Drat

So, Stockton didn't win his election. This was a primary election and the top two make it to the finals. Stockton knew he had an uphill battle, he was running against popular people. The girl he was running against has close to 2,000 followers on Instagram. Compare that with Stockton's 200 or so. I think if he was able to get to the part with the skits or panels, he would have had a great shot. Stockton shines in front of people. The thing I'm going to miss most about Stockton running is seeing Stockton so excited about something. I have never seen that from him before. Makes me sad because he would have been amazing. I am more angry at Mr. Packer than sad that Stockton lost the election though. Mr. Packer is over the student government people. Stockton likes him and has made comments about how he thinks Mr. Packer likes him and would like to see him in student government. When Stockton was filling out his paperwork, and there was a lot, he had to answer a weird question. The question was, 'If you lose would you be willing to run for Senior class?'. I thought that was such an irrelevant question. Stockton thought about it a lot, and we talked about it a lot. The reason Stockton wanted to run for Attorney General was because that is what Mike was when he went to Alta. There isn't an Attorney General for senior class, and Stockton felt that he would be taking someone's spot. I told Stockton to check the 'no' box. I said, "You could always run if you want to, but then you won't feel like you have to." Anyways, after the results were announced and Stockton found out he didn't make the finals Mr. Packer said, "First of all, I want you to know I'm proud of you for putting yourself out there. I would never have had the courage to do that when I was in high school. I was just a geeky band kid. I do want you to know that those of you who chose not to run for senior class and didn't win that Alta made the right decision because that just shows you wanted to be a big shot and you didn't want to serve Alta." I was totally annoyed with that comment. Stockton didn't run to be a big shot. He knew it was a long shot to win, but wanted to give it a chance. Plus, wouldn't it be more likely you wanted to be a big shot if you kept running? Way to kick the kids when they are down Mr. Packer.

Weigh-In

Stockton had a little bit of trouble getting his signs handed out. He was hoping to get a freshman to hold one of his signs. The problem was, everyone he asked in our ward was already carrying a sign for someone else in the ward. There are four people in our ward running. Stockton went to school early and was able to get some friends to hold them, so that was nice, he just was hoping it would be in the younger age group. Stockton didn't get back one of his shirts yesterday from his friend, Jove. Hopefully Jove wore the shirt again, but Stockton didn't see him all day; so who knows what happened with that. Stockton had to campaign during both lunches. He wasn't looking forward to it, but he ended up enjoying it. Stockton said everything went really well. He always knew the right thing to say in different situations. He didn't want to bother anyone, but enough people came up and talked to him that he didn't have to. He has been really happy with his campaign. He likes the Zelda theme and everyone loves his posters. He said, "Even if I don't win, at least my campaign is something I don't have to be embarrassed about."

I took Stockton straight to diving. Diving was cancelled yesterday, so we went today. Stockton looked exhausted by the time I got in there. They were still discussing the previous meet. Stockton said he was so tired and couldn't keep his eyes opened, but he felt fine once he hit the water.

I had my weigh-in today. I was a little disappointed with the results. I lost a lot of weight, 16.7 pounds; but I also lost muscle. What? We lift a lot of weights in class, so that was weird. They said that I wasn't eating enough protein. I tried to do what Michael said. I cut out all sugar, grain, dairy and fruits. I ate a lot. Mostly eggs, chicken, fish and vegetables. Still, they said that I lost 7 pounds of muscle. That is discouraging. He said my body fat loss would have been more if I hadn't lost any muscle. I lost 3 1/2% body fat. Last time I lost 8% body fat. I tried harder to follow his eating plan exactly this time, so I'm frustrated about that. No way I won this contest! I did lose 9.3 pounds of fat tissue, maybe they'll go off of that result instead. Oh well. 

First Day of Campaigning

I dropped Stockton off at school early so he could get his signs and shirts handed out to the people who agreed to wear them. Stockton said everything went really well today. People really loved his signs and his campaign. I was a nervous wreck today. Stockton had a $150 budget. We needed six signs for the posters. They were $13 each, $20 to get them laminated. That would have taken most of his budget. Mike decided against lamination while we were at the dive meet. We were thinking we needed the lamination to help the posters stand up. Mike got a foam poster board that Stockton rubber cemented the signs to. It worked great. What we didn't think about was how the lamination would help in the rain. Around 10:00 it started raining really bad. Pouring hard. I was so worried that someone who was holding his sign would have seminary and the signs would be all the way ruined. Turns out, Ryuhei had seminary. He broke one of the handles running and trying not to ruin the sign. That's okay, the handles could be fixed. He ended up leaving the sign in a teacher's classroom because the handle broke. That was weird because it was only the sword part, not anything that you really had to hold. I wonder when he had seminary. Hopefully it was at the end of the day. Mike and Stockton were able to fix the handle when they got home.

