12th Birthday!

It's been pretty busy around here lately, hence the reason I haven't blogged since Jason's birthday and there were tons of things to blog about, except for I was doing all of those things and didn't have time! No complaints here about that! It was so nice to go to the orchestra concert, dance recital, choir concert, and soccer games. They will be posted later.

For now, let's talk about Austin! He has had a tough school year. I would say that his actual birthday was an okay day, but with the entire week, it was a great one!

The weekend before his birthday his soccer team participated in the Canton Cup. It's a soccer tournament that brings in teams from all over Ohio and Michigan (usually Canada too). A parent collected goodies for a goodie bag for the players on our team to enjoy. That was like an early gift for Austin with all gum, treats, drinks, and even a fidget spinner that were included. To top it off, his team played super well all three games and made it to the final, where they beat that fourth team, winning them the Canton Cup for their age group! Austin was so thrilled to be able to hold that trophy and earn the medal! 

Goodie bag loot!

Running onto the field for the big game!

I have better pictures of him playing during the season than this, but I had to snap a few during the Cup. 

Look at that grin!

The FC Tigers! A great team with a great coach!

The day before his birthday was his last piano lesson and we gave him an early gift right before the lesson- The Legend of Zelda series music for piano. Now he can start playing some video game music for his summer lessons. 

His birthday morning came very early. It was an A day and one of the last days of orchestra at the high school, so I woke him up with Birthday, by the Beatles. He ate his requested Panera Bread cinnamon bagel and off he went with his sisters at 6:55 am. He got to bring a special Panera Bread mac and cheese for lunch as well. After school, it was raining hard and he had a fair amount of homework to do, which we were trying to avoid by helping him get ahead, but he had a couple of extra math assignments that we weren't expecting. We wouldn't have made a big deal about it, but they had to turn in their Chromebooks by Friday and would no longer be able to do work on that, nor turn in any late work, so we encouraged him to push through. We took a break for his requested Wendy's dinner (he loves their Son of a Baconator), chocolate cake, and the opening of presents. 

Mmmm, cinnamon bagel!

He requested a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and Oreos on top!

Two kids in middle school with braces!

He got a bathing suit and bug spray. He had 20 mosquito bites a few weeks ago and it was not pretty! He must have pretty tasty blood for those mosquitoes!

Mostly, his gift was a Nintendo Switch, which is more money than we usually spend on one child's birthday gift. He did have a little bit of time to set it up after finishing his homework. He bought a game the other day too, with some of his birthday money. And he loved the other books, socks, and games sent to him in the mail by family members. They're right up his ally!

We haven't decided how he will celebrate with friends yet, so that is in the works. Right now, we want to make it through these last 5 days of school. It's been a tough school year for Austin, but he has pushed through. He's gotten mostly A's the whole school year and is in the advanced math class so he has earned those A's. We had to push him to focus, especially during the at-home learning. 

He has really enjoyed his science, choir, orchestra, and gym classes. He really liked LME (Life Management Education) the first semester as well. He made it to the finals of the school Spelling Bee, which I had no idea he was even participating in! He's a great reader, loves jokes and random facts, loves mind games, rebuilding Legos, and music. He impersonates Rick Asltey's Never Gonna Give You Up song very well! He has come a long way with his soccer and piano skills and enjoys his medals from both!

The best thing is watching him pass the sacrament at church and at home. He takes his Priesthood Duties very seriously and enjoys attending the Deacon's Quorum meetings with Jason (most have been on Zoom, but they just started meeting in person).

Happy 12 Birthday Austin!! 

Halfway to 90!

 We celebrated Jason's 45 birthday on Saturday. Victoria lovingly reminded him a few times that he is now halfway to 90. 

Lucky him, his birthday was on a Saturday, but it also happened to be one of the first very busy days we've had in a while and he had a talk to write for church the next day, so maybe not so lucky for him? 

Since we're finally opening up more around here, I was happy for a busy Saturday. Also because I know there are not many of them left before summer and less busy Saturdays again. I think he enjoyed it as well.

It started with early soccer games for both boys at different locations, but luckily they were at the same time, so Jason went with Erik and I went with Austin (we usually switch off games for them. This was my first one alone at Austin's since my concussion and I was nervous.) Before we left, I had Panera Bread delivered for breakfast (breakfast sandwiches for Jason, Victoria, and me and cinnamon bagels for the others). There's free delivery this month and it was so nice because I could still go for my run and have breakfast ready and there when I arrived home! 

Both boys won their games. Austin 3-1 and Erik 9-1 or something. Erik even scored two goals, so that was his birthday present to Jason. He's usually on defense, so it was very special for him to score those. 

