Robby earned his Orange belt

As planned Robby tested for his Orange Belt last evening and He Passed ! I apologise for not having a picture to post but he was the only one testing yesterday so it was done between class segments ( instead of the more formal group testings ) at the Dojo. Mike did video tape the test but no still pictures were taken. Immediately after the test , class resumed. Robby did not even find out that he passed until class was over. Robby didn't seem to mind the waiting but it almost killed me. After the testing, Sensei David explains what the student did well and what still needs work . Then class resumes . Usually with color (lower) belts the outcome of whether there is an advancement or not and how much of an advancement is disclosed after class. ( in group testings they are disclosed openly, starting with the lowest current ranking student at the end of testing ,while all who were tested are lined up ) Testing is done in one of these ways until a student is ready to test for black belt which is a complete other procedure. Anyway, Robby knows the procedure so he didn't seem to stress, but I was another story. As I listened to Sensei David tell him some things that still needed work ( he had a few but that is why he was hoping for orange and not brown ) I got all stressed out. It sounded like so much ( Of course even Black belt's have room for improvement). I was so happy to hear that 7B ( low orange belt) at the end that I could have screamed.

Isn't it weird how something like this which is honestly teeny tiny in the scheme of life , can affect a parent so much? Be honest, how many have ever found yourself in a similar position? I have seen parents getting escorted off the field at hometown football games after confronting a ref who made a call against their child. I have witnessed severely heated parent teacher conferences. How about parents and coaches in shouting matches ? Wrong as it may be, I understand. At least I pride myself on stressing quietly.

A long time coming

On Tuesday after I had been at the hospital all morning, I got home in time to talk to Mike on his way home from work. Suddenly Mike informed me that his passenger's window in his car would not go up. Once home he discovered that he needed to replace some parts. ( only $150 worth ) I offered to take Robby to karate , drop Cindy at her open house so she could pick up her schedule, go back and pick up Robby followed by picking up Cindy so he could do what he needed. When I arrived back at karate it was a few minutes until the end of class so I sat outside of the class for a few minutes. One of the first things that I heard was Sensei David telling someone ( I assumed Robby ) that until he fixed something, he would not advance to the next belt. Since David had mentioned that Robby would probably test today ( Thursday) my heart sank for him. He has been trying so hard since he started almost two years ago against some developmental difficulties and endless ear problems and surgeries that have messed with his equilibrium big time. Anyway I felt bad but it is out of my hands so I offered it up and moved on. Finally class ended . As Robby was putting on his shoes I tried to hurry him up as I was parked behind another family who were quite adamant in sharing that they needed to leave because they were already late for something or another. I almost got to my car when Sensei David called out " DIANE" I turned as did Cheyenne.(a student ) He yelled to me " Test on Thursday" " Wonderful "I answered.Here it was not Robby at all that he was talking to earlier. So tonight Robby will test and hopefully earn his orange belt.I would wish him Good Luck but as a High school friend's Dear Mother used to tell us, You don't need luck when you have skill !

Update on Mom

I just got home from the hospital and wanted to let all know that Mom did well in her over four hour surgery. Everything went as planned and she should be home tomorrow . Thanks to all for the prayers, we truly appreciate them.

Another Update

Mom got home today ( Wednesday) I had two doctor's appointments so did not get over to see her but talked to Dad on the phone and am told that she is doing well

Monday oh Monday

Today has been such a hectic day here. First I had to cancel a couple doctor's appointments for tomorrow and reschedule for another time. Then I had to take Cindy to her doctor's appointment. Followed by trying to call Robby's new school to see when we could pick up his schedule and help him find his homeroom .We missed orientation as it was at the same time as Michael's surgery. Finally we just gave up on anyone answering the phone and showed up. I was not met with much welcome but I got done what I needed to. During this task Mom called my cell to tell me that they moved her surgery to a five AM arrival and seven AM surgery. Cindy offered to walk Robby through the school ( she knew it better that I anyway) as I talked to Mom finding out that Grandma was being checked into the nursing home this morning. ( Please continue to pray for this one that it goes as smoothly as possible ) Soon after Cindy and Robby came out, I dropped Robby at home and took Cindy to find a outfit for her upcoming interview. Though we made three stops we finally found the perfect suite and at a price that I can't complain about. We didn't get the shoes yet but that can be easily done as the suite is black with a white shell . I just got home and should be starting dinner but I am not quite sure what we are having so I am thinking as I type. As I think my mind drifts off... What did I do before I was a Wife and Mom? I must have been constantly bored !

Test your candy knowledge

Candy Bar Quiz: Candy Trivia and Candy Fun Facts - AOL Food

Sunday

Due to Michael's surgery we have decided to stay at home and let him relax today. He is doing quite well with this foot surgery. Though he is sleeping more ( Tylenol 3 works better on him than Vicoden or Darvacet did) he seems to be taking less pain medication in general and is quite content most of the time to lay in the living room and play X box. All three kids have realized that this will be their last week of Summer vacation. This realization has them bummed out though Cindy is excited to get through this school year and graduate. Robby is also mildly excited about going to middle school. As for me I wish we had a bit longer. I , unlike most Mother's, love having the kids home for the summer, but I will get over my sadness. I don't think we will make the fair this year as Michael probably will not be up to it , but we didn't make it last year either and nobody seemed to mind. I guess that once you have season passes for a host of amusement parks, the county fair is just not the thrill that it used to be. Looking at the calendar shows quite a few doctor visits not to mention Mom's surgery anyway.For those who wanted a specific time her surgery is scheduled for ten AM on Tuesday. Thank you all in advance for your prayers.

Robby's eleventh Birthday

Here are some pictures from Aug. 22nd, the day after Robby's birthday when we had his first cake. Nanny and Pops surprised him today with another but I have not even thought about uploading them yet .

Robby's dinner request

Grilled chicken breast w/ spaghetti Alfredo but not the long spaghetti

the twisty ones

and of course no veggies :-)

DQ cake


DQ cake with eleven ooops twelve crayon candles
The store was out of the kind he wanted . Since crayons were all they had we picked them.

Exercise those lungs !