Bursting with pride

I've had plenty of rough moments as a mom, where I've felt sure my kids are completely messed up due to a poor decision I've made.  I've had many sleepless nights where I've wondered if I've taught my children the important life lessons about being responsible, respectful and independent.  I have often said (only half-jokingly) that Ryan and I try to be decent parents but also stock away enough money to pay for our children's future therapy bills when they realize how messed up we've made them.

But the last couple weeks have been some of the most reassuring and rewarding I've ever had in my Mommy career.

Despite my mistakes and inconsistencies, these 4 Ellefsen kids are ROCKSTARS.

Lindsey tried out for the school talent show with her friend, Carly.  They created a dance routine to the song "22" by Taylor Swift completely on their own.  After being chosen for the final show, they perfected their dance in our basement.  I wasn't allowed to watch them until they performed the dance in the actual talent show the last week of school.  I'm proud of Lindsey for having the confidence to try out, chose an appropriate song, create a dance, and practice without any help.

I love living in a small-ish town.  I think my kid's school is so quaint, and I love the staff that teaches my kids.

Lindsey looked incredibly nervous before the dance started.  She and Carly wore matching outfits and glittery make-up.

They didn't win the talent show, but they didn't seem to mind!

Brynlie's dance studio had an Emmy's Award Night, where they recognized special talent and effort made by dance students throughout the year.  Each category had several nominees that were invited on stage before the Emmy winner was announced.  Brynlie was nominated in several categories, and WON the Musical Theater Emmy!  I am so proud of the the progress she has made during the last year!  All the competition dances were also performed one last time in front of a large audience.  

At the end of the show, some students were given an invitation to become Junior Staff members.  Brynlie was the last invitation given, and she began crying when Claire, her dance instructor, held her and cried.  She also got a hug from the studio owner, Kim, who whispered, "I love you" in her ear.  I'm not only grateful that my children are finding success in their individual talents, but they have supportive mentors helping them along the way.

My extremely dedicated son is finally being recognized for his brilliant mind.  This kid has brain SKILLZ.  He received four awards in front of the entire school, including one for keeping a 4.0 GPA the entire time he attended the Junior High.  Mr. Daniels, Brevan's Social Studies teacher, presented him with a "Student of the Year" award, and had these kind things to say in front of the entire student body:

"I nominated 16 students for this award, and then had to narrow it down by figuring out what separated them academically from each other...and this young man I'm going to award this to, it should be noted that he's so focused on his academics that he wasn't going to show up today because he had other things he needed to be doing.  I said to him, 'you need to come, because you need to be rewarded for what you've done.' He's just an outstanding young man, and he's overcome a lot of personal adversity."

Mr. Miller, Brevan's Science teacher, also gave Brevan a "Student of the Year" award, and reiterated that this was only the first of many Science awards Brevan will receive in his life.

Besides the pride I felt as Brevan received awards, I was also overcome with emotion as I watched him interact with the friends sitting nearby.  He's matured so much in the past couple years.  I just could not be more proud of this guy.

This cute teenager wasn't even embarrassed to wave at me while walking back to his seat.

Brevan and Mr. Daniels

Logan and Lindsey both joined the swim team this year, and have been practicing every day for the past few weeks.  Logan is very hesitant in the water again, because we haven't made him join the swim team for a couple years.  Lindsey had extreme anxiety about being on the team, but worked through it and seems happy and confident now.  She recently learned how to do breaststroke and was able to swim freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke in the first swim meet.

Christine took these pictures at the swim meet this past Wednesday, because the meet started when Ryan and I were still at the cancer center.  After getting Ryan situated at home (and having Brevan fill in as caretaker for the evening), me and Brynlie showed up to the swim meet and found Logan crying in a corner.  He had already swam once and did fine, but I think the recent stress in our lives made him need his Mommy there as support.  He did great during the rest of the meet, and managed to get 1st place in his freestyle relay and 4th place in his personal freestyle!  After spending 9 hours with Ryan while he underwent another chemo treatment, and then 4 hours at a swim meet, I was beyond exhausted when we finally arrived home at 10:30 pm.

Way to go, kids!  Our lives have been a little altered lately, but you have hardly skipped a beat!  Your Daddy and I can't figure out why God found us worthy to raise such remarkable kids, but we are grateful every day.