After arriving home we had to change clothes for Victoria's violin recital. It was at the church and our family was in charge of opening the building and setting up the Zoom meeting for grandparents and the actual teacher, who lives in AZ, but used to live here and has been teaching a handful of people from around here. 

On the way there Jason picked up 5 Guys' burgers and fries to eat while Victoria and others were warming up. When she was done she had to eat quickly and rush off to her dance recital practice. She did an excellent job on her violin performance, the best she's done on that song, another gift for Jason!

More about the recital later.

It's been a long time since we've hung out in the church!

When the rest of us returned home Jason had to work on his talk and Austin and I mowed the lawn so Jason could have the day off yard work. 

Jason took a break from writing his talk so we could celebrate with music, dinner, cake, and presents. He requested what we have called Rachelle's Recipe for over 20 years now, but is really maybe called creamy chicken, though I'm not sure! We got the recipe from my friend Rachelle, who reads this blog, over 20 years ago. We haven't had it in a while, so he was craving it! It was a good choice because it's in the crockpot and I didn't have much time to prep dinner, though I did stir fry some green beans to go with it. 

He opened some clothes from me, candy from Victoria, and nice homemade cards from the kids. I also got him a carwash pass that he wanted, though it's on the car I usually drive and we can't switch the sticker from one car to the other, but at least my car will be very clean this month! (I also took his car to be washed on his birthday). 

Luke's gift to Jason.

Victoria made Jason this awesome card that indicated he is now on the "oldness" phase of life, as opposed to the "normal" phase of life!

Carrot cake!

Karissa made this awesome card comic. She drew the meme that was attached to the QR code below.

It totally worked and he could view the meme from scanning the code! 

After carrot cake, we watched part of Torra!Torra!Torra! An old movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor that we all enjoyed very much. We finished it the next evening when we were all super tired. Jason gave a great talk too!

Movie time!

SJ5K

 Each year, for the past 5 years, there is a race called the SJ5K. This what it is:

"The SJ5K Foundation was founded to serve the SJ5K Club at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park. The SJ5K Foundation is a volunteer board whose mission is to promote youth leadership and to aid families in crisis through the efforts of the SJ5K race each year."

They choose 5 families who have a loved one going through health challenges. It is named after a student from the first year they held the race.

"In December of 2010, then-Canton sophomore Jesse Lindlbauer (known as Super Jess) suffered a near-fatal brain injury.  Despite no previous symptoms, Jesse fought brain trauma, meningitis, and other complications brought on by what believed to be a mild sinus infection. Jesse spent eleven weeks at C.S. Mott Hospital, surviving two emergency brain surgeries, and then began his long road to recovery."

Every year the race is on a Sunday, making it hard to participate in the actual run, though we usually donated money to the cause. Last year it was virtual and the participants got to run, bike, or walk their 5k anytime during the week of the event. We participated in that last year and some of us did this year as well. The nice thing about it being virtual is that people can choose to ride their bike instead of run if they want. That's what Erik and Karissa chose to do. I did the run.

Karissa's choir and Autin's choir each sang a song in honor of the recipients, though I don't know if they posted the songs somewhere, or if they recorded them for us to hear another time. I need to look into that. If anything, I'm sure we'll hear the songs at the choir concerts.

This year's event had a little more meaning since one of the girls who was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer in her chest, neck, and armpit is the girlfriend of a boy in our ward. This boy, Spencer's mom had brain surgery in the fall to remove a tumor and has been recovering since then. Not only that, but her sister-in-law had liver cancer and went in for treatments around the same time Jennifer had her brain surgery. We just found out that Jamie is now cancer-free! Jennifer's sister, Anna, at pretty much the same time, also had a brain tumor and had it removed about two weeks Jennifer had hers removed. Needless to say, this family has gone through a lot this year! Luckily, we have only heard good news recently and all are on the mend.

We were so happy we could support the students who were sponsored for the SJ5K!

Erik ran a practice 1 miler with me and decided that he didn't want to run the 5k, but bike it!

Karissa chose to bike it too. It is all good!

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day had a different feel about it this year, and that's just fine. Instead of the moms of the ward going to a special lesson at church, they actually started the first Sunday of second-hour meetings, which meant some moms were teaching the Primary kids (as a group), Young Women's (obviously), and Relief Society. There were no special gifts given out and that was just fine! In fact, I didn't even go to church. Our family wasn't assigned to sacrament meeting (we go 3/4 of the time in person, rotating between two other groups). If it's not our family's turn to go, then we don't attend the second hour either. Except for the Young Men and Young Women. They can go to all the second hours. If they don't drive themselves like Victoria did, then their parents and Primary-aged siblings can go with them, otherwise, they just show up. Jason, being in the Bishopric, went to sacrament meeting while the rest of us watched from home. Then Victoria took Karissa and Austin to the second hour while I watched the broadcast RS class from home and talked to my mom and Erik watched a singing time on Youtube. That was very relaxing. 

