Day 2

My dear sweet hubby surprised me with a cup of decaf KK coffee.  I didn't know that it what I needed until he brought it!  IT was delicious and certainly made the day a little brighter!  I sure am missing the time with my oldest...she is in her room except for dinner when we socially distance in the den.  We've give her their half of the house.  Maggie is sleeping on her mattress in our room.  It feels strange...

As I remember from our last quarantine, outside is so good for the mind and body.  So we headed outside to enjoy some time together.  Caroline was working on her photography skills.  She has informed me that my camera isn't as up to date as her school camera is...maybe she should ask for one for Christmas and then I could just borrow hers!

Today I registered for her COVID test.  We are so thankful to test tomorrow to see if she has COVID or if we get to return to life as normal...

 

Maggie's nail salon

Day 1 of quarantine.  Maggie has some school work to complete.  Caroline is loving life isolating away from us...I honestly don't think she misses us!  She may never want to come out.  :-)  One piece of good news, Caroline's smell came back today!!!!!  I had the kid sniffing garlic, finger nail polish remover, BBQ sauce, etc.  She passed with flying colors...here's to hoping she was just extremely congested yesterday and I over reacted.   

After Maggie completed her school work, she set up her nail salon and invited me in for a manicure.  It was a lovely experience!

 

Well folks...just like that we are in quarantine!

 Both girls have been dealing with what we thought were allergies.  However, this afternoon after school Caroline seemed extremely congested.  We went out to grab something from Platos closet.  When we got back in the car, we put on hand sanitizer.  I made the comment that it was extremely strong.  Caroline said "Really...I don't smell it!"  My COVID radar when sky high.  We came home, told Andy and then went for a rapid test.  We waited 10 minutes for results.  The lady said we were negative but because of the loss of smell, she suggested we quarantine until Friday and test again...I'm not sure what is worse, getting a positive result or having to wait 3 more days to find out if you are positive.  I'm not gonna lie, my anxiety is through the roof!  I will keep Maggie home with us.  I don't want to take a chance of her being positive and getting other folks sick right here before fall break.  Thankfully because Andy is vaccinated, he can still go to work and just monitor for symptoms.  I will stay home with both girls.  Caroline can't wait Mags if she is isolating in her room...so much going through my head right now...I honestly didn't expect to be here again...Caroline will miss her final week of swim team and her final swim meet.  She will miss her best friends birthday party, just like last year, because of COVID.  

So here's a week of unknown...

Happy Birthday Daddy!

 Yesterday afternoon I laid down on the couch to watch a movie.  Maggie came in about halfway through and asked if she could snuggle with me.  I was turned on my side and she crawled right up and used me as her pillow.  It immediately took me back to my childhood.  I spent many afternoons and evenings laying just like that with my daddy!  Today would be Daddy's 77th birthday...15 years we have been celebrating without him.  Hard to believe...I miss him every single day.  I catch myself wanting to tell him about something that happened or wishing I could ask his advice for something that is going on.  But for now, all we have are memories...

The star of beauty...

 I woke up this morning to find Maggie's 2nd grade school digital picture in my email.  Oh how I love school pictures...you never know what you will get!  This is my girl!

This afternoon while sitting in Caroline's carline, Maggie said "Mommy someone called me ugly at school today."  I said "Oh honey, people can say mean things.  Always remember you are a child of God and he created you perfectly to be you.  You tell them "I am a child of God and I am beautiful."  She said "Yep!  I am the STAR of BEAUTY!!!!!"  Bless her, she is a hoot!

Cartwheel fun with Avin

Maggie wants so desperately to be able to do a cartwheel and handstand.  She has been working on it for the last 2 years.  The last few weeks, Avin has really been helping her with her technique.  (Avin takes dance and other things so she is really good at it.)  Avin placed stickers on Maggie's mat to help guide her what to do when.  Tonight she was SO PROUD of herself.  She has got everything but the landing!!!  When this kid sets her mind on something, she doesn't stop until she achieves it!  I am SO proud of her!!

 

A reason to smile

 Anyone close to me knows the last 18 months have been like no other in my job.  While I thought last year was hard, this year has proven to be so much more difficult.  Last year we didn't know much and therefore the unknown was scary.  This year we know more and it's still scary.  The first few weeks of school have felt extremely overwhelming.  However, I am trying so hard to rest in the Lord and just do the next thing.  Today I stopped by my cousin Teresa's house.  Right before I left, she cut a few hydrangeas for me to bring home.  When I got home, my dear friend and neighbor Lori left me these beautiful earrings.  I felt like it was a God wink, reminding me He's got me AND there is always a reason to smile!!

