Regionals

Austin's been injured almost the whole track season.  He ran the 800 a few times (a couple of those in the 4x8) and a couple of 1600. He did really well in those, but was not making the progress he needed to qualify for the state meet. 

He decided on a calculated risk to run his first 3200m race at the regional championship meet. Austin's PR in the 3200m was 9:51.1 set in May 2025. He ran the 3200m once during indoor season in February clocking in at 10:00 flat. The qualifying time for the state meet is 9:35, but he felt he had a better chance of accomplishing this time than the 4:23 needed in the 1600m.

To complicate the task at hand, his hip flexor was bothering him throughout the week, and he caught a bad cold. He was scheduled to run the 4x8 and then the 3200 for the first time this whole season.  I was nervous for him. He told me he was going to qualify for States. I didn't want to get my hopes up about anything like that. He's been running so well after being injured, but I didn't want to place extra pressure on him. 

His team ran the 4x8 at the very beginning of the meet on Friday. Most years, we have a team from Salem that makes it to States in the 4x8, but our time hasn't been good enough in the previous meets for that. Coach putting Austin in place of another runner helped their time by a few seconds, but not enough. So at Regionals, there was a lot of pressure for that run. The guys all did well. I don't know what the others' split times were, but Austin's was 2:00.67 seconds. Another PR for him in that event! However, since he was the last leg of the race, we knew they didn't qualify for States because they came in 4th and 6 seconds over the required time to make it. (In order to qualify, you have to place second in an event or make it within a certain amount of time.) The hardest part, for me, in watching the 800 is that Austin's best events are longer, and he usually "kicks" it toward the end of the 1600 or 3200 with a spurt of energy. With the 800, it's only 2 laps. You don't have much energy to kick it because you're kicking it the whole time. Of course, one of the teams that ended up beating Salem had their final runner who passed Austin and had one of the best times of all the runners in that meet. So, we were a little discouraged for the overall team in not making it with the 4x8, but happy Austin did well. Then, I felt really nervous because I worried he would be tired after that race, even though the 3200 was about 4-5 hours later, or worried that he wouldn't eat enough of his snacks that Jason helped him prepare, and would lack energy. 

(Here's Austin's leg of the 4x8.)

Since he was the only one in the field to not run the 3200m in the 2026 outdoor season, he received the last seed, 35th. Most runners jockey for a prime spot in the first 200 meters of long-distance races. He would start behind the slowest runners, making it difficult to get into the lead group without expending a lot of energy.

The first person we are grateful for is the 34th-seeded runner. He saw Austin warming up and mentioned to him that he looked faster than the 35th seed. Austin explained that he had been injured all season and hadn't run the 3200 yet this season. At the start, this other runner side-stepped, allowing Austin to race ahead and catch the lead group out of the chute. Austin later said that this kid saved his season. It would have taken Austin too much time and energy to go around all the runners. 

(The first part of the 3200.)

Austin was able to settle into 7th place for most of the race. He did a good job of keeping pretty close to the fast, first group. When he ran the 1600 this season, he got stuck in "no man's land" with no one to pull him from the front and no one to push him from the back. 

(Just a quick clip from part of the race.)

The second person we are grateful for is Lucas LaPointe, from Plymouth. Austin and he were back and forth all season during cross country, with Austin usually beating him by just a bit, but Lucas beat Austin a few times too, and the two have equivalent times. With three laps remaining, Lucas jumped in front of Austin and began the process of catching the 3rd and 4th place runners. Austin was able to stay with him as they broke away from the pack. 

As they reached the final two laps, we began to believe that Austin would qualify for states by time, thanks to his 800m training and experience this season. But Lucas and Austin were still 30 meters behind #3 and 4. But as they approached the last 200, Lucas and Austin pulled within 5 meters, and Austin got that kick at the final turn and passed Lucas, as well as 2 other really fast runners from Northville (their team is the fastest in the state). 

