AMTRAK is flying us on a trip, and Mason is driving on his first ever Road Trip!

Wow, what a crazy last few weeks it has been!

First I want to send out a HUGE HUG to Amtrak for going beyond the call of duty and making it so I can fly out to see Sarah since I could not take a train trip anywhere because of my disability!

When I entered the "Journey to the Center of the Earth Contest", I was not this disabled. I don't enter contests I know I cannot use or take. That would be a waste of time! But, when I tried to tell them I could not accept because of my recent disability and the rules stating I cannot upgrade so that I could handle the long rides, have a place to stay for the day long layovers or ability to sit on long bus rides they would not take "No, I can't do it!" for an answer.

Lena was insistent that I won and that I was going to take a trip to be able to see my daughter like I had planned but had thought I would have to give up. So, Lena worked her magic and got a hold of Debbie and they gave Greg and I round trip tickets and a car rental to be able to fly to Ohio to see Sarah and Michael!

So, thank you Debbie and a SUPER HUG and thank you to Lena!! Sarah an Michael are ecstatic and cannot wait for us to come so I can finally meet Michaels side of the family and see their home.

Sarah and I are already planning on doing a LOT of swimming, going to auctions, touring Amish country and crafts. Then we are hoping that while we are there the trees will be turning into their fall colors. It has been so long since I have seen the fall colors on the East side of the country. It is also right at the time of Sarah and Michaels birthdays, WOOOHOOO, time for some fun. I bet we will have lots of Michaels family there for a reunion. I am smellin' the BBQ, it had better not be too cold!

And yes, you read it right! Mason is taking one of our cars and going on a road trip down the 1-5 corridor from here to AZ! He tried to tell me he can drive straight through for 24 hours without rest to get there.....Uh, NOT! If you are thinking like me which is "There is no way in this lifetime you will EVER drive that long" then be sure to comment so I can show him how much of a very, VERY bad idea this is. Papa tried to do it once coming back from Colorado. Let's just say, he was lucky he was not hurt, did not freeze to death and that the car was not too damaged to drive the rest of the way.

Sarah told me about this website called "Couch Surfers" and I will have to look it up before we try to reserve hotels for him. (I want him to stop at LEAST twice) But, Sarah says that people are put in touch with other people that need a couch for the night while they are traveling.

You know me, being a mom and of the era of never going with strangers. They can make it look good an then who knows, they might sell him off somewhere for hard labor, or kidnap him..ahhh!

I really gotta look closely into this. Any of you know about it? Any body living on the I-5 corridor? I think I would trust my bloggers before a "Couch Surfer" website!

Of course we are getting the car ready, and yes of course it is ending up costing us more then what is was suppose to. Gosh, taking your car in for a simple tune-up, new brakes or tires ALWAYS results in something else being wrong that costs a fortune. I remember my van a few years back, the engine light kept coming on, seemed like it cost us 3 grand each time we would take it in, then, then after they seemed to have fixed everything, it needed a new engine!! All in about a 6 month period! So, by the time we were done paying for everything, about 9k later, we could have bough another car!

At least the 4Runner is not in as sorry shape, but, still those unexpected costs when we want to save our money for the trips and those unexpected costs that pop up for college, it makes you dig in and do what we need to save and make more together. So, not only am I entering contests, having a garage sale, selling things on Craigs list hopefully on my blog by next month, we are looking for some "Couches."

I was also thinking that since he is taking the double bed with him and it will be tied on the top of the car. he could just camp out under the stars on top of the car with one of those pop up tents, at the rest stops! Or he can just sleep under the stars and hope the bugs don't get him.

He is going to be able to stuff the car full of his things which kinda has me feeling blue. I have just recently got those feelings of him not living here anymore. Especially when he said he can't stay very long when he comes. He has to get back because of starting training for Cross Country, having to move again into his permanent apt since he has been "couch surfing" with friends the last couple of months. He has grown up so much, not physically, but, mentally this past year since he has been gone. He is no longer the baby. He has learned a lot, some the hard way, some in a good way. But, he knows what it is to be an adult and how we cannot come rushing in to make everything better like we use to do or when we want to or HE wants us to. I am waiting for that phone call when he starts getting his utility bills in the mail and he calls me up like Sarah did and says "MOM! I don't LIKE being an adult anymore, I don't like getting all these bills, and they won't stop coming!" LOL!

It is terrifying, because we spend our whole life trying to protect them from the real, unfair world and now he is out there and it is slapping him in the face and there is nothing I can do. I only know that he hs the strength to handle it. He has done well and I know next year is going to go a lot smoother for him. He really grew up into a very mature adult, and learned from some really tough times on how to get through it and come out shining.

