Cross Country

Katy decided to run cross country this fall. The school had fun runs over the summer. She was only able to make a few of them due to all her vacations, but she did run on her own. Incoming 6th graders were encouraged to fun 50 miles in 6 weeks before the season started (pratice officially started a week before school). Katy got all 50 miles in and recieved a fun t-shirt and was part of a group picture in the paper. Apparently, only a small percentage actually ran their miles. She decided to run mostly to help get in shape for soccer, but she ended up really enjoying it. There were 2 coaches from her school (one male, one female). Mr. Otto was her English and her Literature teachers which was fun for her. Her two soccer buddies Megan and Rina ran also.

Mr. Otto, Katy, Megan, and Rina

The fun part of watching these races, was the competitiveness between these 3 friends.  At the beginning of the season, they leap frogged the order they would finish.  It was even admitted that what kept them running when they were tired was not wanting to be beat by the other 2.  Eventually, they settled into somewhat of a pattern, but they always finished near each other.

A avid cross-country runner myself, I LOVED going to meets.  After years of watching soccer the fruits of  being a mother could be reaped.  I got to live vicariously through her.  I tried to keep my cheering in check but being a fitness instructor has improved my ability to communicate loudly.  Hopefully I didn't embarass her too badly but thats what moms are for right?

This was the last meet of the season.  Super bittersweet, since I knew we would be moving soon.

As if Katy, Megan,and Rina weren't competitive enough with each other, we have to throw Abby into the mix.  Abby went to the other middle school in town but was also on the same soccer team.  When we ran against Thomas Jefferson Middle, Abby was there in the mix finishing right along with the other 3!  In addition to being on the same soccer team, Katy, Megan, and Abby went to church together.

At the meet, we told Megan's parents that we would have to move.  Megan's Dad was the soccer coach.  Her older sister Kaitlyn was the girl's piano teacher, and Brooke was my counselor in Primary.  We hadn't told the kids yet, but planned on have that conversation soon.  After the meet we all decided to stop at CiCi's for dinner.  Not wanting anyone to slip and upset the kids, we decided if we were going to go to dinner with everyone, we better have the dreaded conversation.  Jared had come straight from work to the meet.  We split the kids up and broke the news on the drive.  I got off easy.  I had Bella and Jacob in my car, who were both pretty easygoing about it, especially when they found out it would be a little closer to Mima and PopPop.  The older girls were more annoyed at the announcement.  But actually handled it pretty well.

The girl table

The boy table +Bella who was not at all upset at sitting here.  I think Brendan (Megan's older brother) had a lot to do with that.  The child loves older boys and yes that does concern her father and I.  I did feel sorry for Brendan, although he was a great sport about it.  He was stuck at a table with 2 little boys and a little girl who giggled at everything he said.