The funny thing was, we couldn't even tell that he was coming in 3rd place because of all the runners out there. He had already lapped a bunch, and it was hard to know who was actually in front of him. We were so excited that he made the time for States. Austin clocked a 9:27.8, a 24-second PR from last year. beating the qualifying time by 7 seconds (BTW, Lucas qualified for States too! We were pleased.)

(Here's the final 800 of the race. Watch that final turn around the bend, and you'll see him get his kick.)

It wasn't until he was standing in front of the podium that we realized he actually came in third place! 

If you can see, Austin's number says "35", and the first and second runners say "1" and "2". So funny!

The last two people we are grateful for are his friend, Aiden Pengelly, who came in second and probably didn't really help him much during the race, but his influence and friendship mean a lot, and Coach Goodridge, who let Austin tell him the races he wanted to do these past couple of weeks. Normally, coaches determine what they think is best for their athlete, but JG has been letting Austin tell him what he thinks he's ready for, and it has been working out. Austin's been blowing our minds!

Coach JG hugging Austin with Aiden looking on. Aiden usually has a neutral look on his face, so his smile makes me smile!

The only thing that left this evening on less of a high was the final race, the 4x4, just after Austin's 3200. It was the final chance for Austin's teammate, a senior who was on the 4x8 team that didn't qualify, to qualify for something at States. The 4 guys who ran did so amazingly, and there was so much energy in the air from spectators and athletes alike. When our final runner came in with a qualifying time for States, we were ecstatic! We went to congratulate Sahib's mom (she's the one who got Austin into PT right away because she works at an office, so we should add her to the grateful list), only to discover that the guys had been disqualified. Apparently, our final runner was so excited and surprised they had done it, he threw down the baton and yelled out "*@#% yeah!!" The ref hadn't caught it, but the winning team's coach did and grabbed him by the shoulder and took him over to the ref to tell him what he had done. The runner was so crushed, mortified, and upset by what had happened that he lay on the ground crying for about 20 minutes. They were huge, shaking sobs, and we felt so bad for him. Yes, he made a mistake, but their coach wasn't supposed to touch another athlete, and the whole thing put a downer on our team. Our coach tried to make amends, to no avail. 

So, Austin will be the only runner from our team going to States, along with a pole vaulter, long jumper, and high jumper. Our team got 4th out of 15 teams at Regionals. Go Rocks!

The Big 5-0!!

 Months ago, we were talking about planning a little 50th birthday party for Jason, but as it grew closer, I realized that May is always way too busy, and it wasn't going to happen. And for some reason,  back in January,  I decided to host a book club in May, which, in my defense, was supposed to be the 3rd week of the month,  but we changed it to the 2nd week early on. So, that meant after the busy Mother's Day weekend,  I hosted a book club on Monday, which Jason helped with setting up, attended Erik's track meet on Tuesday, Erik's band concert on Wednesday,  Austin's orchestra concert on Thursday,  and then by Friday, his birthday, Jason was exhausted, as was I. I still managed to make him one of his favorites for breakfast: biscuits and gravy, and picked him up some tacos for lunch after work. 

By that time, at 1, Austin had already come home from his morning class. He was able to leave school early because his AP tests had already been taken, and he needed a little rest before his team left for the Regionals track meet. Along with working from home that day, Jason helped Austin prep for the meet, cuz guess what? Austin had a bad cold. He also helped him prep his meet snacks.  Austin was scheduled to run the 4x8 at 3:30 ish and the 3200 at 8:00 ish, so there was a big window of time that he needed to eat the right kind of food. 

Jason says his birthday was a mixed bag,  probably because he did so much! He has been doing more and more lately, as I have been backing out since I have been worn out! 

Austin wasn't able to get Jason a gift for his birthday,  but he paid him with some fantastic racing! I'll make a separate post with the race details. 

In between races, we came home to pick up Erik since the 4×8 started as his school was ending. Luckily, the meet wasn't very far. The 5 of us went to dinner at Taystee's, supposedly the best burgers in the Plymouth/Canton area. They were pretty tasty! (pun intended). We went back home for gifts, and then Kade had somewhere to be, so he sang Happy Birthday to Jason with the cake he had made for him. The rest of us ate some after we returned later.

