Sam still had her cold but was doing great with all the noise and people. That afternoon we were able to check into the hotel and get settled in. We met up with 3 other schools at the Pizza Machine. The place is pretty neat. It has all kinds of weird a decor, a arcade area, and fun little obstacle games throughout the restaurant. The kids always have a blast. That night was the big FFA Dance out at the State Fair grounds. The kids had a blast and came back soaking wet, and not just from the little storm that came through. It was so hot and muggy. GROSS.
Wednesday morning we were up bright and early to catch the morning session. Jennifer had to introduce her ag advisor and parents because she was section president. That meant I had to go on stage. It was fun. I don't mind being up there. For lunch I took the kids to the Longhorn which is a steak house. Most of the kids aren't able to have a nice meal like this so it is a great treat for them. This was considered our "nice" meal that the Chapter pays for. We had to rush back for the afternoon session to watch Jennifer answer her impromptu question. Jennifer was running for a State Office and was one of the 9 candidates for one of the 5 offices. She did really really well on her question. The kids headed back to the hotel to swim and rest for awhile because at 5:30 the voting session started and we all needed to be there to support Jennifer. I was Jennifer's "Runner". What this means is that I go watch the speeches and the voting procedure and then I RUN down to meet her as she comes off stage after they announce who received that particular office. I only get to speak to her for maybe 30 seconds. It's mainly a pump up conversation and give them some direction on how to do better. Jennifer did awesome but fell a little short. If there had been six offices I am extremely confident she would have received it. She just didn't pick up the votes she needed. Unfortunately the voting is not always based on the member's involvement and speeches. Jennifer's speeches was of the few that were pretty awesome. It is a lot of politics, popularity, and commitments. Unfortunately our commitements didn't come through. She is coping well, I think. It sucks and is a horrible feeling. However, she now gets to go to college instead of taking a year off. She is now one year closer to being an ag teacher and discovering the joy that brings. While I was being Jennifer's runner, Jamie watched Sam for me. By the end though Jamie came and sat by me so I could handle Sam. It was late, past her bed time, and just off her schedule so she wasn't incredibly happy, but she wasn't as cranky as she could have been.
Thursday I let the kids sleep in and then we went and ate at Charlie Parkers. It is this small restaurant that has been featured on Diners Drive-Ins, and Dives on the food network. It is an AWESOME place for breakfast. We then headed to the Ronold McDonald house to deposit our Pop-Tabs. The director was able to give the group a tour which makes it special for the kids and really sinks in the meanign behind trying to collect all those pop-tabs. We headed back to the hotel to pack up and sit through one more session. Marisa was receiving her state degree and we were able to watch her walk across stage. It's a huge accomplisment and I am SO proud.
The drive home was quiet, like it always is. The kids usually crash. I had one girl who had been sick all night the night before and was stick sick on the way home. Luckily there was no vomiting ~ Thank you God, thank you thank you thank you. Sam started to get really fussy and wailing a few minutes before we got back to Kansas. The kids were saying things like "The power of Christ compells you. Demon be GONE!". hahaha let's just say this: Sam was DONE sitting in that carseat. Justin had figured out that Sam really enjoyed watching shows on his iTouch. So he kept showing her the SpongeBob episode that he had downloaded. It was pretty neat how she would just zone in on it and stop being fussy. At one point he said "I will hold this right here forever if you don't cry". Hahahaha..spoken like a veteran!
Sam did FANTASTIC over those 3 days. Just FANTASTIC! The kids fell in love and were all her protectors.
Sam met Ronald!
Yummy
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