College Visits

My first baby is less than a year away going to college. I'm in shock AND so excited! Right now the worst part of it all for me is figuring out the applications for colleges, scholarships and the daunting FASFA.  Remind me I can do this!

Emma and I had a fantastic trip to Kearney yesterday. Below are a couple pictures from her two top colleges. Next month she is visiting Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, MO. Hopefully soon after she will be able to make a decision on which school she will call home for the next four years. I know without a doubt Emma will be a tremendous success wherever she ends up. Love this girl!

Homework With A Smile

Surprised to see a teenager with this big of a smile while doing homework? This girl has been beaming since she walked in the door last night with her new school issued laptop. The freshman in our house got her device before her senior sister. Our school district is on it's way to accomplishing the 1 to 1 initiative it mapped out a couple years ago. Meaning, one device for each student starting with the high school. There are two reasons for Reagan's early laptop. #1 her Spanish class is a test group just like last year one of Emma's classes was a test group #2 she was 1 of 4 students (out of 2400) selected to represent her HS at the student-superintendent advisory team. YAY!

I have to admit something, there is another reason she is smiling so big...she is laughing at her mom for taking such a ridiculous picture. Hey, I'm a blogger. Gotta. Have. Pictures!

Life can be fun and exciting, even these regular moments are meant to be celebrated and enjoyed. I want to teach my girls that we don't have to wait for the monumental moments to make memories. It's the journey or as some people say it's the "dash" that matters most. Have a wonderful day and remember to enjoy whatever you are doing.

College Roommates

Aw, the good old days of living in the dorms, playing volleyball, doing lots of stuff we shouldn't have and still trying to make it to class on time. My freshman year I roomed with 3 other volleyball players, Kelly, Julie and Rhonda. How our lives have changed in the last 20+ years which makes our brief reunions all the better. Unfortunately I haven't seen Rhonda since 1994. Between the four of us we have fourteen children ages 17-1. That would be a fun party we all could carve out a free weekend.

My setter Juba

Crooked fingered hitter and Her little guy

It was so great to reconnect with Julie an Kelly, now we have to get in touch with Rhonda. Time for a reunion!

BACK 2 SCHOOL

Where did our summer go? I remember as a child wondering why old people said things like, "the older I get the faster time flies." It sounded ridiculous to me and now apparently I AM one of those "old people" because time does fly. Our summer seemed to be over just days after it bagan and I really do not want this school year to fly by quickly. (Remind me that I said that just incase life gets hairy and I'm complaining about kids, life, family, etc)

Below are a few back to school pictures. Reags and Liv started school a day before Em. What a good big sis, she crawled out of bed for a picture. Olivia was a little hesitant about her teacher but so far she has been pretty happy. Reagan was a ball of nerves on the first day. She found all her classes and even the lunch room. Whew! Emma was excited to be BMOC.

Lord, walk the halls of these girls' schools. Keep them safe. Please gently give them reminders that they are yours and you love them unconditionally. Help them remember to shine your light to the "least of these." May their successes draw them close to you in praise and their trials help them to rely on you faithfully. You are the virtues of Philippians 4:8, true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthly. Let them think on these things.
In Jesus' Powerful Name, Amen

Senior's 1st day

I love that Facebook will occasionally show me pictures that I posted 1, 3, 6, etc years ago. Look at my girls on the first day of school 5 years ago and then this year. I think I still see Liv just like that little kindergartener. Watching these girls grow and learn to think for themselves is an amazing privilege as a parent. What an beautiful gift from God!

Happy Birthday Vicki!!

I met my dear friend Vicki in 1998 when I started working at Christ Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona. It wasn't until I quit working to stay home with my girls that we started talking more. And then when our family packed up and left the Valley our friendship really flourished. Vicki is a friend who is just a few years ahead of me in life and has already experienced some of the joys and pitfalls of life that I may still cross. She is full of wisdom but typically waits for me to ask for it. I truly cherish our friendship. We are sisters in Christ, wives, mothers, crafters, bloggers, suspicious, tea lovers, caring, interested in people and love to laugh. I thank God for putting us in the same office all those years ago. I am blessed beyond what words can express to have this fantastic lady in my life. 

Vicki, Have a happy birthday and know that I am praying for you my friend!