Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

So while Dennis and I were back and forth to the hospital, life continued at as close to normal for everyone else, and a lot was going on.

The middle school had a special honor roll assembly, and both Alex and Nathan were recognized.  I missed it, of course, but I was there in spirit, and they both know how proud I am of them.

Nathan got a gold award with a GPA of 3.86.  Can you believe he missed straight A's by one B+?

Next time, for sure, Nate.  Not bad for his first quarter in middle school.

Alex got a Silver Award for his GPA of 3.71.  He, too, only missed straight A's by one grade.  We are so proud of him, as it took a lot of hard work on his part to make those grades.

Alex also got another another very special Character Counts Award for Responsibility.  That fits Alex to a T.  He is extremely responsible with his homework and schoolwork.  He comes right home, shows me what he needs to do, then gets right to work.  He is organized - something he did not inherit from his mother, and works so hard.  I am so proud of him, and am grateful that a teacher recognized this trait in him and recognized him for it.

Also, Caleb had an Indian pow-wow in his Kindergarten class on Tuesday.  I was absolutely exhausted Monday after getting home from the hospital.  When I found out Caleb needed an Indian vest for the next morning, I was ready to just cut arm holes in a brown paper bag and call it good.  But Caleb was less than thrilled by that idea, so I pulled myself up by the bootstraps, and helped him make his own Indian vest with a scrap of faux suede I dug out of the garage.  He decorated it with Indian symbols.  He was thrilled with it. He wanted to wear it to bed and was so excited to go to the pow-wow.  Now I am so glad that just I made the effort to do that for him.  I know I would have regretted it if I hadn't.  The whole world doesn't come to a screeching halt because one kid is sick.

There was also a belt test for taekwando while I was away.  Caleb got his orange belt, Dennis got his senior green belt, and Nathan got his red belt, which is a really big deal.  Dylan would have received his red belt too, if he wasn't tied up in a hospital recovering from surgery.  Poor Dylan.  He'll be up and kicking soon enough.  Unfortunately I have no pictures of the belt test, since I wasn't there to take them, but I am proud of my guys, and I know they did great!