Calm Before the Storm

Let's see... Where did we leave off at a few weeks ago???  End of track, another softball tournament, basketball tournament, Mizzou graduation, choir concert and banquet, wrestling.  It has been a busy couple of weeks, but I feel like we are in a lull before the tornado of summer hits.  The kids remembered that we have horses, too!!!

Nick encouraged Gracie to go brush Dancer and Sonita, and that led to her wanting to put a bridle on.  Then before we knew it, she called Owen out and they decided to get on Sonita.  I'm not sure if that was a good idea or not, but I'm happy they spent time with the horses.  

Nice shoes Gracie

At least Owen has close-toed shoes on, I guess.

Nick was mowing and I was putting flowers in pots and planting the vegetables out back while this was going on.  A few days later, they admitted that Sonita started to buck, and that is what ended the fun.

Basketball with Mid MO Cougars

The first tournament was the same weekend as a 1-day softball tournament in Columbia, so Gracie got to do 1 day of basketball.  The Cougars went on to win the whole thing the next day, but Gracie was playing in the dirt.  This team is fun to watch.  They played two games while we were there on Saturday; won one and lost one.  Both were pretty good games.  We play again in Branson this weekend.

Sunday, May 7 included 4 softball games, choir concert, and alternative graduation at Mizzou  

Owen had spent the night at the neighbor's for a birthday the night before.  He was a little tired.

He fell asleep at the concert, as well as on the way in the car.

I didn't get any pictures of softball; only a few videos.  I think Gracie had a pretty good day.  I really can't remember.  I think the game after her concert she was 3-3 maybe.  She also had an in-the-park home run during a different game.  She's so fast. :)  I came back for the 4th game, which started at 8pm, after graduation, but it was not very impressive on our part.  I think that is the only one we lost that day, but tied a different team earlier.  I don't think there was an actual bracket; just games, and Gracie looked pretty tired by 9:20 that night when we finally went home for good. Their first game was at 8am.

Another year of Mizzou Academics in the books!

I had two tennis players graduating this year.  Emelie is from Germany and Nora is from here in Columbia.  Emelie comes into my office almost every day and even brought her mom to meet me when she was visiting for graduation.  Emelie is staying for one more year of eligibility, but I believe Nora is moving on to med school or law school - undecided.  Pretty exciting for both of them.  Next year I think we will have 4 tennis players and 2 gymnasts graduating that I work pretty closely with.

The tennis team also had a Team GPA of 3.708 this semester!  Second highest of all the sports only to women's soccer.  We beat women's swimming by .001!  Mizzou athletics had a great academic year!

Emelie at the grad sash reception

Emelie and Nora at the grad sash

When I dislike some things about my job, this is what reminds me why I do it.  I love the students that I get to work with.  I really do have an awesome job.

Alternative Graduation was kind of a doozy, this year.  I got to HyVee after coming from softball to pick up the cakes and everything else, and they couldn't find our order that I had placed almost 3 weeks prior (I even had a confirmation email).  Luckily I went early enough that they could put together 3 sheet cakes for almost 200 people in attendance.  They also really messed up the 3 balloon bouquets by putting them all in the same sack, so they were pretty tangled.  We still had 3 bouquets from the Grad Sash Reception 2 days prior to this, so all was good.

But, the show went on and we had the ceremony for our track, softball, and baseball athletes who would not be able to attend the university graduation.  My boss and I were the last ones there, so we got to take out all of the leftovers.  Then I went back to watch more softball.

Middle School Track is done.

We finally got track pictures.

Owen didn't want an individual, but we have the team.  This is both boys and girls.  Not sure why they are all together.

This past week has been somewhat uneventful.  We spent the evening at the lake on Saturday after Owen's wrestling camp, knowing that we couldn't get down there for Mother's Day.  Gracie also had her end of the year choir banquet on Friday night.  

It has been pretty quiet at work this week and last week, with most of the students gone.  We're just preparing for the summer session for school and I'm starting to interview tutors for next year. I had time to look at the calendars for this summer and it will be one day at a time.  There is about 6 weeks of chaos starting in June between Gracie's 2 basketball teams, 2 softball teams, and a trip to Iowa.  I think I mentioned before that Owen decided not to do baseball this spring, but after talking to his friends who are in little league again this year, he might be missing it.  Last week he asked if it was too late to sign up and join a team.  Oh, Owen...  However, he has signed up to do Southern Boone sports camps; baseball, football, and wrestling.  He will also have weights twice a week again.  In addition to all the things, I think I have figured out a plan for Ruby for all the times we have to be gone.  I counted 19 days at the kennel and 9 days at the lake during the months of June and July.  Ugh.  I miss Marinda.  She stayed with Ruby at our house a lot when she was in vet school at Mizzou.  Then she graduated. 

JUNE...SIGH 

 I know I will look back on this in a few years and wish I had a full calendar again, wondering what I'm going to do with my time.  

I have still been running... 5/13/23 not as good as a year ago, but still not bad.

I hadn't run this far for almost exactly one year.

Sometimes I still run in the mornings...sometimes I just look at the sunrise and say..."I will run later."