A Memorable Weekend & Random Updates from the Week

 We had such a great weekend as all four of the kids were home together for at least parts of the weekend.  And that always makes my heart so happy!  

Morgan was the first to arrive home as she got here just before I left to pick up Nolan from school.  She rode along with me and we had a few minutes to talk and to catch up together before Nolan got into the car with us.  Then they talked for most of the ride home  After the three of us got home from his school around 3:30 Marissa got home a few minutes later and we helped her carry in a few things and we all sat down and ate snacks and talked.  At 4:30, I had to turn around and take Nolan back to the high school as he would be competing in the ISSMA Orchestra competition (they received a gold rating) and while he was gone, Melayna came home from track practice and joined the rest of us for dinner.

On Saturday morning, Melayna and Noel had to leave the house really early because there was an indoor track meet being hosted at the TRAC.  Melayna ran in that and Morgan and I headed over to the school around 8:30 so we could watch Laynie's hurdle event.  While we were gone, Marissa went out on her long run (she's training for a full marathon in early May) and then we met back up again so we could head over to Amslie's bridal shower which started at 11:00.

The Bridal Party outside enjoying the amazing weather.

Marissa needed a new pair of running shoes so after the shower ended, we headed up to Three Rivers Running Company so she could grab a pair and then we made a quick stop at Crumbl and picked up dessert for after dinner Saturday night.

We had a little time before dinner would be ready on Saturday night so we took a few minutes to teach Marissa our new card game - Flip 7.  Well, everyone except for Melayna who laid down to take a short nap before dinner.  

As we were cleaning up from dinner, Morgan asked if anyone wanted to go play some pickle ball.  Melayna was still napping (so much for the short nap.  LOL) but the rest of us headed over to the local park.  Nolan played on the playground and the four of us got in a couple of games before the sun went down.

Nolan was living the dream, surrounded by beautiful girls.

"Hey ladies.... how we doing?"  LOL

She may have just ended up sleeping on the couch all night... One tired girl!

On Sunday we went to church and then we came back home to eat lunch together.  We watched a little basketball and then Morgan and I went for a walk while Marissa finished a paper that was coming due.  Melayna headed off to work at 4:00 and then the older girls headed back to school after dinner.  It's always hard to watch them leave, but we are quickly winding down the school year and hopefully they will make it home one more time before the school year comes to a close.

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In other news, there are signs of spring popping up everywhere, both in our own yard and on the trail where I  often walk.  It just really makes my heart so happy!

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Believe it or not, after being MIA since the tornado warning over a week ago, I got up on Monday morning and saw Cow sitting outside on the porch.  Wow!  What a surprise that was!  We aren't sure what happened during the week she was gone but it looks like she broke her front leg and her fur was a bit ragged.  (I'm sure she has a story to tell if we could only understand her).  We're happy to have her back home as we really thought that she was gone for good.  Hopefully she recovers well.  She was definitely happy to be back home with a full bowl of food.

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Early in the week, I received a notification that Melayna has been nominated for another "TIGER" Award at her school.  This time it was for her assistance in the STARR room where she works with other high school students who have special needs and IEP's.  

Congratulations Melayna.  Keep shining bright!!

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Speaking of Melayna, on Thursday the 26th, Melayna had the opportunity to talk to the school board as an Ambassador for the Work-Based Learning Program that she is part of at the high school.  She took a few minutes to talk about her schedule and the work that she does at an area elementary school and how it is preparing her for a career in teaching after she graduates from college.  

I knew that she had been asked to speak, but it was a nice blessing when I received pictures later from two different people who were at the meeting and heard her presentation.  Both of them commented on what an amazing job she did and how well she carried herself in front of so many adults.   One school administrator emailed me later in the afternoon to tell me that Melayna impressed all of the school board with her GREAT presentation and maturity.  And the superintendent of the entire school system told her that if this had been an official job interview, she aced it and he would have hired her on the spot for any one of his elementary school positions!!  He jokingly "begged" her to stick around after college and to make sure to apply to teach in his district.  Wow!  What kinds words for my sweet girl.

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We had some fun in our house on Thursday night as we gathered together for the Purdue basketball game -- and the two older girls also watched it from their dorm rooms.  Wow!  What a good game between Texas and Purdue.  They both played a great game.  We're just thankful to come out on the winning side of this one.

Our very own Boilermaker alumnus was a bit nervous as the game came down to those final minutes...

...and then cheers as the final buzz sounded!

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Finally, on Saturday morning, Melayna had the opportunity to compete at the State Indoor Track Meet that took place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds down in Indianapolis.  She was chosen to run the 400 in the Distance Medley Relay.  There are other girls who were trying for that same spot, so we are so excited that Melayna was chosen.  She left town with the team on Friday to head down to the track and then after taking a couple of hours to run the track and have a shake-out,  they went back to their hotel to get ready for a later dinner and then the Saturday morning meet.

 

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Unfortuantely, I wasn't able to watch Melayna run at state because I was taking photos at an event at the high school and I wasn't sure that I could watch her and then make it back in time, so Noel headed down on Saturday morning and he sent me video of Laynie's run.  She ran another 1:04 split for her leg and although the team didn't place well, she was happy with her part.

Congratulations on a great indoor season.  Now it's time to get outside and get it done!!