Father's Day Dinner

John enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day dinner prepared by our lovely Mya...I got to enjoy it too! :)

I was originally very concerned about her preparing a meal for her father...thoughts of John picking at his dinner due to high calorie count or just plain bad taste plagued my mind. But, we were both completely stunned by the presentation and the taste of dinner.
She researched several healthy recipes she thought her dad would enjoy on the internet and I brought her shopping at Meijer. She was so specific and thorough with her preparation -- it was kind of driving me crazy! But, I put on my happy face and tried to support this special dinner for her dad.

On the menu for the evening was

• Appetizer - Bruschetta bread 
• Dinner - Lemon pepper broiled salmon, Herb roasted red potatoes, Spinach Twist...twisted by Mya
• Dessert - Incredible Yogurt...of course!

It was delish! The big surprise of the evening was that Spinach Twist - it tasted like vegetarian lasagna! So yummy my mouth is watering as I write this. And the broiled salmon was broiled perfectly - which is hard to do!

She has always wanted to cook for us (key =  for us not with me!). We will certainly welcome another dinner researched and prepared by our Mya-girl!

Really?!? Yes, he did!

     Trying to keep myself busy tonight - the eve before Jackson signs his contract with the Army.

John and I are all set to take the day off tomorrow and be present at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) in Indy to help Jackson read through his MOS (Military Occupational  Specialty) and be sworn into the FSTP (Future Soldiers Training Program).  Are you impressed? My son is joining the Army - I better learn this stuff!! :) 

     So, last night our wonderfully talented and amazing neighbor  took what will be considered Jackson's senior pictures...before the haircut! She really was able to capture the essence of 'Jackson' with his guitar, and up in a tree, and on the railroad tracks - can't wait to share the photos. But, he really did go to Sports Clip this morning for a haircut...it's all gone! He sent a picture to G'ma Moore who forwarded it to G'pa but I haven't seen it yet - he wants me to wait until tomorrow. He did donate his hair to Locks for Love and plans to grow it until he ships off to basic training (about two weeks after graduation). 

He did not have to get his hair cut. The Army did not require or even suggest it. And truth be told, I wanted him to wait. He cut it out of respect for the process of enlisting in the Army. 

Dedication!

Side note - Jackson called G'pa Moore (who served in the Army during the Vietnam War) and asked him if he wanted to be present at the swearing in tomorrow - G'pa will be here!

Our Jack-Son

I am so, so excited for and proud of my son! He is on his way to making the most important decision yet in his life. Here is the best recap that I can put together...
On Tuesday last week, he went to Indy to take the ASBAV test - a very important test that will help determine what job he is most suited for in the Army. He was feeling a ton of pressure because he knew he needed to get a score of 70 to do the type of job he wants in the Army. I received a call from Staff Sargeant Warrell before Jackson made it home that afternoon, stating that Jackson received a 74 - the average American scores a 50!! He also said that Jackson has the qualifications to do any job in the Army that he wants - so proud! On Thursday, John and I met with the recruiter in Muncie to sign parental consent for Jackson to join the Army (he's still only 17 years old). And although it was emotional (I didn't cry in front of the recruiter, though!) and scary and concerning, I am comforted by my faith...in my son who has an amazingly, beautiful life force and a strong sense of who he is and what he wants and the passion and drive to make it happen for him on his terms. As a parent, I can't ask for anything more from him.
So the next step happens Tuesday. Jackson will be traveling down to Indy on Monday at noon to go through a battery of physical and health tests. If all runs smoothly, he will be sworn in to the US Army on Tuesday afternoon as a future soldier in the delayed entry program. Before he signs, he will receive a contract that will tell him exactly what the Army is offering (we get to look it over also) and his ship date for basic training (most likely two weeks after graduation). He is looking to be an infantry-man with the hopes of furthering his training with the Rangers.
John and I will be there - with cameras and the biggest smiles on our faces (and tears in our eyes); so proud of our son! And ultimately so thankful for direction in his life.

Happy Easter w/ The Craney Clan

 

Enjoying the IN sun!

