First track meet of high school

Maria participated in her first high school track meet on Friday.  Her coaches wanted her to start with one race and build on that.  So, she did her 100m.   Last year we spent a lot of time with GLASA in Chicago getting training.  Friday, I picked Ella up and we drove about an hour away to the meet.  It was cold, but thankfully not too windy and no rain!  Ella was excited to see Maria race (she is really Maria's biggest fan).
We sat on the cold metal bleachers and watched Maria warm up on the other side of the track.  Ella was beside me cheering "Go Maria, Go!"  Even from where I was, I could tell her form wasn't correct.  Since her coaches don't have a lot of experience with wheelchair racers, I ended up on the end of the track helping her get into the correct position.  The upper classmen (with a boot on her foot) thanked me for the little training I did with her.  Since Maria was in a better position, Ella and I went out to watch her race.  She did great.  A really decent time for her (I'm thinking weightlifting for PE has helped build her arms up more).  She did amazing at keeping all 3 wheels in the lane with one of the back wheels just touching the inside of the white line.  Her time was 10 seconds faster than she has done in practice.
She was quite proud of herself too.  And I think she is more motivated to go faster......I'm trying to help her and give her motivation.  We will be having track meets twice weekly through April.....hopefully I will have the time and energy to update everyone on her progress.  The goal is for her to get as close to 20 seconds as possible on the 100m.....although it might take all of high school to get there (hopefully not).

A year

I can't believe it has been a year since I did a blog post.  Life got busy.  Life got hard.....really hard.  Since last March:

Maria has been home 4 years (it will be 5 years in June)

Maria finished middle school

Maria got her permit to drive

We made many trips to Chicago for track events

Maria got to race against other wheelchair users (a first, although not easy situation)

Maria went to wheelchair basketball camp and loved it (I cried leaving her there)

We visited our friends in Ohio and Maria reunited with more friends from her orphanage

We went to see a drive in movie (Finding Dory)

Ella is potty trained (except at night)

Ella has been home one year

Ella turned 4!

Maria started high school!

Ella started a new daycare/preschool

Maria ended up in the hospital and missed homecoming (thankfully no surgeries)

Ella had to stay with my friends and now is in love with my friend's husband

My mom moved into her new duplex with my grandparents next door

Ella went trick or treating as a minion and loved it

My mom, brother and I got to be with my dad when he passed away on Election Day

Organizing a funeral isn't fun at all

Being excutor of an estate isn't fun either

Surprise sweet 16 birthday party for Maria

Maria began basketball with her school team (practice at least)

We celebrated Christmas with family....it was hard without my dad

I got in a car accident and totaled my car (not fun at all)

Got a new used car 

Maria started track

Maria had her driver's evaluation and got to drive (planning on drivers ed this summer)

Looking for a bigger house 

Ella is learning so much at daycare/preschool

We went on spring break in St. Louis

That has pretty much been our year.....lots has happened that I have forgotten I'm sure.