the E N D of the season

What a week!

We had a doctor's appointment for Justin on Monday along with a new blood draw.

Thankfully, his levels are all back to the normal range.

After four days on the couch and in bed last week, he asked me {toward the end of the week} if he felt better- could go work out the next day.

Of course, I said no way- but, we knew then that our big kid was on the mend.
It was some kind of nasty virus. We're grateful it wasn't anything more.

Last night, we had the football banquet to finish off the boys season. I'm well known for being quick to take on lots of projects and volunteer whenever the opportunities arise.

Most of the time, I don't think it through and often take on more than enough to keep me busy! It's my nature. I like to be involved- especially when it comes to our kids. This latest project is one that I didn't volunteer for.

Tradition at Ramstein is that the football captain moms are the ones who plan the end-of-the-year banquet.
Justin's a captain, so I was in. In the end, while it was a lot of work- I probably wouldn't have changed a thing and loved working and getting to know my two new friends.

We had right at 200 people- a great turn out to plan a party for! We rented a facility and had a restaurant cater a nice German dinner.

Schnitzel with cream sauce, yummy cabbage {my favorite German side}, potates, noodles... 

I took on coordinating and picking out the gifts. We had 15 seniors, 5 managers, 15 coaches {including our academic coaches, team doctors, team trainers, video lady}.
It was a LOT of work, but we pulled it together with help from other moms as well.

The program itself was very nice. 

For Ty, he earned his first high school varsity letter. SO exciting!

He got his R and football pin. Having not played football since middle school, we were not only proud of him for trying out but, for making the team and quickly working into a first-string position on offense.

He worked really hard all season.

Both boys were named to the All-Conference Academic Team- something we're also proud of.

For Justin, the last couple weeks have been tough. The season didn't end how any of them wanted.

Last night, might have made up for a little of it.
For Europe, he was named All-Conference 1st team for defense and All-Conference 2nd team for offense. The coaches named him the Defensive  MVP and team co-MVP.

He was presented with two framed certificates and two large framed photos. The head coach also gave each of his captains a football signed by the coaches. In the end, the four captains split up the coaches and took turns presenting their gifts. None of them wanted to do it. They all did really well in spite of being super nervous.

It was so cute watching the four of them whisper and help each other through it. So cute. I think he's glad it's over, too. Now- it's really on to basketball.