Pray without Ceasing

Please pray for Stellan. He's very ill right now and fighting for his life. His story is here...

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

And that's the ball game

Time marches on whether we want it to or not.

Sometimes

dreams do come true.

Yesterday we spent the day in Pella, IA at a tennis tournament. Ethan asked if he could try competing in a tournament even though he's only been playing a few months.

He played well in his first match holding his serve and keeping score. In these tournament, the players call the balls in or out and keep track of their score. It's a lot to think about and he did a great job for his first time!

After finishing this match at 8:50AM, we began the wait for him to play in the consolation round. We waited and waited and waited and watched some other Kirksville kids play their matches and waited some more! Finally at 4:50PM (ARGH!!) he was told to go to a different park where there was an open court.

Half way through the second set, Ethan calmly asked his opponent if he was going to keep cheating and call in balls out? The kid said what and Ethan repeated his question and told him if he was going to keep cheating, he was finished playing him because he doesn't play cheaters. OMG I almost died listening to this! Ethan then walked over and began to pack up his bag when a tournament official asked what was happening. He told her what he had just told his opponent and she said she would not call the balls but would monitor their court. Ethan went on to win 2 more games during that set.

I am so proud of him. He confronted the problem head on and took care of business!

Summer

If one more person tells me I should be grateful I had a summer school job I might smack them. Seriously.

I'm 46 years old. I know quite a bit about being grateful. You don't live in my head so don't try and tell me how I should be feeling. Don't.

ahem.

I've got lots of things cooking for the rest of my summer. I'm excited about them and as of right now, the nastiness is over. Just don't tell me I should be grateful....

Much better. Much, much better.

Wrong Direction

Things continue to get harder not easier. I continue to worry myself beyond what is healthy. I am praying that this is just a low spot and things will look up in 5 minutes.

Blues

I had such a wonderful time last night! Deadwood sounded great, the weather was perfect and good friends came to visit. What a great way to end the week!

Illegitimi non carborundum

I Really Didn't

I thought I would, but I didn't. I didn't cry at graduation.

Except, I did cry but it wasn't for me of for my son. I cried when a boy that was supposed to die while still in middle school received his diploma. And I cried when another name was called, and the child wasn't there to receive her diploma.

But for Alex, I didn't cry.

If I make it out of here alive it will be miracle.

Cram

I am exhausted from all the field trips, paperwork, picnics, student melt-downs, ball games, loads of laundry. I don't think we can cram much more in these last few days!

There is a ticker on my school's website counting down the days to graduation. My stomach does a funny little flip everytime I look at that counter. Part of me is so relieved to be free of worrying about my oldest son's grades, assignments, etc. Another part of me understands that those worries are shifting into a whole new phase that involves major life decisions, etc.

I have worked hard this year to worry less and laugh more... remember my resolution(promise). I truly believe that, for me, worry is sinful and something that separates me from my true purpose. It robs me of my joy and keeps me focused on things that I cannot control instead of things that I can change for the better.

So, as I enter the last few hours of parenting a son that is entering a new phase in his life, I am making a promise to myself to enjoy my time with him this week. My baby is almost ready to fly.

The wind began to switch -

the house to pitch and suddenly the hinges started to unhitch.

What a wild wild night! Four tornados came through Kirskville and Novinger. Lots of damage to homes and a car dealership.

As a mom, my biggest fear was not having my family all in one spot. Alex was at home and went into the tornado room. Even though he's 18, he's still my baby!

My Reasons for the Day

Another Milestone

Calling In

I'm thinking about calling in crazy.

I wonder if they would get me a sub.

Prom 2009

I asked Alex what he wanted for his birthday and he said fried okra. Fried okra.

God I love that kid.

State

I am so proud of Alex. He did such a fantastic job today at State Drama contest. He and his girl Holland came in 8 out of 28.

The first show Alex was in was "The Wizard of Oz". Mrs. Clark was directing this show during the summer to raise money for her high school drama class. Alex was a Munchkin and was featured in "The Lollipop Guild". He loved being a part of this show and I could tell then and there that he was hooked.

Denise and I directed several summer shows together and Alex was a part of these shows including: Into the Woods, Grease, Pippin, Guys & Dolls and Once Upon a Matress.

His freshman year in high school, Alex was cast as LeFou in Beauty and the Beast. What a joy to see him in his first high school production. That winter, I directed Godspell and Alex was also in that cast. He grew a lot his freshman year, working on staying in character. He was cast as Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie his sophmore year. Junior year was Pat Gilbert in State Fair. His senior year the school did Annie Get Your Gun. Alex was Frank Butler to his girl's Annie Oakley. They has great chemistry on stage and I know they has such a good time doing the show together.

Getting to see him perform today was such a joy. The piece Funeral Parlor is so smart and they were fabulous in their roles. It is such an honor to advance to the state level and not only did they finish well, they beat their competition from Districts!

Alex not only did you "break a leg" today, but you gave me many great memories to cherish!

What a Day

My head is still spinning.