I know this site has been very neglected for a long time.  So much has happened, that it’s been hard to put into words.  I’ll start out with a simple post and ease into the more difficult ones.

So …. this weekend!  It was amazing! It was pure joy for this momma’s heart.

6 weeks ago, Tristan began 9th grade, but not at the high school to which we are zoned.   He applied, interviewed and was accepted to a high school that offers both typical high school courses, at the same time as the students also being enrolled in and receiving college credits.  Basically a dual-credit school.  Tristan will graduate from high school in 2019, and at the same time, he will also receive his college-accredited Associate’s degree.  In fact, the kids are awarded their Associate’s Degrees a few weeks before the High School graduation ceremony.  This school is a small, new high school.  Their current graduating class is 33 students.  Tristan is one of 89 Freshmen.  I don’t even have words adequate enough to describe the amazing environment of the school.  They stress life skills, intelligence, responsibility, accountability, and high-level/critical thinking, but at the same time, the administration is so accepting of every person: race, creed, color and religion.  These kids from the Senior class to Freshman, support, accept, and encourage each other.  At orientation, the Seniors told the incoming Freshmen, “Here, you don’t have to be afraid of upperclassmen.  We welcome you and we are here to help you.”

Alternatively, we went back to Tristan’s Middle School and spent over an hour talking to his Gifted & Talented teacher (whom we absolutely adore).  He had spoken to a girl who was popular and well-liked in their middle school, but in first weeks at the district high school, she had been pushed, shoved into lockers, given purposefully wrong directions, and other unkind behavior by upperclassmen.  She is miserable.  It breaks my heart.  Every day, I pick up a happy teenager and count our blessings.

My eldest baby began his sophomore year at UTSA, is working at a steakhouse and is also happy … just a lot more hungry than his little brother.

That leads to a good transition into this weekend.  We began with a Spanish project for Tristan.  He repeated a story his class had created, and was required to return Monday with a parental signature and a selfie …. I just love this school, the teachers, and the out-of-the box teaching/acquiring methods they encourage!!!!  They truly make learning fun! Here is our post-recital “selfie,” or as I call it an, “ussie.”

Saturday …. Matt, Tristan and I volunteered at a local race.  Matt is still recovering from his hernia repair and not quite ready yet to return to racing (read this with a heavy dose of sarcasm), because he’s worked back up to 6-12 miles a day at sub 7:15 minute pace per mile.

Anyway, the 3 of us had a great evening filling up waters and helping where we could (….. and some of us added in some singing and dancing, while others pretended not to know the crazy ones … ok, one… ok, just me … I’m just thankful only one crazy photo of me was actually captured … the other 2 probably wish that none had been – LOL).

We finished the weekend with the entire crew …. all my 4 guys gathered for dinner.  Pappa enjoyed a few bowls of stew full of fresh veggies, and the younger 3 guys filled their bellies with homemade mac & cheese, beef stew and cocktail meatballs in my homemade imitation Montgomery Inn Rib sauce.

 

Of course, we need a sports update ….

Ohio State won!!!!! O-H-I-O!!!!!

Unfortunately, the Bills didn’t. If only they had, it would’ve been the icing on our Team Wilmore cake!