All things Family

This has been one of the busiest 2 days of our lives. As everyone knows, we haven't been to visit my family since the end of July. We had 2 1/2 months worth of fun to pack into two days. So buckle your seat belts and hold on. It will be a bumpy ride.

It all started about mid day Friday. Sara Kate wanted to get her ears pierced. Since, apparently, I am all things fru fru, I was elected the one to take her (that and her Mom is chicken). We got to the mall and went straight to the ear piercing place. As my luck would have it, the other lady wouldn't be in for about an hour. Never fear, I thought, we'll just go eat lunch and come back. So that is exactly what we did. As divine intervention would have it, the ear piercing place was right beside "The Great American Cookie Co." There is a God and He is good. (and so are the double doozies) After what seemed like 2 hours, both of the ear piercing personnel where present and accounted for. Let's get this show on the road. Sara Kate had been so patient and I was afraid she was going to change her mind. I have video of this monumental occasion, so I am going to let it speak for itself.

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The abrupt end to the video was do to the waterworks that I detected were eminent. She had absolutely no desire to gaze upon herself right after they were done. She wanted to, and I quote, "go home right now". After a few minutes, I talked her into picking out another pair of ear rings and I finally got her to look in the mirror. She was very pleased with what she saw. However, she still has NO desire to watch this video herself.

I would also be amiss if I didn't mention how patient and compassionate Bryce was during this whole excursion. He was the picture of a great Big Brother. He didn't even complain that every store he went in was dripping with pink and sparkly things. We did however, manage to find some kind of Poke Mon thing that didn't have pink on it and we snatched it up and bought it before they realized it was in the wrong store.

After all of that drama, we came to Granda's. Their first activity was getting fit on the WII fit, while I recharged my battery. Not long after that the kids talked G-Daddy into a "Golf Cart Ride" Let's just go ahead and get this out in the open. G-Daddy is getting to be a big softy in his retirement years. I came out to see what they were doing, and G-Daddy was sitting on the steps of the Deck and the children were driving the Golf Cart. To this they replied. We are getting our Golf Cart License. Well, I don't know how thorough the instructor could have been sitting on the side lines, but I will say Thank Goodness the DMV is a little more hands on with giving out drivers license to the public. Anyway, they are all officially "Golf Cart Licensed" ( a piece of card board with their official given name and birth date, and they are filed away in the "glove compartment" of the golf cart in case they are pulled over by a deer on duty some day.

After the golf cart ride, came the great pumpkin painting extravaganza. Not much to say that you can't predict about painting a pumpkin other than, enjoy the pictures.
By this time we (the adults) are give out. So its off to be with everyone.

The morning started with the sound of a rocket launching (which we also did the night before ((not kidding)) Seriously, we really launched a rocket. Not kidding, Where does the whole rocket launching thing come into play this morning you ask. Let me tell you. When we are all here, G-Daddy HAS to make his famous waffles. He bought a high dollar waffle maker because this one literally sounds like a rocket breaking the sound barrier as it lands from Mars. Not only is it a wonderful waffle maker it is also handy in the alarm clock department for those who need a little extra help waking up in the morning. However, he has been known to make waffles out on the deck as to not wake any the children before Granda has her coffee. This is strictly for the safety of the children. But I digress...... G-Daddy made his waffles and Uncle Brad his perfect fried eggs on toast with sausage and gravy. Yummy!

Now, the photo shoot. We always try to have Aunt Shana take pictures while we are here. I may be fru fru in the appearance dept. but Shana is all about the picture taking. Seriously, we walked all over these 28 acres to find the perfect spot for Maci and Bayley's photo op.

Upon returning from the photo shoot, we ate lunch and started straight away on decorating cupcakes. Each child was suppose to have 6 cup cakes to decorate with various types of candy. Aunt Shana stole a couple of somebodies and decorated them herself. They all turned out beautiful. After cleaning up the kitchen from that we enjoyed sitting a spell on the front porch. Although that could have happened before, I'm not exactly sure.

After supper, we cleaned up the kitchen again and went outside to the bon fire. There we sang old camp songs and roasted marsh mellows for smores. YUM YUM. Aunt Shana stressed the whole time that someone would fall in the fire. But no one did. We all enjoyed our sweet treat and laughed at each others shenanigans.