Jason brought me flowers and gave me the pants I had picked out for myself (and were on sale). Victoria gave me a balloon and my favorite candy: Red Vines and Swedish Fish. Jason, Victoria, and Karissa made me blueberry pancakes for breakfast and stir fry for dinner. We watched some home videos of when I was younger, which was so fun! Victoria really wanted to watch Jason's and my wedding day- also really fun. Since it was raining and cold, we also watched The Wizard of Oz.

The best part of the weekend was on Saturday when Austin was able to complete his homework and help mow the lawn, way before he usually does. Victoria and Karissa had completed very successful work weeks at school, so they were in good spirits. Erik had things to keep him busy and when Austin was done with his homework, they had lots of time to play outside together. 

Having my kids feel that sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in the simple things in life really made me happy. I think that's what makes mothers most happy, is having their children find joy in the simple things in life. 

This is what everyone else ate for dessert, but I made myself a berry cobbler because I wanted that instead and no one else likes that kind of thing around here!

My breakfast. I really like berries!

Homemade card- beautiful!

My flowers from Jason.

This was a few days beforehand with my baby Leia who was getting cozy with me.

Soccer Surprise

 Jason was at Erik's soccer game with him Saturday morning, so I took Austin to his. The path to this particular field comes right to where one of the goals is, which is not a good spot. Austin and I stopped there for a moment to see which side his team was on for us to park our chairs (the players bring their own during covid times). Suddenly, I am hit in the head with a ball. I don't remember where on my head, but I did have a hat on so that probably helped. Here are the thoughts that came to my mind as I fell to the ground:

-I'm falling

-I'm much older than the last time I got hit in the head

-what about Austin? 

-will I lose consciousness? 

A small group of people had gathered around me as I struggled to sit up. I don't think I did lose consciousness, but a lady asked if I was okay and what had happened. She must have missed the flying ball too because she thought I just fell to the ground, or maybe she got there right after the incident. I had to tell her that a ball hit my head. She asked if I needed help and I told her that I didn't think so, but I just needed a moment. I could hardly talk to her because I had my face mask on and it was hard to catch my breath to talk and process everything at the same time. I was seeing lacy lights, but they dissipated after a bit and I was able to sit up and then stand up after another moment. I don't know how long that process took, maybe a minute or two, but the boy who kicked the ball was still there when I stood up and sincerely apologized to me. He was very sweet. He's actually one of the nicest kids on Austin's team. The lady carried the chairs over and set up Austin's chair for him so he could get warmed up. She checked in with me a couple of times during the game. It was nice to just be able to sit and watch the game for an hour. It allowed me to rest.

Going home, I felt pretty good, but a little shook up. I owed Victoria a Chipotle lunch for a violin challenge that she completed. I decided that I could benefit from lunch there as well. Afterwards, I was craving chocolate and grabbed a piece from my secret stash. It really did help me feel better and reminded me of Harry Potter when he is given chocolate after passing out from the Dementors. I decided to take it easy the rest of the day and was able to do so. I still didn't think I had a concussion, though I had a headache, felt jumpy, and had a hard time remembering a few words (which isn't too unusual for me, but more than normal). I was never nauseous, though something that did happen and made me think I might have injured myself more than I thought, was that I got my period 1 whole week early which never happens. 

I didn't think much of that at first, but on Sunday evening, when the lights were bothering me and giving me a headache, Jason mentioned that I might have sustained a slight concussion. I looked up concussions and menstrual cycles and they do relate. They can either bring it on faster or postpone it. Kind of weird, but I guess it makes sense. 

I decided Sunday night that I should take a break from exercising until I start to feel more normal. I did go to work yesterday and today because I can function, I'm just really tired and a little slower. It takes me a moment to process things and I often have a slight headache, feel a little dazed, or am extra tired, though I don't always have all of those symptoms at the same time. In fact, writing this all down is helping me. At this very moment, I don't have a headache and my words are coming well to me, so that's good! 

Count Your Blessings

The high from our vacation has worn off. I've been feeling frustrated and annoyed with this pandemic. Instead of getting better where we live with the vaccines, it's a whole lot worse. I know it will just take a little more time, but I was really enjoying the idea of this last quarter of school being a little more "normal". I guess it's better now than over the summer to have this high a number of cases, but it's getting really annoying!!

Karissa has to quarantine until April 30 because she came in contact with someone who tested positive last Thursday. Her principal called me Sunday morning, as I was getting ready for church. That put a slight damper on the day. So far, she's not sick, which is a blessing, but regardless of whether or not she's sick or even if she tests negative for Covid, she cannot return to school until April 30. She's going to miss her last two weeks of tumbling, which she can make up, but we were going to be done with that class after April and her friend won't be with her at her last two classes now. Just about every single day I receive an email from Austin's middle school and Karissa's middle school that there was another positive case confirmed. Once in a while, I hear the same from Erik's and Victoria's schools. What's with the middle schools?? And why is Michigan exploding with positive cases now?? 

