The first week of August was all tryouts for volleyball. August 1, Avian made it through round 1 of LNC try outs. They were discouraged by how they performed during the tryouts, but encouraged that they would get another day to show what they could really do. I spent the day working on cleaning carpets. Nick got a raise. Jeremy paid his tuition and went to a movie with a friend. Steve worked on Woodbadge stuff for the upcoming camp.
August 2, Avian felt much better about tryouts today. They blocked Rachel Turner (their big hitter) which made them feel really good!! When they got the news that they had not made the team they weren't upset because they put their best on show for the day. Avian trusts Coach Kiley to make the best decision for the team. We found out later that Avian was #14 on the list with the top 12 getting on the team. #13 was a senior who had been playing since freshman year. It was a tough pool this year!!!
That night was stake temple night. We drove down to Columbia with the O'Briens. I loved getting to know them a little better during the drive. In the temple it was really cool to be surrounded by people we knew. Everyone in the room was a friend and it was a special experience. We got to talk to the bishop (and his wife) of the singles ward. They gushed about how much they love Nick. I am grateful for them because Nick needs them in his life right now.
August 3rd Steve had an MRI of his shoulder done. Waiting for the results is never fun, especially when you fear the worst (surgery). Avian spent the whole day at band camp. They always have fun with their band friends. This year was different because we have a new band director for the high school. Avian said that Mr. Reavis was going to be a lot of fun and a good replacement for Mr. Scaringelli (although they will really miss Scari).
August 4th I got to go kayaking with Sara Muller. She was the one who introduced me to kayaking several years ago. We had a great time exploring the lake and talking.
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| Sara and me going on a kayaking adventure. |
Steve found out that he has a tear in his rotator cuff and it will need surgery. Not surprised, but not exactly happy to hear it. Oh well!! Avian had fun at day 2 of band camp.
August 5th, I went back to work to get ready for the new school year. It was weird to be back in the building. That evening the parents were treated to a performance by the pep band. We got to hear what they had been working on for two days. It is going to be a good group. Avian's friend, Anthony, joined Knight Watch with the drum section. The band just got a lot more entertaining. I think all of Avian's good friends are now in band together.
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| I put the plastic bottle next to it for a reference so you can see just how big and beautiful this watermelon was. |
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| I got our family pictures from the beach printed and on the wall. I love it!!! |
August 6th, Steve went to a knap-in with John Latham. He was in heaven being surrounded by other people who like to flint knap and make their own arrow heads and bows. I took Avian to see a chiropractor to help with the shoulder and neck tightness. It really is helping them feel better. I then went and helped a friend (Shea) build a shelf door for her daughter's bedroom. That was a fun project. Nick went on another long bike ride and then went to a YSA party. Jeremy worked (he is getting a lot of hours lately, but that is a good thing, until school starts). Avian had day 1 of CJV tryouts for travel volleyball.
August 7th was day two of tryouts. Avian said it was really fun. Now we have to wait to see if they made one of the teams.
August 11th - First day of school!!! Avian is a junior this year. That is so strange to me. They are really excited about everything that is coming up this year. They have two AP classes (APUSH and AP Lang) along with Art 3. It is going to be a great year.
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| First day of Junior year! |
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| Feeling a little silly. |
Our frog showed up again today! We have missed him. The spider that Steve loves to feed is also back. Everyone is happy.
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| Our cute frog perched on our porch pelican. |
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| Just hanging out |
That night we got to attend the wedding reception of one of Steve's Eagle Scouts, Garrison Stewart. It was such a festive occasion, which wasn't surprising knowing Garrison and Natalie's mothers. They can decorate anything and make it absolutely gorgeous!! It was good to see Garrison so happy. I have never seen him smile so much.
August 13th, Steve spent the day doing Woodbadge stuff. I took a morning walk with Sandra. Avian and I made a trip to the store to get our weekly groceries and to pick up some batteries for the walkies so Steve could use them at the next Woodbadge camp. We got everything on the list - except for the batteries!!! Oh well, we have a few days to get them. That afternoon, Nick and I tried making homemade peanut butter. We shelled and roasted the peanuts first and then put them in the food processor. It worked!!! Nick was very pleased with the results.
