My Track Star

In 7th grade middle school students are permitted to play school sports.  Madison, being all kinds of athletic, played for our school's A team in basket ball.  After 9 years of club soccer (3 of which on a competitive traveling team) this experience was a breath of fresh air! Very little traveling, and the traveling they do the kids are transported to the event, uniforms are provided, the season is relatively short, there is very little drama, and the kids have an absolute blast!  So when she said she wanted to run track for the school we were happy to oblige.

Have you ever sat and watched a track practice or meet? Just one and you realize why track is such a popular sport among teen kids.  It is extremely social.  There is so much time between each of their events that they just meander around hanging out, and yes, sometimes cheering for their teammates.  It is also combined age group, so Madison made some new, older, friends.  Surprisingly, it wasn't a big deal.  I have always thought the world of this 8th grade class (secretly wishing that Madison had been just one year older so she could have been a part of it).  The friendships she made during track will be a great foundation for the friendships she will make in high school.

After the first practice Madison knew she wanted to run the 200 meter, but was at a stalemate as to what her second event should be.  In a rare moment she sought the wise counsel of her elders aka parents.  Madison knew she wanted to do a field even, and her minimal ability at throwing balls eliminated discus or shot put, leaving high jump  "I'm too short for that." Triple jump "that looks really hard" and Long Jump.  Long jump it was. 

She really didn't say much about how she was doing at practice, and we really didn't have any idea of what to expect from her.  So at her first track meet, when she jumped a whopping 13 feet 4 inches, our jaws dropped!  Later in her 200, she beat the competition by an easy 25 meters, it would be a grave understatement to say we were impressed, and so were her coaches... I'd  even venture to say that Madison was even a bit impressed as well taking first in both events at this meet.

  

She started seeking out her dads tips and running techniques to help shave off some time in her 200, as well and sneek in a few more inches in her long jump.  One 8th grader at practice helped give her pointers to maxamize her distance as well.


And she just kept getting better! At her second track meet she jumped her personal best of 13 feet 7 and 3/4 inches.  She also shaved off a few tenths of a second in her 200 meter time.  Finishing, once again, in first place.



Her third and final meet was the district championships.  She had been practicing on her form running, as wells as perfecting her distance from the launch board to squeak a few more inches out of her jump.  She had a goal of running the 200 in 29 seconds (this would only be 2 tenths of a second faster than her personal best) and 14 feet in the long jump.  She figured she could get the extra inches if she hit the board on the front edge and landed falling forward, as on her best distance she hit the back of the board and dropped her hand behind her in the landing.

As fate, or the intense 90 degree heat, would have it, she didn't reach either of her goals, and for that reason alone she was not at all pleased with her longest jump of the day (13' 4 1/2 "), which earned her district champ in the long jump, or her third place finish in the 200 meter (time of 30.12). 

I am so proud of my daughter, not because she is district champion in the long jump, or because she is the 3rd fastest 200 meter runner in our district. . . No,  those titles will fade with the passage of time, someone will come up behind her and shatter her records;  most people have already forgotten her amazing feats.  What brought tears to my eyes and constricted my heart was my daughters pursuit and desire for excellence.  The work, the preparation, the focus, the drive, the goal, and maybe most importantly the disappointment of falling short of that goal that pushes her to continue.  Those are the things that will withstand time, those are the things that will cause her to succeed off the field, and off the court.. . .

. . . and pursue excellence in life.

Who Has Time For This??

Apparently, not me.... I have so much that I want to record and share but life is so crazy hectic right now and I just can't find the time to do all of these post justice.  I'll settle for tidbits and maybe get to pictures and full posts later.

Soccer (aka: DRAMA!! )Madison's soccer club/team has undergone some major changes and there is major drama.  We've had coaching changes, girls leaving for another club, coaches turning it into an allegiance issue rather than allowing families to do what is best for them... it's a crazy mess (and for once the Casters are not at the center of it)  The season was finished with a great record and we will be moving up a level in the competitive CYS league.  We will have (another) new, very young, coach to begin next season, and Madison still has doubts about her decision to stay with her current team.  We played in the local GMIT tournament and Madison got a goal, her first in YEARS!  

Maddox: he is a major rule follower... his teacher instructed the class to wear clothes over their swim suits to school for water day.  I know this was intended for the little girls, so they wouldn't be in their little bikinis all day, but Maddox would not, could not, be convinced other wise.  In the end it was easier to give in and allow him to wear his clothes over his swim shorts and rash guard... he looked atrocious! (I'll post a pic when I get a chance.)

