First day of the last year in HS - crazy!

Well, the final year of school for Jackson is here - just can't believe it! We had a bit of a bumpy start due to problems with his schedule but everything is ironed out and he is on his way! :) The most exciting part of his schedule is that he gets to leave school every day at noon to go to MACC (Muncie Area Career Center) for welding.

My GREAT Birthday Day

Really, really enjoyed my birthday day with John and the kids! Just a nice simple day with time together and dinner made to order. My all time favorite food is pizza (I think...it's so hard to pick just one!). John made up a barbecue chicken pizza and a taco pizza - they were both delish! He also perfected a pear martini that we had last month down in Broad Ripple - my new favorite drink.

As a mom, birthday days are just kind of weird for me - celebrate me? Really? I feel guilty. I am really so blessed and to get a whole day to myself just seems excessive. This year in particular it just really hit me how fortunate I am and how all I really want is for those that I love to be happy and content. I know it sounds sappy...but, it's true! For me...the greatest gift today was to see Jackson smile at me, to talk with and engage in meaningful conversation with Mya, and for John to take pride in the family we created! 

Happy Birthday to ME! 

Hangin' in the kitchen with mya-girl...one of our favorite ways to spend an evening!

Sophomore Year

Can it be true? Our baby is starting 10th grade? She'll turn 16 this year? She'll be driving? Please, please tell me how to stop time!!

When we received Mya's class schedule at registration - she cried...I know, kind of dramatic but this girl has a plan and it didn't fit in her plans!! After several phone calls and meetings with the guidance counselor, we were finally able to come up with a compromise. But, wow - she is going to be busy!! She is taking two math classes - Geometry and Algebra II Honors, Chemistry, Pre-AP English 10, Spanish II, Band, and Speech...with her brother - Uugh!! Lord, help us all. She has been telling me for years (yes, years...I  just haven't been listening) that she wants a challenge with math. It really comes easy to her and most years she earns above 100% in her math classes. Well, this year she is going to really let us know what she's made of - Go Mya - show them all what you've got, girl!!

Mya 'Tri's Indy

We spent an awesome day together with Mya at the Tri Indy event in downtown Indy. All three of us were suppose to do the event but John was given orders by the sport doc to stop running for four weeks - so, he stepped up as event photographer, coach, cheerleader, and our own personal wrench...he was awesome!

Mya has asked to do triathlons but I've been reluctant due to the open water swim (I have had a few panic attacks in the water...yikes!). But at this particular event you swim in the canal that runs through Indy and it's only 4ft deep! So, I thought....let's give it a 'tri' -- especially if I can swim right behind her! 

Our 'coach' dropped us off at the registration tent so we could pick up our packets with the timing chip and running bib. As John went and parked the car, we went to the transition area to set up our gear and bikes. We were not on the same rack and when I came back to check on Mya her bag was gone along with her running bib. There is always some drama on race morning - this was our drama - so, we went back to the tent to get new numbers...we were all set!

As we walked down the canal to the swim start, John was giving last minute advice and strategies to her. She was pretty quiet. But, man - when she hit the water, she was off! The swim was really cool because John could walk right alongside us on the canal - snapping pictures the whole way. She did great and I was not able to make up the 2 second difference between us - in fact she gained on me pretty easily.

She exited the water first (phew...glad that part was over!) and ran to the bike. I caught a glimpse of her in transition and just reminded her that I'd be right behind her! :) I was able to catch her about two miles into the bike course...this time it was 'Hey, hot stuff...it'd be easier if you rode at a higher cadence'. To which she replied "...ugh...Mom, go away!' I was just trying to be helpful!! I ended up feeling really good on the bike (the tandem riding with John has helped) and having a pretty good run.

She looked great at the finish line...super strong and fit - just like a true triathlete...which she is!

...at the swim start

Swimming in the canal

finishing up the bike portion

And here comes Mya

Feeling good 

Doesn't she look like a pro?

So proud of this girl!

Indiana State Fair Band Day

The Yorktown Marching Band finished their season yesterday at the IN State Fair. The title of their show was The Dawning of a New Day and it truly moved me to tears (I am kind of emotional these days!!). I thought they looked fantastic - crisp and clean and tight. They earned an 18th place position out of 45 bands - so they were able to perform in the evening competition as an exhibition. I was so, so proud of all the kids...especially Jackson! He earned the 'most outstanding drum line member' award for the year and served as drum captain.

Look at that smile! Thanks to Katja for getting him  'show his pearly whites'!

John and I enjoyed our time at the fair - truth be told we were in and out in about 90 minutes. We gawked at all the ridiculous food choices - deep fried twinkies, deep fried snickers, deep fried butter...oh, my! We ended up getting caught up in a little rain which prolonged our stay in a tent that was selling belt buckles, lighters, and various offensive articles of clothing. But all in all, great people watching! :)
We left the fair and went down to Broad Ripple to explore the 'State Street' atmosphere of Indy. We found a fantastic restaurant, The Usual Suspects, where I enjoyed an amazing 'pear-y mason' martini, stuffed shrimp quesadillas for an appetizer, and their signature dish - Osso bucco...an award winning specialty of the house. Yummy!! John ordered the snapper and had to send it back twice because it wasn't cooked all the way through - he was getting a little peeved (Jackson and Mya understand the intensity) but helped me eat my dish and they didn't charge us for the snapper. So, we'll go back for sure - but won't order the snapper!

Full Band - Jackson is bottom left.

Look at my handsome boy - so proud!!