Football games

The last 2 football games have been AMAZING!! First of all, the big rivalry against Beaverton was going to be HUGE but adding to the fact that Derek had an amazing game made it even better.  Here is what the newspaper said..."This time, on the fourth play of his team’s second offensive series, Aleaziz hit Derek Westhora over the middle and Westhora broke away for a 67-yard score and a 21-0 lead with 6:48 remaining in the first quarter." - AWESOME!!

I think my parents and family were screaming so hard that the whole town heard it.  What a great game!! The best part...most of my brothers graduated from Beaverton.

Tough day

Nothing sends a mother into a "rage" more than getting a voicemail during her day from her son's school saying that because of some choices....consequences will be given.  REALLY??? And I thought I was going to have a great day.  I am going to chalk it up to lack of sleep at the age of 17.  Now, let's see how long that excuse will last

The first game back (Southridge vs Lincoln)

So last Friday was Derek's first game since his concussion. It was at Jeld-Wen field (home of the Portland Timbers). It was a lot of fun to watch them play in a huge football field. Derek played both offense and defense. Of course the game started at 4pm and I couldn't get there that early. DEREK scored the first TOUCHDOWN!! Did I know about?? Um.....no. Not until I picked Derek up after the game. Thank goodness the news channels all had his touchdown on tv or I would have never seen it. He also made it into the newspaper. And this will tell you how crazy I am... The newspaper articles are framed and on the wall. I also found the highlight of his touchdown and sent it to all my siblings. The blessing of todays's technology.

The first day of his senior year

Um...yes I cried all the way to work today. It is the first day of Derek's senior year. Of course, Derek doesn't think it is a big deal.

The concussion

A mother's worst nightmare is when her child is injured. It is the same for a coach. About two weeks ago, Derek received a concussion during football practice. With the new rules surrounding concussions - all symptoms have to be gone prior to even being cleared by a dr to go back to play. It was really hard to watch Derek deal with having a concussion. Super huge injury with huge implications in the long run. BUT when you have a son, who LOVES to play football, who is a senior, who wants to play in college, it was hard to watch him deal with the implications of a concussion. Has he stopped?? no.. He hopes to start in this weeks game.

The baby story

A few days ago, Derek and I babysat my nephew and his sisters. We had a lot of fun until...bed time. My nephew decided that he didn't want to sleep. Go figure - he's only 8 months old. Derek really stepped up to the plate BECAUSE Derek got up in the middle of the night to feed him. But the best part was the next day. Derek changed a blow out poopy diaper!!! I was so proud of him.

The weight of it all

When Derek was 2 yrs. old, I did "the old wise tale" of measuring his height and doubling it.  So, that would mean that Derek will be 6'7".  I know - big right??? I started to laugh and at the time, didn't think too much of it. He really was the cutest 2 yr. old. So yesterday, when he had his weight/height measurement for football, I thought back on that day.  Derek is 6'4" - and yes, I do feed him. Imagine if he continues...wow!! And he is pretty excited that he has passed up Grandpa Westhora.  None of Grandpa's kids did that.  Just one more thing that I will miss...

The start of FOOTBALL!!

Six years ago this week, Derek decided to play football.  I was very nervous about him being hit and getting hurt.  Why??? you may ask...well he is my only child. Tonight, Derek will be helping with this same camp.  I really want to sneak over and watch him interact with the 3rd graders who will be looking up to him. As camp unfolds this week, I will be thinking of where football has taken Derek and the skills it has given him.  I know that through football he has gained such amazing leadership skills and confidence in who he is.

Time

This past weekend, my sister got married.  The wedding was beautiful and magical.  But as I was watching the whole thing unfold, I looked at Derek.  I realized that VERY shortly, I will be the mother of the groom.  Not a very glamorous title. (unlike mother of the bride). Derek made a few comments about what he will have at his reception and how he will do things.  I laughed.  I explained to him that weddings are about the "bride" and that sometimes the groom is just along for the ride.

As the wedding was wrapping up, I thought about what type of mother-in-law I will be, only having one child.

I always tease Derek I want dozens of grandchildren... but I will be happy with what I get and will love them with all my heart.  I think that I will make a GREAT!! grandmother. And I really hope Derek gives my granddaughters - the clothes, dresses, hairpretties, the shoes, purses...I could go on and on.

Basketball in the driveway

A few nights ago, Derek and I were in the driveway shooting some hoops.  We spent quite a bit of time out there just talking and shooting.  Nothing major...just realizing how little time I have left.

Life with the son....during the "long" summer days

I think Derek and I have spent too much time together this summer.  We started to "bug" each other.  But it has been fun watching movies this summer with him.  We are almost finished with Lord of the Rings. It is so interesting to realize how little time I really have with him.

Time goes by so fast

I know that my mother wonders where the time has gone when she looks at me...just like me when I look at Derek.  I truly wonder where the last 17 years have gone.

This month's Ensign, President Monson said, “Time passes quickly. Many parents say that it seems like yesterday that their children were born. Now those children are grown, perhaps with children of their own. ‘Where did the years go?’ they ask. We cannot call back time that is past, we cannot stop time that now is, and we cannot experience the future in our present state. Time is a gift, a treasure not to be put aside for the future but to be used wisely in the present.”

The senior pictures are done

Derek's senior pictures arrived yesterday.  As Derek and I were looking at them, I started to cry.  Ok...I am losing it a little.  In a few of them, he looked really funny and in others, he looked like the man I hope he is becoming.

Now the job of picking out ones for the family.  I wonder if it is ok to carry around a book of 200 pictures to show people?

Senior Pictures

So yesterday, Derek had his senior pictures taken.  Kathi Knowles (the photographer) did a FANTASTIC job!! If you need her information, let me know.  We went to Rood Bridge Park and brought quite a few "outfits".  As I was watching from the sidelines, it occurred to me that my son is quite handsome and a HUGE ham. Kathi didn't have to ask Derek to pose at all.  Derek was quite natural at being "posed".

This is the first of many "senior" moments that I hope to have with Derek.

Where do I start???

06So being a single mom of a boy has been a joy!! A job!! And most importantly an experience I would never trade. But...now that he is a senior, I am having a hard time accepting that he is moving on and will one day be out of the house. So how do I deal? I decided to compose a blog of my experiences throughout Derek's senior year of high school