Stockton seemed really happy with how the campaigning went today. Yay! Stockton's cousin, Brandon, is also running for a student body office at his school. Their campaigning started today too. Shannon sent me this picture of Brandon's booth. The difference is, they only get one day to campaign. Maybe just lunch, I don't know. Brandon found out after school that he didn't make it. That's too bad. All that work for just a few minutes chance.

Brandon's booth

Stockton was telling me about his drama class today. They were doing improve at the end and had to do a worst parent ever skit. When it was Stockton's turn he yelled, "Honey, I'm going to 'take your child to work day'!" He then leaned down and picked up an imaginary baby. He talked to the baby as he was walking away saying, "You get to see what your daddy does at Planned Parenthood." Stockton said the class busted up laughing, even the teacher. It is always good to get the teacher to laugh at you! As Stockton was taking his seat he heard a kid say, "I'm voting for him for sure now!"

Fingernails and Posters

I worked on my primary lesson and went to choir practice this morning. Jorja did the girls' nails before they left. She does such a good job. The girls really seem to like them.

Jorja & Ella

 Jorja, Abby & Ella

 How cool is this!?! Jorja has a plate that says 'coachella'. Works perfectly for our Ella.

 Jorja, Abby, Ella

 Ella's fingers

 Jorja & Abby

 Abby's fingers

 Jorja & Amelia

 Jorja, Ella, Abby, Amelia

 Abby & Amelia

 Amelia

Mike and Stockton worked hard on Stockton's signs and shirts. They made the handle of the signs into swords. It looks so good! They used a yard stick and 3D printed the handle. Mike had some black stuff he wrapped around the bottom. Mike kept burning his hands hot glueing the black thing, but the end result is awesome. Stockton and I tried to get a non-awkward picture of him with his sign. It's hard to get a good picture with the entire sign and handle!

Stockton

 Stockton's signs ready to go!

It was also really hard to get a picture of the three signs lined up. I asked Mike if he could hold my back so I didn't fall. I also had my feet wrapped around the railings. Well.....Mike is being Mike. Stockton took a picture of the chaos.

Mike & Stephanie

 Stockton with sign and shirt

Campaigning starts tomorrow! AHHHH! Nerve-wracking!

Campaign Posters

Stockton worked on his posters for a long time. He has to get them approved by 7:45 tomorrow morning. He sent a text of his designs to Mr. Packer just before 10:00. I think they turned out great. We still need to get them printed somewhere.

Posters/hand held signs

 Shirt design

Officially Running

Well, he did it folks. Stockton turned in all his paperwork to run for a student body officer. He picked attorney general, because that is what Mike was when he went to Alta. Stockton had to get letters of recommendations, teacher recommendations, report card, write an essay, create a platform and most hilarious to me - make posters announcing the inauguration assembly. Clever. Especially clever to have them make a poster before the candidates get whittled down next week.

Stockton's platform

 Inauguration poster, obviously

Stockton got official letters of recommendation from Mike Masters and Nate Wixom. They wrote nice things about him. Stockton's essay was hilarious, especially the last paragraph. The last paragraph was asking them to come up with an assembly activity. This was Stockton's:

Students could be given the chance to participate through a new assembly activity. Two volunteers from each class could be selected from the audience to participate in a high-fiving competition as part of the spirit bowl. Hyping up such a simple activity would generate school spirit. The participants are placed at each end of the basketball court, and once the audience is silent, the students begin to run toward each other. All the pressure rides on a single instant of delivery. Once the high five is executed, the respective class erupts in cheer, and faculty members act as judges through score cards. The top ranking classes receive the most points, and school spirit is created in a comical fashion.

Cookies

I went and picked up Maysen from school. I took her shopping and was able to get more peanut butter for me. I love their fresh crushed peanut butter. I was even able to crush it myself this time. We went out to eat at IHOP then headed home. I was starting to get really tired. I even pulled off the road to sleep for ten minutes, but I couldn't find a good area. Luckily just pulling off of the road was able to wake me up. Maysen talked to me the rest of the way home. We talked about writing projects she is hoping to work on during the summer. I asked her if she was planning on getting a summer job. We decided that she should have writing be her job. She is planning on spending eight hours a day, five days a week working on her projects. Hopefully it will be a productive summer for her!

Stockton and Jorja were making cookies when I got home. They smelled delicious! I am looking forward to the end of my no-sugar challenge!

Stockton

Stockton also brought home a packet to run for student government. He wants to run for Attorney General, because that is what Mike did at this same high school. I am excited for him. I think it will be a great experience if he wins and it will be a great experience if he doesn't win. It is good to get out of our comfort zones.

Jorja had Katlyn, Hailey and Allison over tonight. They were taking random pictures with the nice camera. I guess I should have put some of them on here. I think I'll save them for another day. The camera is downstairs in Jorja's room and sometimes it is a pain to get the pictures off......