First Day of School!

And the first day since Cameron's been out of school, that I've been able to take a REAL lunch hour - hence the afternoon post. Yahoo! I used my "lunch hour" to take Cameron to skate camp this summer, and then drive home again, so this is great to have some down time again! Anyway, back to the original topic ... First Day of School!

Here it is … a day that ALL parents look forward to. Do not kid yourself; we all look forward to the routine and structure that accompanies the first day of school! Two months of summer vacation goes pretty fast, especially when it is jam packed with all the necessary activities: vacations, staying up late, summer camps, swimming, and “I’m bored …” ☺ Despite the readiness for school to start up again, it is truly bittersweet.

This morning Kailee and Alex came over, so I got to drop all three off for their first day of school. The kids all had pancakes, took turns getting their hair “done” and were so good and patient to take the infamous first day pictures. See below – they are GREAT! What a treat to be the one to experience this with them. My niece and nephew started Kindergarten and Preschool, and even though they went to the school last year, this is a new year. More kids attending and new teachers. They were very excited. And even though I have gone through this day for the past few years now, it is still hard, and I still managed to have a few tears in the car on the way home. After all, my baby started 3rd grade today!

I know Cameron all too well, and was not surprised that he “didn’t want to go back to school”, yet he had a stomachache yesterday because he was excited and had a hard time going to sleep last night. I know he is anxious for the adventure to begin; anxious to see his friends; anxious for the organization of a school day/week that he needs to stay focused. I knew that with all the chaos going on at school, and that he would be so excited to get out and see his friends that I probably wouldn’t get my usual "morning kiss in the car when I drop him off." I walked all the kids onto the school playground, and by the time I had set Alex’ bag down and turned around, he was off with his bud Tyler. I made a bold move for a mother of a 7-year old … I walked out onto the playground where they were all playing. I know. How embarrassing, right? I was prepared for the reception that I figured I would get, but did not care. Chatted with the two boys for a minute, unthinkingly asked if they wanted me to take a picture, and … check the weather forecast in hell because … Cameron said yes. What? Who are you? Not MY son … not the one that hates having his picture taken, and more often than not, refuses to smile. ☺ Picture was taken, (also see below), covered my bases with “Be Good” and “Have a Great Day,” one more kiss from Kailee and Alex, and I was outta there. If the response to my question this afternoon of “How was school?” is any different from the normal “Fine” or “Good” … then I’ll be sure and post details. But don’t hold your breath. Oh, and that usual "morning kiss in the car when I drop him off"? I got it on the playground. ☺ Happy First Day of School!

First Day of 3rd Grade!

First Day of Kindergarten and Pre-School!

Thanks for my AWESOME Nike's Aunt Heather!

Damn good looking group of kids. :)

Shelby making sure Alex doesn't fall over!

Oh Auntie!

Ahem. Um, patiently waiting for me to find my car keys.

Cameron and his buddy Tyler at school

Wakeboarding Video

A couple of weeks ago we took the boat out, and Cameron tried wakeboarding again. He did great! Hopefully you can see this video clip. He got up on about his fifth try, even though it wasn't for very long. Honestly think he was so excited and surprised that he was up, that he forgot to keep going! Try and tune out the background whoop from me ... sorry, I got a little excited! After all, he achieved more than I did! (ie: torn ACL from MY first - and last - lesson.)

Cameron's Journal

A while back (See the post from May 27th) I mentioned that Cameron had to write in a journal in his 2nd grade class. He brought it home at the end of the year, and gave permission for us to read through it. Some of the entries are so touching that I truly cried. Others, well lets just say that I cried with those too, but only because they were absolutely hilarious ... typical of a 7 year old, typical of Cameron. :) It appears the entries were written about whatever happened to be on his little mind at the time. As promised, two months ago, here are some of Cameron's journal entries, written EXACTLY as he had written. This is a long post, but so worth it. Enjoy!

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Today is Tuesday, September 11, 2007. If I could change one thing in the world, it would be everything is a dollar.

Today is Friday, September 14, 2007. Saturday mornings are great for playing video games.
Today is Monday, September 17, 2007. My favorite food is nachos. I do not like green beans.
Today is Monday, September 18, 2007. I am happy when my dad gets a new truck.

Today is Monday, September 24, 2007. Over the weekend I went to LegoLand.

God made Wednesday, September 26, 2007. In chapel I learned how to Praise the Lord.

God made Friday, September 28, 2007. I like Friday because tomorrow is Saturday.

God made Monday, October 15, 2007. On Fall Break, I went to Las Vegas. I went to the shark reef, and I went to Peter Piper Pizza, and I went to the park.

