Offspring Opinions, No. 5
- Prof C
- Apr 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Avery:
These last two weeks have been interesting with Jadyn and Emily gone. While they were gone, we had the Eskimo Ninja Warrior come and do obstacles with all the students, including a time trial that most of the high schoolers tried to beat. Easter was weird without Jadyn and Emily. Even though we did eggs and carrot cake, it wasn't the same without them. Jadyn and Emily just got back yesterday and we did homemade star crunches and watched Boy Meets World. They also got to sneak in a power nap after they showered and stuff. Overall, it was a very weird two weeks and I am glad to have my two sisters back.
Joshua:
The last two weeks were a lot more peaceful and quiet to me, because Jadyn and Emily weren't here, so I didn't have to deal with three sisters... just one. I was let down when the Eskimo Ninja Warrior came, because I thought that they would have equipment with them that was related to the ninja warrior, but they just made obstacle courses with what the school had. It was a little fun, but I was still let down. But I did get the second best time on the obstacle course, with 16 seconds. I was one second behind but technically, I have the best time doing it correctly. But aside from that, it's been a chill couple of weeks without Jadyn and Emily.
Emily:
I have never had to do so many presentations in one week, than what I had to do at the Healthcare camp in Fairbanks. We had to complete at least two presentations a day, and then a final presentation. The amount of food that they bought for us was so much. We had breakfast at the dorms, then we ate out for lunch and dinner every day. I got certified in CPR and Basic Life Skills (BLS). Other than that, the week was chaotic and long. The second camp in Chadron, Nebraska went by much faster and we didn't have to do any work; it was other people doing presentations about Chadron State College. We went to Jewel Cave which was kinda boring, since everything looked the same. No shiny rocks, just bland rocks that looked weird. Mount Rushmore was very cool though, even though we were there for only about an hour. I still got sunburnt. I bought magnets for Mom and Jadyn bought socks for dad.
After all that we went swimming at a hot springs. I was traumatized by the sights in the locker room which, I will not say here. I also stubbed my toe, the one that got infected. Then we went back to the dorms.
Then... lots of plane rides back. I think it was 7 plane rides, about 34 hours in total, not including the layovers or the 10 hours of driving in a van, from Denver Airport to Chadron State, and back.
Jadyn:
The last two weeks were definitely a roller coaster, but ultimately, I'm glad I decided to go. The first week we spent in Fairbanks for a healthcare camp, which was definitely the more academic of the two trips Emily and I went on. We both earned BLS and CPR certifications, but I hope I'll never have to use either. I may have gone to the camp, but I have little interest in pursuing a career in healthcare. It was mostly for Emily's benefit, who struggles to do anything remotely frightening by herself. The second week, we flew to Nebraska, where we spent a week touring and learning about Chadron State College. That trip was more interesting; it gave me insight into what life looked like at college and some of the resources available to college students everywhere. It was a good opportunity for me to get a look at what the next four years of my life are going to look like, and I admit that I feel a little more at ease after my first taste of a college experience. My parents have already told me that they're going to be a little overbearing the next few months... "the crash course before the final exam", they said. I don't mind... if anything, it makes me feel loved and appreciated. I often find myself struggling to accept that there are people who care about me, stemming from insecurities that I've make good progress overcoming recently, and it's always reassuring when I'm reminded of the truth.
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Ashley:
Well, in a nutshell, the kids covered the highlights of the last two weeks. From a parental perspective, it was indeed a foreshadowing of things to come, with the older kids being away. It's going to be strange, the gradual whittling down of our home crew of six, to eventually just Philip and I. It's strange how you parent steadily for 18 years, and then in the last few months, it feels like it all happened so fast. I am so glad that I have enjoyed my time with our kids in time and place, because that's helping me come to grips with the moment when I have to let go. There are no regrets over moments missed.
Here's our last two weeks in photos. Even though the mercury in the thermometer is gradually beginning to rise, and the sun is keeping us company quite a bit longer (over 14 hours of daylight now!), we still have plenty snow on the ground, and more to come. We're also adjusting to it still being bright outside at 9:00 p.m. At school, we're trucking through the final stretch of the last quarter, with state testing beginning this week. Prayers and good thoughts will certainly be appreciated!
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