Somehow, though, so far, our family has been protected from actually getting sick from Covid. Jason finally got his first vaccination, so hopefully, he can make it to the next one before something changes with our luck in that. 

I took Austin to the doctor last week to see if all of his constant coughing was asthma. The doctor said most likely not and that he probably has allergies and to keep giving him the allergy medication we've been giving him, or try a different kind. The day I took him, he was starting to cough less, as is always the case when you see the doctor, the symptoms seem to disappear, and he is still coughing a little less since then. Yay! I did a deep spring cleaning of the house over the weekend, including a very thorough vacuuming job and carpet cleaning. Plus washing stuffed animals, throw blankets, and dusting. Jason and the kids helped which made such a big task a whole lot easier. I've been enjoying my very clean home these past few days!

Here are some random pictures I took that just made me smile when I didn't know what pics to post for this blog and they are evidence of the many blessings I have.

We have a new roof! The first update in our big home improvement project!

Austin enjoys practicing his cello at home and is getting really good for online orchestra, most of the year!

What Victoria was doing while her afternoon math class was on- dying her hair! (She had already completed the work and understood it, so I let her do it...)

Horsing around together!

Leia decided to curl up in the clean towels....

Erik helped with 3-year-old Jacob when we watched him for a couple of days on the weekend. His mom is recovering from her 3-week stay at the hospital on a ventilator for a very bad case of Covid. She had a 3% chance of getting off it and coming home. Not quite a week later, her husband went into the hospital for emergency intestinal surgery. He was still in the hospital when this picture was taken. He's home now recovering with his wife and 60 stitches in his stomach. Let's count our blessings!

Virtual Music

A couple of months ago, Victoria turned in her violin part for the virtual concert orchestra performance for the parents to enjoy. They're finally able to meet in person to play together. Turns out we will have a small concert outside next month. I will get to see all three of my string players perform then! 

Here's Victoria's performance with the concert orchestra:

A month before that, Karissa and Austin finalized their piano performances for Federation, virtually. They had to prerecord in February so they would be ready to be turned in at the beginning of March for the judges to view. We couldn't decide if it was more nerve-wracking to actually perform in front of the judges in person and get only one shot at it, or to record it over and over until it was just the way we wanted to have the judges view it. We had to record a shot of the first piece of music before being played, and then the second piece, without any pauses. That made it really hard! For instance, Austin pulled off the first piece beautifully, but then mess up the second piece and we would have to record both of them all over again! It was totally worth it though. We just got their scores back and they both got superiors, the highest rating. This is Austin's 4th consecutive. He got a trophy after the first 3. Karissa gets her second trophy, this being her 6th consecutive superior! I'm so proud of both of them! They have stuck through it, even though virtual lessons are hard.  They also take the extra orchestra class, which was just an extra virtual class for most of the year, and now they have to wake up super early to do it, yet they still do. One would think having something like music to take your mind off things would be easy, but sometimes it seems like just more work. I'm really glad they were rewarded for their efforts so they can see what talent they have if they stick to it!!

A special treat from the orchestra are these sweatshirts that Mrs. DePentu, the lead teacher, gifted to the high schoolers. She had a student design it, but it was inspired by the Mercado family's very own Hammy! 

Back story: last year, when Karissa started with Mrs. DePentu (Mrs. Kaz is the 6th-grade teacher, but Mrs. D teaches the 7th and 8th graders and high schoolers), she was telling the students to hold the neck of their violin/viola like there was a hamster in their hand and they don't want to squish it. Karissa told her that she has a stuffed hamster (about the same size as a real one) and that she could bring it in as a visual. Well, now Hammy is super famous among the orchestra kids and became their class pet/mascot. One student made him his own cello with cardboard, using a 3D template (it looks really cool!) and a bed. Karissa had Hammy at home for most of this time during this school year when we were online. When she finally brought him back to school a month or so ago, everyone was so excited and they used him as the inspiration for their sweatshirts! Since only the high schoolers actually get the sweatshirts (provided by Mrs. D, though the rest get music t-shirts), Karissa will be the only middle schooler to get one, since it's her Hammy. I'm not sure why other middle schoolers aren't given the option to purchase one for themselves, but I'm so happy for her generosity that they all got something from her. 

Victoria just got hers. Karissa should be getting hers soon. 

Don't know why it won't turn for me in my last-minute close-up shot. It says, "We survived a pandemic and all we got was a shirt!" Hammy has his face mask and a little tear in his eye- so sweet!