August 14th Avian and I set up their appointment to get their Level 2 license as well as signed them up for the SAT. Lots of big things coming up for Avian.
August 18th was Back To School Night. We got to learn a little more about what to expect for the coming year. Avian has several teachers I have never met. I liked getting to know their personalities and seeing how that would fit with Avian. This is going to be a great year. APUSH is going to be really challenging, but Avian is up for it. Jeremy asked for an equity increase at work and he got it!!! It was difficult for him to ask his boss for this raise, but he is glad he did.
August 19th was the first home football game of the year. Knight Watch was playing and they were very excited. The theme for the game was "America". All the student dressed in red, white and blue and supported the team.
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| Scaringelli was there to support Mr. Reavis for the first game of the season. |
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| They did a great job. |
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| Avian stole Ryland's hat. It is a really cool hat! |
August 20th, Avian and I started shopping for their Homecoming outfit. They had a picture of what they wanted and it was a treasure hunt to find all the pieces. Day 1 we found the shirt and the vest. That is a great start.
August 23rd was Jeremy's first day of school. He is really excited about his semester. All of his classes are in his major and he is very focused. Tiffany Greer came over for dinner and we worked on what we would like to play for our violin duet in church. Tiffany has been such a good influence in getting me to pick up my violin again and challenge myself. We picked the song "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and are going to perform the second Sunday in September as both her mother and my in-laws will be in town. After all this excitement, Ezra (Big E), one of Steve's favorite scouts, brought his girlfriend over to meet us. We loved Arianna. She and Ezra are good for each other. Arianna is going on a mission, but if everything works out once she gets back...
August 24th Steve got to go help with the Bishop's Storehouse shipment at the church. It is amazing how organized this is and how many people are served through this program. Seeing how everything comes together was good for Steve in his new calling as Stake Self Reliance Specialist.
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| Jennifer Wolfe showed me this bouquet of flowers Ryan made for her out of car parts. Ryan and Nick were really good friends during middle school and both LOVE cars. |
August 25th I taught a bread making class at the church. We are starting a new series for the sisters on how to become more self reliant. It was fun and everyone really enjoyed seeing just how easy making bread it. One lady told me she didn't like wheat bread, but came just to see how it was done. She had two pieces of bread and wanted the recipe. She called me a couple of days later to say she was making the bread for her family. It was a great night.
August 26th was the night of two football games. LNC had a home game and Avian was playing with Knight Watch. Steve and I had tickets to a Panther's pre-season game against the Bills. It was a rainy night so everything played out slightly differently than planned. Knight Watch played the national anthem to start the game and then ran back into the school before the rain came so their instruments wouldn't get ruined. A friend drove Avian home. Steve and I got to stand with a huge crowd of people waiting for the lightening threat to clear before they let us into the stadium. It had been pouring rain, so we had our big umbrella which kept us and another couple dry while waiting. I am always amazed at these games just how many fans there are for the other team. Charlotte really is a good collection of people from everywhere. When we got up to the security check, they told us we would have to throw the umbrella away before entering. We decided to take it back to the car because it was silly to throw it away. By the time we got back, the big crowd was much smaller and lines weren't as long. We didn't miss any of the game either. Steve got a drink and we headed to our seats. The people around us were fun again this year and we had a great time watching the game. I love live football. The halftime show was a mini football game played by young boys. The coaches of the teams were Luke Kuechly and Greg Olsen!! I miss seeing them play with the Panthers. Because we had strategically chosen our parking this year, we were able to get out of the city without any delay, even staying until the end of the game. It was well worth the $35 charge (which went to the neighboring church instead of a big parking company).
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| Waiting in the big crowd for the rain and lightening to clear. |
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| The sunset after the storm taken from the top of Bank of America Stadium |
August 27th - Steve and I have been married for 29 years!!! What???!!!??!
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| Our first Weenig family picture after Steve and I were married. Look how young we all are! |
Ironically, we spent the day doing separate things and then having dinner at Outback that night with the kids. That is what happens when you have been married this long.
August 28, Dr. Conner confirmed that Steve will need surgery to repair the tear in his shoulder. It is set for October 20th.
