Bruin Brute

Well Monday marked the end of Carson's football season. He did remarkably well for his first year at football. He is tough. He is mean. And he knows how to tackle. These were the characteristics that made sure he was on the offensive and defensive line each and every game. The game is football is definitely one venue where boys still get to be boys. I have to say that is sort-of refreshing.

So anyway, Monday was a great game for Carson. He had some awesome tackles and some incredible blocks. Tackles and blocks that wound up to be game changing. You can't really tell in this picture that he is the one making the tackle, but he is and he is the one who caused the fumble (look closely and you'll see the football about 2 yards behind the guy being tackled). This fumble was run back for a touchdown.

And shortly after this play, our guys intercepted the ball. Carson totally laid out a guy which allowed our player to continue down the field and score a touchdown. These two plays resulted in GMS going ahead and holding on for the win.

Football was fun to watch this year. Now we are into wrestling season (it started Tuesday).

Drums Beating and Chest Thumping

Every year around this time, Dave likes to remind us that he is "the man". He does this by spending a weekend (and maybe a few weekdays) out being a hunter. He comes back all scruffy and gross, smelling of sage, dirt, and blood. He loves it--because he is "the man". And again this year he had the boy come along to participate in the "hunt". The women could almost hear the drums beating and chest thumping from the camp a 100 miles away, for these were our men out hunting for sustanance to get us through the winter. This is what "the man" brought home on Thursday:

And this is what he and the dog brought home on Saturday (minus the deer head, that was from Thursday): Feeling full of vigor, "the man" and his dad will be hunting again on Thursday to bring home more fowl for the winter.

2nd Grade Musings

Working in an elementary school is always interesting. Really, you could say that there are some days where there literally is never a dull moment. And when kids say the darndest things, well that usually makes up for all of the times when you think "Why am I doing this?" Sometimes what the kids say gives you a brief glimpse into what their home life must be like. Like when one 2nd grade boy said to me "Oh, those are like cussin' beeps" after I finished his hearing screening. "Cussin' beeps?" I repeat back to him. "Yeah. Cussin' beeps." Then I get it and say "Oh, like the beeps that you hear on the TV when someone cusses?" "Yep" he says as he skips out the door. And then there are times when what the kids say just brings you back down to reality. This past week two 2nd graders said things that did just that. I have to admit that most of the time I live my life thinking I am just as tall as the average-height female. But I can't fool 2nd graders. First conversation had with a 2nd grade girl as she was watching me look for nits on a family member's head..."You have really little hands." she says ever so politely. Family member says, "Well sweetie not much about Mrs. Graham is very big." I have nothing to say but "Yep." Second conversation with a different 2nd grader at a different school. "Gee, I'm almost as tall as you are." says the boy with a huge smile on his face. "Yep and if I took off my tall shoes I bet you would be as tall as me" I reply. Both of these converstations took place on almost back to back days. I didn't even have time to convince myself that I am of normal height before I was reminded again that I am not.

Complete Lack of Good Judgment

The quote of the week included in our district's staff newsletter was from Barry LePatner (a big-time lawyer in New York). He said, "Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment." I would add that experience and good judgment beget wisdom. I would like to think that the people who have stewardship over our children while they are in school would exercise at least good judgment when making decisions for our children. So imagine my dismay when I read in the above-mentioned newsletter that the other high school in our district will be doing Sweeney Todd for their fall production. Now I admit I have seen neither the Broadway production nor the movie. However, Google is a wonderful thing and I was able to read the Clif Note version of the Broadway production. I do not see how there could be enough editing done to make this appropriate for high school students. And why would the theater department pick a production that has this level of violence? Are there really no other plays out there that are able to convey the same moral "The quest for revenge is a poison that ultimately destroys the revenge-seeker.", but are able to do it without all of the violence? Oh and there is a fair amount of sexual suggestion/propositioning that goes on in the Broadway production. Are sexual propositions what we want to re-inforce in our high school population or the community in general? Am I out of touch? Should I be this disappointed and upset about the theater's department pick for their fall production? I guess they thought their small disclaimer that some content may not be suitable for younger children was sufficient enough to make-up for their complete lack of good judgment.

Birthday Princess

Katelyn,

I know this post is a day late, but you said this morning that it was OK that I am late with the post. Honestly, I can't believe 16 years have gone by already! It seems like just a short while ago, that I held you for the first time. I still remember the first thing I said when I held you for the first time, "She has her daddy's dimple." That simple dimple established an even stronger connection than what I felt when I was pregnant with you. We don't often refer to you as a "princess", but just for today, I want you to know that you truly are of royal birth and heritage because you are a daughter of God.

It was so much fun to watch you at your "Sweet 16". I don't think you ever quit smiling the whole night.

