Join Hands and Change the World

Special Olympics Arkansas is held each May at Harding University.  This was Ethan's first year to participate.  The theme this year was "Join Hands and Change the World."  I am continually amazed at the massive amount of volunteers the Special Olympics receive.

Thursday night was Opening Ceremonies and we all went together.

It was actually a rock show.  I have some video below.  After the hundreds and hundreds of athletes walked around the track, hundreds of motorcycles followed them and filled up the track.  The athletes went crazy!

Ethan participated in the 100m dash and the softball throw.

Here is Ethan with his para of five year - Ms. Ava.  She feels God has called her to work with Ethan and is committed to being with him through high school.  Hopefully administration will agree :-)  She has taken it upon herself to learn sign and she works with Ethan's vocabulary.  She is a such a blessing!

The picture after that is Ethan with Mrs. Bowman, his teacher.  She is so wonderful!  I am so happy he has another year in Junior High. 

After winning the bronze in the softball throw.

Enjoy the videos - they are just short clips.

Ethan representing Area 6.  He was signing "I love you" as he walked by. :-)

The motorcycles around the track - the kids were so psyched!

Ethan actually quit running right before the finish line, he was cheering himself as victor.  We will have to work on that :-)

The softball throw.

Graduation

I don't know where the time went, but it went fast.   Reality is slappin' me right up side the head.

Fact one: My kids are getting older and moving away.

Hence fact two: I am getting older (and chunkier, but that is for another post).

Phil and I are preparing for a new chapter in our lives - and unfortunately, Ethan is having to prepare for that new chapter as well.  Jordan's graduation has turned the page.  The last of the "bros" will be leaving.  We will just be a trio come August.  That seems awful small and quiet.

It literally seems like yesterday when I was juggling five kids' schedules.  But not anymore.  What is even more strange is that after 20 some odd years of moving around, we have actually had three kids graduate from the same high school.......... we have Ethan to thank for that because it is only because of Ethan we have not moved again.

Jordan, of course, graduated in his mind around Christmas break.  And because of the enormous amount of snow days we have had, he had a shorter school year than most.  He didn't have to make up the days.

Grandma made the long trip to wish him well.  As per McGrath son tradition, we ate out at the Fuji Japanese Steakhouse and was treated to a performance with our meal.  And lots and lots of sushi.



Jordan hasn't actually held his diploma in his hands yet, because it appears that he has neglected to turn in his algebra textbook.  Are we sure we are ready for college all the way out West???

So, Jordan, here is to a new chapter in your life as well.  Choose wisely and work hard!

The Day that Almost Wasn't

What a difference a week makes.  We spent all day yesterday either in the tornado affected area or at church quilting and putting together hygiene kits.  I will post on that later.

I neglected to tell about last Saturday.

I was in a  cleaning frenzy last Saturday morning.  I got up at 5 and was attempting to clear off the pile of clean laundry that had been decorating my dining table all week.  I was on a roll, so I moved to other parts of the house.  The boys were eating breakfast and Ethan was playing pirate in the living (complete with full-set backdrop).  I spied Ethan's backpack in the corner so I decided to go through it then instead of waiting until late Sunday night, which is what I always do.  I was just feeling that "with it."

The first paper I took out was the one giving instructions for the Area 6 Special Olympics event that morning.  Registration 8:30; Opening Parade 9:00.  A quick look at the clock informed me it was 8:40!

I don't even think Ethan knew what hit him as a shirt, shorts, and shoes were whipped upon him and Phil sped to the college track field.  My shower was in a record minute.  Jordan dropped me off at the field just in the time to be in place for the opening parade.

Then we took a break in the shade.

Jordan came back for Ethan's events - the softball throw (the Gold!) and the 100m dash (the Silver!).  Yes, I took video of all of the events, but keep in mind it was sunny outside and hard to see the video camera buttons.  And of course my eye sight is horrible without my reading glasses, and the sunglasses I had weren't helping.  Long story short, when I thought it was taping it wasn't and I ended up with a lot of video of the grass where I put the camera done after "filming."  Old age is the pits.

It was such a fun day!  I cried more than once.  It touched my heart to see so many different people and ages there - both the participants and the helpers.  I am so grateful for those that donate their time to Special Olympics.  It was indeed a Special Day.

And what does a fella do at the end of a long day?  He lies down on the chair with his best friend and falls asleep.