10 and 40:  Brian and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary, (he got a AR 15, I got diamond earrings). Two days later we hosted a party to celebrate his parents 40th anniversary.  I can hardly believe it's been ten years.  When I think of how little Madison was it seems like forever ago, but it went so fast.

The school year is winding down, and there is always anxiety about changes for the upcoming year. This year is no different, it is even worse than normal as there are more budget cuts, and the district continues to make decision behind closed doors with the best interest of administration rather than students and the ones that are closest to them.  I do know that I have a job next year, I do know that I will get a bit of a raise (step and lane)... but at what cost to my coworkers who may or may not have jobs next yea? (I could rant for quite a while on this...)

The end of the year brings mixed feelings for me, I am so happy to be done and just get to be a mom for the next few months, but saying good bye to my 8th graders this year is tough.  We had a great day at the pool party, they literally blew my socks off at the spring fling music concert last night, and for the next two days we get to just play, reflect, and have fun together.  This group of kids has something special, and it is sad to see them go, but also so exciting to see them off on their next chapter.  I can't wait to see the amazing things they accomplish!

I started reading a new series a few weeks ago and am just finishing it... I'll have to post my review via Goodreads soon. I have a huge stack of books I commandeered from my teammates library for the summer, plus some new ones on the Nook, AND a few that I want to re-read. 

I'm headed to Idaho this summer for a week long education conference.  I am really looking forward to this time... in more ways than one!  A week of being responsible for only myself, as well as getting into so really great courses and walking away with an additional 4 credits!  This should give me enough for my GT certification!  After this I think I'll take a break from graduate courses for awhile, at least until after my masters degree is paid off.

Maddox had his 6th birthday, it seemed to span several weeks as we were in Denver the day of his birthday, and had a family party before and a huge friend party after.  He was spoiled rotten (of course) with a trip to the Denver Aquarium and to see the Avengers while in D-town.  Then a HUGE birthday bash at the park with a ton of friends.

Just this took me over a half an hour to whip up, and it is shallow, surface level, poorly written, and doesn't even include pictures.  Maybe next week I'll be able to blog again... oh wait... .I've got a two day class, followed by a soccer tournament, followed by two weeks of teaching summer school... dang!

The Distant Hours

I am really impressed with Kate Morton's ability to weave an intriguing tale of mystery that spans several generations. The fluidity with which she moves between past and present makes for an enjoyable rather than difficult read. Though I liked The Forgotten Garden better, I was not disappointed in this in the least. The fact that it took place (partly) during the 2nd world war was intriguing, this time period fascinates me. I also love the setting of a castle in the English country side. She portrays the strength of family, what one would do to hold a family together with great emotion. I loved each of the unique, strong characters created. They were vivid in my imagination from their mannerisms and style to their moods and personality.




I am not one for thrillers, or bloody mysteries, so Morton’s languid style of mystery appeals to me; I desire to keep reading to know her characters more, to follow the thread that unravels the truth in the end.



My only dislike, the end was to neatly wrapped up, too forced into coming full circle in all aspects. Though dislike is too strong a word for how I really feel this because I typically want a nice neat ending, but it just felt a bit too contrived.

Goodreads Review 3 Stars

Magic Tree House = Magical Reading Moment

Digging out the mass of books that were piled in my room I happened across our collection of the Magic Tree House series. In a moment of nostalgia I remembered how much Madison had enjoyed them, all the adventures they took us on. I know I had been saving them with Maddox in mind, and wondered if he was ready for this new reading adventure. The moment you change from sight word-picture books, to chapter books is a gigantic reading leap. The transition from using pictures to help bring meaning to the story, to relying solely on your imagination takes a great deal of reading comprehension. Not that he is anywhere close to being able to read the chapter book, but I though he may be ready to exercise his imagination.



Why not give them a try. . .



How fortunate that the first book in the series is about Dinosaurs, every book Maddox has brought home from the library this year has been about Dinosaurs; he was instantly hooked. He loved that we were reading a chapter book, pointing out each new chapter as we read, hanging on my every word. At one point he wanted to see the picture, and I told him that chapter books don't have pictures on every page, that you have to close your eyes and imagine, let the words make a picture in your head. As I continued reading, I glimpse his eager face scrunched up, eyes closed... imagining... "I can see it mom!"



