It's all up to you...

So it is that time of year again - school conferences.

This time there was a theme to the conferences but I will get to that in a minute. I believe I have talked before about how in middle school the conferences are student led. This means that the kids talk about their grades and papers they have done. The teachers walk around and talk a bit if you have any questions. I understand why they make kids do this but would rather have a more traditional talk with the teachers.

So Vern starts going through his papers. I see many individual grades below par. I ask him what is going on?  I get back "I don't know."  What can you do to improve this paper next time? "I don't know." You get the picture.

Finally a teacher shows up to talk about Vern and his grades. They proceed to say along the lines of the following: Vern is doing well but sometimes does not pay attention in class.  I think Vern could do better.  Next teacher: Vern is not working up to his potential. Vern is choosing to rush through his papers.  Next teacher: It is all up to what Vern chooses to do. Vern grasps the concepts very well but needs to apply himself. Next teacher: (Math) Wow, Vern has really improved his grades and how he acts in class. He is doing much better than first semester.

So the theme really rang true with all the teachers. Vern you are at a juncture in your life where you can choose the outcome. You are an extremely smart kid that grasps ideas at a much higher grade level. What will you choose to do with your gifts Vern?

It is all up to you!!!

Bulls Eye!

I know.
I know.

It has been a long time since a post. Chalk it up to 10-12 hour days at work. Doesn't leave much time for typing.

Vern finally got to try out his bow and arrows he got for Christmas. We had a break in our F-R-I-G-I-D weather for a day and we ran out bought a bale of straw and set up his shooting area.

He had a great time shooting his zombie targets.  One of the arrows broke on the first shoot.  The rest of us also tried shooting the zombie. John hit the zombie in the chin, Superman hit the zombie in the arm, I hit the zombie in the gonads, and Vern hit the zombie right smack in the forehead! Mind you the zombie on the bale was only a picture of his head so you get an idea of where we all hit the zombie in relation to the head on a bale of straw. Yes, I need either more practice or assume that zombies hit in the balls will take them out! HA HA

It is back to frigid so no shooting lately but maybe in a few weeks we will be back out shooting.  I can tell you one thing with Vern around we will be ready for the apocalypse.

Christmas 2013

Vern had another successful Christmas. I am using his new "gaming" mouse to write this blog.  He had to have this certain one and he loves it. He all ready said it helped him win a rare something in Mine Craft.  I am glad he is happy.

We opened presents on Christmas Eve this year since they were at their dad's for Christmas Day. We took an official secret vote and it was 3-2 in favor of December 24.  We picked the kids up in the morning and they were ready to tear into their gifts... Awe too bad they had to wait until AFTER dinner. AH the travesty of it all.

You see John was working until the afternoon and then shortly after he arrived home we headed out a full hour early for church. Yes the church fills up that much on Christmas Eve for services. We got the seats John and Ann wanted and the service was nice. It is the kind of service that just makes you smile.  The jist - if you have Thanksgiving in your heart you have Joy. So no matter how low you feel there is some Joy in there. I cried during the lighting of the candles and singing Silent Night. Lighting candles in a church setting always gets to me since December 10, 2010...

After we got home we had a quick dinner of soup that had been simmering in the crock-pot and the presents were soon opened after. It was a very fun day and it made me FULL OF JOY.

The kids headed back to their dad's around 11 and we went to bed happy and satisfied with the day.


What a teen!

His very pretty sister!!! Loved this photo.

Shot to death - again and again!

Vern was in a mood today. He got into trouble and was in his room for a while.  I decided I should go in and check on him.

I knocked on the door.

I opened the door assuming Vern would be curled up on his bed.

BAM
BAM

I was hit with two quick shots from the Nerf Shot-Gun.

I fall to the floor from the direct hit.

Vern pulls out the tommy Nerf gun.

BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM

I am completely dead now but can't help giggling.

I roll over and the third gun unleashes.

BAM
BAM
BAM

I am dead 3 times over but it put Vern in a better mood so all is well and his anger is gone!

Braces

Well our little Vern has reached that time in junior high when many kids get braces. Vern is one such lucky kid. Here are some photos from that morning.  First we have the before picture. Look at how happy and unknowing he is...

Before braces.

I call this next photo - Clown face. He looks like one of those clowns in a horror movie. He was getting braces applied.

Next we have more installation. They have this down to a science on how quickly they apply those little buggers.

Finally we have AFTER!!!!!  The pain still had not hit yet. That was later that day and for the next 4 days. Vern was sure he could never eat regular food again.

He is used to them now and doing well. Let's just hope he keeps up his brushing and flossing so he doesn't get ugly stains or worse...lose a tooth.