Sam in School!

Good morning....
 
We all use the phrase "how time flies" and this morning I understand it well.  I just logged in to Sam's update and nothing has been written since November 6th.  For all of you still checking on Sam I apologize.  Time has flown by and it has been exactly two weeks since the blog.
 
So here it goes....
 
Sam started school on November 10.  He is taking one class each day at school and has tutoring daily.  His school has "A" days and "B" days.  On A days he has academic study hall where he works on assignments from his tutor.  On  B days he has SK online where he works on Algebra and then stays at school and has lunch with his friends.  It is taking us all time to get used to having a set schedule.  On A days he has to be at school by 7:50 and B days is more relaxing at 9:23.  We leave about 15 minutes early to make sure he gets there on time, never quite knowing what the traffic will be especially on A days. 
 
When he gets home from school he continues with his Algebra online or works on his tutoring assignments.  Oh I forgot his tutoring is in English and Geography.  As we approach the end of week 2 he seems to be settling in and keeping on task once he gets home.  On A days he is home for lunch and then works on homework before his tutor gets here a 2:30.  He gets "out of school" each day when the tutor leaves at 3:30.  So like most kids in high school he is ready for a break to play some XBox. 
 
He will continue this schedule until the semester is over at the end of January and then will return to school possibly fulltime.  It really depends on Sam.  He is in school but isn't fully participating since he doesn't have to move through the halls during busy class changes and has the flexibility in his schedule.  Also, he has many of the staff at Sprague watching over him like school angels just in case he gets lost or confused.  He has made a wrong turn or two but has quickly found his way back to the office.  On Monday he did some exploring in an unknown area of the school and got back to the commons for lunch with friends. 
 
All in all he is doing great.  His spirits are high and he is smiling.  Just like any other teenager he doesn't always feel like going to class in the morning.  I then remind him it's only for one class and he remind me he would only be missing one class.  Mmm, is the glass half full or half empty. 
 
Thank you for continuing to keep Sam in your prayers.  God is watching over Sam and all your prayers are the icing on the cake.
 
Stephanie/Mom 

It's a matter of perspective...

Good morning all. I wrote this last week but did not get it sent. So bear with me this actually occurred October 24th, but I still want/need to share the message.

Last night Cameron and Sam were driving home from seeing a movie. As Cameron approached the stoplight at a busy intersection the light was red and he started to slow down, but it then turned green so as any driver would do he sped back up to the speed limit. Another car heading the opposite direction, north I believe, was stopped at the stoplight, waiting for the green light and apparently to turn left. Yes, the obvious happened the light turned green, he accelerated, and then he turned left just in front of Cameron apparently not seeing our approaching car going 35 mph. Cameron had to slam on the brakes just to slow down not even to stop, at the same time the other driver apparently saw our car and sped up just in time to keep from getting hit.

Now this played out okay, kind of. The cars did not crash and everyone was okay. Kind of.

This is where the perspective comes into play. The average driver would have yelled, maybe even cursed at the car turning left in front of them and then gone about their business. But as we know my car didn't hold the average driver and passenger. Inside were two brothers, young men who have seen and lived how short and precious life is and how quickly it can change. Both boys got home shaking and scared at what "almost" happened. Sam's quickly evolved into a major headache and pain.

Cameron kept saying he was okay, but he wasn't. They visualized an accident that could have happened and it was frightening.

All of us have gone through and know what does happen when driver's are not paying attention and make bad choices. Please remind those we know that drive that it is a great responsibility and not a privilege to be taken lightly. I know God was again watching out for my precious sons and I thank Him for that.

Stephanie/Mom