Astros Take 2nd Place

This season Carson played for the Astros again. It was so fun to see how much he has improved over the past year. (Maybe it had something to do with his Lucky #7!)When it all was said and done his team took 2nd place in the league. To celebrate we all went to Wendy's for a yummy treat! Carson's choice! Great job Carson! We are so proud of you and your team!

What Happens While I'm At Work

(Yes, that long thing Cole has in his hands is a snake. Sorry about the quality of the pic. It was taken with a camera phone.)
Yesterday while I was out painting the kids kept calling me for little things like, "Can I straighten my hair? Can I go play with my friends? Do I have to do my chores? What time are you going to be home? What's for lunch?" You name it they called me for it. So after about the 8th phone call I told them not to call me unless it was an emergency. Unbeknownst to me they started calling their Dad for questions and permission on everything.
While Cole was out walking Rocky he found a pretty big snake over by the Adair's yard. The thing was well over 5 ft. long. He called Mark and told him about it. Mark told him to take a picture of it and text it to him. After sizing it up he asked Cole to bring it over to our house and put it in our backyard. Apparently, Mark thought it would eat some of the little rascals that seem to flock to our yard. After bringing it over to our house the kids wouldn't leave it alone. They were curious and wanted to play with it. Cole had that thing wrapped around his arm and Keri had a part of it too. They took pictures and texted them to all their friends.
All while I was working...
They weren't even going to tell me about it because they knew how I would react. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I won't even start on the list of things that could've gone terribly wrong...
I'm sure the kids regretted telling me about it because they ended up getting a lecture for a good 1/2 hour.
Stephanie, is this yours?

A Few of my Favorites...

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite books I've read over the past couple of months...

This one made me really think about how far we've come and how far we still need to go.
Do we have the courage to change the world?
This one made me fall in love with sea turtles.
We always return back to our birthplace. Some sooner than others...
Made me realize what I am really hungry for. Food is not it...

Still reading this one. And loving every minute of it...

Let me know what you think...

Great American Challenge

On Tuesday Keri's school had an awards assembly which honored students who had gone the extra mile and accomplished goals and tasks above and beyond what was expected of them to graduate from that grade level.
Keri was honored with the "Great American Challenge" award. What an accomplishment! Some of the things she had to do were to memorize the Gettsburg Address, and all of the Presidents. I can't remember what else. But there was a long list!
Keri is such a "self-motivator" and an example to our family. You inspire me Keri!
GREAT JOB!
After seeing her receive this award I made a list of all the things I want to memorize and imprint on my heart. Will share that list on a later post...

"A Shore Bet"

The Rain Gutter Regatta race for Cub Scouts was on Tuesday night. Carson's boat had to be finished and dropped off at the Cub Master's house Monday night by 9. With our crazy schedule I forgot all about it and didn't even think about it until late Monday afternoon. Since Mark had to work that night it was my turn to help Carson put together something. Hello??? Me? I know nothing about putting a boat together. That is Mark's specialty. But Carson and I pulled it together. We didn't exactly follow the directions to a "T" but no one noticed. Right Carson? And we had fun doing it. (I got crazy glue all over my fingers which still won't come off. It looks great with the bright, flourescent paint I used to paint windows for the Delta 500 sale.)
Carson went with the name "A Shore Bet", hoping that would help a little. In the end he took 2nd, 3rd, and 3rd. I don't know what that means. But all that matters is that he had a great time.
So proud of him...
I wasn't able to go because I was working so Mark took these pictures. Not bad, huh?

Annual Dance Festival

A couple of days ago Freedom had their Annual Dance Festival at the school. We weren't sure there was going to be a dance festival because the day before that we had 2-3 inches of snow on the ground. Can you believe it? But you wouldn't have known it this day! There were a few puddles here and there. And the ground was definitely WET! But the sun came out and shined beautifully on all our little elementary school kids...

Keri and her cute friend, Amelia...

Straight Teeth. Finally.

Check it out...
Cole got his braces off today!
After 2 1/2 years of orthodontist appointments it finally happened! STRAIGHT TEETH!
One down. Two more to go!