Class of 2023

Graduation has happened! It was an interesting high school experience for Victoria full of highs and of lows and was definitely memorable! We're getting ready for the big Michigan-style graduation party that so many families host, so there's still lots of preparation to be done, but I'm trying to enjoy it all and soak it all in. 

Here are some pics of Victoria's graduation from seminary, which was a considerable sacrifice with the late-night dance classes and early-morning seminary, but with huge sacrifices come great blessings. 

Poster her teachers made her and her award from the underclassmen. The seniors also gave awards to the underclassmen and Kai got "Most Likely to be Late to Class" as well!

Here are some pics from high school graduation. It was at Eastern Michigan University and it happened to rain that day, whereas it hasn't rained for a whole month here (that's saying a lot!)

Shaking hands with Shawn Wilson, Erik's teammate's dad who's on the board of education. 

And Victoria got some professional pictures done with some friends, about a month ago, which worked out well, since it was raining on graduation day. 

Abby, Victoria, and Mallory

Mallory is combining with us for the grad party.

It just so happens that this is the year Erik "graduated" from elementary school and Austin from middle school. Both events were today. It was sad to close the Miller Elementary chapter of our lives. Discovery Middle School still has a Mercado to run through its system, so that wasn't so hard. 

Mr. Lee's class

Mr. Lee, his 5th-grade teacher

Mr. Sharp (VP) and Mrs. Klco (P) 

Victoria got to attend the ceremony. 

Austin and his besties. 

Mr. Noriayn (VP) and Mr. Sawchuk (P)

Discovery Eagles!

His advanced math teacher, who happened to be very young, and his favorite teacher!

Band teacher for only 1 year, but we grew very fond of him in this one year. 

Choir teacher who he had for 2 years and Victoria for all 3 years when she was there. Kai is now in orchestra with her daughter!

Erik even got to pop into Red Bell with me today so he could see my students from this year one more time. Erik will go to his last day of Elementary school tomorrow, so he won't be able to see these students again. As Mr. Billings said today at Erik's ceremony, "We're moving on so that the new kids coming in can have a turn to be where we are now." Onward and upward!

Many Visits

 I don't know where to start right now. I had more things to blog about, but I'll give more details about those later. On my mind right now are my crazy days Saturday and Monday and the results today. 

Let me lay out my Saturday schedule first.

9:00-10:45 Erik's last soccer game (Victoria was at her first dance recital of the day during this time)

11:00-12:00 Austin's piano recital

1:00-3:00 Erik was at his school fun fair at High Velocity Sports (got a ride with a friend)

1:30-4:30 I was volunteering at the bake sale for the second dance recital

6:00-9:00 we were all at the 3rd dance recital

Some time during the bake sale I received a text from Erik's friend Nicholas' dad saying that he thought Erik had broken his pinky while being a goalie at the fun fair during a soccer game with some middle schoolers. When I came back to eat between dance recitals, Erik was in a lot of pain. We iced him, gave him ibuprofen, and convinced him to come to the Victoria's last dance recital. Jason got him a big slurpee to hold onto for the beginning and I got him something from the bake sale to much on during intermission. 

Meanwhile, Austin, who celebrated his birthday the day before and had missed school for 2 1/2 days due to a fever, developed a bad ear infection on his birthday night at the movie theater. We were giving him ibuprofen Saturday and Sunday. So, Monday morning, I woke up knowing that I would have to make an appointment for Austin's ear and Erik's finger that day. I already had an appointment set up for Kai to get her cast off. 

Austin's appointment was first. His ear infection was so bad, the doctor said she thought it was probably killing him just to move his head. He got some antibiotics and is doing much better. I left work early to take him and after dropping him back off at school with more ibuprofen and an antibiotic pill in his system, I picked up Kai to take her to get her cast off. I came home and took my mom to the airport, then picked up Erik for his visit to the Urgent care that we had signed up online to get in line for. Having had lots of experience with broken bones lately, I know you can only get bones casted after the swelling has gone. So, we kept giving him pain killer and I took him when I could. They confirmed the break, referred us to the very same orthopedic office that I was at earlier that day, and I took Erik there today. 

I didn't take pictures of all the angles. I just can't look at it too much, it makes me hurt.

The bone is definitely broken and the doctor suggested he get surgery to put some pins in, but also wasn't against Erik just getting a cast for 4 weeks instead. He said that it won't be very obvious that it isn't straight, in the future, and that he shouldn't have any mobility problems. The surgery would have just been mostly cosmetic. Since Erik was absolutely adamant that he not get surgery (it wasn't "I don't want to" , it was "I won't get surgery!") we decided the cast would be fine. Back in January,  Austin didn't have a choice and it was a little traumatic, but definitely worth it in his case, though I don't know how Erik would have faired with all the surgery procedures. He was crying with just the thought of it. That's why he looks so happy getting his cast on!

Big cast for a little pinky...

We go back next week for another x-ray to be certain it's healing properly, otherwise, he'll have to get surgery right away before it's too late. So, everyone pray that it will be healing properly, because he's still adamant that he won't get surgery. 

Phew, I'm tired...

