Irmo

Tonight Caroline played with Varsity for the game against Irmo.  The game didn't start until 7:15 so we decided to leave early and have dinner at one of our favorite places D's wings.  It was SO good!!!!!

However, it didn't compare to the amazing game against Irmo.  These girls played hard!! The score was 0-0 after regulation play, 0-0 in 5 minute halves which resulted in a shoot out.  Our girls pulled off the win 3-2!  I don't think I have ever watched a game quite like this!!  It was awesome!!  So proud of these girls!

 

February Non Scale Victories

As excited as I am to loose the extra pounds I have put on over the last two years, I am truly trying to focus on a healthier, more active life style along with making good food choices.  So thankful for the friends that are joining me on this journey!!  Lori and I were determined to get a few extra miles in and didn't let the little drizzle of rain stop us.  Thankfully it was nothing more than a drizzle!! :-)

Non scale victories for February:

• meeting daily 10,000 step goal every day for 60 days
• logging 75.2 miles of walking exercise in the shortest month of the year
• walking in Lowes and in the rain to meet my daily 10,000 step goal
• I bought a shirt off FB in the fall.  Sadly I couldn't wear it because it was too tight.  Below is a picture of me wearing it!! :-)
• This month alone, I've moved over two notches on my belt loop!

 

First JV Soccer Game

Tonight Caroline played her first JV High School soccer game.  They have had several tournaments/scrimmages as a varsity team but tonight was the first JV game.  She and her friend Ella are captains and this is a picture of them at the start of the game.  Sadly it didn't go well but it was a good learning experience for these girls!
 

Sweet picture from retreat

 My friend Gretchen shared this sweet picture from the retreat this past weekend.  I loved it!!  Maggie and Hudson were awesome and I was so thankful to enjoy this time with both girls!!

Youth Retreat 2024

Andy and I were asked to help chaperone the Youth Retreat 2024.  We haven't served together as youth chaperones for at least 15 years.  However, before kids, we LOVED working with youth.  So we were both excited for this opportunity!  It was a gift!  We knew things were different, or should I say we are different, when driving down the road the kids were blasting music as loud as they could!  :-)  Once arriving, we unloaded, got settled and met together to debrief the schedule for the weekend. The kids were given guidelines and curfew...12:00 in the cabin, 1:00 lights out.  If you know me, you know at these times I've already gotten a few hours of sleep! :-)  But thanks to good conversation, games and lots of laughs we somehow made it.  I don't remember much of what happened after 12:45 but I do remember the lights being turned out by 1:00. 

The kids aren't allowed to bring their cell phones on the trip so they asked us to set alarms for them...nobody needed an alarm as we heard the first bit of chatter at 6:45!  Gretchen and I had to fight for a spot in the bathroom!  We were amazed at the amount of time these young ladies spent on hair and makeup.  We were in and out in 5 minutes-hair, make up, teeth brushed, etc.  We headed upstairs to get breakfast in the oven and get a good cup of coffee.  The coffee mugs were extremely small but boy was the coffee nice!  I enjoyed sipping my coffee and doing my quiet time on the porch with a view of the ocean.  

After breakfast, we decided to switch the schedule because of rain.  We had free time until 1:00.  We would then meet for lunch, have our study session and pack up to head home.  The kids had rules of where they could go and how many had to be together, etc.  We spent about 2.5 hours enjoying the arcade, the beach, the basketball courts and buying lovely items from Eagles.  Caroline and a few girls took a semi polar plunge and immediately went back to change as they were freezing!  I enjoyed a quick walk on the beach by myself.  The time went way to quickly!  

After lunch, we gathered for worship.  It was so good!  Of course folks were getting tired...the night was catching up with them.  After worship, we split up the jobs required for cleaning and packing up.  The kids were all great at taking on jobs to help.  As we gathered for our picture, the first drops of rain started.  Thankfully we got back to the dorm without being soaked.  We enjoyed dinner at Pizza Inn before coming home.

It was such a gift to be surrounded by such wonderful young people!  I'm exhausted and so ready for my cozy bed but so thankful that the Lord allowed us this time together.  Even more thankful that Maggie got to go with us and had a wonderful time with her buddy Hudson.  The older kids were so encouraging to them!!

 

Celebrating Multiplication Math Facts Mastery

 Maggie loves working towards a reward goal.  So we asked her what she wanted to do once she passed her multiplication facts test.  She wanted to have a play date with a friend and go to Tropical Smoothie.  Easy enough!  We scheduled a play date with her sweet friend Ava for today.  The girls played so well together and had so much fun.  They were excited to get their own smoothie!  Ava is such a sweet friend to Maggie.  She has helped her in class practice her facts...so I was really excited to have her join us for Maggie's celebration!!  In a world where girls get a back reputation for being "mean girls" I am super thankful for sweet Ava's!

