CONGRATULATORY

What started out like this earlier in the afternoon...

(Actually, the boys all sitting nicely was momentary only. To truly represent their antics I would have had to take pictures of them throwing salt at each other, having rolling garbage can wars, swinging on a chain to make others fall off, and running wildly through the snowy courtyard while whacking each other with hijacked crutches!)

moved on to nervously/excitedly searching for room assignments

(which ended up being the same room for each round of the competition)

and eventually ended up like this!

Joshua and his debate partner took second place for the Negative side at this year's Elementary State Debate Meet. Their entire team did well, also winning first place for the Negative side, fifth place for the Affirmative side, and 10 individual speaker awards. Pretty impressive. Their coach is to be commended, complimented, revered, and honored. Not only was her team incredibly well-trained, well-practiced, and well-prepared, but the way they acted earlier in the afternoon (salt wars, garbage wars, chasing wars, maiming wars, etc.) was exactly how they acted each time they were at debate practice! I do not know how she kept her cool nor how they learned a dang thing. But they did! This woman has POWERS! And vision. And my gratitude.

It is a very special thing to watch your child do something well. It is a very special thing to watch your child grow and increase in abilities. It is a very special thing to see your child overwhelmingly happy. Their huge smiles get me every time.

I am a lucky lady to have had so many chances to see all of my kids grow, learn, develop, achieve, and, most especially, smile. I am thankful to all the wonderful people out there who have made those smiles possible and plentiful. And I'm looking forward to lots more! :)