Kade got him a shirt, and I got him a couple as well.

Erik got him candy.

I got him some more candy for the meet. I got him a new grill cover, too, but we haven't opened it yet.

Victoria helped pick out his shirts and made him this nice card.

New corn-on-the-cob holders were needed!

He's still under 50!!

Tasytee's is in a gas station! It's their thing.

His favorite carrot cake!

Off we went to the meet for what would be Austin's gift to Jason, though we were unsure of the outcome on the way there.

(the next morning)

Happy 50th, Jason!!

Here it Is!

 Ladies Tap Dance, which I promised in my previous post. I start on the left and am the second one coming in the front. Enjoy!

Mother's Day Weekend

 Months ago, probably just after Christmas, we got tickets to go see Hamilton in Detroit. I always told the kids who didn't get to go with Kade and me years ago in Chicago that if it came to Detroit, we'd go. They all love the music now. It was just Kade before. The timing for it to come here wasn't great, but we were happy we could go on Friday. Everyone got to go, minus Austin. He opted not to go. We knew when we bought the tix that he would have KLAAs the next day, and he wanted to be well-rested the night before. (He didn't actually go to bed before we returned home, so he still went to bed way too late. Got his same time on the 1600, 4:33. Still amazing after only a couple weeks back from injury.) The rest of us really enjoyed the musical. Victoria thoroughly enjoyed the dancing, amongst other aspects, Erik and Jason really enjoyed experiencing the music with the acting on stage, which brings it all together better. Kade and I enjoyed it just as much as last time, or maybe more. 

Walking to the Fisher Theater.

Kade, enjoying the art.

Victoria, enjoying the photo ops.

The Fisher is gorgeous!

On Saturday, besides Austin's track meet, which I couldn't attend, I participated in my third recital in the Ladies Tap dance. This year was special to have Victoria here to watch me perform and give her support. She so wanted to be on stage, but she had fun seeing familiar faces from her dance days at Dancin Feet. She also got to do service backstage with the little dancers. Her friend Susie taught a couple of classes to some young girls and Victoria, and I helped with managing them backstage as well. I really enjoy this new hobby I have and the friends I have made through my class. (Unfortunately, I haven't gotten the recording of the dance yet, but I'll include it when I receive it, if you so desire to watch it.)

Reverse rolls! (My costume wasn't on here, though.)

Meliss and I!

Vicky and Susie

This year's class! (We were combined with the advanced class, so they had some parts that made us look even better!)

Being in the Relief Society Presidency means Mother's Day isn't as restful, but it's fine. The tradition we have in our ward is to prepare a little spread for all the ladies in the ward, including the YW. I cut up a bunch of fruit after the recital and arrived at church early to help set up, and then we had to clean up. We had lots of help from our families, though, and it was a lovely time of chatting, eating, and a nice short message from our President and my friend, Melissa. We wanted everyone to feel loved and valued, no matter what phase of motherhood they are in, what relationship they have with their mothers, if their mothers are still on earth, or if they will never have children. 

My own family made me blueberry, cinnamon, and cloves waffles. They were delicious! They made me a Greek chicken salad with homemade fries for dinner. Victoria made apple crisp for dessert. Muy rico!

Yes, Erik is as tall as me now!

My gifts! The two burgundy things in the front are a new sports bra and a tank.

And for a special Mother's Day surprise, the mama duck that has been nesting in our ground cover is now waddling around with her 10 babies!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in my life!

Making a Comeback

 Austin's injury has been healing after his work with the PT and not running for about 3 weeks, which has taken us to the middle of the track season. Since it's his junior year, he's been getting anxious to get back into it, but waiting patiently until the "ok" from his PT. 

For the dual meet last Tuesday, his PT said he could run the 800, two laps around the track, and go all out, just to see how his healed hip would do. So Austin trained for one day before the meet. 

