Tasha and the Girls

In May and June we were able to have Tasha and the girls come and live with us for a while.  They were in between rentals and had no place to go for several weeks.  I am glad she felt comfortable coming and staying with me.  It was tough.  We were all so busy with end of the school year stuff.  The girls were still enrolled in school out in Battleground and had daycare out there so Tasha was doing a lot of running around. We would pass in the evenings, but I sure enjoyed having them around.  I didn’t get to spend as much time with the girls as I would have liked and managed in the last few days of them being at the house to snap this picture in Tasha’s make-shift bedroom.    Life is so tricky sometimes, we are lucky to have each other close by to help each other out when needs arise. 

Pacific Middle School's End of the Year Honors

Carson has always been very highly regarded by his teachers and peers.  He has been recognized for his grades and effort in the classroom many times over.  At the end of the year Pacific Middle School holds an honors night where they recognize their most dedicated students.  Carson was invited to attend and in addition to receiving his awards for outstanding musician and 4.0 student, Carson was also honored by all the staff at Pacific Middle School as their 2012-2013 Boy of the Year.  Here is what they had to say about Carson:

"Carson Sork performs well in everything he undertakes and is an excellent candidate for Pacific’s Eighth Grade Boy of the Year.

·         Excellence in academics:  Carson has maintained a 4.0 grade average throughout middle school.  His classes include EXCEL humanities, physics, integrated math 1, French and orchestra.  Carson consistently produces outstanding work which is often used as a model for others.  While he approaches his assignments seriously, he seems to revel in the challenge of doing the finest work he can.

·         Leadership:  As an ASB room representative, Carson led the charge to have the class win the fall food drive.  The students collected an amazing amount of food spurred on by Carson’s enthusiastic encouragement.  He is a leader in classroom activities.  His peers enjoy working with him because he is dependable and possesses an engaging sense of humor.

·         Extra-curricular activities:  Carson plays indoor and outdoor soccer, is on the track team and enjoys running as one of his hobbies.  His musical endeavors include playing the violin in the school orchestra along with taking private lessons.  Carson also plays the piano.  He is also actively participating in the Boy Scouts of America program.

·         Citizenship:  Carson has a magnetic disposition full of personality.  His friends gather with him before school starts in the morning to socialize and tackle homework.  Carson exemplifies the Viking Principles.

Multi-talented, polite and imaginative, Carson definitely has the qualities to be Pacific’s Eighth Grade Boy of the Year."

Carson and his two best buds were also recognized for helping Mr. Carlson build this bench to go in the school atrium as a memorial to students over the last three years that pacific has lost to tragedy.

McKenna was honored at the awards night as well for her outstanding academic achievements of the year.  This was her first year at the middle school and she did very well and enjoyed every second of it.

Austin’s Trial

After his birthday, Austin still was quite sick and though his symptoms were flu like, they weren't going away.  He would get up in the mornings and get ready for seminary just to end up in the bathroom throwing up.  When it came time to go to school he was so tired and nauseated he couldn't make it.  He had missed about two weeks of school.  We took him to the doctor and started jumping through all the hoops we needed to find out what was wrong.  It was obvious this wasn't just going to go away. 

The doctors tried everything to make Austin feel better.  Not even the most potent anti-nausea medication could touch it.  We went through test after test.  I spent hours upon hours each week researching on the web his symptoms and possible causes, hours on the phone with doctors pushing for different tests and referrals, and running Austin back and forth to appointments.  Austin was trying to make it to a little bit of school each day, but it was tough.  Throwing up in a high school bathroom multiple times takes a lot out of you.  He wouldn't eat and his body was showing the signs of dehydration and fatigue.

His teachers knew he was struggling and gave him freedom to slip in and out of class as needed, but he just didn't have the energy to be there all day and struggle with this.  His grades started slipping and he was falling behind.  By March Austin had not been able to attend a full day of school since the middle of January.  I called the school guidance counselor and we worked out an A-B schedule where Austin would attend school from first through third period each day alternating classes Monday through Thursday.  On Friday’s Austin would go to the classes he needed the most help in or where he had to make up tests.  Claudine McKague, one of our very close family friends offered to tutor Austin in his math and science as much as she could to help him keep up.  Eric would help him with his Spanish and I would try and help with anything else Austin needed to keep his head above water.

 It got to where Austin was throwing up multiple times a day and had lost about 15 pounds. He felt like he couldn't leave the house and hang with friends because he was so sick and it would make them so uncomfortable. He had several great friends that stuck with him through all of this and did all they could to involve him even if it meant coming over to the house and just hanging with him on the couch.  Through all of this Austin struggled with his emotions, depression and anxiety – the further he fell behind and the more he couldn't do the more hopeless everything felt and the more tired he got trying to keep it all up.

 Over spring break and with his modified schedule Austin was able to get all caught up in school and stay caught up the rest of the year, though he could still only attend half of his classes.  He almost got straight As, went with his choir to Dallas where they were recognized as the top high school choir in the nation at the ACDA Music Teachers conference.  He took first in the state solo and ensemble competition in the men’s ensemble and the mixed ensemble and his quartet took second.  There were a few times the guys would come over to the house to practice so Austin would be comfortable and still be a part of the group. 

A big thank you to some very understanding soccer coaches who made it possible for Austin to play on the high school team when he was feeling well enough (they became used to him running off the field and throwing up on the sidelines then running back into the game).

  Anyone who didn’t know Austin well would look at all he had accomplished this year would never know the trial he had gone through.  Austin would just get up every day and push on.  He is my hero!

UPDATE:  

Until about three weeks ago (today is November 23, 2013) Austin was sick every single day.  He started his senior school year in September not knowing if he could attend school all day, but pushed through it with only a few incidents and fewer in October.  We still don’t know the cause, but have seemed to find something that seems to work.  He is on three different medications and working with three different doctors.  We are deeply grateful this Thanksgiving season that Austin is healthy and regaining his life.

BOYS Backpacking Trip

Written by Eric:

In May all the Sork boys went on an overnight trip to Siouxon Creek near Mt. St. Helens with the Harmony Teachers Quorum.  After living in Clark County my entire life, I was amazed that I had never before been to Siouxon.  It was spectacular and immediately became one of my favorite backpacking destinations. 

To be a Spring backpacker in the Pacific Northwest you have to be willing to endure the rain and cool temperatures that come with it.  Yes we got a bit wet, but the trip was fantastic.  With Tanner at BYU this year, it had been a year since the four Sork boys had a chance to hang out camping. 

It was great to see the boys spending time together.  

We discovered a waterfall and tried out my new backpacking stove.  Dinner was gourmet mash potatoes with fresh bacon, cheese and chives.  We woke up to damp tents and wet sleeping bags, but we were still warm and happy.  

 I loved the trip so much, that I planned a future one later that Summer with Carson and Gizzy.