God made Tuesday, October 16, 2007. Yesterday I learned how to eat a root beer float.

God made Thursday, October 18, 2007. I am a friend because I teach them how to skateboard.

God made Tuesday, October 23, 2007. I like the fall weather because I can skateboard.

God made Wednesday, October 24, 2007. I learned in chapel about Mr. Potato Head.

Good morning God! I love you. Today is October 29, 2007. My hallelujah is my family.

Good morning Lord! You made Tuesday, October 30, 2007. This is what I looked like on Crazy Hair Day.

Good morning Lord! I love you! Wednesday, October 31, 2007. In chapel I really learned nothing.

Good morning Lord! I love you! November 1, 2007. My hallelujah is for my mom and dad.

Good morning Lord! I love you! Today is Friday, November 2, 2007. Today Heather is coming to my house.

Good morning Lord! I love you. God made Tuesday, November 6, 2007. I love to eat nachos on Thanksgiving because they are good.

Good morning Lord. God made Wednesday, November 7, 2007. The Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower.

Good morning Lord! God made Tuesday, November 13, 2007. The Mayflower is a ship that sailed in 1620.

Good morning Lord! God made Wednesday, November 14, 2007. It is more important to give than receive because, I don't know.

I love you Lord! God made Monday, November 19, 2007. At our Thanksgiving play, I will dance.

I love you Lord! God made Tuesday, November 20, 2007. I am thankful for my Family!

Good morning Lord! God made Tuesday, November 27, 2007. We always thank Jesus because he first loved me.

God made Thursday, November 29, 2007. I wish I could fly to space. Mars is my favorite planet.

God made Monday, December 3, 2007. My favorite holiday cookies are pumpkin.

God made Tuesday, December 4, 2007. The gingerbread man was getting eaten and then he died.

God made December 13, 2007. Christmas means 3 things to me. Jesus' birthday, getting presents, spending time with my family.

God made Monday, December 17, 2007. The best part about the Christmas play was sitting down.

God made Wednesday, December 19, 2007. I believe Jesus died on the cross.

Monday, January 7, 2008. On Christmas Break, I did many things. One thing was I got Rock Band. I liked it because you can play the drums and base and sing. I went to my Grandma's house on Christmas. The best part was when I got to see my triplets. It made me so happy because I got to play with them.

God made Tuesday, January 8, 2008. In wintertime, this is how I make a snowman. First, you roll a snowball. Second you roll another snowball. Third you roll another snowball. Finally you put the eyes on, then you put the hands on and you put the hat on and you put a mouth.

God made Thursday, January 10, 2008. If I were a rich person, I would buy a viper.

The Lord made Wednesday, January 16, 2008. Today in chapel I learned nothing about nothing.

The Lord made Tuesday, January 22, 2008. I have learned two interesting facts about Australia. One fact is a Coocaburra catches fish. The second fact is a dingo is a dog in Australia.

The Lord made Wednesday, January 23, 2008. I learned in chapel two things. One thing was nothing. The second thing was nothing.

Praise the Lord for Monday, January 28, 2008. I am very happy when I go to San Diego because there is lots of skate shops.

Praise the Lord for Thursday, January 31, 2008. Dear mom and dad, you are the best mom and dad in the world. I love you more than anything. I wish my family would be alive forever.

Praise the Lord for Wednesday, February 6, 2008. We learned in chapel that Pastor Cal has five dollars.

Praise the Lord for Monday, February 11, 2008. Three things I know about love: God is love, love is strong, and love is peace.

God created Tuesday, February 12, 2008. If I was the President, I would make bowling alleys free. I would change the cars.

Praise the Lord for Wednesday, February 20, 2008. Today in chapel I heard Pastor Cal say that Jesus is important.

Praise the Lord for Monday, February 25, 2008. This weekend I got a new skateboard. And I got signed up for skateboard camp. And I saw my Grandma.

Praise the Lord for Tuesday, February 26, 2008. I will follow directions because Jesus wants me to. And I want to obey because I can get a coin in class.

Praise the Lord for Thursday, February 28, 2008. If I made a playground it would have skateboard ramps.

Praise the Lord for Tuesday, March 4, 2008. We live in Arizona. Arizona has Cactus Wrens. It is different from Alaska because Alaska is freezing.

Praise the Lord for Thursday, March 6, 2008. I will obey today because I do not want to stay in at recess even though I already am.

God made Tuesday, March 25, 2008. My parents are good. I thank the Lord for my parents.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008. I want to know more about Jesus. One question I have about God is what is it like in Heaven?

Praise the Lord for Thursday, March 27, 2008. Yesterday at skateboard lessons I went down something bigger than my dad.

