Happy first day of school ladies!!!

Today was the first day of school for these lovely ladies!!  Time flies my friends...we blinked and summer was over.  We had a lot of fun and I'm thankful for the weeks we shared.  Just didn't seem like enough!  Maggie is heading to a new school for 4th grade.  Caroline is heading to HIGH school!  Freshman already...I pray that they both have a wonderful year!  I know with a little hard work and effort, they will do great things!!

 

Coffee with Caroline

 Caroline and I snuck away this morning for coffee before babysitting.  One of my employee's mother died and we offer to babysit her grandchildren.  It was so nice to sit and enjoy this time with her.  She was chatty with was nice because I was able to give her my full attention.  Thankful for moments of one on one with my girls, especially this one who always has something planned with friends!!

Weekday Conference

 My staff and I headed to Columbia today for our annual back to school conference.  It was so good to be together and get new ideas for the upcoming school year.  I am so very thankful for the amazing staff the Lord has given me!!  It's going to be a great year!!!! 

Rail trail and lunch

 After shoe shopping, we picked up Jack and headed to the rail trail.  We walked, Maggie rode her razor, approximately 2.5 miles.  It was warm in the sun but felt great in the shade.  We then had lunch at the end of the trail.   It was a great way to finish the morning. Sort of celebrating the end of a great summer.  Can't believe these girls go back to school on Monday!!!  Summer went way too quickly!

Finally...tennis shoes that fit!

 Poor Caroline...trying to find a lady's 12 in stores is next to impossible.  The last two years she has bough black tennis shoes in a mens 10.  She wanted something different.  We went all around town looking and found nothing.  We ended up at an outdoors store that has several shoes to choose from. Of course they are men's shoes but they aren't black!!  We are so thankful!  She's happy with her purchase!

Eye appointments and visit with Jenna

 Today the girls and I had our annual eye appointments in Charleston.  Everyone checked out just fine.  Caroline had a slight change in her vision.  Mags and I looked great.  Instead of our trip to the water park, we headed over to see Jenna.  She and Sam just moved back closer to home.  We enjoyed visiting with Jenna and meeting Darla and Happy!!  I can't believe baby girl is now a big girl with a house of her own and 2 4 legged babies!!  It was such a gift to spend time with her!!

Freshman Orientation

 As if today wasn't already packed...Caroline had freshman Orientation at South Florence.  My goodness, I am trying to figure out how this happened so quickly!  SO thankful these girls have each other.  They have several classes together which makes it a little easier.  It's going to be a big adjustment but I think they are ready!!

Maggie's 9 year well visit

 Today Maggie had her 9 year old well visit.  We love Dr. E and we are thankful for his care and attention for our girls.  2 years ago at her 7 year old well visit we both agreed it was time for Maggie to see an Endocrinologist.  Over the last 2 years Maggie has been super brave having her blood drawn at each appointment.  In the beginning her sugar was very high.  We saw a nutritionist and her sugar levels have looked good since.  However, we have been watching her T4 Free thyroid level as it has been adnominal the last year.  Not enough to justify immediate action but definitely something we have watched.  This past July's appointment showed low levels again.  Mrs. Lisa decided it might be time to begin meds to try to regulate Maggie's thyroid levels.  Maggie has been taking the meds almost a week now...we've put things in place to allow her to independently responsible for her meds.  She has a little medicine holder that we fill together.  She gets up, takes her meds and sets a 20 minute timer.  She is rocking it.  So far, no side effects and we pray it continues.

So for today's appointment with Dr. E, we talked about these changes.  He was very encouraging and felt like we are on the right track.  He encouraged Maggie about the upcoming school year and told he was so proud of her for helping with chores around the house.  All went well!!  Praying that we are moving in the right direction!!

• Height: 4 feet 8 inches (97%)
• Weight: 168 pounds (99.9%)

DEFY

 Today I took the girls and a friend each to DEFY.  It's our local trampoline park.  It isn't my favorite place but we had a buy one get one free pass so it was perfect.  They had a blast and I got to get a few things checked off my to do list while I waited for them. 

Farmer Girl

Caroline hasn't had many babysitting jobs this summer however, she has made lots of money pet sitting.  Her new assignment has her watching a hamster and 6 chickens. Andy gave me this chicken egg apron for Mother's Day not knowing it was for chicken egg collection.  SO it worked perfectly today for Caroline as she collected eggs.

