San Antonio

We stopped by San Antonio on our way home.  We planned to see the Alamo.  Since I had been told multiple times there was really only one wall remaining from the original Alamo, I thought that this would be a quick stop.  Boy, was I misled!  There was an entire complex, full of trees, grass, flowers and vibrant life.  We were all astounded, this was not what we pictured at all.  We eventually found that the complex was behind the area of the actual fort.  There was a shrine, the original church from the mission.  That is the only remaining portion of the mission/fort.  The fort actually surrounded the plaza in front of the shrine.  In other words, we entered from the back.  But it was still beneficial because we were able to go into the reconstructed long barracks where they housed various museum artifacts related to the Alamo.  There was a considerable line to enter the shrine, but we were able to get through it fairly quickly and into the shrine where those that fought so bravely for Texan freedom were defeated.  I am glad that we were able to stop by the Alamo.

Graduation

This year my baby girl graduated from highschool.  It seems like just yesterday she was doing....well, anything that was part of growing up and not graduating!  The ceremony was very nice.  Although it was outside on a Southern California summer day, it was in the evening, and we were sitting in the shade.  The program was short, yet fulfilling and elegant.  Maddie was one of the first to receive her diploma due to her high GPA.  We were grateful that all of her grandparents, her Aunt Debbie and of course, her family were able to attend the ceremony

I am so happy/sad, excited/scared, and confident/nervous about graduating and going to college.  But the one emotion that doesn't have a yin/yang relationship is pride.  I am so proud of her.  I am so proud of all of her accomplishments in highschool.  She strove to do her best and to constantly challenge herself and enjoy all of the hallmarks and rites of passage that highschool brings.  In addition, I am very proud of the woman that she has become, strong, confident, generous, compassionate, responsible, and loyal.  I know that she is prepared to go out and face the world.  Go Maddie!  We are behind you all the way.

Scouts away

This week we worked on a family project.  Since Gabe turned 11 recently, we have been working on merit badges for scouts.  He would like to earn his eagle before he turns 14.  Since he is homeschooled and had completed nearly all of his courses before his birthday, we had some extra time to work on those merit badges.  So far, he has completed the 5 merit badges and has another 3 almost done (they have requirements with a time commitment, that is the only requirement he needs to complete).  He is working on another 3 merit badges and will do 2 more at Day Camp.  So if all goes well, he should have 13 merit badges by the end of the year.  It was a perfect homeschool activity, I could still log in attendance and learning subjects, finance, lots of history, math, music, literature, etc.  We have learned a lot together and enjoyed doing the merit badges.

This week, we helped him with the Family Life Merit Badge.  This merit badge requires a the scout to organize, then instruct the family to complete a family project.  I gave Gabe a choice of a few projects that could be done.  He picked laying some stepping stones along the north side of the garage.  I was very happy about that choice.  The stepping stones had been sitting there for quite some time, and we need to dress up that area of the yard a little.  So yesterday, we worked on that project.  Allie, Jeff, Gabe and I were able to lay all of the stones in one morning!  It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have a plan laid out and willing hands to work.  Since Maddie and Jayd were not at home, we saved a bit of the project for them to complete on Monday.  I was happy to get that done, and it was fun to see Gabe mature a little as he directed us to do the work.

Gabe's B-Day

For Gabe's Birthday party, we went to Magic Mountain with a few of his friends that are also in homeschool.  We went on a Monday during May.  It was perfect.  Since Gabe and I have season passes, we were able to bring his friends for free.  Due to the weekday while school was in session, the park was not crowded at all.  We went on nearly every ride and didn't wait more than 30 minutes for a few rides.  Most of them we walked right on.  After a terrible heat wave the week before, the weather cooled off and we enjoyed a sunny day, but not too hot.  It was a fun day and a unique birthday party.

Seminary Graduation

As a senior, Maddie graduated from seminary this year.  It is hard to believe that I have been getting up at 6:00 in the morning to go to seminary for 4 years now!  I only have 6 more years to go.  I have been very proud of Maddie and Jayd's seminary attendance.  Our stake sets levels of accomplishments to earn a gold, silver, or bronze medal.  Maddie has earned 4 gold medals, and Jayd has earned 3 gold medals.  I am so proud of them for earning these medals.  They have to work hard memorizing scriptures, reading personal scriptures for 10 minutes nearly every day, and most important, having 90% attendance.  I have been so impressed at how willing they are to go to seminary.  It is a part of their lives.  I don't even remember them asking me to stay home.  I am grateful for this program and I am grateful for the wonderful teenagers in my home!
At the graduation, the seniors are asked to make a display outlining a few of the things that are important in their lives.  Below is Maddie's display.  Among the things displayed, butterflies, personal progress, AP books, Toby, music and lots and lots of books!