Another swim meet

Well folks, this was a first...sitting in the rain watching our girl swim. The meet began at 6, which the weather app said there was only a 15% chance of rain, yet we were soaked by 6:30.  But it was one for the memory books that we won't forget.  We have also learned, we need to purchase a large, golf size umbrella...the huge ones that cover more...proud of our girl.  Each day, she is learning more about swimming and what she needs to do to improve.  She is a hard worker and has had a great year as a first year swimmer!  It's really a joy and so much fun to watch her do what she loves.  We would sit in the rain any day to support her!!

 

Celebrating Friday

 

Last Thursday night I told Andy I was really craving a HOT cup of coffee!  I have been drinking iced coffee this year.  I can make it ahead of time and store in the fridge and its great but...I wanted a good cup of decaf (yes I drink for the flavor now, not the jolt of juice) coffee from Krispy Kreme.  So the girls and Andy got to sleep a little later.  They woke up, got dressed and off we went.  One of my sweet former employees gave me a gift card so we all enjoyed our favorites.  The girls got to enjoy their own jug of chocolate milk which is something only Granny allows to happen!  The apple cider doughnuts were amazing!  But let me tell you the funny part...so remember I said all I wanted was a HOT cup of coffee???  I was so excited, I flipped back the top and prepared myself for something amazing...it was barely luke warm...I was so disappointed.  I took a few sips but it just wasn't doing the trick.  So after we dropped Mags off, Caroline and I came home so that I could heat my coffee.  I took the lid and sleeve off and heated for 1 minute.  About 45 seconds in, I smell something burning...my cup is BURNING in the microwave.  What are the odds????  I poured it into another cup and off we went.  At this point, all I could do was laugh!  What an experience!  Happy Friday to me! :-)

It's Moving Day!!!!!!!!

Our church plant journey began a little over 5 years ago in August of 2015.  We had our first few gatherings in Lia and Stacey's home.  Then we moved to Jack and Beth's office building for Sunday night services.  Once we had a solid core group of folks, we moved to a local elementary school in February of 2016.  That school building was good to us into COVID hit in March of 2020.  We spent two Sunday's at church before we began drive up church at Jack and Beth's in April 2020.  We spent several weeks there before moving into our current location in June 2020.  This location is an old warehouse, it has so many issues but it has served our congregation well!  Today, we held our last service there.  Immediately after church we began loading the Uhaul truck to head to the new property.  More to come on that next week...Once we finished unloading, we enjoyed a hot dog lunch.  It was good to be together in our new space!!  We are so thankful for the memories in all our former locations but we are excited to finally be HOME!

 

Storybook Trail

Today our family participated in our first ever storybook trail.  It was in one of our local parks.  The pages of the story was printed on signs and placed along the sidewalk.  We each took a turn reading the signs.  It was a great way to encourage and promote reading for Maggie.  I look forward to having more of these to enjoy in the future.

 

Church Workday

After almost 9 months of renovations, it's almost time to move into our new church home!!  We are super excited!!  Today was a church workday.  We had crews inside the children's area painting tables and chairs that were GIVEN to us by another church.  Outside we had crews working on the flower beds and other yard work.  It was a busy but things are looking SO good!!!!  Lots of hands make easy work!  Thankful for our church family!!

 

Chef in training

In an attempt to have Maggie try new foods, Andy asked her to help him grill.  She was a huge help and actually enjoyed herself.  She wasn't a fan of the brats but at least she was willing to try them!

 

Tiny Lizard

 This tiny little guy has been hanging out on our back porch for a week or so.  Caroline captured him and wanted to take a picture.  Well last night, I went to to put something outside and he was on the back door.  When I opened the door, he hopped inside.  I wasn't thrilled and immediately called Caroline.  Because of his size, he was hard to catch but she got him!  Thank goodness!  I wouldn't have been able to sleep otherwise!!

Be sure to include me!