 

No more braces

 Today was a big day in our household!  Caroline got her braces removed!  Dr. P has done an amazing job and her teeth have come SO far!!!I can't believe how much Caroline has grown in the two years since she got braces...

Goodbye Hello Kitty

It's the end of an era in our household...we're saying goodbye to Hello Kitty thermos.  These were given to Caroline from Ruth and Helen when they outgrew them.  These thermos have provided hot lunches for our girls for 9 years now...Maggie says they are too babyish and asked for a new one for her birthday...so long Hello Kitty...I hope your new family enjoys you as much as we did!
 

Lion King, Jr.

 Earlier this week, we went to see several of the girls friends in Lion King, Jr.  It was an amazing show!!  It's always so much more fun watching plays that your friends are in.

Rise and Shine, Catequest 2023

Catequest Camp is the most exhausting, most rewarding week of our summer!!  We had 49 campers, 26 counselors and about 10 adult volunteers each day!  I absolutely loved watching Caroline help with morning worship as well as capture the week in pictures!  I absolutely loved watching Maggie worship and deepen her knowledge of Jesus. I prepared and fed those folks snacks and lunch each day and loved it.  So thankful to be a part of what God is doing in our church and our community!

We celebrated all our counselors with a party tonight.  It was fun to hang out and enjoy our church family!  We are so thankful for our awesome youth kids who make this week possible!!!  The kickball waterslide was amazing!!!!
 

Back to School Haircuts

 About a week ago the girls asked me when their back to school hair cuts were.  I looked on the calendar but didn't see a date...odd, I always make their hair cut appointments at my May or June haircut.  I messaged Mrs. Jennifer who confirmed that I DID NOT schedule appointments.  Well the girls were like "we have to have a haircut before school starts!"  Thankfully Mrs. Jennifer was able to work us in.  The girls are super excited with their cuts and ready for a new year!  Both girls will be starting new schools this year...we're all a little bit nervous and a whole lot of excited!

Celebrating Maggie!

Y'all!  This kid is so much like me in so many ways it isn't funny!  She loves a birthday and celebrating with friends!  She likes to extend the celebration as long as possible!  Although we celebrated her birthday while camping, she wanted a party with her friends.  She asked and asked when we were going to have her party.  Last Tuesday, I decided it would be today.  I wasn't sure how many folks would be available given the short notice...guess what, all but one could come!  Mags wanted to lead her friends in a how to draw lesson of tropical vibes and a watermelon slice.  They did great!!  I was super thankful for Caroline and Catherine who assisted with the party.  They helped refill supplies and so much more.  When the girls finished ahead of schedule, they took them outside for a game of musical chairs.

Caroline made Maggie's super cute watermelon cake!!  Maggie loved it!!

 

Do you believe in spiritual warfare?

 We got some really good news this week that can only be from the Lord.  It was something that sounded almost too good to be true.  We prayed that if it wasn't mean to be that the Lord would close the door.  Not only did he not close the door, he opened 3 more that we didn't even know was an option.  (for my faithful followers who I chat with regularly, don't even ask about it because I can't answer any questions right now.  We aren't moving, we aren't growing our family, no major events that you should be worried about, just the Lord working in a situation.)  It was a huge answer to prayer.  We've been celebrating and thanking the Lord for this opportunity.  

Well today Satan wanted to steal my joy.  

1. I had issues making my bread.
2. I sliced my toe while getting something out of the pantry.
3. I was almost late to the swim meet I was working at.  
4. I had trouble with an order I was placing for our church event this coming week.
5. I'm pet sitting for Teresa.  Her key fell into the dashboard of my van.
6. While picking blueberries at Teresa's house, I got headbutted by her goat who came up from behind.  He had somehow escaped his goat pen.
7. I went to the grocery store and got caught in a rainstorm.

All of this before 3 PM.  I so wanted to give in and scream.  I so wanted to respond in my flesh.  But instead I identified it as an attack from the enemy...the one who can to kill, steal and destroy!  Yet my God is bigger and even in the yuck, I will praise HIM!

CHAMPS!

