sam's quiz

 Sam's 2013 end of the school year quiz

Favorite color:  blue
Favorite food:  steak and potatoes
Favorite number: 7
Favorite Candy:  Reese's
Favorite movie: Avenger's
Favorite TV show:  Sports center
Favorite thing to do with dad:  play basketball, watch sports
Favorite thing to do with mom:  cook
Favorite thing to do with zach:  pups because i am dr.evil eye
Favorite thing to do with Maggie:  basketball
Favorite thing to do with Casey: baby casey
Favorite thing to do with Jill:  airplane and rodeo
Favorite thing to do with Anna:  airplane and rodeo
Favorite sport to watch: college football
Favorite sport to play: basketball
Favorite song:   peponi by piano guys and alex boye
Favorite hymn:  251. behold a royal army
Favorite Animal:  cougar
Favorite book:  Way of Kings
Favorite ice cream flavor:  rocky road
Favorite Restaurant:  pei wei
Favorite Scripture Story:  ammon
What are you good at doing?  being awesome
What do you like about yoursef?  that i am awesome
What makes you happy? basketball
What are you afraid of? the things in the dark
What new thing would you like to learn this year?  waterfall by jon schmidt
What would you do with $100? tithing and probably save the rest.  what would you save it for?  a ukulele.
What do you like to do for other people?  help.  help what.  stuff.  what kind of stuff.  i don't know.  anything.
If you could go anywhere where would you go?  to sleep
What did you like about 9th grade?  better teachers
What are you excited for in 10th grade?  chemistry
What do you wish was different at school?  the dope-a-ropes
What is your favorite thing to do in Arizona? hang out with cousins
What is your favorite thing to do in Missouri? i don't know.  hang out with family.
What do you want to do in ten years?  be on my way to medical school.
What do you want to be when you grow up?  a lasik eye surgeon

duct tape

Sam went to the annual "duct tape prom"  hosted by the choir.  

Not much about prom, but a lot about duct tape.  

Entire duct tape wardrobes were donned and the kids went and boogied.  

I wish I had more pictures.  

Sam

It has been a long time since I have posted about Sam.  Much too long.  School ends in less than two weeks and I can't believe the growth that has happened over his first year in high school.  I can hardly remember the nerves and anxiety of sending him off to a very unknown place.  There have definitely been ups and downs.  Choir has been a great addition to his schedule, earning advanced on his EOC's was a boost to academic confidence, and winning the 3 on 3 March Madness competition was great fun.  But, not making the basketball team back in October was a hurdle to overcome. Yet, in the end, I think it may have been the best thing for him.  He has been able to focus so much more on school and piano.  

Which brings me to this post.  

Last night was Sam's piano recital and boy was it a recital:  33 kids and 2-plus hours.  Needless to say, it was a tad bit painful.  Sam was sitting up front and I wondered if he was dying of boredom.  At one point, Ron leaned over and asked if I thought Sam was comparing himself to the other kids, wondering if he was the best one there.  I honestly said, no.  I think it probably never even occurred to Sam.  I watched as he sat and clapped and waited and waited.  There were lots of kids in front of him and I saw him cheer for others with very different skill levels.  As we sat there, I thought back at Sam's year and who he is. Sam has a quiet way about him and with humility, he is almost unable to see other's faults or weaknesses. 

 I love that about him.  

As I look back over the year, I see times when Sam has been wronged, or left behind.  It is sad to say, but I am usually the one who is more upset and ready to pounce.  I am grateful to have Sam to teach me that others make mistakes too, and kindness and giving others a second chance is always the right way.  

For the recital, Sam played a piece by Jon Schmidt that was a little stretch for him and also introduced the Baptist church chapel to "Called to Serve."  He did a fantastic job and I was really amazed at his ability to carry humility and kindness in his demeanor.  I couldn't help but think as he played, that all of the qualities he showed that night will be put to great use as a missionary and as he continues to grow and learn. 

 Congrats on a  job very well done, Sam.  I love the man you are becoming. 

A driver

Watch out!!  You know the funny thing that people say about staying off the sidewalks when someone gets their permit?  Well, in our house it isn't too funny because the truth hurts.  

Sam has his permit and is scared to death.  I should say that the adult in the car is too.  

Hopefully, with a little more practice, he will be able to be a full fledged driver in October.  

