So Proud Of My Boy

Just before the world went crazy, I had meant to post about how proud I was of Eli. His teacher had selected him to get the "Got Get 'Em Award" for his class for the second nine weeks.

I think I just about fainted when Mrs. Grider told me she had selected him. Our Eli? Are you sure? She said he had been working extra hard in class and she wanted him to know that she'd noticed.

How proud were we of this little man?

I have to apologize for my photos. I was sitting in the very farthest bleachers from the front of the gymnasium and I haven't quite figured out my zoom lens yet. Also, the Academic Pep Rally had a Groovy Sixties theme, hence Mrs. Grider's Sgt. Pepper jacket.

The "Go Get 'Em Award" winners were presented with special Blackhawks bracelets (similar to the LIVE STRONG bracelets) and I'm pretty sure Eli hasn't taken his off since. Sometimes he wears it around his ankle, though.

There's a part of me that wishes I weren't so astonished when Eli accomplishes something like this. That I should expect him to make the All A Honor Roll every time and for others to constantly recognize how helpful and smart and polite he is. But that's not Eli. Because of who he is and (in larger part) because of how we've parented, Eli doesn't stand out in these ways. One has to look be willing to look past the inattention, strong-will, relentless persistence of whatever gets into his head, and rough edges to see the beauty underneath.

I am so grateful that we were blessed by a teacher this year who does this.

Way to go, Eli! I pray that you continue to surprise us each and everyday with what God is doing in you.