Today was the end of Summer Swim League 2023!  CHAMPS was hot as usual but very fun.  Both girls swam hard!  They were in several events and they gave it their best.  Both girls came in first place for their age group.  Mags also received her second duck for the season which meant she won a heat.  SO thankful for this community my girls have.  It's a great summer activity for us to make sure they stay active during the hot days of summer.

Catherine wasn't able to swim this summer due to her schedule but she came out today to help time and cheer my girls on!  We love our Ca Cu!

I was in charge of ribbons for the swimmers.  I am thankful I had a tent over me but it was still hot. The fans and cooly cloth were amazing!

Thankful for a spare pair of goggles as they babies popped right before an event.  No worries, a back up pair as well as a new bungie band has been ordered for high school swim season. 

Love these girls!

This kid swam the butterfly!  Holy smokes, even her momma can't do that!!  So proud of her willingness to try it, even when it's hard!

What in the world would I do if I could have arm muscles like this!!!!!

I just happened to capture this picture at Maggie's last event.  She was waiting to enter the pool.  At the other end, her daddy, sissy and Cacu were waiting for her, ready to cheer her own!!  Made my heart melt!

 

Swim Team Awards

This year the girls once again had to find a new swim team due to the YMCA not having a team.  We ended up with the Sailfish and loved it.  The coaches were awesome.  The kids enjoyed their time with their new friends.  Maggie received the team leader award because she always came with a positive attitude, ready to do whatever.  Maggie was the only one willing to swim the butterfly so that her group could participate in relay events. :-)  Caroline's coach was speechless for Caroline.  He didn't really say a specific award other than she was easy to coach.  She came to practice with a positive attitude, she encouraged her fellow teammates and always gave 100%.  These girls give me a run for my money sometimes but I am so thankful that they actually listen and know what's expected and do it! :-)

Hair cleansing mask...who knew?

 Y'all know I am a 9:00 pj's, in the bed kind of girl.  At 9:15 this kid walks into my room with a bowl of something strong.  I ask what in the world it is and she tells me a cleansing hair mask...then she proceeded to ask me to come help her.  Well given that she 'doesn't ask for my help often these days' I decided to hop out of bed and help.  In the bowl, she had greek yogurt, honey and apple cider vinegar mixed together.  This my friends is supposed to help with her chlorine, salty beach hair.  It smelled awful but we laughed a lot.  Once we finished, she had to let it sit for 15 minutes before washing it out.  She assured me that I too would benefit from using it.  I let her have all the fun!  She says we won't have results until tomorrow...we shall see, I'm off to bed!

Beach day with Friends

Caroline got to spend the day at the beach with Josie!  She had a blast.  Eden and Noelle had a volleyball camp at the beach.  Today was the last day.  So while the girls were at camp, Lia, Josie and Caroline got coffee...only to realize that Josie forgot her bathing suit at home which meant they had to find a suit.  She found a super cute suit!  They picked up the younger girls and hit the beach for the afternoon.  Caroline loved it!  I'm a wee bit jealous as I went to work today...no sand between my toes! :0)
 

Maggie's sleep over with friends

 Maggie, Zoey and Mica have been asking for a sleepover ALL summer!  For one reason or another, it just didn't happen.  Well last night was the night!  Maggie was so excited.  It's the first time she has had a sleepover that wasn't related to her parents being out of town...it was a just for fun sleepover. They all took baths, had dinner and then the fun began.  I love that Zoey and Mica were waiting for her.  They watched movies, ate popcorn and stayed up till 10 PM which is late for them!  Maggie loved every minute of it!

The end of an era...no more pediatric dentist...

 It started with Mrs. Beth 11 years ago and it's coming to an end with Mrs. Beth.  Today was Caroline's last pediatric dentist appointment.  Next time, she will be seeing a big girl dentist.  These sweet folks have taken such good care of her and we are so thankful!  She has been blessed with great teeth!  She's almost tooo big for the chair so I guess it is time to move on...no more movies to watch while getting your teeth cleaned...I think she can handle it! :-)

Girls Day

 Earlier this year, Tomi Jean introduced Andy and I to LeeAnn Morgan, a comedian.  She is a hoot.  She is clean fun!  Tomi Jean got a group together to see her at the beach and invited me to join.  It was such a fun afternoon.  We ate a delicious seafood meal at Sea Captains.  Then enjoyed an hour and a half of comedy.  So thankful for the opportunity to go.  