Praise the Lord for Monday, March 31, 2008. Tomorrow is April Fools Day. My joke would be I would make a mushroom cookie for my dad because he hates mushrooms.

The Lord made Thursday, April 3, 2008. The carnival is April 18. The funniest part will be putting Mrs. Lorts and Pastor Cal in jail.

Praise the Lord for Monday, April 14, 2008. On the weekend I went to my award ceremony for skateboarding. I learned how to drop in on something 9 feet tall.

Praise the Lord for Tuesday, April 15, 2008. I am a smart person when I think.

Praise the Lord for Wednesday, April 16, 2008. In chapel today, Pastor Cal said that we were being good. He gave us candy because we were good.

Praise the Lord for April 17, 2008. A person without self-control is like the devil.

Praise the Lord for Monday, April 21, 2008. My favorite three things at the carnival were: 1. Obstacle course 2. Slide 3. Paint ball

Praise the Lord for Tuesday, April 22, 2008. If I could be anyone in the world I would be me because I like being me.

Praise the Lord for Wednesday, April 23, 2008. I learned in chapel to have self-control. I like to learn what the Bible says because I like to learn about Jesus.

The Lord made Thursday, April 24, 2008. Sunshine is hot and sweaty. It makes me hot and sweaty. I already told you that!

Praise the Lord for Friday, April 25, 2008. Five things I would do with $5,000. 1. Buy new skateboards. 2. I would buy pencils. 3. A hat. 4. New shirts. 5. New shoes.

Praise the Lord for Monday, April 28, 2008. Over the weekend I did 3 things. I went to see my Grandma and Papa, I got Mario Kart Wii, and I got to go to Desert Devils.

Praise the Lord for Thursday, May 1, 2008. Today is National Prayer Day for the USA that people will love Jesus.

God created today, Tuesday, May 6, 2008. Jesus is really good. I am good too. My parents are good too.

God created Friday, May 9, 2008. Yesterday I learned multiplication. A few facts are:
4 + 4 =8, 4 x 2 =8, 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 =10, 2 x 5 =10.

God made Friday, May 16, 2008. Yesterday, Water Day, was very fun. The best part was when we got the water balloon fight. I got Santino in the back 4 times with water balloons.

God created me and Monday, May 19, 2008. In the play, I am from China and say ni-hau. There are 7 continents and are named Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, South America and Antarctica.

The Ten Commandments:
1. I will love God more than any toy or anything else.
2. I will not make skateboarding in my life more important than God.
3. I will always say Gods name with love and respect.
4. I will honor the Lord by worshipping God on the 7th day.
5. I will love and respect my Mom and Dad.
6. I will never hurt anyone.
7. I will always be faithful to my wife.
8. I will not take anything that is not mine.
9. I will always tell the truth.
10. I will be happy with what I got. I will not wish for what others have.

Graduation!

Wow - I cannot believe that it is FINALLY over! The graduation ceremony was this last Saturday, and what a great day! What a great weekend!

Heather flew in from Portland on Friday, I took the day off and we spent the day shopping. Pretty much all day. Watched Cam skate for a while at camp, came home for happy hour and cocktails on the patio ...

... then we headed out for pedicures. It was a fantastic way to spend the day!




Saturday morning was hectic. I had to be at the University of Phoenix Stadium around 9:45 or so for lineup, the ceremony started at 10:30. Bryan had to work, so the initial plan was he would meet us out there as soon as he could. (The stadium is a good hour and 15 minutes or so away. I was hoping he would make it. (Come to find out the little you-know-what knew all along he would be there in time. Whatever. He LOVES to do that to me. Just add some more stress why don't ya?) Needless to say, the plan changed from him meeting us there, to Heather, Cam and I meeting him at the freeway by his work, and then to him making it home so we could all go together.

But .. to backtrack a little, he stopped by the house early Saturday morning with flowers and a present from him and Cam (beautiful diamond earrings!) which was a GREAT way to start my day! So of course, I forgave him for giving me a series of slight anxiety attacks. Here's Hayden standing next to my flowers. :)

So we all headed out Saturday morning for the ceremony. Mom and dad drove in that morning and met us there, along with Bryan's parents. I had quite the cheering section! The ceremony was incredibly long, but pretty cool. My new supervisor was the individual handing out diplomas on "my side" of the stage, which was very cool. And very similar to my Bachelor's ceremony, the announcer is also a co-worker and said my name with a tad bit more pizazz then the rest of the graduates. I know, talk about receiving the princess treatment! It really made the experience that much more special to have these individuals personally hand me my diploma!

