S E V E N T E E N

 

Time flew so fast, just like that, our first born is seventeen!  It's still very vivid in mind when we first dropped her off to school to start kindergarten.  She was very excited to learn in a "big kid" school to continue what we have been learning at home on her pre-school days.  I am a stay at home mom and I never left our kids to daycare except one night when hubby was still in the military and we had to attend a navy ball.  We didn't have a choice not to leave them in the day care because we were in South Korea and we didn't have family there to look after them.  Fast forward to many years, she is now in her Senior years, wow.  

In previous years, we always timed our vacation on her birthdays but in the last couple of years, we didn't get to do that because of the pandemic.  I am so glad that this year, we were able to.  We spent her 17th birthday in South Dakota.   We did visit several tourist spots on her birthday week.  We did horse back riding in Custer, we explored one of the deepest cavern in Black Hills, went to Mt. Rushmore, visited the Badlands, went to see the Devil's Tower, and did and a lot more fun things while we were there.

It's kind of bitter sweet that her high school life is almost over.  I feel like she didn't get to do or experience much that a normal teen would.  She is always a silent type, very timid and keep to herself type kind of gal.  She only have a few close friends that she interacts with.  I feel bad that she got my introvert genes who feel stress out being in the crowd or going out in public.  One thing that I am very proud of her though is that, she is a very goal oriented person.  When she put her mind into something, she make sure to do well at it.

I was told that senior year will go very fast and it makes me sad to think that she will heading out to college or pursue whatever she wants to do with her career.  She plans to get into the naval academy.   She's bummed out that she didn't get to attend the navy summer camp because of the covid vaccine mandate.  She wasn't vaccinated then, we thought that the navy will not require but lo and behold, it is mandatory which sucks big time.  Now she has to be vaccinated if she wants to get accepted into the academy.  We wanted to protect her from any kind of side effects since the vaccines were not properly tested then but it kind of hinder her path so we don't have a choice but to let her vaccinated now.  It sets her back a couple of steps but at least we are sure now that the vaccine is safe.  I still pray that this won't have an effect on her health in the future.  Whatever it is that she would pursue though, we will be behind her and support her 100%.

Dearest Rye Bean,

As you advance through more serious things in life, I pray that God will continue to watch over you and guide you in navigating the rollercoaster ride of life.  Remember always that no matter what, we will be here to support you and love you.  We are so grateful for a young woman you are becoming.  You make us proud in everything that you do.  Thank you for setting a really good example to your little brother.

Love,

Mom

P.S.

Pardon your Mom for this very late post but happy birthday again sweetheart!

Our Daughter's Junior #Prom and Her #Date + her #EpicFall

Despite her epic fall, she had fun and that’s what matters…

Madonna High School had the Promenade yesterday.  She was very excited and anxious at the same time leading to the Prom.  The thing that she was nervous about happened, she fell! The steep stairs of the stage they had to go down to didn't do her long dress  a favor but she recovered in a true #fashion. It reminded me of those #beauty #pageant moments when a contestant falls and come back up with smile in their faces.   

She bought this sage green dress at Windsor.  It's a little long but it fit her well.  I was going to cut it  and tailored it to her length but she said it's okay.  It eventually caused her to fall.  Her Dad cautioned her to pick up the trail of her dress coming down the steps coz she almost strep on it but I guess she didn't remember to do that coming off the stage.

I think it did taught  every couple that followed them to lift the trail of their dresses and be very cautious in coming off the stage.  It just unfortunate that she went first and fell.  She said that they messed up the handshake routine and it made her nervous so she went down forgetting about her dress being long.  I will say though that her being a volleyball player played a big role of her not face planting, she fell on her knees instead.

She went with Sonny, a new guy from their class who transferred sometimes in October from Iowa. He's a good-mannered kid, very respectful  and  he gets along with my son because they know each other from playing basketball in school.

She did her own makeup since I have no idea when it comes to make up and cosmetics lol.  She watches YouTube tutorial videos on how to do these things.  Her hair was done by Legal Hair and her nails was done by a nail salon.

They practiced some more with their handshake routine before we left home.

We had time so we took a lot of photos.

The white roses bouquet was gorgeous.

They wore a matching sunglasses which helped their vision blocked the spotlight that they shone when they were on the stage.

She wanted us to come with her when they went to her date's house where we met his Uncle and Aunt.

From there, we went to a friend's house where they took more photos.

Of all the photos, I think this one is my favorite.

I also love this one.  They look very comfortable with each other.  She said they had fun at the dance.

As they come out the school to ride the limo bus going to Oglebay where the dance would be, I managed to take few more shots of them.

Here is her  epic fall caught on cam.   There's a lot of Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda moments there but I think it's okay, it will surely go down as the most memorable of that whole Prom event.  Not a good memory on her part but they can look back at it in the  future and laugh about it.   I am sure she's very embarrassed but  she will remember this for sure.  It taught her a lesson what to do on her next prom just in case she wear a long dress again and have to go down a stairs.  Maybe next year, the set up will not be like this year though, it was dangerous in my opinion.

Winter Fun: Sled Riding

Our kids are just 18 months apart so they are super close to each other.  They were often mistaken as twins when they were little.  I am glad that we had them in such a close gap.  It was tough but we made it through.  These two are growing up so well and we can't ask for more. 

We had  big snows during the winter and they decided to go sled riding.  I had to take these photos before they left since I did not go with them.  Now that our daughter is driving already, they can pretty much go anywhere without us unless they need parental supervision.

They still opposes pictures being taken but I'm glad they  let me from time to time.  I think they will appreciate these captured memories when they are grown up.

Blake was still so little in these pics.  It was funny watching him run around the snow and eats them as he dove in them.

Volleyball Season 2021

Another volleyball season has ended.  Our daughter played both for the Junior varsity and the varsity team.  I am glad that she had fun and gained more experience as a team player.  I am going to miss watching her play when she finished high school.  

Volleyball is fun to watch.  I am glad that she wasn't working yet when the season is going on because it would be hard for her.  

I am glad she had a fun season.  We had fun watching too except those far places that they had to  go to play.

She told us that she won't be playing sports in college but I'm hoping that she would play volleyball even in college.

Anyway, this season was so much fun to watch.  She definitely improved her serves.  This is her second season.  I think she regretted that she didn't  play during her freshman year. 

Madonna High School's varsity team is losing 5 seniors next season so hopefully, there would be  more that would join.  They almost won the city championship, it was a very close game.

Some videos below.