Then on to the hay ride. You will see in the video the masks that Sara Kate and Shana had to wear. If I'm not mistaken, Shana referred to the whole thing as an allergy infested bed of Hell. Enough said.

We ended the night by sitting around the bon fire again and playing a silly little game that made us laugh. I have to say, I am so thankful for a family that enjoys being together. And goes out of their way to make the time that we do spend together soooo special. Thank you Granda, G-Daddy, Uncle Brad, Uncle Scott, and Aunt Shana. I love you!!!



P.S. Granda has passed out beside me and is muttering something about, "this was the big one Elizabeth"


P.S.S. Oh and Maci rode a motorcycle. That was nerve racking.

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V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!!!

That is MY battle cry. I finally got it. Please enjoy the video montage (how cool am I) of the game tonight. We won 48 to 16!!! GO RAMS!!!! There is no stopping me now.
I'm still working on manning the camera to the best of its ability. I just might have it under control by Basketball season.

There is a girl on the squad that reminds me soooo much of Sara Kate. This has GOT to be what she is going to look like when she gets older. When you see a close up of a blonde doing the "get fired up" crowd cheer, tell me what you think. Bayley & I are in complete agreement.

ENJOY!!!!

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Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

Three cheers for Bayley. The voting has been done. The ballots have been counted and Bayley has been announced the winner. She has now officially started her reign as the Student Council Secretary at Skyview Elementary. She has promised in her campaign that Bayley is a name you can trust. She has also promised to be all that she should be for her fellow students.

When asked.... "what does this mean you will be doing" she replied without trepidation and I quote..... "I don't know, but I am the 3rd most important person at Skyview, other than the Principal and all the Teachers." All us "little people" should feel proud to have such a go getter representing us.

Not only is she the 3rd most important person in the whole school (except for the Principal and Teachers that is) she is also the camera girl for WSKY. (the schools TV station) She will begin that monumental task on Monday. This task, she is a little more sure of her responsabilities.... She has to step over a cord several times during the broadcast. If she doesn't, she will trip over it and as she said "there goes WSKY"

I thought you might would like to read a copy of her campaign speech:

Good morning my fellow Countrymen,

My name is Bayley Whitton. We are young, we are free. The sky is the limit for our possibilites. As I think of each students roaming the halls, the thought comes to mind, "They need direction." Direction calls for Leadership. I am fully prepared to do all that is whithin my power to make your time at Skyview Elementary the best that it can be. So remember.... Vote for me "Bayley Whitton" for Secretary.

God Bless America!

We are keeping her campaign posters, she may need them in the year 2025.

Plant Cells?

Even though this week is National Stay at Home Week, or so I'm told. We have been anything but staying at home. Neither Skyview Elementary nor Covenant Academy got the memo. Well, I take that back. Apparently Maci's cheer coach did, because she wasn't there today or yesterday causing me to have to make a trip to Covenant to pick Maci up.

If my children would let us know that they need things before the eleventh hour, all would be right in the world. This whole middle school thing takes a lot to get used to. When they are in Elementary school, they get all kinds of papers keeping us informed as to what is coming up and what we need to do. Well, that is so not the case in Middle School. I haven't seen an informative piece of paper much less a graded paper. They don't know Maci all that well, or they would revert to safety pinning notes to her shirt. She must be doing o.k. They mailed her progress report and she did quite well.

Now for the reason for this blog..... She has a report due at the end of this week. Can you believe it? She is going to turn it in tomorrow. We are so far ahead of schedule it is scary. I can't get ahead of myself. She told us Sunday afternoon, she had to have a board for her science project and that she had to have it by Monday. I got in the car Monday afternoon, and guess what was in the back seat. HER BOARD!!!!! Anyway, her project is finished, and if she actually turns it in tomorrow she will get extra credit.

She did this all by herself. She made the brownies (from scratch). Her daddy broke a fire ball so that it would take its place as the cell's nucleus (or something like that). The rest she did all by herself. I think the most challenging part of the whole thing was keeping Bayley and her Daddy out of the candy and brownies until she got what she needed. Way to go Maci!!!! Here are a few pictures. She is very proud of herself.

I am to understanad that this will be graded and then consumed during lunch. Talk about weird science.

TGTF

This is a post that I wrote last week at about this time. The facts are not exactly the same, but the circumstances are similar.