Another year, another season, but what a season!

Jayd’s volleyball team had an amazing finish this year.  As they approached the last 4 games of the season, their record was 3-10.  We were pleased with that record, last season they were 1-15.  So three wins was feeling like a huge improvement.  The last four happened to be a string of games, all squeezed into less than a week. 

On Wednesday, they played the Aggies at home.  At their last contest, we had won the match.  They were able to live up to the expectations and swept the match. 

On Thursday, they were in the gym again matched up against the untested Donteros.  This was a hard fought match.  Midway through the fourth game, it appeared to be over.  Donteros was leading 2 sets to 1 set, and commanding a multiple point lead in the game.  But we didn’t give up.  Point by point, we caught up, surpassed the Donteros lead and won the fourth game to force a final fifth game.  In the fifth game, we came out on fire, and easily won the game.  Jayd had a solo block to capture game point and end the match.

On Friday, we travelled to our opponent’s arena.  I was not able to attend that game, but once again, our team triumphed by sweeping them in 3 straight games.  In that three day string of games, they had doubled their win record to 6-10.  In our minds, this was a winning season.

On Tuesday, we played our rivals at home.  This was the season ending game for our boys, and for some, their high school career.  A win would have been an elusive taste of ambrosia for the departing players and create a hunger in those that would return next year.  But alas, we had never beaten this team before.  The match started in a similar fashion to the Donteros game.  They won the first game, we won the second game.  Already we had earned a laurel wreath.  For as long as Jayd has played this sport, we have not even won a game against our rivals.  We were proud of this single win.  They dispatched us easily in the third set and were ahead in the fourth set as well, when the unthinkable happened.  We started to catch up.  We tied the game, then we went ahead.  Could we possibly force a fifth game?  We could, and we did!!  You could feel the tidal wave of momentum shift throughout the gym.  Our team was pumped, theirs was frustrated.  There was further evidence of this frustration as the yellow cards against their team began to fly.  In the end, they received 5 yellow cards during the match.  The fifth game started.  We came out of the gates ready to play.  We quickly gained a 5 point lead.  But they weren’t willing to give up yet.  They fought and came back to tie the game.  Undaunted, we refused to give up the fight.  Jayd was given the opportunity to hit the ball several times and he prevailed.  We pulled ahead to a 14-12 score.  Just like history repeating itself from the Donteros game, Jayd had a solo block to win the game.  We couldn’t believe it (and neither could our rivals).  It felt like David upsetting Goliath, although in this case Goliath was more of the size of an NBA player instead of a real 15 foot giant.  We were so happy.  It may never happen again, but it was worth the win for all of the players.  That game will not be forgotten for a long time.

In addition to a fabulous ending to the season, Jayd had a personal amazing season.  He lead the team with 200 kills, 37 aces and 18 solo blocks.   He was named to the 3^rd team all-miramonte league.  This is quite an honor.  At the end of the season, the coaches from all the teams get together and make “dream team” from the league.  They voted that Jayd should be on the 3^rd team.  I thought that was impressive that the other coaches knew who he was and recognized his efforts on his team’s behalf despite their less than stellar record.

Victory Ball

Maddie and Jayd headed off to the "Mormon Prom" last night.  Every year, our region hosts a prom for the LDS youth.  The requirements are a little more stringent than the school prom.  There are modest standards for the girls and boys.  The girls must have their dress checked by their Young Women leader prior to the dance.  Boys are required to wear suits or something appropriate for the dance (for example, this was a WWII theme, a couple of boys wore military uniforms).  They must have a date.  This year was a girls preference.  The girls were encouraged to ask the guys.  The price for the evening is very reasonable, less than $100 for dinner and the dance.  The dance is often at a nice location, this year it was at a WWII museum. 

The kids love it.  They all get together at a park before and take pictures, then go to the dance together.  They all mingle with their friends and have a great time.  The prom is gaining a reputation.  Many of the kids at school know about the Mormon prom.  They ask our kids questions about the prom and are excited for them to go.  This year, I know of two non-member girls that asked Mormon boys to the prom just so that they could go to it.  One of them even has a boyfriend.  I am so impressed with our youth, and grateful for this opportunity.  Not only are they able to have a fun, clean prom experience, it is turning into a great missionary tool for them.

 Maddie went with Ryan Blomquist.  Ryan has been a family friend for many years.  It was fun to see them going together to the prom.  Jayd went with Sarah Ribble.  She is a friend of Maddie's.  They had a nice time.