The "Finnster, et al."

This year Sam is on Praise Team. In order to be on Praise Team, each student must pick an audition song, audition in front of the other Praise Team members and hopefuls, and be selected.  After singing a solo in the Tennessee Play, Sam decided that he really wanted to try out for Praise Team.  His biggest hurdle - picking an audition song.  He felt compelled to audition with a praise and worship song, but those songs are usually really long, repetitive and not in Sam's key.  As Sam has not hit puberty yet, he is still a first soprano. After much talk, whining, fussing, arguing and explaining, I finally convinced Sam to audition with "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" by Elvis.  It is short, it is melodic, it is in his range, and it really highlights his voice.  Even though he agreed to use the song, he didn't believe that I actually knew what I was talking about.  However, when he got home from his audition, he thanked me for the song selection and told me t

Every summer we spend a weekend at Eddie and Elaine's lake house. This year it happened to fall the weekend after the first week of school. The boys had cross country meet the night before so we got up early on Saturday and drove to Sparta.  My favorite thing to do when we go to the lake is to the Falls. If the water level is high enough we can take the boat most of the way back to the falls. Two years ago we went to Fanchers Falls, this year we went to Burgess Falls.  This was me right before I "gracefully" fell back into the water.  The rocks were really slippery and I was not strong enough to pull myself up.  I love Burgess Falls.  We swam out to the falls  - the water was freezing and the current was pretty strong as we got closer to the falls.  Sam was sure he was going to drown. He had a hard time breathing because of the cold water, he had a hard time swimming against the current, the water splashed into his eyes and bothered him.  Its no wonder that he started to

This was the first Cross Country Meet of the Season - the Up Dog Meet.  I didn't get to go.  Mom took these pictures for me.   This meet took place at Sander's Ferry Park.  Finn has run this course several times, so he knew exactly what to expect.  Sam, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. He was so scared that he would come in last place. The night before his meet I tucked Sam into bed and spent a lot time encouraging Sam.  We talk about how Sam only needs to worry about doing his best.  I reminded Sam that he is 5th grader running against 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I reminded Sam that he hasn't hit puberty yet and that he is running against boys who have already hit puberty.  I reminded Sam that he is his only competition. He hugged me goodnight and thanked for me for talking to him.   I am so proud to report that Sam Begley ran the entire race without stopping. It was hard, but Sam is learning that he can do hard things. And, Sam did not come in last.  Finn did really

These are just a few pictures from Finn and Sam's first week of school.  Finn is in 7th Grade this year and Sam is in 5th Grade.  It is a big year for Sam because he is an official middle schooler! Middle School means that you have to tuck your shirt in every day and wear a belt.  Finn hit his growth spurt this summer.  Will did not have to start for another few days so he lounged around the house in his undies.  This was the night of Kindergarten Orientation.  Michael took the boys to the Middle School football game while I went to orientation. (Finn and Sam had just come from cross country practice.)

During his 6th Grade year, Finn tried out for and made the DA 5th/6th Grade Basketball team.  It was a crazy season.  Because most public schools in the area do not have 6th grade teams, the DA team schedule was constantly changing - many times at the very last minute.  Finn enjoyed playing for his school.  He was a starter and played under the basket as a forward.  Finn's number was 00.  They won most of their games. Their toughest competition was Goodpasture.  They had a 6th Grader who was already over 6 foot tall.  Finn was given the task of guarding him. It was so funny to watch Finn bounce off of this kid.  Despite the noticeable size differential, Finn was able to slow him down a bit.  Finn's coach was a young guy right out of college - Coach Charlie.  I asked Finn what he liked best about his season and he told me that he really liked the practices.  Most of his closest friends were on the team and he was about to hang out with/cut up with/work hard with his friends.  Th