 Caroline mentioned Monday night that her ear felt off.  Last night she said she felt like she had water in it.  This morning when she woke up, she had yucky, crusty gunk around the ear.  SO she stayed home.  I called the pediatrician and Andy took her.  Sure enough, swimmers ear/ear infection.  ''

When I picked Maggie up, she asked about Caroline.  I told her that Daddy took her to pediatrician and she indeed had an ear infection.  Maggie was very concerned.  She said "I think we should get Caroline a special treat since she has an ear infection."  I said "You are very sweet to think of that."  She responded "But when we do, be sure to include me in that special treat!" :-)  Bless it!!  She doesn't skip a beat!

More polish

 Just another day at the spa with Maggie!

Maggie Bakes

I somehow forgot to post these pictures with Andy and Caroline's birthday stuff.  Maggie was SO excited to pick out cupcake mix, wrappers and decorations for Andy and Caroline's birthday cupcakes.  She worked super hard to help me mix, pour, bake and decorate.  She was SO PROUD of her work!!  What a sweet gift for her Daddy and her sissy!!

 

Cute Teenager

Caroline got her first 'real' pair of sunglasses from Mrs. Tammy for her birthday!  She thinks she's a pretty cool teenager!!
 

Swim Meet #4

Today's meet was our largest meet yet!  21 teams were invited!  We learned early in the week that the limited number of tickets for the meet were sold out.  Thankfully I had purchased our three tickets early.  Andy and I talked and decided that I would go with Caroline and we would give our other two tickets to parents who were unable to purchase tickets.  So Charissa was one of those folks and we made a girls day out of it.  She picked us up at 6:15, grabbed breakfast at Chick-Fil-A and hit the interstate.  It was a fun trip there.  With today being 9-11, several of the overpasses had folks standing waving American Flags!  I loved it!!  Oh how I wish we were the America we were on 9-12...united and SO PROUD to be Americans!!

The meet lasted 5 hours.  We were there a total of 6 because we had to arrive an hour early.  We were so blessed to grab a great spot on the bleachers to leave our stuff.  When the girls weren't swimming, we were able to sit in the shade by our car.  It was a gorgeous day to spend almost 6 hours outside.  On the way home, we stopped at Trader Joe's and Fazoli's to grab a quick dinner.  We made it home about 6:45...I took a shower, put on my pj's and hit the hay early!

Caroline's first official dog sitting gig

Caroline had her first official dog sitting gig this past weekend.  She took care of our friend Amy's dog Essie.  She had a schedule to follow which included getting up at 7 on Sunday and by 8 on Monday, her day off of school.  She loved taking care of Essie. She wasn't fond of getting up early but I said "Welcome to the real world of making money!" :-)

 

Happy 13th birthday baby girl!!!!!!

I can't believe we have a 13 year old in our house????  How???? Things are definitely changing...I'm not sure I'm ready.  But we have an awesome girl!  She has a big heart.  Loves well.  Truly wants to please.  Likes to help most of the time.  Even on the hard days, I am so grateful the Lord chose us to be her parents!!!  She had a great day today.  She received several items that she has been asking for.  We even managed a few surprises!  We celebrated early because she has swim team tonight.  She really feels that her birthday should be a holiday from school and swim! :-)  Welcome to the real world baby girl...

 

A lunch date

 Andy had a doctors appointment today.  It worked out nicely because we were all able to sleep a little later after the late night last night.  He took the girls to school for me, which was nice!  He picked me up from work and we enjoyed a nice lunch date.  With swim happening 4 nights a week and meets happening on Saturday's, dates don't come easily.  So I was so thankful that he initiated a lunch date.  We went to the food truck lot and enjoyed wings and loaded buffalo chicken fries.  It was fun to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful day with my favorite person!  Hopefully we will get to enjoy this again!  And if the day couldn't get any better, he also offered to pick Caroline up from school which meant Maggie and I got to come straight home!!  Woo hoo!!!  Treats all around!

Swim Meet #3

When we received the swim meet schedule, we quickly realized that we had a swim meet on Andy's birthday!  SO we celebrated him last night with a few of his favorite things!  Happy 44 to him!  This was our second time at this aquatics center so it was nice to know what to expect.  Maggie lived her best life with the cooling fan from Aunt Tomi Jean!  (thanks for letting us borrow it for swim season)  It was a great evening.  Thankfully it cooled off quite a bit which was nice.  Caroline had a great meet and improved a few of her times.  Both girls fell asleep on the ride home...so sweet!