Well, Austin took his advice and went all out, getting a 7-second PR of 2:02! For the 800, that much of a PR after an injury is incredible! It was helpful for all that 3 of his friends were right there with them. The two Salem boys are the best 800 runners on our team, and I know they wanted to stay with Austin, who had just come out of an injury, and Austin was on his runner's high. The other runner is a mutual friend from Canton. He took #2 in the state in XC in 2024 and has become close with our runners because he's the only one on his team who is serious. Watching them finish within seconds of each other was so exciting!

Coach gave Austin the best compliment of all time after this race. He said, "That was one of the best mental performances I have seen in my entire career." I thought a compliment from his teammate was pretty funny as well. Referring to Austin's incredible PR after an injury and no practice, Sam said, "You @*# hole! Why did you have to run so fast?!" In his loving, friend kind of way.

So today, at the invitational, Austin was placed in the 4x800 (the relay for the 800, where each of 4 runners runs an 800). That's the only race he ran, as he still probably needs more training before he competes in his usual 1600 and 3200. The problem is, there's not much of the season left, and he doesn't really want to run the 800 much more because it will take away from the other two races. 

Hopefully, he can run the 1600 next week!

Braces Save the Day!

 There was a soccer tournament for Erik this weekend in Bowling Green, Ohio. Jason took him this time. It's only just over an hour away, so they didn't have to get a hotel. Still, it didn't make it any easier when Jason called me at the end of the first game to ask me if our dentist's office was open on a Saturday. Immediately, I became very fearful of what he would say next. He started to tell me about how Erik's front teeth were pushed back, but I had to interrupt him because I didn't want to hear it. After I mentally prepared myself, I let him tell me how Erik's teeth were knocked back by another player's head when they were both going to head the ball at the same time. The other player had his head wrapped from Erik's teeth. (I'll picture it below, but don't feel obligated to look very long at the first photo; it's a little cringy.) I called the dentist and got no answer, even from their Saturday emergency line. In the meantime, Jason was directed to the dentist of two of Erik's teammates who happened to be there, watching his child play in a game. The dentist was able to professionally pull Erik's teeth back into place. He said that Erik's braces saved his teeth from being knocked out. It's ironic because Erik was supposed to get his braces off by now, and he was a little mad that they weren't taken off at his last visit. Well, he's singing a different tune now. 

After his teeth were put back into place, they got a mouthguard, ibuprofen, and some treats from the grocery store, and took a break before the next game. Yes, Erik stayed for the next game. Victoria was surprised that he was going to keep playing, but I wasn't. And apparently, during the second game, which they won, Erik played just as aggressively as he always does. Even while playing goalie during the first half, he was out charging towards the ball and other players as they charged towards him, trying to score. 

Before 

After

The team went to a team dinner together afterwards, as is tradition on tournament weekends, and it took 3.5 hours since there were 40 at their table! Needless to say, Jason and Erik got home late and went right to bed. After a church meeting this morning, they were off again for the 3rd game of the weekend which they ended up losing. Erik came home more tired than I have seen him. Since he plays goalie for half the game and has the ability to fire up the team when he's playing in the field for the second half, he usually ends up playing the entire game. 

We'll be calling the dentist tomorrow morning,  first thing. 

Springtime

 Here are some very random Springtime moments:

Kade is the top sales associate at Zumiez! If he were available more (ie, not taking classes), he would probably be made a manager.

Erik was recruited to be the narrator at Discovery's Drama Club spring play, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The only reason he did it was that he wouldn't be on stage the entire play, and he would earn hours for his NJHS service. Jason and I got a kick out of hearing his voice over the mic during every scene. He had some funny/amusing lines. 

He had to make an appearance at the end when they announced the cast. He was just before Roderick, Rowley, and Greg.

Erik's team played a game yesterday with some dirty players. Just watch these 2 videos and know that I didn't record these to get the fouls, but Erik's playing. It just so happens that he was fouled in both videos. Those weren't even the bad fouls that we saw. There were some major two-hand shoves throughout the game. None of them were called (maybe one was).

I love my yard in the spring. It's so nice and simple. It gets out of control by August! Plus, the spring flowers are the best!

The ground cover doesn't have 5 other things growing through it yet.

The bush hasn't gotten its new leaves yet, but the tulips and daffodils are beautiful!