The Biggest Sigh of Relief for 2010

Grades were posted yesterday. I had a lot of anxiety about one class in particular. I received a very poor grade on my first paper for the class back in October. To not have to retake the class––which would postpone my program completion date––I needed at least a B- in the class for the semester. Anything lower than a B- would mean that the grade would not count. I would need at least a B-. With the grade I received on the first paper, I had very little wiggle room for further error.

How would I explain to family members and friends who were planning on coming out in June for graduation that I wouldn't be graduating this year. Worse, how would I console myself? It has been a long, hard, arduous three years for me. And it has for my family.

I put my nose to the grindstone. I worked diligently on my final paper. I started it four weeks before it was due. I pestered our first year TA, peppering him with questions. I typed draft after draft. Finally, the due date came. I turned it in. When I released it from my hands I realized there was no turning back. It had turned in. I wondered if I had prayed enough over it. It was no longer in my hands. I could no longer make any last revisions. It, and my fate, was in the hands of someone else.

Grades were posted yesterday. And, my grade was better than a B- for the class. The little wiggle room that I had wasn't needed. The hard work wasn't wasted and the beauty of God's grace was good. I sat. I took in my grades. I let out the biggest sigh of relief for 2010. And so did Jean. She knew how much the class had stirred in me. She was relieved for me. She was proud of me. She shared in my gladness and relief.

So, I look ahead to the remaining two semesters, 12 credits, and 174 days until graduation.

Sky High Sports

Today the kids and I EdVentured to Sky High Sports in Bellevue, WA. In preparation, I took four Ibuprofen. I should have taken more.

Sky High is an indoor trampoline place. We purchased a two hour block of time for the three of us. It was so much fun. It was fun playing tag with them, it was fun jumping and jumping high together, and it was fun watching Sam perform somersaults into the foam. A great, great day.

The Trifecta of Pepper Jellies

On Monday we spent some time at Pike's Place Market as a family. It was a great EdVenture. Before leaving, Sam and I sampled the Trifecta of Pepper Jellies. While they have many samples to try on the counter, the stand keeps these behind the counter and hands them out––perhaps so that no one burns there mouth unwittingly. Sam said that he would sample the Trifecta if I did. I think he just wanted to prove that he could handle the hot like me.

They work you up to the mother of pepper jelly––one using the dreaded "ghost pepper." The first two were tolerable. The one with the ghost pepper was very, very hot. I think Sam was hesitant to go for that last sample, but because he saw me try it, he tried it. The ladies behind the counter offered us a sample of lime jelly to reduce the fire of the ghost pepper jelly, but it wasn't enough. We quickly went to the drinking fountain and let the cold water set in our mouths for several minutes in order to put out the fire. We also inhaled the city's cold air through out mouths on the back to the car to help put out the fire.

Sam is a brave little man. He was the one who had originally told me about the ghost pepper. While we didn't sample it at its full capability because of the jelly's diluting effect, we felt the power. I was proud of Sam for his willingness and daringness––and, he was very proud of himself as well.

Moose Bed

Moose received a new bed for Christmas. It was the biggest the store had, and he can barely squeeze himself into it. I don't think he can lay his head down, but he seems to love it anyway.

In the Kitchen with Jean at Christmas

I was fortunate enough to help Jean prepare some of the Christmas Eve meal and Christmas Day meal on Friday. It is pretty rare to find us cooking in the kitchen at the same time. Normally, I cook Sundays and in the summer when I don't have class. Cooking with her was eye opening for me.

Jean has made big and delicious meals before. The most recent being Canadian Thanksgiving dinner in October. She did that meal on her own. Much of that meal was created from family recipes. Though we had feasted on those dishes before at the homes of relatives, the meal tasted better than I recall them tasting in the past. I attributed it to the love Jean had poured into creating the meal for our friends.

Christmas Eve Day I was able to see her at work. She had such a command and confidence about her. She was patiently teaching me. She was able to move from creation to creation without hesitation. She was completely at ease. It was amazing to see. It was as though transformation that has taken place in her life over the past several years into woman who is confident about her beauty and elegance was being showcased. Not showcased only as a chef, but as a woman who is assured of the beautiful goodness she has to offer the ones she loves.