August 2nd Avian and I decided to help Nick not feel so overwhelmed with everything. He was starting his advanced MOPAR training course and needed to be a little more organized. We went in and helped clean his room, organize his study material and clean up his study area. Much better now.
Avian made first cuts for the volleyball team. They were very excited.
August 3rd Avian found out they made the volleyball team. They were relieved to have the tryout process over. Time to look forward to the practices and games.
August 3rd I also had to take Nick to the Urgent Care to get another abscess drained. We got the same doctor who did his last one, Dr. Maurine! She was very nice and sympathetic for his having to come in again. Hopefully we can get this under control. It is getting better, but we would like MRSA to just go away!!!
August 4th I had orientation all morning. It is weird being an official full-time hire at a place where I have been working for the last 8 years. Avian had volleyball practice, then band camp, then a birthday party. It was a busy day for her.
Nick came home from work all smiles. He had gotten the Student of Course Pin for electrical diagnostics. This was the test that has most stressed him out so far. Way to go!
That night, during the Olympics, there was a man who ran 27 miles per hour in the 100 yard. He was so fast. It was incredible to watch.
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| Avian (in back) and her friend, Maeve (in front) |
August 8th into the 9th Nick could not sleep. He was really restless and his mind was going at 800 miles per hour. He was worried about his new classes, girls, friends, etc. I rubbed his back and tummy trying to help him settle down a little bit. FINALLY, at 2 am, he fell asleep. I was worried about him all day on the 9th, but he rocked his day. He had his first day of MOPAR from 6:30 am. to 1:00 p.m. then went to work from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then to inspection/emissions class from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This next three months is going to be grueling, but Nick is going to eat it up. He has wanted to do this since he was a little boy.
It was my first day at work as well. I spent the day finding a workspace and going to meetings.
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| My little hidey hole in the Media Center. I have a window! |
August 10th was picture day. I also met with Melanie Latza, the head of the MTSS Committee for LNC. Her office is at the elementary school so I got to go down the slide as well. That was so much fun.
August 12th was a big day for all of us. It was the first day of school for Avian's sophomore year. Nick got a 98% on his emissions and inspection test. He is now certified to do emissions and inspections. Jeremy spent the day at his Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) for UNCC and then worked late doing inventory at the bookstore.
August 13th I had carpool duty after school. The first few weeks of school are always a challenge getting everyone into a routine. We were out there until 4:20 (school gets out at 3:00) in the blistering heat. The parents were so good and understanding. After carpool was over I went to have my hair cut. Ashley is expanding her salon and I got her new stylist, Maddie. I really liked her.
Avian is playing front row, middle blocker and they love it. They are working on their jumping and this should turn out to be a great season.
Jeremy got himself registered for two classes! He is on his way to being a full-blown UNCC Niner!
August 14th Avian spent the day at Catawba College playing back-to-back games of volleyball. It was a great day to learn about the other teams and work on their skills. I got to watch the first two games and then had to head back to Charlotte for the bridal shower for the daughter of a good friend. Ravyn and Nick have grown up together and the Mullers are good friends of ours. I had just gotten to the shower when Avian called and said their games were all moved around and they would be finishing sooner then anticipated. I got back in the truck and hurried to the college in enough time to catch the last little bit of their final game. Avian was so energized and excited about the volleyball season after this experience.
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| That is Avian in the middle jumping up to spike the ball! |
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| Avian and Ashlyn waiting for the serve. |
Nick got more tools for work and then watched Cars 3 again. He is loving MOPAR!
August 15th Steve got a new calling at church. He is the new assistant ward clerk over membership. This will be a good thing for him. He was ready for a new challenge. The downside is that he will have to be released as a Sunday School teacher for the youth. He loves teaching the youth.
Nick came home from church and fixed his car. He had been driving around all summer long with no AC because the fan wasn't working. With his new skills in electrical he was able to diagnose the problem, get the new part and install it himself. He struggled for the first little bit, but it was all worth it when he took it for a spin WITH AC!
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| Steve made the cool contraption to hold all the wires while Nick soldered them. |
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| Big, fluffy clouds and the moon - because it makes me happy! |
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| The end of the rainbow is in our neighborhood! |
August 18th, Avian started at volleyball game. They won in two sets. Steve and I worked the ticket desk during the varsity game since Avian had to be a line judge. Back at home, Nick didn't want to do plyometrics by himself so I did it with him and then cut Avian's hair before taking a shower and falling into bed.
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| Avian's serves were very consistent and they scored a lot of points. |
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| I love that the girls are all good friends as well as team mates. |
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| Perfect serving form. |
August 18th I drove to CSD to watch the JV volleyball game. I had to leave early in order to get back to the middle school for Back to School Night. I was filling in for Mrs. Joplin since I had done it the year before. What should have been a 15 minute drive (which would have given me 45 minutes to get set up before the parents arrived in the room) turned into an hour drive because there was an accident on I-77. I did make it into the room with 2 minutes to spare but it meant sprinting across the parking lot from the high school in order to be there on time.
August 20th Nick and I went for a car ride. He needed help figuring out the universe. I was nice to get to talk to him. He has been so busy we hardly ever see him. Just in case you are wondering, we did not figure out the universe but we both felt a lot better about life.
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| Nick's newest addition to his tool collection. |
August 21st Steve passed another kidney stone at 5 in the morning. He had been uncomfortable for a couple of days. Little did we know he was in labor!! I spent the whole day getting ready for the Girls Night Out that night. We were celebrating a friend who had just finished her masters program. She wanted this to be a low-key night so her ex-husband would not find out so I will not give you too many details other than the fact I was really excited that her favorite cupcakes turned out! We had an amazing time just snacking and talking and laughing and celebrating. Way to go friend! The funniest part of the night was went Avian came downstairs and put her chin on the shoulder of my doppelganger. For years people have been getting the two of us confused both at school and at church. This just goes to prove that we really do look alike when our children can get us mixed up.
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| Proof that I can be a culinary artist if I choose to do so. |
August 22nd the kids wanted to watch The Rescue Heroes Movie and remember the good ol times. They had a great time laughing and sharing memories.
August 23rd the JV volleyball team won against A.L. Brown in two sets. The first set the final score was 25-6. Avian served 10 of those points!
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| All smiles after their 10 point serving run. |
August 26th Nick FINALLY took the electrical test that kept getting postponed due to technical issues. He was really nervous he would not pass. This was the hardest course for him. It was very intricate and involved and he worked himself up into quite a nervous state before taking the test. He passed it - 85%!!!!
August 27th Steve and I went out for our anniversary. I had gotten pre-season Panther's tickets vs. the Steelers through a trade at work (I work 2 pm carpools and I get two tickets - DEAL!) We went to dinner at CaioBella in uptown and then walked to Bank of America Stadium for the game. It was amazing. I have never been in the stadium before and the view of the city is stunning. Definitely one of my favorite anniversary celebrations.
August 31st the JV volleyball team won in two matches and the Varsity won in 4. This is looking like it will be a great season.