Thank God Tomorrow's Friday. At this time, that is my only consolation. It is in fact the reason I will drag myself out of bed in the morning. We just got home for the day about 20 minutes ago. It is 9:43 at this time. Today, was quite a day, It started like most mornings.... around 6:00. I spent most of the day in the dish room, which I am certain is exactly what hell is going to be like. At the end of the day, I made arrangements for Bayley to be picked up (thank you Michelle). I rushed to Covenant to pick Maci and Brandon up so that I could get home, take a shower and get the Lunch Lady funk off of me, gather Bayley and have Brandon and Maci at Windsor by 4:30. I was on Ayers Rd. and my cell phone rang. It was Maci, I was all prepared to tell her I am almost there, but NO!!! I answered and the child said to me, and I quote. "Mom, you don't have to come and pick me up, I have practice and I forgot to tell you." She then proceeded to act as if it would be absolutely no problem for me to take Brandon to wherever and come back at 3:45 and pick her up. Now for a little math lesson. At that time it was 3:20 I wouldn't have even made it home by the time I would have had to be back to pick her up. I'm sure your thinking, "Shelley, what is the big deal? You could have just stayed the extra 25 minutes and waited on her." Well, you have forgotten that my life is not that easy. Did I mention that I wanted to come home and take a shower? If you will refer to the first paragraph of this nail biting blog, I worked at the gates of hell today. I was not exhibiting the most pleasant odor that has ever emanated from my person. You see, in order for us to be at Windsor by 4:30, we were going to have to leave no later that 4:10. Now here is where the math comes in..... In no way was I going to be able to get her and take a shower and have Brandon at Windsor by the time he was suppose to be there. Not to mention Maci had to come home and change into her uniform. I have never been much of a fan of cloning, but today, I would have tried anything.

Praise the Lord for my neighbor across the street... her daughter is on the squad with Maci. I don't like to ask people for help but, when I saw her walking across the school parking lot with a soft glow of light beaming behind her. While the Hallelujah Chorus was ringing in my ears, I knew this had to be Divine Intervention. I asked her and she said she would bring Maci home.

I flew home took a quick shower and was ready by the time Maci got home. Brandon changed, Maci changed and we ran out the door. I drove like a bat out of the bad place to make it on time. I pull in and mowed over a few innocent bystanders and notice that there is hardly anyone there. I voiced my concern, and Brandon said, "I didn't have to be here until 4:45."

I am sorry to say that neither Brandon or Maci are with us anymore, for I have pulverized them. At least in prison, I won't have to play taxi for anybody. OMG. I know they have jobs for inmates, you watch.... it will be my luck I'll have to either work in the kitchen or I'll be assigned some kind of taxi service.Oh well, Thank God Tomorrow is Friday!!!!!!

And She Sings Too

Listen, I have been up since 6:00 and I have just finished working for today. No fancy words or clever whatevers just simply a picture of Bayley's Choral Debut. She did great. I can't believe she is old enough to be in chorus. I also tried to video the song and I'll try to post it.

O.K. I've tried 3 times and can't get the video on here. Shana I will need your guidance, since you have put videos on yours on several different occasions.

Vote For Bayley....

....A Name you can Trust. At some point this month (not sure yet when) all of Skyview Elementary will be faced with a decision. And we're not talking about what their favorite ice cream flavor is. No way, this is a topic that far surpasses the childish whims of ice cream. For they will be voting on their Student Council Representatives. Only 4th and 5th graders are allowed to run for such important offices. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, 4th graders run for Secretary and Treasurer and 5th graders run for President and Vice President. But that doesn't diminish the importance of this event. For here at campaign headquarters, production has begun on the very important Campaign posters. Tomorrow they will be strategically hung in the halls as to attract the most electoral votes as possible.

So, if you are keeping close tabs on the other small election that is going on at this time, I would like to remind you that good leaders have to start somewhere. Who knows, she may be the next President of the United States of America in the year 2058.

I'm just saying......

Here are a few pictures of the posters she made.

First Game of the Season

The squad

This last Thursday was the first game of the JV football teams season. The game was at Fullington Academy in Dooley County. Don't ask me where that is. All I know is it is somewhere near Unidilla Ga. about 20 minutes south of Perry. You know your in South Ga. when you are constantly attacked by gnats. They were ever present.