Oh, and it looks like Mason might be going to the US Championships the end of June. He is still only at about 80% healthy he says. But, hopefully he will recover even more by then. I am dying to go, but, we can't even if it is in Eugene. With the car costing us more, and who knows what will come up after this, we can't risk spending money. We are hoping he makes it past the prelims so that he is on TV so we can watch and record him racing. So please pray that he heals fast and gets back into shape so he can show everyone he is still the great runner he has always been!

OK, I had all these pictures taken so I thought I would at least share them. They are of Mason and others from AZ when they were at PAC-10 Championships. I did get a shot of Andrew Wheating who was the Champion by a lean in the 800m. He made the Olympic try outs. (One of these days, Mason will beat him, I know it) I also got some pictures of Garrett when they played the Championship game and lost to Squalicum. Garret is graduating this year, so I hope to hear about all the great things he is going to be reaching for. Now is the most important time to get those goals set and to start woring for them. He will, if he wants too. So, enjoy the pictures.

Nectaly Barbosa running the 800m

Mason and John Klien running the 800m This is the first lap for Mason and he is already out of energy. He WILL be back!

Andrew Wheating running the 800m

Garret playing Squalicum HS

Keep up the hard work!

Mason Runs at Sun Angel Classic and PR's by about 6 seconds in the 1500

This is Mason's first time running the 1500m in Outdoor Track, and was able to improve his time be a whopping 6 seconds to come in 13th! It was a thrilling race with everyone coming down on the field to watch the finale.

Brandon Bethke, who did the interview with Mason on Flotrack last week was able to place 3rd! A very thrilling race to watch and great interview with Mason after the race is a great watch. So thankful for Flotrack, it is almost like I get to see him more now then when he was at home, with him either training, spending the night at friends or in his room playing video games.

So, a huge thanks to Flotrack for all their work and videos for all the teams!

Mason Makes "ALL AMERICAN" status!

An All-American "team" is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players, those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position, who are referred to as All-America or, less precisely, All-American athletes.

ASU Press Release

In all, the Sun Devils qualified eight athletes to the meet, including three men and five women, with all five women scoring points toward the team total and two of the three men doing the same. All eight, however, each earned at least one All-America honor on the weekend, including true freshman Mason McHenry in the men’s 800m run.
Mason learned a great deal about running Indoor Track and Field for the first time with the top collegiate runners when he went to nationals and came within 1/10th of a second in beating out top runner Jacob Hernandez in qualifying for the final round on Saturday.
8 Jacob Hernandez SR Texas 1:49.75q

9 Mason McHenry FR Arizona St. 1:49.85
IMHO, (In my humble opinion as a biased parent), when you watch the video we took of the race on our computer, you can see at the beginning where Mason was thrown off by a runner, was blocked by others from advancing and then at the end, looks like he was shoved back at the end right before the finish line. It was a surprise to me that contact is allowed in Indoor track, since we have never seen or had known the rules for Indoor track and Field events. But, from what Mason says, it is allowed and from interviews from other players, it makes it a lot more difficult in running a righteous race. For a better understanding I included these videos of interviews with the wnner, Hernandez and another runner.

Interview with Hernandez

Great interview that talks about getting stuck in the trash in the back, which looks like what happened to Mason.

Interview with Boase

Outdoor is different where contact or even getting into another runners lane is cause for being disqualified. Well, in High school I know it was. Not sure about College. We will find out.
If you look at the video and the pictures we tried to blow up, maybe you will see what we are trying to explain. We feel (As bisased parents) that if Mason was not pushed back by the players outstretched arm, he would have definitely made up that 1/10th of a second. Mason feels differently, since he knows more of what went on and what is allowed. He has accepted the results and tells us it was a huge learning experience. I am sure you won't have to tell him twice!! If you look at the video and the pictures we tried to blow up, mabye you will see what we are trying to explain. We feel that if Mason was not pushed back by the players outstretched arm, he would have definitly made up that 1/10th of a second.

Yes it is very hard to see, but, when we watched it on the live feed, it was very obvious, yet very legal. But, we are over this, and ready to move on.
Mason ran wonderful, and still holds the second fastest times this year in Indoor Track on the 800m run. None of the men that advanced to nationals beat his times. In fact, they should be embarrassed by the slow times they did. Remember, Mason's 2nd fastest time in the nation, collegiately, was 147.76 and at national, the First place was a 148.04. then last or 8th was a measly
152.28! So, IMHO, Mason's times for the season are proof enough of being a big winner! Until some one else comes along and can break his record times at ASU or in the Nation, he is my hero and hopes he knows how well he actually did his first season in indoor track. If he did in fact beat out Hernandezes times. Since him and Wheating were ranked to be the best, there would have been some very upset folks and most likely would have put out a contract on him..LOL! So it is good he did not upset the pack!

