My Two Graduates

Here are my two graduates. Austin promoted (graduated) from 5th grade this morning. Here in AZ the students usually promote from 5th grade into middle school. Austin attended his class's promotion even though he is going to stay at his elementary school for 6th grade. Our elementary school has been offering 6th grade for only 2 years now. Brandon went to middle school for 6th grade. And speaking of Brandon, he promoted from middle school today and will be attending high school in August! I am so proud of my two sons who have done well in school this last year. Tonight Karl was telling me that two people from church were telling him what great kids these two boys are. One of the men that Karl was talking to is Austin's Sunday School teacher. He told Karl that Austin is very knowledgeable about the gospel and loves to participate in class. The other person Karl was visiting with is one of Brandon's leaders at church. He was telling Karl how much he enjoys having Brandon in his class and what a great sense of humor he has. One time the Deacons (12 & 13 yr old boys) were playing football as an activity and they wanted Brandon to do a button-hook. Brandon didn' know what that was so they had another one of the boys run out onto the field and show him. As this other young man started to turn he slipped and fell. Everyone started laughing (even the young man who fell). Then Brandon asks, "So what am I supposed to do after I fall?" More laughter! What a character!

Wish me luck now that school is out. I hope these boys don't kill each other or die of boredom. lol! They have to share a room - which is so messy I may have to get a back-hoe to clean it out. That's one of our big projects for the summer. To get rid of a lot of junk and get their room more organized.

Jessica goes to school!

This post will be quick since it's late and we have a doctor's appointment in the morning, but JESSICA WENT TO SCHOOL TODAY!!!! It's true! She rode the bus and stayed for 3 hours. The poor kid was exhausted when she got home. She just can't take much activity anymore. I got her off the bus and helped her drive her wheelchair into the house and she was saying "I'm hot and I don't feel well." It took her a little while to cool off and relax - she took about a 10 minute nap and then was ready to tell me about her day. She was so happy that she got to see her friends and teachers again. Jessica's home health aide came and I rushed out the door to get Brandon from school. When I got back Jess was doing homework! She had taken a spelling test at school (now remember, she's working at a beginning 3rd grade level) and she had gotten 2 wrong out of 10. Not too bad considering she hasn't felt up to going to school for 3 months straight! Her homework was to write each word she got wrong 10 times every day and one sentence with each misspelled word. (too bad she doesn't have spellcheck at school. lol) She was so tired when she got home from school that I told her that she didn't need to worry about homework until later. She was so determined to do it that she didn't even wait long. She actually called me on my cell phone while I was out picking up Brandon to ask me a question about her homework. I reminded her that she didn't have to do it while she was so tired. She said, "Mom, how come they want me to write each word 10 times? It's hard!" I could hear a crack in her voice. I told her again that she didn't need to worry about it right now. But she insisted on doing it NOW.

Brandon asked me who was on the phone and I explained to him that his sister had gone to school was now exhausted and wasn't feeling well but she was still determined to do her homework. I could tell that he was touched. He is very proud of his sister.

I am still learning from her strong spirit.