but for the most part we controlled the ball.  At half time the score was 0-0.  Almost immediately after the half,  Hammer FC got a goal.  We played with even more control and determination.  Our first goal was off a penalty kick taken by Little C. 1-1.  Then Little C took another good long shot and scored, 2-1.  With about 10 minutes left in the game we had another beautiful play that allowed Solomon to score 3-1.  Now Hammer FC was playing very aggressive trying to gain control of the ball and even the score.  The last 10 minutes of the game were very intense.  Robert and his teammates were more than determined to protect the ball from scoring.  Robert had some super defensive plays in the last 5 minutes of the game (which seemed like forever).  

 My camera battery died before the half time.  Not too many photos, but I did get the opportunity to take photos from the press box which gave me a very different look at the game.  I wish I could take photos from that position every game.

After the game Robert jumped in my car and we raced out to Buckner to check in with the coach.  We missed the entire race.  Robert stayed for the award ceremony.  The girls took 3rd place and the boys took 1st place.

Devon Runs a great race

Devon's day started over six hours before his race.  Kinda crazy.  He had to be up, ready and at the school by 6:00 am for the bus ride to the Kentucky Horse Park.  The boys Varsity was at 9:30, then they had a long wait for the JV.  The JV race started promptly at 12:00.  Devon didn't get a great start; he got sandwiched in the middle of the pack.  

It's much harder to work your way to the front when you have to work around so many people.  At one point in the race we counted him in 46th place, but by the time he came back (from the second paddock) to the first paddock he was around 30th.  That's quite an improvement.  He was working so hard to get up to the front.  

In the end he was flying, sprinting to the finish line were he finished in 28th place with a time of 19:32 (4 second improvemement from last time).  He was the 5th runner for the JV team, meaning his place counted for points.  

The JV team came in 4th place, but they ran against several AAA teams.  It was a great race.  Everyone stepped it up.  Danny, Justin, Andy, Devon - so proud of all the guys!

By the time I got over to the finish area, I was surprised to see Devon surrounded by a bunch of St. X runners.  I have no idea what they were talking about, but the fact that he was engaged in conversation with runners from another team was interesting to me.

Marissa and Devon holding their medals!

After the race, Devon drove them home while I took Robert to his soccer game.  He still had a long night.  He had to come home, shower, relax and get ready to work the 5:30 - midnight shift at Tinseltown.  Mark took him (since Betsy was at Robert's game) but Betsy picked him up.  Very long day!