So, we are now onto Outdoor Track and field! Woohoo! Mason says he will be running the 4x400 this coming weekend and might be running in the longer distance races. Don't know why since he seems to do very well in the 800, but, that is the coaches call...not the mothers! So look forward to these updates as he races. We will not be able to go to any except the ones in Oregon, whine, whine. But, we are really looking forward to hopefully making it to Oregon for the championships!
Keep those good vibes and prayers coming and please be sure to vote above for the scooter I am trying to win for Mason. It would be a nice way for him to get around while living in AZ for the next few years.
It is so hard to have the kids so far away. Sarah is in Ohio and Mason in AZ. Hopefully we can at least come together once a year like we did during the holidays. It was so special to have them both here. They both miss eachother so much, so it was so nice to have them here and actually getting along!

Mason and the Bellingham Herald

See the article and interview in the Bellingham Herald by clicking here:

Sehome alum sets ASU track record

"Freshman Mason McHenry has wasted little time in making his mark in the Arizona State track and field record book. In just his second race as a collegian, the Sehome alum ran the fastest time in ASU history while winning the 800-meter dash at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships at Dempsey Indoor Stadium on the University of Washington campus Saturday, Feb. 28."

We cannot say how proud we are and how happy I am to have been able to see him race. It was tense there for a while thinking I could not go.

Then the traffic jams made it so we got there just in time to watch the race! We owe a big thanks to Garret, his mom and Dad, Lori and Scott, for sending us text messages to let us know about the traffic so we could go around it. They sent it just in time for us to take the alternate route and arrive just in time! I would have been devastated if I missed seeing Mason.

Be sure you all watch the video's of the race and interview and see the pictures I was able to take.

Now, if we can only get to see him at Nationals in Texas in a couple weeks. That would take a windfall! I am sure he will make it, but, if not, definitely next year.

You all have to remember, this is his first time ever running indoors on the smaller tracks. Which are harder because of the tighter turns. This is awesome what he has accomplished his FIRST two races!

How scary is that?

Well, Mason's first couple of weeks at ASU have gone well. He had fun at camps and enjoyed his classes and teachers. I think he misses us since he calls a LOT. But, it could be he just wants us to send him more things. Which we did just the other day. Cost a pretty penny for 3 big boxes!

We sent more sheets and blankets, his stereo, guitar for his game and I snuck in a few little surprises like some of his favorite cookies, SnickerDoodles, and a couple other things.

He had his check up with the sports doctor at ASU. Remember me telling you all that he was playing on a bad leg that showed a pending possible fracture on MRI while he was in the beginning of his track season at Sehome?

Well, it did fracture! Then continued to run in districts and state. He was so lucky it was not worse, he could have have a pin placed. How scary is this? But, the new MRI showed the fracture has healed and he is in good shape for the Cross Country season. I hope that he does not have any further problems with it! Imagine how well he did on the bad leg, breaking records and winning state. Now imagine how much better he will do since it has healed! Go Mase!

We are completely moved into the new house. I still have pictures to take but, have been almost bed ridden because of my legs giving out. But, soon, real soon I will take some pictures to post for you all to see. We just love it so much and are so blessed to have gotten it. It was almost a miracle in how we found it and was able to negotiate it. Now comes decorating and doing some remodeling, gardening, etc. Things I love to do and hope my body lets me! So far it is save, save, save, so we can do what we want to decorate and put in a fence the way we want. Time to start selling some things, garage sales and selling some crafts. Who says I am not resourceful?

I am resting up now and will post pictures and such the next time! Here is the front of the house that was taken before we moved in.

Dreams come true and Prayers are answered.

It was the 11th hour and 59th minute! Papa and Mason had to get in a couple more bits of information to the NCAA to hopefully get them to approve Mason’s scholarship to ASU and participate in Running track. Something he has been working so hard and done so well in. He even worked hard on his grades to get on the Honor Roll this his last Semester!

We were prepared to wait, like they told us. We knew we would have to send Mason to ASU, and most likely have to pay to bring him home once the NCAA made their final decision if they determined that he did not meet their guidelines. But, it is something we are willing to risk, in fact, we were doing everything they asked us to do to try and get his clearance, and more but the NCAA was being obstinate. We had a prayer chain going from all over the world so that the Good Lord would help the NCAA see that Mason was worthy of the chance.

And it worked. Papa and I cannot stop crying because there are no words to express how happy this makes us! For our son to have this chance means everything to us and Mason is so happy to be getting what he has wanted and worked for the last couple of years! There are no words to express our gratitude to all that prayed, Suzanna from the ASU compliance office and Julie from Sehome who worked diligently to get all the paper work from the school and to the NCAA so that they would make the right decision!

Our house closed on Thursday, so we have our new home and are moving, then Friday we got the email that Mason was all cleared for landing and attending ASU. Wow! We are truly blessed with all that has gone on. Just when we think all is lost…it is found once again! We are jumping, and crying with joy and we wanted to be sure to let all of you that have helped know how much we appreciate your help and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our heart and soul!