As we drew to the end of our agreed upon 2 chapters, we are left with a cliff hanger... his excitement at wanting to know what happens next oozes out of him, coercing me to read on. Another two chapter later, two chapters filled with exclamations of excitement, surprise, and gasps, I close the book. He cannot contain his eagerness, wanting to read more, when he realizes he won't win another chapter, he offers a compromise of letting him stay up and look at the rest of the pictures to see what might happen, how could I say no.



The next morning he awakes, book in hand in hopes of squeezing another chapter out of me before school. After dinner he brings the book down again, and I agree to read another chapter before the family begins showing up for the party. Then at bed time, the book appears with his huge, toothless grin, begging to finish. What mother could say no to that?



Not me, so we finish our very first chapter book together, and it was every bit of what I hoped. Almost making me come to tears. . . My son is hooked on books, I couldn't be more proud.

San Diego?

UPDATE:Not going to happen, between soccer try outs, and a Park City UT soccer tournament at the same time. Oh well I'll keep running and searching for another half to join.

Currently contemplating running this...

Pros: Can you say "sea level", I could stop with that...but there is more: we are already at a great base to start our official training, we have 11 weeks (plenty of time), perfect weather, no training in the heat of the summer as the race is the beginning of June, elevation is gradually down hill from 250 ft to 0 ft. Girls trip or family trip, it would be a blast, the course ends at Sea World, then San Diego Zoo, and LEGO land, and a trip to the beach sounds like a great family trip.

Cons: Cost, its $135 IF we register before the end of the month then it goes up another $10. And of course travel cost either plane or by car, and hotel for several days, and eating out. Then there is soccer try outs that are from May 28- June 1, still waiting to hear when Madison's try out dates are.

So there you have it... Should we stay or should we go?

1st Kings

This whole book is about the kings who ruled over Israel. Basically the whole lot were a disgrace and did not follow or bring honor to the God who had delivered them from Egypt and set them apart. Instead they turned to the pagan gods of the people they were supposed to drive from the land in the first place. Remember back in the earlier books when they were coming into the promise land and God said "drive out ALL the inhabitants..." and they didn't and let some of them stay entering into a treaty with them. Well surprise, surprise... God knew what he was talking about. He knew that if the original inhabitants stayed, their pagan beliefs would seep into His peoples lives and hearts causing them to sin.

What really surprised me is that Solomon, the wisest and the richest of all the Kings (some say the wisest man that ever lived), a king who lives most of his life honoring God, in the end took foreign wives who then influenced him to begin worshiping pagan gods. Because of his disobedience God said he would take the throne away from his descendants... which He did. The nation of Israel was then split, all of the tribes of Israel left with Jeroboam, and only the tribe of Judah remained in the line of David with Solomons son Rehoboam.

Jeroboam didn't want the people of Israel to return to Rehoboam for their sacrifices and trips to the temple and risk them becoming loyal once again to Rehoboam; so he crafted two golden calves and told the people of Israel that these were the gods that delivered them from Egypt, and led the whole nation of Israel away from God. A prophet from God goes and tells Jeroboam that he will be wiped from the Earth for his grievous sin. Jeroboam is paralyzed and the pagan alter crumbles before him releasing the paralysis as a sign of what the prophet said was true. God had told this prophet to not eat or drink while in the city and return home a different way than he had come. He is able to refuse Jeroboam's offer of dinner and a place to sleep. But an old prophet hears of his message and goes out to find him offering a place to eat and sleep. He refuses, but the old prophet lies saying "An angel appeared and told me to have you over for dinner." So the man listens and goes with him, of course God calls him out on it and says because he didn't listen he would not be buried in his homeland with his ancestors. The man leaves to go home and is attacked, but not eaten, by a lion on the way home. The old prophet who had tricked him goes out and finds his body with the lion still sitting next to him and the donkey.

After reading this, I realized how often we choose to listen to the world, our flesh, or even what others have said God has spoken to them, instead of what God has spoken to our hearts and in His word. Sunday at Church we had talked about how Satan uses our own doubt to get us to sin..."did God really say that, surely He didn't mean you would die..." When the reality is, God told us (fill in the blank with: love your neighbors, do not murder, respect your husband, don't have premarital sex or any other truth we choose to ignore) for a reason, and that reason was FOR OUR OWN GOOD.

See, the fundamental truth here is that GOD IS GOOD and He loves us, He is our creator; who knows better than Him what will hurt us, what will heal us, what will destroy us, what will bring us peace, than Him. Satan knew that we would become like god's knowing good and evil if Eve ate the apple and that she wouldn't die when she ate the apple, that is die as in instant death in the flesh. The problem was that we would become like gods knowing good and evil BUT unlike GOD who has no sin nature, our sin nature would not have the self control to resist the temptation of evil, and that is what brings our death, physical and spiritual.

