Our new garage piece!!

My sweet Momma has been so busy this summer putting up summer yummies.  She quickly ran out of room with the freezer on this fridge and bought herself a new stand up freezer.  She didn't really ask, just told me to make room, she was bringing me this one!  This is something Andy and I have always wanted but never made it a priority because it was a want not a need.  :-)  We have LOVED having the extra room.  It's nice to be able to buy extra items to store there.  My sweet momma has slowly been stocking the freezer with peas, butterbeans, peanuts, etc.  I also have been able to put two meals away for the busy season when I need something fast and easy...Such a blessing!!

 

Willow Tree Camping

When Andy and I first started camping, before kids, we stored our camper at Willow Tree RV and Camping Resort.  It was just getting started but was by far an absolute jewel.  The sites are larger and greatly shaded.  At that time, they only had the pool open for cooling off.  After a year or two we moved the camper to Ocean Lakes because we are beach people at heart.  

Fast forward 15 years, we haven't been back to Willow Tree because it's almost impossible to find an available site.  However, our friend Sarah found buddy sites for us to enjoy for the weekend of the swim meet.  We had a blast!!!  The site was spacious and shaded so we never got hot.  The kids enjoyed playing on the site as well as playing with sidewalk chalk.  We were gone most of Saturday morning but made it back shortly after lunch.  We ate lunch and headed to the water obstacle course...holy smokes was it harder than we thought and yet so stinking fun.  I laughed at myself and gave those around me plenty to laugh at as well!  Caroline definitely has enough upper body strength for all of us and was the only reason Andy, Maggie and I actually made it out of the water!!!!!  

The sunset from our campsite was absolutely gorgeous!!  So thankful to be able to enjoy the beauty of the created world!  Such a gift.  We were alerted of a big thunderstorm heading our way.  By God's grace it skirted around us...but it was close enough that the temperature dropped and the humidity evaporated!!!  It made for a wonderful night outside.

More fun on the obstacle course!!

It was a wonderful weekend away with friends and our family!!  

First Swim Meet of the Season

Caroline finally had her first meet of the season after the originally planned first meet in Sumter was rescheduled several times before being cancelled all together!  This is one of our favorite aquatic centers because of the viewing area for fans as well as a playground for Maggie to entertain herself in between events.  With this being the first meet of the season, Caroline dropped several seconds off at least two of her events.  Typically the greatest progress is shown at the first meet, because you are trying to 'beat' last years best time.  She will have to work really hard to show that kind of continued progress.  She made state consideration for the 50 free so that was exciting.  She has set a goal for herself to make state automatic which means she will have to drop at least 3 seconds...we shall see!
 

Happy 2nd first day for me!

 

Happy 2nd first day of year 21!!  No matter how long I've been an educator or how long I've been a director, the first day of school always brings jitters, pure exhaustion and endless exciting opportunities to invest in the lives of the little ones entrusted in our care!!

I left school with over 10,000 steps!!  I'm thankful dinner is in the crock pot because I don't see myself being overly productive tonight!!

One of my sweet staff members brought us fresh fruit this morning.  I finally got to enjoy mine as lunch while waiting in carline!

Meet Sweet Sophie!

Our family grew by 4 paws a few weeks ago!  Meet Sophie.  She is the 7 year old schnauzer of a former neighbor of Andy's.  Her daddy passed away and her momma doesn't feel like she can assume full responsibility for her.  So she's been with us and we absolutely ADORE her.  Charlie loves her and she tolerates him! :-)  They don't seem to bother each other and are cohabitating well!  We are so thankful for this sweet girl and the joy she brings to our family.  I never thought I would be a two dog momma at once but I'm in love too!

Happy Sweet 16 Catherine!

 It's hard to believe our very own Catherine, CC, CaKu is 16!!  Last night, before the football game, Caroline went over to Catherine's to celebrate her!!  Here's to  a great year sweet girl!!

Friday Night Lights!!!

Tonight was Caroline's first High School Football game as an official High Schooler!  The whole family went but of course, she didn't sit with us...honestly I am not ever sure she watched the game!  It was fun to be there and support our team!  Looking forward to a great season!
 

My final Friday of Summer Vacation!

 Today is my last Friday of summer vacation...I wanted to go to the beach but life happened and there just wasn't any way to make it happen.  So I did the next best thing.  My friend Lori and I worked out at the gym and then went to Tomi Jeans to swim.  We picked up Subs from Subway for lunch.  We enjoyed chatting and floating without being splashed, interrupted or anyone needing anything.  It was delightful!!