I have never seen my son so happy, not to just be able to move out, but, to have the opportunity to do what he has wanted for years now, attend college and participate in sports. And he does so well and is so motivated to do even better by hopefully doing well enough to take it all the way to the Olympics.

Next, well, it will be trying to pay for all this. Getting my craft room together and making great art pieces to sell to support this venture. Then it will be keeping up with all of Mason’s accomplishments as a runner at ASU and hopefully maybe be reporting on his venture to the Olympics! Got to have a goal!

Catch up

How long has it been? Way too long.

I cannot tell you how busy and stressful it has been with the purchase of the new home and getting Mason to ASU. Little did we know the brick walls that were being built up each time we were trying to knock one down!

If it was not the NCAA refusing to give Mason clearance to attend ASU, it was having the appraiser not clearing the loan due to suspected rot around the chimney on the house.

Now, even though we have not broken through all the brick walls yet, it looks a little more promising for both.

We will be moving in, even if the house does not close which makes it less stressful and less costly then having to stay here and give notice, etc. And we will have Mason and Papa still here to get things moved since my arms have pretty much stopped working right from all the work I have done already, which is not much!

So, this week, we will be moving in! and a few days after, Mason will hopefully be off to ASU.

We don't know yet, if Mason will actually be attending ASU, since it is still up in the air on whether the NCAA will consider the classes he took as eligible. Sehome told him to take these other classes instead of the classes he originally signed up for, and told him they were NCAA eligible, but, in fact were not. The school put them on the list to be eligible by NCAA guidlines, but, it is not on the NCAA's list!, hence the fight to have them added, and in the meantime getting Mason a waiver to attend the University, untill the NCAA makes their final decision. Talk about taking it to the very end!

Mason might take off for school, then have to turn around and come home if the NCAA decides they will not accept his class credits. What makes it really a pisser is that Mason made the Honor Roll, on top of taking the bad advice from his own school, so he, through no fault of his own, might suffer a huge loss due to other peoples negligence. And of course, since we can't apply for financing until they clear him..we have to pay out of pocket for everything in order for him to get to ASU, while they are still deciding his fate.

How do you do this when you are a single income family, and trying to buy your retirement home at the same time? The house was suppose to close a month ago...and so we are down to the wire on this closing date too, we might have to extend this date out also! So, we will be moving in, thanks to the sellers, before we close so the men will not be gone when everything closes and we need their strength to move everything over in time.

Yes, we are hiring movers, but, we are doing all the small stuff. We also started early and have a lot of stuff in Storage already. It should go easy with having only to move minimal stuff and worry about the storage stuff later.

We are at the new house daily, and watching the new siding and chimney go up. We went yesterday hoping to tour around and not be a nuicense to the workers, knowing that they were not going to work on Sunday...but, they were there!! We were happy to see that they were there and trying to get it done, but, felt bad they saw us! Hope they don't think we are trying to pressure them...poor guys!

I am a lot calmer and not having panic attacks like I was. Never had panic attacks until this last month! They are wicked! The roads I take have never been easy, but, for some reason everything turns out they way it should. We just keep the prayers going and keep working as hard as we can.

I am sending every one that has been praying for us a huge hug and thank you for all your prayers. We have recovered from failure from the first sale, even though it was rough seas there for a while, the prayers got us what we needed and found us another, much better home! Even though it has been a very rocky road, it all seems to be turning out. I am sure it has been everyones faith and prayers and we really appreciate it!

Next time I post we will hopefully be settled into the new home and Mason will be at ASU! Keep the prayers going and hopefully I will be posting pictures of our new house!

State Championship Videos

Mason gave it a good go for the 1600m race and came in second behind his teammate Colin Flynn. I have to admit I am so proud he was even able to run that long a race with his leg. Last year he was able to take first in the 1600m, to beat out the favored Isak Bergman, that is a good ending! So, I know he could have done it. But, he was able to take first place in the shorter 800m race the next day. So he is the State Champ this year in the 800m, and his school also won the State Championship also...GO MARINERS!

Thanks to Papa for editing the videos so they are not long and boring! I have yet to master this without obliterating the video!

Because of his leg, and with the ASU's advice, he won't be going to California for the Golden West Invitational. I am glad and I am sure going to graduation instead will be just as fun. Besides..we already bought the cap and gown! I am sure there will be some parties here and there. On Prom night he was the designated driver for a lot of kids which made me proud. He choose not to go...but, was there for his classmates and friends. I have a feeling he will be doing the same

Now we are on too ASU. This will be a great new adventure for him and I know he is looking forward to it. Mama and Papa too!

Enjoy the video's! There won't be any more, unless we travel to his events when he runs at the UofW!