Along with the gnats came the sweltering sun. I don't know about you, but when I was in high school, it was COLD at the football games. I am consistantly amazed at the support the football players receive from their school. At all the games that I have been to, we have always had as many if not more fans than the home team. It's pretty cool to be a part of a school with such comrodery.

Anyway, the game started and with the first play, we got our first touchdown. That just set the mood. The Cheerleaders went into action. They cheered the entire game, and I do mean the entire game. They didn't just cheer for the boys, no there were crowd cheers that were thrust upon us. You see, if we (the fans) particpated in the way we were expected they would then hurl hard candy or small footballs at us. This brought Bro. "D" and Bayley into action. We all know that Bayley will do anything for candy. Bro. "D", on the other hand, will just do anything. If the boys didn't feel supported they were in a coma.

Well, the boys did a great job and continued to score. They won their first game 32 to 8. All that was left to do was invade Chic-fil-a and celebrate. So that is exactly what we did.

All that's left to say is GO RAMS!!!!!

Let the games begin...

The time has come. School is back in session. Where most people are breathing a collective sigh of relief, I am more bracing myself for all that is before me the next nine months. But I will have to say that this year is seemingly going a lot smoother and quite a bit more pleasant. (Lord, that is not a challenge.)


Bayley started school on Aug. 7th. We had to drag her kicking and screaming. You see, she may look like me but she is her Daddy through and through. It is really annoying how they can read or hear something one time and remember it for a lifetime. Me on the other hand, when it comes to trivial things, I'm not to be bothered with cluttering my mind with useless information. I don't know how many times Paul has told me something and I've said "how do you know?" which brings the annoying reply "I read it somewhere" or "You just didn't pay attention in school did you" Well who could soak in all that stuff when you are trying to map out the most beneficial way to get to your next class that will enable you to see as many of your friends as possible. Which I guess explains the tears Thursday night when I made her write all of her spelling words 10 times each (a blog all its own).


Maci on the other hand may look like her Daddy but emulates me to the bitter end. She didn't start school until Aug. 13th. She is officially in the middle school. We went to the open house the day before school started and I was in a panic by the time I left. I was worried about how she was going to get from class to class on time and with all of the supplies needed for that class. She on the other hand couldn't be bothered with such as that. She was entirely too busy catching up with her friends that she hadn't seen all summer. When I picked her up the 1st day, I asked her how her 1st day went and she talked for about 15 minutes with a breath.


So there you have it Paul and Bayley realize the true intent of school and the need for education. Maci and I on the other hand have heard that school is very important but for more than just that one little thing called education, but because the "powers that be" have gone to such trouble to organize such a wonderful way to enhance our social lives.


Anyway, school is off to a good start. There have been test taken and projects turned in already. Maci made a 95 on her first test and Bayley has already turned her project in for her REACH (gifted) class. I am very proud to have two smart beautiful girls.

I wasn't able to take a picture of Maci's first day because I was already at work. (sorry Shana)

Family, Friends and Fireworks

As is tradition, we spent the 4th of July @ Granda's. For the last several years we have invaded Granda and G Daddies house to enjoy a day of wonderful food, swimming, great fellowship and lets not forget.... FIREWORKS!!!!

The festivities began @ roughly 9:00 a.m. Bruce cooked gingerbread waffles, grits, eggs and bacon for breakfast this morning to help give every one's metabolism a jump start. After breakfast the kids got all dolled up for pictures. Maci, Priscilla, Bayley, Hannah, Bryce, and Sara Kate, and lets not forget Daisy and Woody (the dogs). After pictures, they all took off to the pool. This is where they stayed for most of the day.

Around 5:00 or so, Shana's friends Eric and Tammy and their two girls, Tammy's parents and her sister joined in the mix. We had supper and again, sat out to watch the children swim. During our leisurely time out by the pool, we sipped on fresh home made Yoohoo ice cream. YUM YUM. There is nothing better than sitting out by the pool under the new pergola with your bounce sheets (to repel the mosquitoes) all while eating home made ice cream. God Bless America.