Caroline's first cavity

Shortly after Caroline got her braces off, she was pretty certain that she had a cavity.  The tooth was extremely sensitive and she said she could see/feel the tiny hole.  So we made an appointment and sure enough there was a teeny tiny cavity right on her gum line.  Her gums were extremely inflamed when she had braces.  So they think that it may have happened while the gums were inflamed and she couldn't get to it.  Anyway, today was the day for her first filling.  She did great and was all smiles.  So this is officially her last visit with Dr. E.  On to big girl dentistry. 

 

Did you seriously buy Lip plumper??????

 

Today I took the girls to Ulta to get Caroline a few things that she needed.  Of course, Maggie needed a few items as well.  She found some bright pink lip gloss and then another that was a little more suttle.  When we got in the car, Maggie put her bright pink lip gloss on.  She said it tingled but wanted me to see it.  I said "Oh Mags, your lips look so plump!"  Caroline said "Maggie let me see!  OH!  Where is the lip gloss?"  Maggie handed it to her and she said "Mommy did you seriously buy her lip plumper lip gloss?"  Me "I don't know I just let her pick a color..."  Sure enough, I didn't see the label that said lip plumper.  So here we all are with our 'plump' lips!! 

A little yardwork

 I'm happy to say that my bushes in the front are coming back...I didn't kill them!  However, they aren't the only thing growing...so are the weeds and 'shoots' from the main root.  It's been too hot for me to even think about getting in the yard.  This morning when I got home from taking the girls to school, it felt really nice outside so I decided to tackle the flower bed.  It turned hot quicker than I expected on was only half way through the job.  However, I stuck with it and it looks so much better.  I've still got a lot of work to do as far as edging and creating a permanent border but I'm thankful it's coming along!

Comfy in carline

 I am so very blessed this year!  We are in a carpool with 3 other families.  That means I only have to sit in afternoon carline 1 day a week and 1 Friday a month.  I am SO THANKFUL!  Especially on these extremely warm afternoons.  I'm too cheap to run my AC the whole time plus it doesn't really get that cool just sitting in one place.  Andy bought this fan to have for sporting events, however it works amazing in carline.  So if you gotta sit, you might as well be cozy!

Ironing Hankies

 Maggie learned how to iron her daddy's handkerchiefs today...it was the first thing that I learned how to iron as a child.  It's one of the many things that I love about Andy, he always has a handkerchief when his girls need it!  Reminds me of my daddy...

Our GS Kids Back to School Party

 Tonight we had our annual GS Kids back to school party!  It was a lovely evening!  The weather could not have been any better.  The kids had fun and the adults did as well!  We love our small church family and so enjoy opportunities like this to just be together!!

So very thankful!

We absolutely ADORE this precious lady!!!  Caroline was in her care from 1st through 4th and excelled.  We prayed that Lord willing, Maggie would get to enjoy her somewhere along the way as well.  Last year was a difficult school year and we all struggled through it.  Maggie didn't get what she needed and we could only help so much.  We leaped with joy when we found out she too would have Mrs. Smith.  We are looking forward to a great year together!!
 

A quick trip to the office...

Today I needed to run by the office quickly before taking Caroline to swim practice.  While we were there, she wanted to snap a picture and told me to smile.  While I look rough and had not planned to take any pictures, I did because my girl asked me to.  I'm not loving pictures of myself these days but I'm thankful that Caroline doesn't seem to embarrassed by my looks...
 

Hello High School Swim Season #3

It's hard to believe that Caroline is starting her 3rd season of high school swim this year.  We are so blessed that Catherine has her drivers license and is taking Caroline to and from practice.  It has made a huge difference in our evenings.  Looking forward to a great year!!!  

 

A Mother's Sabbath

 So yesterday after I dropped the girls off at school, I visited my sister in law in the hospital, ran a quick errand for my brother and came home with an iced coffee from Chick Fil A.  I made no plans for today other than to enjoy my day and take some time for myself.  This summer has been jammed pack with running kids to swim practice, the gym, friends houses, the movies, the waterpark, birthday parties, etc.  Today was my day.  I was telling an older mom/grandmother about it at church.  She said that her momma called it a Mother's Sabbath.  I like that...this year, my goal is to pick a day to have a mother's sabbath one day a week.  We shall see how it works out...but for now, I am super thankful for today!