Monday, September 7, 2009

Labor Day thoughts

Well, it's Labor Day and I am really not laboring at all. Instead, I get to hang out around the house and dote on Jet, cover Lily with kisses, and massage Sterling. To encourage him to do his Biology worksheet (in less than 12 hours!), I reward him with a one minute massage for every quickly-answered question. It makes me wonder what he's going to do when he gets to college?!

Sterling has found his (non-Halo!) passion in JROTC at high school. I couldn't be more thrilled--great leaders, mentors and associates, as well as exhaustive physical activity and immersion in good citizenship and patriotism make for a very worthwhile passion. Not that Halo isn't GREAT for developing thumb dexterity, but really, how far can that get you? His goal is to attend North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Georgia, which is one of the premier military universities in the country. He is working hard to get the ROTC scholarship which will not only provide free tuition, but free room and board, books, and fees. Just think--no student loans to repay for years--and no starving through college years.



Sterling is taking drama, and was cast as the lead in the school play "Seussical the Musical" coming up in November. He is one of the leaders in his JROTC Raiders group, which meets every school morning at 7 am to drill through grueling exercises and runs for two hours. Guess who gets to wake up at 6 am every morning to make his lunch and drop him off on time?

I take advantage of the school track and run around it for a couple of miles so I can get my exercise out of the way for the day. Actually, I really like the discipline that I get with this early start to my day. And I'm really proud of Sterling for sticking with this VERY difficult activity--I get to watch him as I run around the track and I can see how very hard it is for him and many of the other cadets. Sometimes he is one of the last ones to complete the long runs, but he really pushes himself and refuses to give up. And it is inspiring to watch his team cheer for him as he sprints on the last stretch. I just love being able to easily spot him from across the field--he is the one a head taller than everyone else (for proof, see photo above)! When he gets in tip top shape, he is really going to look intimidating. Go Sterling--never give up!
I am having so much fun in Georgia and don't want these precious memories to be forgotten, so I am going to record them on this webpage for my own enjoyment, and anyone else who might be interested. The sands of time keep slipping through the hourglass, and so many beautiful, busy, precious, crazy, sentimental, and touching moments have slipped into the shadows. Since I have forgotten so many details of my earlier life, I want to guarantee that the rest of it will be remembered.


We have a pretty diverse household of seven that includes myself, my very cute and very tall teenage son Sterling, my beautiful daughter Candle, amazingly talented and devoted husband of said daughter (Nic), funny and hard-working adult brother of said husband (Jon), and the two cutest grandkids on the planet (Jet and Lily). You may think that I am simply prejudiced, just like all other grandma's, but take a look for yourself, because pictures don't lie.