Another wrist

Kai's had some excitement going on. She heard a "pop" from her wrist/ thumb area while trying to hurry and get something out of the car (something they're not permitted to do during school) when her bracelet got caught on something and she pulled really hard.  Her thumb was swollen, so we thought it was that. The school nurse recommended that we get an x-ray.  The x-ray showed a small fracture at the very end of the radius, which is why it affected the thumb.  The urgent care referred us to a hand specialist because they weren't sure if it needed a cast, the brace was pretty good. However,  the specialist decided that 3 weeks in a cast would be best for proper healing.  This is the fourth broken wrist in our family- 3 by Austin. 

The doctor said, "I'm guessing you want a black cast?" Lol!

Sadly,  she won't be able to play in her final orchestra concert this week and was just recently made First Chair. So hopefully she gets that opportunity again next school year. She also was recently chosen as Student of the Month by her math teacher for the month of April. We were very surprised by this because she hasn't liked her math teacher very much this year. He hasn't always honored her 504 plan and geometry hasn't been her favorite. When we found out he was the one who nominated her, we were shocked! It turns out, he noticed how hard she has been trying and improving this whole school year and wanted to recognize her for that. I was touched that he recognized that and I know Kai was too. It seems they have a better relationship now. Thank you, Mr. Zirk!

Kai also had a clay pot selected to be entered into the Art Show two weeks ago. It was a very busy day, but I wanted to be sure to stop by to find it and take a picture of it with Kai. 

So proud of Kai! Kai's my only child not graduating from something this school year, but moving on to be an upperclassman!

Tiny Dragon

Before the Multi-Stake Western Dance

Mother's Day/Dad's Birthday

 It's funny writing this title since my dad's birthday was on Mother's Day this year. However, I am referring to the fact that Jason's birthday was the next day. I didn't actually get to talk to my dad and Mary Lou on Sunday because they were finishing up their cruise, though we texted and then Jason talked to them on his birthday, so that was good for everyone. 

Jason and I celebrated both of us on Friday night at the temple and then we went out for sushi afterward. It was so good!

On Sunday,  the talks were exceptionally good, as typical for Mother's day and the Primary children, all 12 of them, sang their hearts out.

We just got a new RS presidency last week because the previous RS president is now the Bishop's wife. For that reason, I didn't expect much from the Relief Society meeting,  but Esther had planned things as soon as she was called  and had quiche and fruit for us to enjoy after we listened to the testimonials of our previous president and a counselor. We each got a rose with a question on it for a conversation starter. The Young Women were with us, which was so fun, so we conversed with all the ladies. It was simple and so perfect. 

We zoomed with my mom and Jim,  had good conversation with our kids, and watched The Chosen. Jason made delicious fried rice with chicken and shrimp that was a hit with me and the kids, minus Erik, of course.  Kai made an extraordinary cake with fresh strawberry frosting.  

They got me some sweet cards and goodies,  plus a new bush for our yard. 

Victoria made the adorable picture collage with pressed flowers. 

It's an Arrowood Viburnum and will look so good for the grad party and beyond! I took this pic today and it looks like it needs to be watered...

One thing I have been enjoying with my kids lately is watching a show with them. We used to have Friday movie nights and watch a movie from Netflix,  either as a couple, or a family.  We kept getting busier and busier and were trying to finish watching Lost with Kai and Erik (Victoria and Austin lost interest). So we discontinued our Netflix movie delivery and finished that.  It's easier to fit in a 40 minute episode on a Friday or Saturday than a 2 hour movie.  At some point,  Victoria and I started watching Gilmore Girls when we could,  which has been so fun! Then Kai wanted me to start the new She-ra with her (those are 20 minute episodes) and Austin, Jason, and Erik wanted me to watch The Mandalorian with them. This has been one of the best things I could do to spend time with each of my family members.  We enjoy discussing the show,  relaxing for a short time after some very busy schedules, and just being together.  These times with them have really helped me to not be so overwhelmed with everything going on in my life.  I cherish these moments ✨️ 💖. 

Bright and early the next morning,  I gave Jason some apple gouda sausage to cook for himself for breakfast.  He says it was good! We have a pretty tight schedule on weekday mornings,  so there's not much time for big breakfasts, but he works from home on Mondays,  so he had a few extra minutes to make it. Though he still had a very busy work day- lots of online meetings!

A fun diversion was that our good friend Ryan Strum, his brother baptized Jason, happened to be coming to our area for work  and came right to our house after flying in. He was a little later than he thought,  but I got to see him for about 20 minutes after I got off work and before taking Kai to get her cast on (more on that next post). Jason got to visit with Ryan for almost 2 hours! Though we forgot to take pics. 

The only positive thing about Kai's cast yesterday afternoon is that she didn't have to go to work,  so we got to eat dinner together for Jason's birthday! I grilled some garlic pepper hamburgers with pepper jack cheese and made homemade fries and a salad. Kai made another cake (both of these were made one-handed, but I think with the actual cast on it's harder). 

47!

Victoria had to run off to dance after this. 

Jason's big gift was an air fryer. He got some candy and a balloon as well.  

We did our traditional birthday Beatles song and dance and then watched The Mandalorian.

Now Victoria says they can relax from being so good to us because Mother's Day and another parent birthday is over!