The best part was the fireworks. We all gathered our chairs at the top of the hill and watched as Uncle Scott and Uncle Brad put themselves in harms way to provide a firework display to remember. Seeing as how fireworks are illegal in Georgia, we had to do this under cover of night. (And you thought it was so they can be seen better) I am proud to announce that Aunt Shana's life saving techniques were not needed this year. There were no children in harms way and no pouncing took place. I rest comfortably in the fact that she was set and ready for action.

I will have to say, that I am so thankful to all the troops and their families for the sacrifices they have made so that my family and friends can gather together and celebrate our countries freedom.

Enjoy the pictures..... there are a lot of them.

Life is a Beach II (with Pictures)

Well, after the last blog, we went crab hunting. Crab hunting you say? Yes, crab hunting. I've always found that a little funny since upon seeing one of the frightned creatures, my frightened creatures would commence to screaming and running the opposite direction. The element of surprise was definitely not on our side. As we were walking back, the thunder and lightening started. We were quite worried about getting rained on but we made it back in time. No one got any of Nature's home perms. (I really need help with my hair fetish)

The next day, needless to say, the water was quite rough. Paul and the girls went to St. Andrews Bay to go snorkeling and were stung yet again by jelly fish. They didn't get to see a lot of cool things because it started storming. Paul brought the kayaks out after lunch and the games began. As stated yesterday, he has an ocean kayak that I have mastered (ha ha), and he has one that is affectionately known as the "stunt" kayak.

I had watched several able bodied men set out to ride the waves in only to see them flip in the midst of one of the waves. I boldly said, I'll give it a try. Paul took me up on it. I couldn't go back on my word so after a brief adjustment to my last will and testament, I set off. Paul helped me get out far enough to not impale any of the innocent ocean waders. After the second huge wave that smacked me in the face, I decided I would turn around and head back to shore. Paul is all the while yelling, keep it straight!!!. I made it. I didn't flip. So forgive me as I gloat a tad "I AM NO ORDINARY LUNCH LADY" Nikki has a picture, I will post it when she e-mails it to me. Now I know that this is no sky diving attempt like my crazy brother did last week but for me it was quite a step. (Baby steps)

We are home now and I must say, there is no place like home. Again, it rained on us most of the way home and from what I hear it rained most of the day in SeaGrove. Either way, we were going to get wet. Thank you Lord for the safe trip home.

Anyway, I'll post the pictures now. Tricky how I made you read all of this just to simply look at the pictures. As I said before, I am no ordinary lunch lady.

Life is a Beach!!!

I couldn't do it. I couldn't wait until I got home to blog about my vacation. We have been having a wonderful time. We have been shopping, swimming, kayaking, boogie boarding, and let us not forget, jellyfish bitten.

We left Sunday after church and drove in the pouring rain. We are talking major down pours here. The kind that you have to turn the hazard lights on in order to let people know you are on the road. By the time we arrived (8:30 or 9:00) it was threatening to hit us again. It started raining the minute we got all of our luggage in the condo. Thank you God.

Monday it was still very cloudy and somewhat cool (if it can be cool in Florida). The ocean was very rough and we (I) chose to wait until the conditions were more favourable. In fact, apparently the word was out that the Whitton's had arrived and all of the marine life was here to welcome us. The jelly fish especially. Bayley (of course) was stung by lunch time. So needless to say, she has been very cautious when it comes to the ocean.

Tuesday the sun was out and the ocean was a little more calm, the jellyfish were are little less but the sea weed was horrible. We are talking, major sea weed. Not just the kind that is in a clump we are talking about that and the kind that looks like someone blew their nose in the ocean. Nikki and I tried to walk out into the ocean but proved to be more that I could handle. The thought of that slimy stuff touching me and getting stuck all in my crevasses was more than I could handle. Not to mention that I am more than certain that it would not be very attractive in my hair. You know how I am about my hair (and how Shana isn't about hers or Sara Kate's)

Today however, the sea weed was a little better in some spots and the jellyfish were a little more sparse. I went out and sat on the beach and enjoyed rubbing my feet in the sand. The heat finally got to me and I decided to venture into the water. We took off with total reckless abandon. It was the 3rd day of our vacation and I was not going to be hampered by some stinking sea weed. After swimming for a while, We decided to go out in the kayak. I am proud to say that I was allowed to man my own kayak. Paul was in the "stunt" kayak, and I was in the blue one. Nikki and Ed followed close behind in their kayak. We rowed out until you couldn't hear anything or anyone. We say very quietly and watched for cool fish to swim under us. Then it happened......
I looked over and saw a fin sticking up out of the water coming toward us. (I'm just kidding, but I had you going didn't I. ha ha p.s. Lord that is not a challenge.) Seriously, we saw several jellyfish that were very very very long. We also saw a school of fish swimming around. I looked down and saw a Manna War. You know those things that look like sting rays. I had a little passenger (Joseph) with me. I showed them to him and he calmly but very sincerely said. "Mrs. Shelley, lets go back." I had no problem with that. So we headed back to shore.

