NJHS...

Nathan was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society today!  Parents weren't able to be there, so we had to watch online.  Not the same, but I'm proud of my guy!

New friends...

Nathan, years from now when/if you look back on these blog books...know that I love you just as much as Madison, but the fact is, you don't send me pictures or even like taking pictures for that matter.  So, if you ever wonder why the blog is a little unbalanced, that's why!  :)

That being said, I just loved seeing these pictures Madison took of her new friends at Chick-fil-A!

And as much as I hate masks, they look pretty cute with their matching cow masks!

She even met one of the girls, Maddie, for lunch and cookies the other day!  She's really gotten close with them in such a short amount of time, and I love that.  So happy for my girl.

Birthday sleepover!

Madison was invited to a birthday sleepover at Mae's house last night, and she had a lot of fun!  They started off the night by stopping off at Chick-fil-A (where they both work) to get food and say hi to everyone.

Then they had fun with a fire pit and just hanging out together being girls!

Today, they went to church and then home for pics and shopping at the Farmer's Market in Dallas.  Madison was told to just wear what she brought for church, but she had a sundress and felt a little dressed up compared to Madeline and Mae.  So she borrowed a shirt from Mae, and was sad she didn't get the "dress like a cowgirl" memo!

They had a great time together!  As always, I'm so happy that Madison has so many sweet friends.

Chick-fil-A visit!

For the past couple of weeks, we keep planning a night to visit Madison at Chick-fil-A when she is on iPads outside (she wants us to come visit, but NOT at the front counter because that's embarrassing)!  We'll plan on it, and then they put her inside for the night.  Whenever we're busy or can't come, she is on iPads for sure!  So tonight, it actually worked out.  I didn't want to wait on Michael or Nathan, so I left them here and raced up there before they changed their minds and moved her inside!  I got to see my girl in action...and yes, I was spying on her and a bit stalker-ish.  She was doing so great!  She's fast and really friendly from what I could see/hear.

She was excited to see me.  We'll have to come again when the whole family can see her!

When I was watching her, I couldn't help but get emotional.  I started getting all teary-eyed thinking about how grown up she is and how proud I am of her!  I know this job is a lot of extra stress on Madison, but she really loves it and has become so much more confident in herself!

Band awards...

Madison made Highschool All-Region Band!  She also got 1st division and made state on both of her ensembles (she performed in two)!  Way to go, Madison!

Max...

I think Madison might have a calling...a dog photographer!  She loves taking pictures of Max, and does such a great job!  I'm getting this first one framed - I LOVE IT.

There was a contest for dogs/pets and Verb Energy Bars, and of course we had to enter Max!  He didn't win, and I'm a little upset about it, but if this isn't the cutest picture ever...

She's a pretty good photographer!  I'm always impressed.

Last track meet...

Nathan had to run the 100m again, which he wasn't wanting to do.  Since school was out Monday, they weren't able to have try-outs, so they had to stick with the same events as last week.  He wasn't surprised when he got 5th place (13.28), and he wasn't too upset.  For some reason, he does much better in the longer races!

He did so great in the 800m!  He got 2nd place with a time of 2.26.84.

And of course I don't have the scoreboard picture for the 200m, but he got 2nd place with a time of 27.80.  1st place was 26.91, so they were really close!

Overall:

100m - 13.47, 13.46, 13.28

200m - 28.01, 27.80

800m - 2.26.34, 2.26.84

He was pretty consistent!

We are really sad it was the last meet.  Stupid COVID made it a short season because we were only competing with schools in our district.  It was so fun watching him run, and he loved every minute of it!  So proud of how well he did.  I think we will try to find a running camp of some sort for this summer...he loves it so much!

Nintendo Labo

Nathan had gotten a Nintendo Labo several years ago and couldn't figure it out, so he got rid of it.  As we were helping Papa go through his upstairs closet/attic, he found another Nintendo Labo for some reason!  He took it home and put it together with no problems.  It's pretty cool and looks very involved!

Easter...

The kids started the morning off by making resurrection rolls by themselves!  This growing up thing is great sometimes.  *Sometimes*

The Easter Bunny still came and dropped off goodies for their baskets this year!

A little snapchat fun before getting ready for church!

This dog...we love him so much!  He will pose for any picture if there is a treat involved...well, really, even if no treat is involved!

Papa felt well enough to come to church this morning!  He had a few days the chemo really wiped him out, but he is starting to bounce back from it.  So glad he was able to make it to church with us!

We came home for a quick change of clothes and then headed over to Gaga's for lunch, and Papa came too!  We had lunch, dessert, and then an Easter egg hunt.  I meant to get a picture of the kids with Gaga, but I completely forgot.  I didn't even take any pictures of the egg hunt, which is a little crazy for me.  We had fun this time though.  Since the kids are older, we made it really hard!  They are used to finding the eggs in super easy spots, but it took them a while this time!

This was picture 1,001 of trying to get Madison to open her eyes.  This girl!  HAPPY EASTER!

LTC - Bible Bowl 2021

Last year, Bible Bowl was canceled for in-person because of COVID.  This year, the kids were able to go to the convention, but parents weren't allowed to observe the test and had to sit in a hotel room the whole night.  We chose to stay home, which was a bummer, but the kids had a good time!  This year's theme was "Worthy" and it was over the book of Revelation.

This was the first year Madison has really gone above and beyond normal studying.  She spent a TON of extra time studying for this test, and she rocked it.  She only missed 7 out of 100, and Revelation isn't the easiest book to understand!  Nathan didn't study near as much, and he missed 25 out of 100.  I always tell the kids it's not about how well you do, and what matters is that you learned something about the Bible going through this!  But I'm really proud of Madison taking that extra time to really absorb it all and study!

Another LTC in the books!  Proud of these two for their hard work!

2nd Track meet...

 Nathan had another track meet tonight, and did great with his new shoes!

He decided to try the 800m tonight, and he did awesome!  2nd place at 2.26.34.

He did the 100m again, and has decided he doesn't love this run just because it doesn't give him time to catch up to the guys who start super fast!  He got 4th at 13.46.

His last run was the 200m.  I can't get pictures of the scoreboard once it gets dark because it's just a big flashed out board.  He finished 2nd at 27.65 though!

He did so well!  He really wanted to win 1st place in at least one race, but I think he was happy with the overall results.  Last meet of the season is next week.  I'm sad it's such a short season for the one sport he loves!

NJHS...

Nathan was chosen to be in the NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) because of his character and good grades.  He just needed one letter of recommendation, and to write a one-page essay about why he should be chosen and what he would contribute.  He hasn't done the essay yet, but we got a letter from Warren, his youth minister at church.  He told me that it was easy to spot these traits in Nathan, so writing this wasn't even a chore.  It makes me so happy to read this, and know that others see him this way.

I would like for you to accept my recommendation for Nathan Howell to gain admission into National Junior Honor Society at Cooper Junior High.

I have known Nathan for several years, and in that time have been very impressed with the type of student, and the overall person he is.  Due to my role as our church's Youth & Family Minister, I have witnessed firsthand how Nathan has desires to serve others, and is always serious when it comes to his studies.  He displays many great traits with his humble and quiet disposition, positive attitude, and servant heart.  Nathan is self-motivated and determined to complete tasks, which I know can be a struggle for some at this age.  In addition to taking care of his tasks, Nathan will be a role model for those his age, not only by example, but also in the way he actively helps those who are in need.

Please accept my recommendation, as I am sure that Nathan will help create a positive and enriching experience for all involved on campus and in the community.

So proud of my boy!