Days with the Dorans

Joe's been running really well and each meet he seems to do better and better.  Here are his stats so far (I already wrote about Northwood). Lakeland/ WLN/ S.Lyon (at Lakeland) 19:40 (hot and humid) 20 overall Mott/ Kettering/ WLN (Richardson) 18:48 9th overall (GREAT RACE!) S.Lyon East/ Milford/ WLN 20th Overall and #7 for WLN (Milford is TOUGH) 18:38 Since Joe was running well, he was given the option to run up on Varsity for the Coaching Legends Classic Invitational or run JV and perhaps win. He opted to run Varsity and did GREAT! It was at Huron Meadows Metropark and out of 15 schools he came 71st overall (6th for WLN) and PRd with a time of 18:16!!! I got a video of the boys finding out the news that THEY WON THE INVITATIONAL!! You can see that HERE . I'm so proud of Joey. The goal now is to break 18! Joey's attitude toward running is starting to change. He's actually told us he's going to run indoor track and track. This is not like ...

So Joey had to tape himself playing trumpet and turn it in to his teacher by 5:00. The night before it was due, I (stress on the I) reminded him that he should probably start taping. Well~ the kid doesn't practice enough and so when he got to a particularly high note, he didn't like it and so he did it again... and again... and again... I actually went in my deleted videos to show my mom just how many times I taped him! Ultimately, he gave up and decided it was time to go to bed and he'd try again tomorrow (THE DAY IT WAS DUE). Well, he actually DID it! he got it in by the hair of his chinny-chin-chin! He had to record himself so his head was cut off (the dog was on the floor though so probably cuter). I DO hope he learned a lesson from this but... it is Joe Cool so time will tell...

Sean is the only Doran who doesn't play an instrument (yet) and doesn't seem to be all that interested in playing an instrument (yet). He DID get a GREEN recorder and is learning to play it in school. It's been fun listening to him practice and getting mini-concerts from him. Though this is his FIRST instrument, I sure hope it isn't his last!

 I decided to just put these posts together because while they didn't start out together, they ended up together. The day was somewhat stressful (for me) because Al and her friends were STILL not sure the plan hours before the dance. Joe on the other hand had reservations, knew where he was supposed to be going and when... Jeff took Joey and I took Ali. Talk about role reversal though- Al usually always has a plan... Nana came over and took some pictures of the Bigs. I loved Ali's dress~ and dare I say we got it for an AMAZING price~ we blinged it out with a belt, bag, and shoes (that cost more than the dress). She looked so pretty and though she doesn't really wear make-up, she put on some mascara and lip gloss. I think she looked beautiful! Joey cleaned up well too! Joe decided to go with a group of friends and we were last minute getting a new jacket for him (Since his old one was small- yay! He's growing!) I got him a guitar tie, but he didn't wear...

The middle school musical this year is "The Wizard of Oz" and Zach wanted to try out as the part of the scarecrow. I got a great video of him singing HERE and am amazed at what a great singer he is! I posted it on FB and even my friend who is a music teacher and vocal instructor was so impressed! This was his second time singing the song. Sadly (since I'm playing catch-up), he didn't get the part and didn't get a singing part at all which he was really bummed about (we all were). He was sick but I don't think it affected him that much, but maybe I was wrong... What fun to see his sibs rally around him though. They were so supportive and sweet that it made my heart swell! He did get the part of the Wizard of Oz but you know every time I hear a flat note, I'll be hearing this kid's voice in my head. Proud of you, Goosie! You are such a talent! You're going to be the best Oz out there!

I don't know what else to say- just that I love this dog, and walking him with audio books in my ears during soccer practices. Sometimes it's the little things... 

 With Joey's nutty schedule we've had no time to schedule his driving test yet but he has the hours and classes passed to take the test and hopefully (I think) get his license. I still can't believe this kid is 16! When he woke up (finally) we celebrated by giving him his gifts! He also got cards (including gas cards) from people in the mail! What a lucky kid! Joey's a pretty huge Beatles fan so I kind of went with that theme a little and I'd say he liked it. He kept looking at Beatles picks I got him and couldn't stop talking about and looking at them. It's fun when they get older and really start appreciating things in a different way.  Dad also got him a MUCH NEEDED accoustic guitar case. Of course Joe said, "Oh my gosh, thanks mom!" To which, dad said, "Mom?!?!?!" It was sweet. We loved celebrating with family at the lake and the Drapals were able to come and sing too! Sto Lat, my sweet boy! I love you more than you'...

 September 15th is always divided into two parts. I hate when it falls on a weekend but I still had time to do my thing which included a visit to the garden and me spreading some kindness "Because of Andrew." I went and got some flowers and this year just left them on a car at the hospital near the emergency room entrance. I know that in the past I've loved handing them to people but I just wanted to be quiet and by myself. I can't believe it's been 16 years. Sixteen is a thought that crossed my mind along with first dates, homecomings, and best men in weddings... I always wonder if a birthday will come where I don't cry- but it hasn't happened yet. I love that kind acts were done all over "Because of Andrew" and that made the day better. I didn't do balloons this year well... because... turtles. But I did get some bubbles and blew them and watched them go up. It worked for me. When I got home, I saw these flowers in my dr...