Well, although it is not the end of our vacation, it is however, the end of this blog. We miss everyone, and we'll post again later. I am using Paul's new laptop and can't figure out how to do the pictures. He is in the pool and I'll have to get him to show me how.

The new and improved Bayley

Well, I don't know that she needed much improvement, but see for yourself. She got her hair cut today and I told Granda that I would post a picture of her so she could see it.

This may quite possibly be the shortest blog I have ever written. After all, they do say that a picture is worth a thousand words.

We love you Granda and hope you feel better soon!!!!!

VBS

We are winding down VBS this week. Part of me is happy because it is very tiring. But the inner hula girl in me is kind of sad. It is a lot of fun. Sandy and I are in charge of the music. We have to teach the children the motions and words of a new song every night. Some of the motions were made up by the guy that writes the songs, but sometimes(and there was a lot this year) we add our own signs.

It is amazing how quickly the kids pick them up and how well they participate. I have been very proud of each of the classes from 3's and Pre-K to the teenagers. Yes the teenagers, (Middle school through High school). It is 2 hours and 40 minutes of aerobic workout. That is the part of me that is a little happy to see it end. But as you will see in the video that I have attached. I should be doing this 24/7.

Bryce and Sara Kate were an absolute joy to have. Their teachers Holli and Jamie loved them and were so sad to see them go. Holli is a student at UGA and Jamie is going to be a freshman at Shorter this fall. They are both a wonderful example to my girls. I adore them both. Their class was very full every night so far. But they handled it with an endless energy that I would love to bottle. And I can not forget, Ryan, Holli's boyfriend was along for the ride too. He is a major help and one of our best Hula Dancers. :)

The Hair!!!!

Life in Lizella has been changed forever. Bryce and Sara Kate are here for a visit. We are having lots of fun and are staying very busy. Although, Manasseh only weighs 5 pounds, he is a source of quite a lot of pandemonium. Bryce and Sara Kate are not accustomed to a dog that exerts a lot of energy. Their beloved Gigi is quite a bit calmer than Manasseh. Sara Kate has also brought out a little bit of Manasseh's inner freak. I was getting ready to work on my VBS songs and she was standing beside me and she said (and I quote) "Manasseh stop humping my leg". Those are words that make dog owner so proud. Not to mention the pride it brings to the aunt of a 3 yr old. Oh well, Sorry Shana.

Back to the reason for this blog. I adore my sister. She is all the things I'm not like organized, disciplined, loving, helpful and the list goes on. There is one thing however, that I do have over her. In case you don't know, it is the ability, no the neurotic need, to be so particular with the way my girls look. Others call it vain, I choose to call it paying attention to detail. From birth, my children have been burdened with bows and ribbons on anything and everything they wear. Sara Kate, not so much. It it probably because she is so darn cute. But my argument is, if she is naturally that adorable, imagine how adorable she would be with a bow or even a simple ribbon. The sky is the limit.

So.... without further adieu please see pictures below of the limitless beauty which I call Sara Kate.

Here she is looking good watching T.V. (television)

And to the right, the look is complete with a ribbon. (To think it only took 30 sec. to tie that ribbon)

SUMMER TIME WITH THE FAM!!

It is officially summertime. Although, I am more than certain that it is no where near as hot here as it is in Macon however, it is all the same very, very, HOT. Thank goodness that Granda and G Daddy have a pool. So... right before we completely melted away to a liquid form of ourselves, the kids decided that they would go swimming. After a helping (or two) of Granda's home made Lasagna, we took off to the pool.

