Evil mom is vindicated

First off, for those of you worried about K’s butt, it is all better now. Bummer! The butt jokes were so much fun, though the kid walking around like a little old lady was no fun…No wait, that was totally funny as well!

One good thing about her bum not hurting anymore is that she was back to being able to shoot well. Tonight she shot so well that she FINALLY got the standing score she needed to officially complete the Sharpshooter program. YES!!!! She was totally elated, as were her coaches. Next is to get the next highest score requirement in standing to become an Expert. Then it is just a matter of finishing out her scores to becoming a Distinguished Expert in all positions. When she can do that, we are talking scores that are truly high caliber (so to speak).

So…I am Evil Mom. K finished her school term with A’s in all classes and should have had three weeks off from school. But, no. She and I had found out about a scholarship program and the due date was January 1st. She could have been working on it for the month prior, but she told me she would “do it over vacation”. Now that might have been code for “I am just going to put this off until it is too late to get it done”, but Mama don’t play that way. I gave her a couple days and then it was whip cracking time. She had to get letters of recommendation; a series of letters and written descriptions of her shooting experiences, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, and other criteria; her transcripts that included the term that had just ended, and an extensive essay relating to the constitution. We had all of it, except the essay. This is where the vacationing teen just wants to have fun and not do any work…and then her sleep schedule became all messed up. She was nearing the end where we needed to get everything compiled and turned in, and then she ended up with a night that she never got to sleep…and then worked a camp for the day…and then was just falling apart tired. UGH! She reached a point where she just wanted to throw in the towel, but Evil Mom reminded her that she had chosen to go out for it, that other people had helped her with letters, transcripts had been ordered and received, and that she had already put in a lot of the work needed. Well, she finally pulled it together and submitted the packet in time to be postmarked on New Year’s Eve day.

Tonight, in addition to hitting a major goal in shooting sports, she found out that she had been awarded one of eight spots that she had been going out for. The award consists of receiving a trip to the state capitol (yes, that is only 45 minutes away, but still!!) for a week. They haven’t named the scholarship amount, but last year the recipients received $3,000 each. After the week at Youth Education Summit, two of the students will be awarded a trip to Washington, DC to attend the National Summit — all expenses, plus a much larger scholarship opportunity. The odds are definitely looking good with 25% of the Oregon recipients moving on. After that trip, if an additional project is completed, a third scholarship can be awarded.

All this is through the Friends of the NRA, so shooting sports is definitely a component. For both the state and national level, part of the trip will include going to a range and doing some shooting, so K will love that. In addition, the kids visit historic sites and museums, learn about government, participate in debates, etc. All I can say is that, if she goes to Washington, DC, I am chaperoning!!!! So far the only down side in K’s mind is that the schedule for both trips is 6AM to 10PM for a week. SIX A period M period! Mornings are not her thing and at 6AM she is sort of…well the word “possessed” comes to mind. Full blow head spinning on her neck, scary voice, and crazy eyes. Aside from that, hopefully her normal outgoing personality will shine through and help her get to the national level.

Anyway, the details don’t matter as much as – Evil Mom was vindicated because she actually received the award!!! Whoo-hoo!

This week is also the first week of the new term. As of today, she has attended each of her four classes. She really liked all her teachers and she didn’t come out of her wilderness class with drool on her lips from all the young fire fighters, so I am happy.

Good week!!!! Happy dancing time!!!