Catching Up!

Since it has been quite some time since I blogged, I thought I'd get back into the swing of things by first highlighting what's been happening with the Gulf Coast Otters the last six months or so.

In February I had yet another birthday. Despite the fact that it seemed impossible (and somewhat painful) that I could be another year older it was great to have good friends to share it with. The kind of friend who "get" me and who make me feel like I am still twenty-one (okay, maybe twenty-nine...) We went to Texas Roadhouse and laughed, cried, and then laughed some more. We loved it so much that we...

...went back for Lisanka's birthday. Now, for Lisanka - this was a really BIG birthday! So, we were sure to make it BIG.

Lisanka, being the good sport that she is, didn't mind when we asked.....

...for her to sit on a saddle while we sang to her. After all, it was TEXAS Roadhouse!

We had a very quiet Spring Break. We stayed in town but still had fun. I took the kids, with some of their friends, to the movies and to the museum. Unfortunately I did not get any pictures of those activities. I did, however, snap a few of Kendal and some of her friends at the beach. And, although the weather was a bit chilly for us southerners we still managed to have a great time! After spending the morning in the tourist traps shops, the sun finally came out!

So, we headed back to the beach where...

the girls had fun burying each other in the sand...

playing in the water

and just being silly!

And, to wrap up the last six months, I finally graduated from college (with honors no less)

Kind of made all of the hard work, sleepless nights, and grey hairs worth it!

Some of my friends and family members threw me a surprise graduation party! I enjoyed and appreciated it more than words can express!!

Marc's parents even came down from North Carolina!

And snapped this family photo for us
Kendal completed her 7th grade year with honors and performed in her last choral concert


Justin finished his 9th grade year with honors

(and realized that he is taller than his principal!)

My mom got a new puppy (Lizzy.)

Who Kendal adores holding and playing with...

...as does Justin!

Well, that is just about it! Now that I am caught up, I promise to be more faithful with my posts. More importantly, I promise to drop by your blogs on a more regular basis. It feels good to be back!

I'M BA-ACK!

Now that it is summer and I have finished school (yippee!!) I am going to try to get back to blogging. I really do miss this little world. So many inspiring tales, interesting ideas, and funny stories. It may take me a few days to actually post something. I just spent an hour changing my background only to find that some things have changed! While I do love the convenience of Facebook - I have definitely missed the blogging world. So, I am back and can't wait to catch up on all of your adventures. =D

Friends For Life

Just wanted to post a few pictures of the kids hanging out last week. I am hoping to get more pictures of more

of the kids on Monday when we get together for our
last hurrah before school begins.

These kids have known each other their entire lives and are more like cousins - even siblings - than friends.

I sometimes imagine them all grown up, hanging out, with their prospective spouses and children.

I can't imagine them not being together.

Kinda makes me sad that they are growing so quickly - I can still picture them toddling around playing in the baby pool at Lisanka's house or playing hide and seek at Cottage Hill Park.

Oh well, I guess since I can't slow them down - I'll just enjoy them while I can.

Who Needs Presents for Christmas When There's an Old Oak in Your Back Yard?!

On Christmas Day, after a huge breakfast and after all the presents had been opened, we were sitting around just soaking it all in. Traditionally, we attend my side of the family's Christmas party that evening. However, due to a very sick hostess/sister-in-law, the party was postponed a day. So, that allowed us plenty of time to be lazy and enjoy each other's company.

Around noon I realized I hadn't seen Kendal in a while. Since she is a teenager, that isn't such an odd occurrence. Still, my motherly instincts lead me around the house in search for her. Nope, couldn't find her anywhere.

Suddenly, a flash of blue caught my eye from the oak tree in the back yard. There was my baby girl, climbing her favorite tree. She climbs this tree almost daily so I am not sure why I was surprised.

You see, Kendal never has asked for much. In fact most Christmases and birthdays I have to beg her to give me a list - something to go on. I guess you could say she is a simple girl at heart. And, I love that about her. I really do.

Papa, Sophie, and Gabby thought Kendal might need a little assistance getting down from the tree.

Missing My Dad

My dad passed away nineteen years ago today.

I still miss him.

I wish he'd been there on my wedding day.

I wish he'd met my children.

I wish his addiction to cigarettes hadn't been so strong.

I wish I could hear his laugh.

I wish I could hear his unique pronunciations for everyday words.

I wish I could hear him say "and the whole nine yards" just one more time.

I wish he hadn't died so soon.

I'm glad he chose me to be his daughter.

I'm glad he loved me.

I'm glad he loved Marc (although I was sometimes jealous of their friendship=)

I hope someday I'll see him again.

I hope he knows I understand.

I hope he is proud of me.

I hope if you still have your dad you will tell him today how much he means to you.

New Year 2009

What do we normally do on New Years Eve you ask? Nuttin.

Okay, that is not completely true.
We usually watch the ball drop in NY on TV and then struggle to stay up til midnight central time.

So, you can imagine my delight when a dear sister from our ward invited us over for a New Year's Eve Bash!

Her name is Sister Schloemer and she is without a doubt the nicest, most hospitable person I've ever met. When you are in her home you feel like part of the family rather than an invited guest. She just has this way...don't know if this is what they refer to as the "Way of the Islands" (she's from Hawaii)...all I know is it is very special indeed...She makes everyone feel welcomed and loved.

Being more like her - that is my REAL New Year's Resolution!

She also happens to be our YW president and I am fortunate enough to be her counselor. When we first moved into the ward, Kendal was having an especially hard time with the change. But, not for long. Sister Schloemer took her under her wing and made her feel welcomed and loved. How does she do that?

I thought I'd share a few pics from our evening with ya'll - Proof that we actually did do something this New Years Eve.

Of course, I did not take the pictures...guess who did=)

But I am so happy to have a record of the wonderful evening!


Group picture - missionaries had to leave early (of course) but I am so glad they came for a bit. Everything is better when they are around!


Justin eating with the missionaries. I can just see him in a white shirt in a few more years=)



Kendal watching Cody and Noah play guitar hero - I think??


Kendal and her crush friend Cody
(she is not actually a foot taller than him - she was standing on top of the Schloemer's treadmill and Cody is on the floor=)


Nope - No underage drinking here - just sparkling non-alcoholic cider to ring in the New Year!

Christmas 2009

Okay, so I'm still a slacker when it comes to blogging. I did, however, want to post a few pictures from one of our awesome youth activities this year. All of our youth, along with senior primary, and our fantastic missionaries, sang Christmas carols at a nearby senior residence center. We walked up and down the corridors singing carols and wishing each resident a Merry Christmas. This is an annual event for the Theodore Ward and one we've been privileged to participate in the last two years. It was a great experience. Of course, I forgot my camera - as usual. Luckily, our always prepared wonderful Young Women's president snapped a few.

The Merry group ready to sing

A stop at the nurse's station -

after all they need singing too as well, don't ya think?

The kids singing to one of our sweet sisters, Gracie Milburn. We sure do miss her at church!