Back to Kings: The only redeeming kings for Judah (sorry Israel doesn't have any yet) was Asa, who returns the tribe of Judah to God and removes all the pagan idols from the tribe, even removing his own grandmother from her position of honor as queen mother. After Asa's death his son, Jehoshaphat, continued ruling Judah in his father's example. Israel's kings continue in a downward spiral each doing more evil in the sight of God than the previous. Then we get to Ahab, Jezebel and Elijah. There was a constant feud between these three and to me Jezebel was the one that continually stirred the pot, causing problem after problem. Even after Elijah was taken to heaven she continued to do great evil. The book ends with the son of Ahab and Jezebel ruling as king of Israel "he served Baal and worshiped him, provoking the anger of the lord, just as his father had done."

This journey through the old testament is eye opening to the truth of God's unconditional love. My human nature can not fathom having the capacity to continually bring redemption and forgiveness, second chances, to people who continue to abandon me, blatantly choose counterfeit over real, authentic and genuine. It has been a lesson in loving others, because if God can love us through all of this, who am I to not love others?

Happy 13... Yes, I now have an offical teen.

I cannot believe that I am going to say the old cliche... but wow, time flies! I cannot believe that Madison is 13! This birthday was particularly difficult for me because it dawned on me I have fewer years with her at home than the the years I've spent with her.

To paint Madison as a budding 13 year old would be one of beauty and vibrancy. I am so proud of the young woman she is becoming. She is beautiful, but her beauty radiates much deeper than just her smile and stunning eyes; it burns bright from her kind heart that is full of integrity and strong character. She has chosen some amazing friends with similar goals, attitudes, and values; which in turn has given us 1 1/2 years of little to no middle school girl drama! She continues to love soccer and plays on the competitive soccer team traveling all over Colorado to compete, they finished their fall season in 1st place in the league with an undefeated record. She is now playing school basketball, and her team is also undefeated. She picked up playing the bass guitar over the summer and has joined the school jazz band as well as continuing to play the flute in the concert band. She has excellent grades in all her classes including both Honors Math and Honors Literacy. She has written some amazing poetry this year, which was published in the local news paper, and given amazing reviews from local poets. She really tries to battle that typical teen attitudes and disrespect and readily apologizes when she messes up. Her brother absolutely adores her and wants to be everywhere she is and do everything she does. Now don't get me wrong, not everything is rainbows and unicorns where Madison is concerned, her room is atrocious, she regularly shows evidence of having no frontal lobe, antagonizes her brother, and thinks that her social life trumps pretty much everything else... but she is a great kid that makes our jobs as parent's pretty easy.

Enough with the sappy stuff....

This year for her birthday she decided to do a sleep over bowling party with her friends. These 8 girls mowed through the food and closed down the bowling ally! They were all very entertaining for Brian and I. One of her friends is a pitcher for softball and for her first turn she did a complete fast pitch wind up with the bowling ball before releasing it down the lane. Her face was priceless when she realized what she had done, and it gave the rest of us a good laugh. Gracy managed to get her finger stuck in the bowling ball, and fought off panic for several minutes before she finally got it to release. For their second game of bowling they did what is called "funky bowl" which included bowling by holding the hand of a partner, pushing the ball down with their feet, and even "Tebowling". They had planned to do a flash mob at the bowling ally, but to their dismay they were one of 3 groups at the ally that late. Our entire living room was covered with mattresses, blankets and girls sprawled everywhere. The record for staying up the latest was not broken at our house (6:00 am), and our latest girl reported only making it to 2:00... must be the Caster house, we just can't stay up late here! I think a good time was had by all, and Madison was welcomed into the teens with a memorable party! Here are some pics from the event:


Learned: If 8 teen girls ate 3 lbs of bbq beef, 2 gallons of lemonade, 1 gallon of milk, 1 package of oreos, 1 bag of licorice, 1 king size box of Jr. Mints, 2 bags of Fritos, 2 cans of bean dip, 10 cinnamon rolls, 1 lb of bacon, and 1 dzn eggs, then we are in serious trouble when Maddox has his buddies over at 13...

Learned: (sappy) As Madison gets older, I am reminded, and my excitement is stirred, in seeing the plan God has for her. I know it is big, I know it is good.