I Married a Rugged Maniac!

Everyone hates it when they get a little older and have to recognize their age.  Eric's solution to aging was to sign up with his co-worker, Marcus, for the Rugged Maniac race at the end of June.  This race was 3 miles long and over twenty-five different obstacles meant to challenge the young and the young at heart.

It was enough to make Eric wake up and say, "What am I doing?"  He did survive and He and Marcus decided it was something they should do every year, just to stay young (at heart).

End of School SMASH!

Yep, smash is a good term for it.  You know how it feels when your running out of time and you have to smash everything in before a deadline?  Maybe a better example would be what it is like when you are trying to close an overfilled suitcase before a trip to avoid the extra baggage fee.   You are smashing everything in every corner, maybe even sitting on it and sucking all the air out of it so you can zip it closed.  Then you have to smash it in the carry on baggage check rack and do everything in your power to make it fit except jumping on it for fear you would never get it back out.  Better yet, you know those PB&J sandwiches that are smashed in between all the books in the backpack because the kids don't want to carry a lunch box in addition to their backpack - that is what the end of the school year looks and feels like to a parent and I don't think I fare any better than the suitcase or the PB&J.  This smash consists of final concerts, games, tests and scheduling for the next year, parties, awards nights, and graduation activities to name a few all smashed into about two weeks time.  It's all great stuff, but by the end of it I look as soggy and bruised as that peanut butter sandwich and the kids definitely don't want anything to do with me but to put me out with the trash.  It is a lot of work to make sure everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there with full stomachs, presentable clothes, polished instruments, appropriate costumes and styled hair.  By the end of the smash I gave up trying to do any of that for myself and just tried to hide in the crowd with the camera.

I was very sad to attend my last choir concert for awhile.  Austin has had a great choir run with three first place titles at state.  This final concert was the culmination of all his hard work - countless hours of practicing, singing at football games and basketball games, church meetings, talent shows, music teacher conferences, local, state and national competitions.  He was awarded abundantly for all his honors.

This was Carson's first year in the high school orchestra but has made his mark in the program already.  He went from the concert orchestra to the chamber orchestra in a matter of weeks (It is quite unheard of for a freshman to even make it in that group).  Then he worked his way up through the violin section to fifth chair. At the final concert he was awarded "Most Improved" by the other musicians.

The band days were short lived.  I was a little sad as McKenna played my flute for the last time in her final concert.  She was able to participate in the marching band this year and play a few duets in church, but singing is her true love and she wants to put her energy into that pursuit.  She gave band a good run and I was glad my flute got put to use again, if even for a little while.

We can't forget McKenna's dance accomplishments.  Her hip hop class performed in a dance-off at their final recital and though there was no official winner declared, she took first in my book.

Academically all the kids did so well!  They worked hard to maintain high GPAs and showed great leadership within their classes.  Carson and McKenna both recieved awards for getting a 4.0 all year long. McKenna also recieved awards for her "excellent achievements in science" and her outstanding service to the school by assisting in the counseling office.  Austin graduated with honors and was in the top 10% of the students in Washington State graduating in the class of 2014.

I am so proud of all their hard work and many accomplishments, it makes the smash all worth it.