Roz and family made their annual Easter trip 'down South' to Muncie again this year. It was Harper's first visit to Indiana and she was very impressed with the sunshine we ordered especially for her! :) It was a quick visit but we were able to get in our long weekend run together, Easter dinner, a visit from the Easter bunny, and Sunday morning church -- all within a 24 hour time period!

Our annual long Easter run
and, yup...Roz without a shirt!

Of course the Easter bunny left a basket for the kids on Easter morning but I was kind of sad for Jackson as he seemed disappointed that he didn't have to 'hunt' for his basket - poor guy...I guess the Easter bunny just thought he wouldn't want to play that game anymore. What does the Easter bunny know?

Such a fun girl - so, so sweet!

The Craney Family - Easter 2011

Happy Easter!

The rainbow cheesecake - can you see all the colors?

Mya and I ended up going to two services on Sunday morning. We went to an early church service at a Lutheran church in town with the Craney's and then Mya and I went to First Presbyterian (our church) to help with the breakfast and then stayed for the 11:00 service. Mya made a rainbow cheesecake to bring to church - it was a huge hit. And as much as I complained the night before as we were running around town looking for all the ingredients - I was very proud of the final product and her perseverance! :)

Mya's 15th Birthday

We celebrated Mya's 15th birthday at The Cheesecake Factory in Indy...her fav!! She invited her friend from XC and track, Carly, to come along for the celebration. The restaurant is inside The Fashion Mall so it was great that the girls could go window shopping while John and I relaxed at the bar during our wait for a table. She thoroughly enjoyed her tiramasu cheesecake and we enjoyed a wonderful evening with two amazingly confident and mature young ladies. But, 15 years...with my girl??? Crazy!!

Happy 15th Birthday

Spring Break 2011

Well, I think it is safe to say we all had a wonderful Spring Break, but, we did split up a bit this year...

Jackson was invited to go to...drum roll, please...Milwaukee, WI with Quinn and his parents. Of course, he was super excited about showing off HIS home state to some local Hoosiers. On the way up, they stopped in Chicago at Cuma's a hard rock restaurant where Jackson had the mighty Pantera Burger. They toured a brew pub over the weekend and enjoyed brats for breakfast...plus, Jackson came home with a case of beer...Sprecher Root Beer, that is!

John and I traveled with Mya (and Puck) down south a few hours to Brown County - beautiful area!! We stopped and shopped at the outlet mall for several hours - some great bargains for all of us. We found an awesome running trail right outside our hotel and enjoyed a beautiful run while exploring the city of Columbus. It was a little chilly so John went and found some coffee while Mya and I braved the horses. It was a great trail ride although the lady in front of us was bucked off her horse - kind of scary to watch...and so glad it wasn't one of us! We window shopped for the afternoon in Nashville at all the cool little shops and just enjoyed each other's company...a great, great weekend together. We hope to get back to explore the area with bikes this summer...and with Jackson - his kind of country!!

Jackson on  his way to WI for Spring Break '11
Quinn, Erin, Jackson, Tom

One of Mya's outfits...she really needed to sell me on the shoes!!

Getting ready for the horse ride - kind of chilly!

Here we go... on Snickerdoodle and Shakira.

She's off! We just giggled at each other the whole time...my face hurt at the end! :)

Of course we found some great food in the area too!

Roz's Annual Spring Break Visit

 Roz made his annual trip 'down south' for a few days of Spring Break. He ran in the Shamrock 10k race with us - his first event of the season also. He was so brave to attempt to help John fix our toilets...I promise I already called the plumber!! He and John traveled to Indy on Saturday to hit a couple of bike shops - and they both came home empty-handed...AMAZING! We enjoyed a long run on Sunday morning together and took him out to lunch at Cammack Station with Jackson. And then shopping at the Muncie Mall where he found the bargain of the year...three sweaters for $15! So happy!!

Race morning...a bit chilly!!

Sharing the coke seat
at Cammack Station with Jack-boy

Relaxin' in the middle of the mall
while Mya finishes shopping