I did say hopefully.

Oh yah, 8th grade graduation

This was a new one for us in many ways.

1.  Sam is the first to graduate from eighth grade.

2.  I did not officially graduate from eighth grade.

3.  But, wouldn't you know, Ron did.

4.  Yes, we had to buy the cap and gown.

5.  Is Sam really going to high school next year?

 6.  Am I getting that old?

6.  And, no, you aren't getting a graduation present, Sam.

CONGRATS to Sam for whatever needs to be congratulated.

Sam's Quiz

Favorite color:  blue
  Favorite food:  steak and potatoes
 Favorite number: 7
Favorite Candy:  Reese's
 Favorite movie: i would have to look
  Favorite TV show:  Sports Nation
 Favorite thing to do with dad:  play basketball
Favorite thing to do with mom:  make food
 Favorite thing to do with zach:  play video game
  Favorite thing to do with Maggie:  tasty morsel
 Favorite thing to do with Casey: play star wars
Favorite thing to do with Jill:  airplane
Favorite thing to do with Anna:  zerbert
Favorite sport to watch: college football
Favorite sport to play: basketball
 Favorite song:   Teach Me How to Jimmer
Favorite Primary song:  What?  I can't remember any of them
 Favorite Animal:  kangaroo
Favorite ice cream flavor:  chocolate cheesecake
Favorite Restaurant:  Cheesecake Factory
 Favorite Scripture Story:  Captain Moroni
 What are you good at doing?  basketball
 What do you like about yoursef?  I'm so good looking
  What makes you happy? basketball
What are you afraid of? what's in the dark
 What new thing would you like to learn this year?  anything 
 What would you do with $100? basketball stuff
What do you like to do for other people?  watch anna for mom
  If you could go anywhere where would you go?  byu basketball camp
What do you like about school?  playing games on the computer
What are you excited for in high school?  learning new things
What do you wish was different at school?  we didn't play games on the computer every hour
What is your favorite thing to do in Arizona?  hang out with Jadon and Bryson
 What is your favorite thing to do in Missouri? basketball
What do you want to do in ten years?  graduate from byu
What do you want to be when you grow up?  professional basketball player - i think that would be AMAZING!

Sam is fourteen

Can't believe the kid is so old.  Eighth grade and fourteen definitely equals old.  Sam has grown so much since becoming a deacon, and looking ahead, the next two years will be no different.  I have a sneaky suspicion that a major growth spurt is about to come and that his body may start to catch up to those grand arms and legs.  So, here are fourteen reasons why we love having Sam in our family:

 1.  Sam is our favorite babysitter.

2.  He chooses very good music and is extremely careful with what he is willing to listen to.  

3.  Sam knows the scriptures.  I am constantly amazed at what stories he is able to tell.

4.  As the only boy in grades 6, 7, or 8 that is a Mormon, Sam stands tall as a great example of what he believes.

5.  Anna loves Sam to give her airplane rides and they are fast buddies on Monday afternoons while the rest of us go to gymnastics.

6.  He knows soooooo much about college football.  He knows who is good, who the best players are, what uniform options teams have, superstitions, injuries, and through it all . . .

7.  He is still loyal to BYU

8.  Sam is great at making dinner and likes good food.

9.  He is very active and enjoys playing basketball

10.  He can surprise you with acts of kindness

11.  Sam is the best lawn mower we can hire and he insists it is so much fun, he would love to work for free.

12.  He nervously bites his nails, and doesn't like it much when reminded to stop

13.  He is a book worm

14.  He is a fantastic example to five younger siblings of learning, living, and loving the gospel.

Happy Birthday, Sam!!  Hope it is a great one!!

Castoff

A week before school started, Sam was at a friend's house and broke his arm.  The story isn't so exciting and he wished many times that he was actually riding the four wheeler when it happened.  But, 5 weeks later, and no sports to keep him busy, he finally has his cast off.  He started with a cast above the elbow, then was given a little freedom in the black cast.  Now, he is completely free and happy to have access to itch and apply lotion to a very irritated arm.  The doctor made mention of the ASU shirt, wondering why in the world he would betray Missou on the day of the big game.  Well, Sam has always had a little team rebellion in him.  Go Devils!!  (And, they did win.)
P.S.  I love Jill peeking to see the action.  She wasn't quite sure about the noisy saw.