When we were young, we had an old tractor tire inner tube that we played on in the pool. Two of us would get on either side of the tube and would rock back and forth to try and see if we could make our partner fall off. It made for a great work out and provided hours of entertainment. Well, we found a inner tube float and watched as Maci, Bayley, and Bryce tried to all get on it. Mom and I enjoyed watching them get on. I think they laughed as hard as we did. Sara Kate was waiting patiently on the side of the pool to get on when things were stable, but that never happened. She finally gave up and started playing on her own.

I tried to capture some of them playing and falling off. I posted some pictures for your enjoyment. However, I am using Mom and Dad's computer and it is a MAC, that is all I have to say. I would put captions under each picture, but I can't figure out how to do that either.

Happy Summertime.

Free At Last!! Free At Last!!

Thank God Almighty we are free at last!!!
Well we made it. School is out for summer. Although we had to go 2 extra days because of the tornadoes (yes I said tornadoessss) we finally made it to the last week of school.
Bayley was suppose to get out on Tuesday, May 20th. Due to the damage, their last day was Thursday, May 22. Maci's last day was not until Friday, May 23, however she is in 6th grade and their graduation was held Thursday, May 22nd. Does that make sense? I had to put a post it note on my forehead every day to make sure that I was where I needed to be when I needed to be there.
As if my schedule wasn't hectic enough, on the morning that Maci was going to graduate, I went into work a little early to get a jump on some of the end of the year stuff that needed to be done and I came in to glass everywhere. Someone had broken into the kitchen and smashed the window going in and then the window in the door to my office. I guess they were looking for money. They even tried to break the lock that was on our walk in cooler. What in the world is that all about?
Anyway, needless to say I was a little out of kilter the rest of the day. I was able to go to Maci's graduation anyway. They did one of those heart wrenching videos. You know the ones that you have to send one of their baby pictures, and they put them in there to make you realize how time has passed, and you feel as if you missed way too much of their precious lives. Yeah one of those. Then she gets her awards and comes over to me. When she stands next to me, I take note of how tall she has gotten. Then, as if that isn't bad enough, here comes Bayley. She is almost as tall as her sister and she is leaving the 3rd grade. My baby is going into the 4th grade!?!?!?!
I'm going to post some pictures for you to see of Bayley and Maci's last awards and graduation day as a 3rd and 6th grader. Oh my goodness. Maci is going into the 7th grade!!!!! I would say I don't feel any older.... but I do.

Until next time.

Whew, that was too close!!!

Talk about praising Him in the storm. I never thought I would have to be literal in that translation. But at 5:30 Sunday morning, as we were crammed in the hall closet, I had to put that into practice. Don't give me too much credit, I think it was more pleading in the storm than it was praising in the storm. As everyone know, Bayley is petrified of bad weather. I hated to even wake her up, but we had to get to a safe place. I mean really, how do you calmly wake your children up and tell them the sirens are going off, get in the hall closet!
I have two children that couldn't be more different. We woke them up and I think Bayley dove from her bed to the closet, and Maci sauntered from her bed to the close. In fact, I had to raise my voice at Maci to get her to hurry and save her own life. By the time Maci got in the closet, Bayley was already receiving her mail there.
I have to say, that was one of the scariest times in my life. I am trying to keep (I would say the children, but we all know I'm talking about Bayley, because Maci is trying her best to go back to sleep.) calm when I can see a glimmer of fear in Paul's eyes as well. It looked as if there was a disco gong on outside. The lightening was so constant. You could hear this rumbling, moaning sound as well. It lasted for a while and then calmed down. We checked things out and realized that the immediate danger was over and we plucked the girls from there safe haven. We all decided to wait the rest of the storm out in our bed. I was to wired to just lay there, so I got up and came to the living room and watched outside.
The sun was beginning to come up by this time. Then it happened. Even with the sirens still blasting in the background, I heard them. What you ask? BIRDS!! I knew it was officially over because the birds were singing. I believe, next the first cry and the laughter of my children, that was the sweetest sound I have ever heard.
We were very fortunate that nothing was damaged. There are thousands that weren't so fortunate. Paul and some other men from the church grabbed there chain saws and set out to help anywhere they could.
So even though it wasn't the normal Mother's Day, it was a good one all the same because everyone was safe and unharmed. Thank you God for sheltering us from the storm.

I'm just getting to post because our power has been off so Happy Belated Mother's Day!!