Winter Intercession Beach Trip

The girls and I are on Winter Intercession...a break that we all have grown to look forward to and enjoy!  About 8 months ago, I finally landed a reservation at Jeykll Island, GA.  We were so excited and looking forward to this trip!  Well last week we got Caroline's soccer schedule and guess what, she had the Bruin Cup Saturday and Sunday and another game on Tuesday.  So we cancelled Jeykll Island and reserved the beach.  Yes I knew it would mean driving back to town for the tournament on Sunday but I was mostly thankful for time at the beach.  The Lord was extremely gracious and provided an ocean front campsite.  At night, we cracked the bedroom window to enjoy the sound of the ocean.  The weekend was pretty cold but Monday turned out to be a gorgeous day!  We enjoyed the Tanger Outlets, walks on the beach and just some good ole downtime for all of us.  This wasn't the trip we planned but it was exactly what we needed.  So grateful for our camper and super excited that camping season is back!!!!  Here's to a great season of making memories, Lord willing!

 

Bruin Cup Tournament

Caroline played in her first Varsity Soccer Tournament this weekend.  They played 2 games on Saturday and 1 game on Sunday.  Sadly they didn't walk away with ANY wins but they played some really good teams and gained good experience.  Saturday when we got in the car, she burst into tears.  If you know Caroline, she doesn't cry often.  She got trucked during the last game and was in a great deal of pain.  We think she pulled something but thankfully with Ibuprofen, a warm corn bag and lots of sleep and she felt much better on Sunday.  Varsity is a huge step up from middle school soccer.  These girls are in it to win it and they are rough!!  It was freezing but being bundled up really helped!  Excited for the upcoming season!!

 

Lunch with Aunt Lill

When you aunt offers to squeeze in a lunch date with you on her road trip, of course you clear your calendar!  We had a wonderful lunch together.  It was so nice to not be distracted by the girls but simply enjoy conversation just the two of us!  So thankful for her and our relationship!  I only wish my daddy was still here to enjoy it with us!
 

Craft Kit

 Aunt Tomi Jean picked up this super cute craft kit for Maggie to enjoy with her friends.  Bless her heart, she couldn't wait and had to immediately get started.  There is enough left to do with friends but she was super proud of her creations!

The boyfriends game...

 Caroline's team had a scrimmage today.  After her scrimmage the boys played which meant staying for the boyfriends game...Andy and Maggie went home while I stayed.  It was FREEZING outside...I'm not sure if I am a really good momma or just crazy...either way, I had a happy girl!

Way to go Maggie!!!!

 We are so stinking proud of Maggie and her hard work!  This tiny piece of paper represents so much hard work, dedication and perseverance of not only Maggie but her awesome teachers!  Mrs. Smith has been helping Maggie after school now for several weeks.  One on one Maggie is doing great!  Sometimes, she gets lots in the classroom surrounded by classmates.  We are so grateful for Mrs. Smith and the other students who have been helping Maggie work on her multiplication tables.  Maggie has to work so much harder than the average student to accomplish tasks that come so easy to others.  But she is so proud of herself when she finally accomplishes her goals!!!

Never underestimate the value of a dedicated teacher!!

Valentines Breakfast

 Caroline is supposed to have a soccer scrimmage tonight so we decided to celebrate Valentines with breakfast from Chick-Fil-A.  Love my people!!

Bedroom Remodel

I truly don't know when this was...we painted our bedroom a beautiful gray.  I have kept these pictures to show the finished product...but I never got around to actually remodeling our bedroom...it still looks the same, just a different coat of paint...so instead of deleting these pictures, I figure I will put them here to remember the sweetness...those tiny little girls living their best life watching TV in the den...

Quiet Night

 Maggie has been asking to make s'mores since last week.  Sadly there just isn't enough hours in the day.  Tonight we made it happen.  Once everyone completed their s'mores, they were ready to go back inside.  I decided to stay outside and enjoy the nice evening by myself.  So thankful for this space to enjoy!  Thankful for my home, my family and so many little moments like this!

Spa Day for Maggie and Friends

 Maggie has the absolute sweetest friends!  They are always finding ways to keep themselves entertained!!  Mica's mom posted this picture and I love it!  Maggie is in her element and Mica looks very relaxed as she enjoys her spa day!