Canning

 My momma has been a busy bee this summer putting away summer goodies for us to enjoy later...pickles, peanuts and chow chow.  Yesterday, Caroline and I got to help her with the tomatoes.  Thankful that Caroline gets to experience all that it takes to put away food for the winter. SO thankful for my momma's hard work!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

 So if you've been around since the beginning, this is nothing new to you.  When I left full time teaching, Andy and I looked at several ways that we could cut cost. One way was to make our own laundry detergent.  This makes a TON and I purchased everything you see in this picture at Walmart for less than $18.  (Well minus the cut little tin...it was $12 but I can reuse it!)  I'm excited to be using this again.  Thankful for my friend Michelle who reminded me this is such a good option!

Arkansas Family passing through

 My cousin Tammy and her family were passing through on their way to the beach.  It worked out that they could have dinner with us at our house.  We loved sharing our home with them.  I am so thankful that she loves family as much as I do.  Thankful she made visiting us a priority!!  We submerged our feet in rubber cement and had a blast!!

Summer Swim Days...

It's hard to believe we only have 1 more week of summer swim league.  Once again, the girls are on a new team.  They have had a great summer with awesome coaches and great teammates.  Not to mention there is a wonderful covered area where I can sit and enjoy the beautiful pool and surrounding areas. Soaking up these moments...
 

July 4th camping

We typically don't camp during the summer...between our family vacation, Caroline's camp, swim team and just doing fun summer stuff, camping doesn't happen.  Another reason is that it is SO HOT!  I am thankful for our amazing camper AC but still it can only do so much with a heat index of 110!!  Anyway, our friends invited us to join them for this trip.  Their daughter Hadleigh and our Maggie have the SAME exact birthday, just 12 hours apart.  We thought it sounded like fun so we hopped on it.  Because Maggie would have friends her age there, we allowed Caroline to invite a friend, which turned into two.  It was great.  Satan tried many times to attack our week but God was so good to us!  It was hot BUT we had AC.  People threw rocks at our camper BUT no damage was done and the owner of the campground was on it.  As I look at these pictures I am reminded of what a wonderful time we had...lots of laughs for sure!!!  

We loved having Abby and Josie join us for the weekend.  Josie was the only one from our group who won candy bar bingo.  Thankfully she was sweet and shared with the other in our camper.  Rainbow loom bracelets were up and running.  The big girls helped the little kids replenish their stock after one family paid $100 for all the inventory.

Night swims were so much fun!  We made Josie and Abby get a picture with Yogi!

We were thankful for Mrs. Michelle's golf cart!  We tried to see how many people could fit!!  The big kids took the little kids to the store.  They were so excited and thankful!  Ice cream was a daily necessity.  I enjoyed peanut butter and jelly and it was SO GOOD!  We were excited that Josie came back on Monday...sadly Abby had to work and couldn't join us.

So all the July 4th activities were actually on July 3.  We figured it has something to do with everyone leaving on the actual 4th.  The girls were excited to decorate their bikes for the parade.  Maggie did great until right before.  She had a fear of falling in the pond like a kids did a few years ago...so she waited until they came back around to join in.  I was so proud of her for not completely giving up!!

July 4th was SO HOT we stayed in the water as long as we could.  The huge bucket of water falling on my head felt amazing!!!!!  I enjoyed boiled peanuts from my momma for lunch!  If you look closely, you will see my name on the bag! :-) 

The girls had fun doing cheer stunts in the pool.  Caroline and Josie played basketball...why I don't know...other than maybe a boy names Tucker???  They had sweat pouring off of them!  Unfortunately we had severe weather mid afternoon that took us into the camper early.  Then we got out long enough to cook dinner and another storm came up.  I was extremely thankful for the shelter of our camper.

This morning we got up and packed up in the steaming hot weather.  Andy and I both wore coolie clothes to help with the humid heat.  Once everything was done, he went to crank his truck and guess what...he had a dead battery!  Are you kidding me?  And guess where my jump pack was??? Under all the laundry and groceries packed in the van...guess what Andy's getting for his birthday.  Mallory let us borrow her jumper cables but they did nothing...Thankfully Josh brought us his jump pack and it worked right away.  Such a fun way to finish vacation...

All and all, we had a wonderful time.  Andy said we aren't camping July 4th next year, Caroline said it was the best trip yet!