The End of a Chapter: 8th Grade Mass and Field Day

Yesterday was the final 8th Grade Mass.  To celebrate, the parents were invited to attend with a breakfast and classroom game to follow.  I made arrangements at work to come in late and met Grace in the chapel.  She was full of energy and her exuberance just poured out.  The Mass was nice but I couldn't help but think back to her first years at Holy Trinity.

Always a bubbly child that talked a little too much, she has grown into the queen of the school.  Not that I ever had any doubt that this was her future there.  I am constantly in awe of what a wonderful young woman she is becoming.  I keep going back to past and realizing just how much we grew up together.

Going through old pictures last week really hit home that point.  I sometimes get sad to think of all the memories I've had that have been tainted in someway because of the nature of my failed marriage.  But recently, I have begun to see that these memories were never really mine and his.  They were always mine and Grace's.  She has always been the constant in my adult life.  Although I grew up faster than most, I look now at my beautiful teenage daugher and am overwhelmed with the love I not only have for her but the love that she has for the world. 

Grace is an amazing person.  I know she is more and more everyday becoming who God designed her to be, but I can't help but wonder at how I also had a hand in that.  Through the adversity and hard times, she has blossomed into a beautiful soul.  To know Grace is to love Grace.  From the outside looking in, you would never imagine the struggles she has overcome.  My heart is bursting with love for her; her accomplishments, her spirit, and her zest for life. 

Her sense of competitiveness really came through yesterday during the "current events" game.  Losing was not an option and she really inspired and encouraged her team.  Of course, I didn't want to lose either which made the game even that much more fun.  Good thing we were on the same team.  After an intense 10 rounds and 2 tie-breaking bonus rounds, our team won!  Not only did we win, but we won and broke the highest score record set by an 8th grade class several years ago.  Go big or go home....so the saying goes.

Today, is the 8th Grade's last Friday at Holy Trinity.  Ever.  I still cannot beleive where the time has gone and I can't stop tearing up.  Field Day has been schedule for the afternoon.

When Grace was in Kindergarten, she decided that her 8th Grade Field Day team was going to be the Wild Cats (from High School Musical).  She's been planning this day for 9 years!

Of course, I always find my creativity in the 11th hour.  So yesterday we were at Wal Mart at 7pm picking out supplies to make her T-Shirt.  I also needed to make one for Alex because we just didn't have a polk-a-dot shirt.

By 9pm, I got the chance to start working on the shirts.  I actually really love doing this stuff, it's finding the time that's the problem.  I painted and glittered and poured little bits of my love into this project.  I'm pretty happy with the final results.  But more importantly, they are too!

Navy Warhawks

Polk-a-Dot Popsicles

Striped Wild Cats