Bryan and Cam waiting patiently for my turn. :)
"Do you see her dad? Does she have it yet? Can we go now? Is the snack bar open?"

Mom, Cam and I after the ceremony




Cam, Bryan and I after the ceremony

(Note: You can actually watch a replay of the ceremony by clicking on this link. It wasn't working over the weekend, but I checked it earlier today and it seemed to be good. The ceremony was webcasted live on Saturday. Aunt Cathy and Uncle John saw me graduate from Port Orchard! How cool is that? Anyway, the link takes you to the site, where you can choose the ceremony. The one to choose is University of Phoenix, Saturday, July 19th, at 1030 am. I've made it easy for you and can tell you EXACTLY where to fast forward to: my name is announced at 59:30 and there is another little side shot of me after the ceremony at about 2:15:30. By the way, that is my supervisor that is giving me a hug after handing me my diploma! :)

After the ceremony we headed home for some brief downtime (i.e. corona) and got ready for the big celebration. Somehow or another, Heather had a brilliant idea to design a custom skateboard for Cam. Cam took a shop board that he had, Bryan sanded it down, and Heather went to work designing the board. It is absolutely incredible. She worked all weekend on this thing - in between beverages of course - and did an amazing job. She may have found a new calling, or at least a pretty cool hobby! He was SO excited to take it to camp on Monday to use. Here are some pics of the board:

Cam using his new board in the backyard

Cam using his new customized hH board at skate camp, on the mega ramp. He was so excited Monday morning, that he could hardly eat his breakfast:

I had such a great time with everyone that came to the graduation party and am SOOOOO thankful for all of my friends and family that were there to help celebrate. Heather flew in from Portland, Mom and dad drove in from Vegas, and I think the next furthest out was Kerry and Chris from Chandler hee hee! :) Always a good time!

Kerry and Reagan



To the beer cooler please!

My girlfriend Lori and I - she also graduated on Saturday with her Bachelors

Some of the kids sitting by the fire and eating dinner - they worked up quite the appetite swimming: Cameron, Connor, Josh, Caitlin & Chas



Theresa eatin' some chow!

Cam giving me a BIG graduation kiss!

Dad and Chris



Mom and Kailee



Loving my hubby!




Lori's son Connor, and Cameron ... fast forward ten years. AAAACK!



Pushing the product ... gotta love my husband's buns! :) Go Holsum!



Sunday night's dinner: Steak, crab, and a two year old bottle of wine. The wine was "Alicia Peterson - 10 years in the making" wine that Aunt Cathy had given me for my Bachelors graduation in '06. We drank one bottle the weekend of my graduation and Heather and I felt it was appropriate to celebrate this graduation with the 2nd bottle. Of course, we wish Aunt Fluffy could've been here to help us, but she was home being a new Grandma! Yay! (Note: Heather was my photographer for the weekend - so thanks to her I have all of these great pics!)

The million dollar question has been asked numerous times, and here's the million dollar answer: Yes, I'd love to use my degree(s), eventually. I'm very fortunate to be telecommuting and in such a stable position with the company. The area that I would like to go into with criminal justice is an administrative position with a city or state agency, more specifically entitled: criminal records specialist. (At least from what I've found in the job postings). This is generally a budgeted position, and with the way our economy is out here (as I'm sure in many other cities) these are the first positions to be cut or downsized. Apparently many agencies feel the police officers have all the time in the world to be sitting at their desk handling these responsibilities ... at any rate, now is not the time for me to give up my benefits and privileges with UOP, so I'm holding off for now. :)

I'm back!

Yes, I know. It's been a LONG time since I last blogged. Sorry about that - but even bloggers have to take a vacation, right? So Cam and I headed up to the Pacific NW and had a great time. There are four different posts below with pictures from each "leg" of our trip. I got sick at the end of the trip and was down for the count for a few days after that. Between that and work, which is really busy right now, and getting ready for graduation, well let's just say it's been hectic. So let's see, not much else is going on. Cam is still going to skate camp. Friday wrapped up his 4th or 5th week of it, I can't even keep track anymore. He loves it, obviously. The last week at camp he won an award - a new skateboard! His coach nominated him and it was for his attitude (really?) and always willing to try new things and not giving up. Very proud and he was pretty excited. Been working in the yard a lot, and doing some things around the house. I guess the sort of things that I didn't have time for when I was in school? :) And yes, graduation is next weekend. Cannot believe it is here, and I honestly don't feel like I'm done yet. But I am. There is no way I am going to further my education any ... further. Looking forward to the party Saturday night with family and friends. I'll be sure to post pictures. From the ceremony? For sure. From the party? We'll see ...