Harrison's sophomore year was a really fun year in almost every single way...except for AP European History. But....that is over and we will just look back on all the fun! This boy of mine, he is a person who was just meant for high school. He really enjoys every aspect of it (except for that one little class). He loves the challenge (except for that one), the social aspect, the traditions, the athletic teams, vocal concerts, really just about everything. He has awesome friends who make me smile just thinking about them. These runner boys are hilarious and a breed all their own! I couldn't have asked for a better group of kids for Harrison to connect to. Which is good, because he spends a lot of time with them.
In April a portion of the track team made a trip to Austin, TX for the Texas Relays. It was a big time competition and quite an experience for all the boys. Harrison had the best time hanging with his buddies and making lots of memories (some I'm sure I won't hear about for awhile). I flew down to see him race the 4X800 relay on Saturday. It was a really cool environment. Then, he and I got to spend Easter with our good friends the Ingles. It was just like old times having Harrison and Bradley (or Dave and Wade as they used to call themselves) together again.
Track season was full of lots of fun meets, and quite a few VERY cold ones this year! Harrison had a blast running the 4X800 with some of his best friends and also competing in the mile race. They were thrilled to win conference, regional, and....
Oh my goodness, it was seriously one of my favorite days ever! Harrison had dreamed of this, trained for it, prayed about it. He was focused, nervous, excited and I think we all pretty much felt the same way. A bunch of us parents were sitting together, enjoying the meet. Then it was time! For us, it was Harrison's first state meet. For one set of parents it was their son's last. I headed down closer to the track for pictures. Joe and Clara found a spot to videotape. And then they were off. Harrison led off on the first leg. I knew we were in good position when he had a personal best time for his 800meters. The other three boys are incredible runners and I knew we had a good shot at winning it. But anything can happen at state. These boys, they did not disappoint! Everyone of them ran great races and they came out on top. It was pure joy for all of them...and for us too! It's so fun seeing your kids accomplish something they have dreamed of.
To top off the meet...the team was state runners-up! And the girls team won the state championship! It was an awesome season!!!
On top of all the excitement of the track season, Harrison stayed pretty involved at church and was really looking forward to summer so he could work at middle school camp and kids camp for our church. We are really blessed with great youth pastors and flock leaders who pour into Harrison's life.
I don't want to be one of those bloggers who paints a perfect picture and pretends there are never hard days. There are still days where Harrison gets his car taken away for one reason or another. And there are some hard days. Like recently, when his best friend/girlfriend moved to Kansas City. It was hard!!! There have been some ugly days! But, that's pretty normal I'd say. And in the big picture of life, he is a really great kid. He loves Jesus, has a heart for others to love Jesus, he makes me laugh a lot, and occasionally he makes me cuss (keepin' it real)! And like Clara, he still says some pretty darn hilarious things! "Like what?" you ask. Well, like when he was watching tv and he told us "that guy is mouth syncing". Seriously? Lip syncing! Or when he told us "I want to watch this show, it's on European history." Great...but it was a show on Biblical history. Or when he and Clara were comparing how many letters are in their names and he announced "well, I'm a double D." That ranks right up there with one night at dinner when he proudly told us "I'm glad I'm not a geniuis!" Well...we're proud too...I think!!! I love that kid!!!
