Our tallest grandchild

On a recent trip to Bend we discovered that Jason is now taller than Grandpa! However, he's not yet quite as tall as his Dad. 

Jason just graduated from REALMS, his middle school. They have the tradition that when they graduate each student writes a poem about himself. Here is Jason's poem:

           I Am This

I am this. 

Someone who was small. 

Who hated and was hated by. 

I liked few and few liked me. 

The time came to fear middle school. 

Miraculously, REALMS came out of the dark fear as if a pillar of light.

I am this. 

One who made a quiet friendship and from there grew with friends and decreased with hatred and frustration. 

My enemies faded away as friends faded into my life and personality.

I am this. 

A traveler. I took a journey, and discovered some of myself. 

I returned stronger and wiser, more capable of facing the life I live.

I am this. 

Beginning new journeys and facing awakening challenges. 

I am still discovering myself, what I love and anchors that weigh me down on my endless journey to who I am going to be.

I am this. 

This is now, but I have yet to be.

We have noticed a change in Jason too (besides his height). He's more sociable and can make conversation easily, even with adults. He is polite and respectful. He has many friends. He's not afraid to speak up. These characteristics will help him be a good missionary!

Next fall he will start high school at Mountain View High. Then he'll be a small duck in a large pond. But with the friends and abilities he developed in middle school, he'll do just fine. And he'll probably grow a few more inches!

Other highlights of our trip were: camping at Detroit Lake in the Hoover Campground. It was peaceful and beautiful there. We saw osprey, Canadian geese, and ducks. 

In Bend we visited the High Desert Museum and went to see the movie, Prince Caspian. 

We stayed with Trevor and Curtis on Saturday while the older people went to Portland to buy a new used car and Jason was at a friend's house. Trevor and Curtis made cookies with Grandpa. The older people came back with a spiffy black Hyundai.