Gymnastics

Emery's gymnastics career was fun but short lived. It seemed like she had something going until she tore her fascia last year. As much as she likes gymnastics, she decided she didn't want to continue for the sake of her health. What a long term thinking 9 year-old I have!

But before she retired, she competed one last time at the Liberty Championships. Here's her floor routine - 9.800, good for 2nd place.

In the vault, she got a 9.750, also good for 2nd place.

She was 1st place on bars with a 9.600.

Unfortunately, I was a tad late on the beam. Sorry Emz. She couldn't quite stay on the beam, but she still managed a 9.775, good for 2nd place.

Her all around score was a 38.925. It was tied for 1st place but due to tie breaker rules, she ended up 2nd. Great job Emery!

Not a bad day and not a bad way to retire.

Baby Dorothy!

Welcome to the world baby Dorothy!

Here she is, just a few days old. Doesn't she look so beautiful and peaceful?

The boys and girl just love their new cousin baby Dorothy. We like to call her Dot. But how does she feel about all the attention?

So far she doesn't seem so pleased. :)

But a month later, I think Emery started winning her over.

And she was thoroughly entertained by Andrew. Get used to that for the rest of your life Dorothy!

Matt appears to have lulled her to sleep, until she rolled right out of his arms! Baby Dorothy has a team of cousin babysitters waiting in the wings! I think she's going to get spoiled by the boys and girl.

14

Andrew turned 14 this year.

I know I feel like most parents and wonder how it happened so fast. He's 5'10" now and just an inch shorter than me. He weighs in at about 130 pounds. He's bigger and taller than I was at his age. We hope he keeps growing and makes that wonderful marker of 6 feet, but he's slowing down.

He had a beach volleyball party with his friends. He's still working on his spike.

But really, it's the setter's fault if the spike isn't perfect. Happy Birthday Andrew! We thank God for your physical growth, your mental and academic growth, but most of all for your spiritual growth. You took a big step in being baptized this year, and I praise God for the fruit he is producing in your life especially the fruit of joy, faithfulness and self-control. I am very proud of you.

Matt's 5th Grade

Matt also had a graduation of sorts. He finished up the 5th grade.

He had a really good year. He did well academically and relationally too. We're all very proud of him.

I thought there might be some transition from home school to public school as he made new friends and got used to a new school. Not for Matt. He loved it from day 1. It didn't hurt that he had a good teacher too - thanks Mr. Whitty!

In fact, Matt loved school so much that he was always super excited on Sunday night that he got to go back to school. And in the same vein, he was thoroughly depressed by day 2 of summer vacation that he has to wait so long to go back to school. His prayer request last night was that he'd be patient until school starts!

8th Grade Graduation

It's hard to believe that our little Andrew is not so little anymore. He just turned 14 and graduated from the 8th grade.

Out of over 400 kids, Andrew had a couple of very nice accomplishments.

He was a part of the National Junior Honor Society.

And in a surprise to us, he was chosen as one of 12 kids to be finalists for the Benicia Teacher's Association Citizenship Awards. Every teacher votes for kids with great attitudes, citizenship, character, etc. and even though Andrew only attended BMS for 2 years out of 3, he was still chosen as one of the 12. That was encouraging and a testimony to Christ's work in his life!

It was fun to celebrate this moment with his grandparents.

We are all very proud of him! Great job Andrew!

He looks happy to be done.

Track

In Andrew's second season of track, he did a great job!

He added a new event - the 400. Here they are after the first turn - Andrew's in the first lane so he starts off furthest back.

 

It's a little slower than the 200. Here they are at the half way point on the back stretch. He's now moved to the middle of the 3.

 

 They're coming around the last turn here. He's making his move.

Here they come on the final stretch. It's pretty close, but Andrew has a slight lead.

It's now a 2 man race to the end.

And it's hard to tell on this photo, but Andrew pulled it out at the end for a victory!

This is a different race, but I got some video. He finished second here at the first heat of Invitationals. He ended up finishing 3rd in the final heat with a personal best of 59.95. So he was the 3rd fastest 8th grade boy in the region. Pretty good!

He also did the long jump. I was a parent volunteer for this meet. Got to make sure there's no foot faults!

I believe I can fly...

At least for 14'6" - his pb for the year.

And here he is at the 200.

Andrew puts his all into running. You can see it on his face!

Speed!

This is video of the first heat at Invitationals where he won. In the final heat, he got 4th place - again, pretty good for all the 8th grade boys in the region! His pb was 25.01.

Proverbs 6:20-23

Proverbs 6:20-23

²⁰ My son, observe the commandment of your father
And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;
²¹ Bind them continually on your heart;
Tie them around your neck.
²² When you walk about, they will guide you;
When you sleep, they will watch over you;
And when you awake, they will talk to you.
²³ For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.