Here are 16 things that I love about you:

1. I love your innate desire to do what is right. You have no idea what a great blessing this is no only to you, but also to your parents.
2. I love that you most always have a smile on your face. I know that there are tough days sometimes, but even through those tough times, you manage to smile. This is something that will serve you well as you progress through your life.
3. I love that you always try to be friends with everyone.
4. I love that you don't get caught up in "girl drama". I was completely prepared to help you through these challenging situations, but you have figured it out all by yourself--you just stay out of it. I am so proud of you for being able to avoid these all-to-common pitfalls of teen-age years.
5. I love that you have your daddy's dimple. As I mentioned before, that was the first thing I noticed about you and I absolutely adore your dimple.
6. I love that you were willing to dance with your dad at your "Sweet 16". The two of you were so cute and I know that it was a special moment for your dad.
7. I love that when you danced with your dad, you danced like you did when you were little--your feet standing on his feet.
8. I love that you do service for those in need with such an open heart and without any grumbling. Teen-agers often get a bad wrap for being self-centered, but you dispel that image 100%.
9. I love that when we get together with our extended families you don't act like you are too cool to play with the younger kids. That is something special and is much appreciated by your aunts and uncles.
10. I love remembering that when you were little you were the word police. Remember how you used to tell everyone that "stupid" was a bad word?
11. I love that you are pretty easy to shop with. That has a lot to do with your good-natured attitude and your desire to do what is right. I only get frustrated that the options for cool, modest clothing are somewhat limited.
12. I love that you are growing up and becoming more independent. This really is a catch-22 for me because I am becoming more and more aware that our time with you living full-time in our home is limited, but at the same time, I don't want to hold you back from attaining your dreams and living your own life.
13. I love that you will sing "Phantom of the Opera" songs with me in our most funny opera voices.
14. I love that you know that you are a daughter of God and you do your best to live with that in mind.
15. I love that you are fearless. Do you remember hearing the story about your first "swimming adventure"? You were not quite 3 and you jumped in the deep end of the pool. When I finally fished you off the bottom (it was a circulating pool and you kept floating away from me), you emerged from the water with a jubilant declaration of, "I swimmed!" There were no tears or any indication that the experience was something scary. You have approached many things in your life with this same attitude. I want you to continue on with this attitude because it is a trememdous blessing.
16. Most of all, my dear Katie Brooke, I love that you are my daughter and that Heavenly Father has blessed our family with your sweet spirit. I love you with all of my heart.

Love, Mom

The Countdown

For a year now, I have been anticipating Katelyn's 16th birthday. And not for the reasons you might suspect, such as now she can drive herself to all of her various activities that keep me running in circles AND drive her brother to all of his various activities that keep me driving in reverse circles. Nope the reason I have been so looking forward to her 16th birthday is because of the celebration! Originally I was going to have a surprise party for her, but then I got worried that I wouldn't know which friends to invite. So in June, I clued her in on the party. Then we got busy thinking about a theme. Honestly, it has taken me over 10 months to come up with just the right theme for her Sweet 16. Then a month ago I was listening to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack and it hit me....Masquerade! She loves the Phantom of the Opera and doesn't a Masquerade Ball sound just about perfect for a Sweet 16? Saturday is the big day and I can hardly wait! We spent last Saturday picking out a dress Oh that was a nightmare! very difficult to find any sort-of modest dress these days, but we were somewhat successful. She has to wear a little jacket over the dress because of the spaghetti straps, but she is very OK with that. She is such a good daughter! We met with the DJ's last night and they seem like they are going to be terrific! They had some very fun ideas. The cake is taken care thanks to some talented grandparents (thanks Mom and Dad). The decorations are in--50 masks, 100 beads, 15 yards of deep purple toole and 16 yards of green toole (we have to use something to cover up the prickly brown walls in the cultural hall), scene backdrops, balloons. We've had positive responses from about 25 people with about 25 more pretty sures. The only thing I'm still trying to resolve is how much and what kind of snacks to have. The party is from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Any suggestions? I want something that isn't messy and doesn't have to be kept warm. I thought about pretzels and chips. I am going to make some pecan pralines and we are using Skittles as part of the the table decorations. So any suggestions? Fun party food ideas? Now is the time to reveal yourselves. Don't hold back because I only have til Saturday to get it all figured out. Oh and what do you think about a Father/Daughter dance after we sing "Happy Birthday"? Paul Simon has a great one called Father and Daughter.

Sports Round-up

Last Saturday, Dave and I were part of a 1/2 ironman relay team. He biked, I ran, and a gal we know from LL did the swim. David rocked on the bike--56 miles in 3 hours on the TOUGHEST course ever--really, my friends who do Ironman all the time won't come and do this race just because of the bike course. Anyway, he was amazing. Doesn't he look like a bike rider?

I'd love to brag on how well my run went, but it didn't go that great. But if you ask Dave he'll tell you I did a great job--he's the best. (This picture was take about mile 5 when I was still feeling really good and my body was still sweating. About mile 6, I quit sweating. Not good.)

The good news...our team took 3rd place! We were so surprised.

And just so you don't think that we are the only athletes in the family, let me tell you about Carson's football game. His first game was yesterday. It was a beautiful day for watching middle school football. He played the first half mostly left guard and kick return. Then the second half he added left tackle to the positions he played. Yep, offensive and defensive lineman for the entire second half. No breaks, he was in for the entire time. He had some great blocks on offense and really busted through the defensive line. A couple of times he was right in the quarterbacks face causing some busted pass plays. He had two nice tackles that I saw and fortunately he was not on the bottom of the pile when all was said and done. His team went on to win 14-13. He has a bye next week (I think).