Rise Up!

Had to look twice at this picture... as this is what I see often.  

 More so lately.

I looks so much like Jordan... I wondered who took the picture.

His B Corp is now practicing Saturday,  9-9, and Sunday, 9-5, starting in May.   This Memorial Day Weekend he started on Friday Evening... will attend 9-9 Saturday and Sunday, Monday 9-5. Understand that is the start time... he still has a 1/2 hour drive time and since food is being provided this weekend he needs to be there by 8am.     We left town and fortunately (we are very blessed) a friend (Nathan's Mom) even took Scott's carpool shifts so he does not have to make the 2 trips back home to do it.   

So with a schedule like that,  along with school and seminary, I think you get the picture the teenager is exceptionally tired.   The first full weekend he was so tired that for three days he slept until 2 in the afternoon... missed school.   I was unable to budge him from his slumber.  It was like trying to wake a sleeping baby... only I could not pick him up and take him with me.    Ramifications: I did not excuse him at school... all unexcused absences (tough love) and no more movies on Friday night, it is homework and to bed early.   That lasted one week when Scott's short term memory sent him to surprise Jordan and his friends with Imax tickets for Star Trek... the clincher is he already took Jordan on Monday to the see the movie.   

So when the kid is still snoozing in bed... do not look at me!

Taken May 22,  This happy face is for the score on the California Exit Exam.  As it is no SAT, it still showed he was smart!  He was very excited to see his smartness on paper, I reminded him that his grades are not living up to his potential... and here is the proof.   He agreed.  The kid is taking some AP classes next year.   His choice.  Do you see how I do that often.  I do not believe in living vicariously through my children... I never want them to come to me later in life and say you did not let me do this or you made me do this.   Nope they will never be able to say that!

And he is happy here because he finally has the treasured token that 16 year olds seek.  It has been a long time coming as he has had to reschedule his appointments... and the wait each time was a month or so away.   But this is a happy day... and the PROVISIONAL UNTIL AGE 18 in bold red letters only slightly dampened his happiness.   That means he can not have anyone in the car  20 or younger without an adult.  It used to be only 12 months... but seems to be raised to 2 years.   We will have to look into that because his paper license only says 12 months.   All I could think of is if this is true, that will put a damper on the Safe Rides program. 

Anyway... very proud of this young man.   He gave a talk in the church the last week of April... "the bring a friend to church" day.   I asked him that morning if his talk was ready... he said no, I looked at my watch and said you have about 2 hours.  

Did I stress?  No... remember, I do not live vicariously through my children... and I got over what other people would think of me if my child fails... a while ago. 

   

 And because I let that kid use his own wings to fly... he soared.   

He gave a beautiful, heartfelt talk that people are still telling me how good he did.   I attribute it to seminary... he obviously learned something there.   

And his wings.