Venting...

so if you don't want to read about it, close this now.

Here is my vent... do not pretend to listen to what I say if you are not listening. There is nothing more frustrating than telling someone EXACTLY what you want or expect, only to be disappointed. If you are one of these people and don't realize it....think about it! Some of you do not even know who you are. This includes many people that I have come in contact with recently. I do not believe that I should have to lower my expectations so that I am not disappointed by you. My expectations of each individual are different and I am very tired of saying what I mean only to have it ignored.

Stepping off my soapbox, sorry if you have been offended....but you shouldn't be if you were not one of these people. If you are offended...this was probably intended for you.

I know all of these people this is intended for, do not read my little blog...but I feel better. :)

The Birds and the Bees

This is what is chasing us off the back porch...not what you were expecting?? ...and it's actually wasp.

I don't care so much about the wasp issue, but made a cool discovery in one of my hanging plants this week. Tiny little eggs in a nest built into the side of one of my house plants. The mother bird has flew at me a few times, and I am not going to bother her, but I can't wait to see her babies!

Promotion Sunday @ Southside

Olivia, Bailey and Rylee...class of 2017

All of the kiddos going to the front to move forward!

Olivia's hands top right on the orange wall

Kennedy's hands a few years ago






Promotion Sunday is a big deal for all the kids, but nothing compares to promoting from the elementary to the youth group. Livi Grace promoted today, and she was very excited. This "rite of passage" is marked by our teens, by gathering in the handprint room and marking your spot on the wall.

I love a schedule...but this may be a bit much!

Signs that school has started! Dinner table covered with books...and a large sweet tea!

At one time in my life, I was a very spontaneous person....really, I was! My life now does not allow much unplanned activity. I like that I know where, and when, and how it is all coming together each week. My planner looks like scribbles in a coloring book to the ordinary eye...but a mom would know my short hand version of appts., orders, lessons, practices, doctors appts., and classes to list a few.

I have felt a little overwhelmed for a few weeks, but I am getting a handle on it, I think.

The oldest child's schedule for high school and tennis practice and games is pretty stable, unless you add in sleepovers, rainouts, and various other activities.

Olivia and Parker are my homeschoolers, and their schedule, while flexible, depends on me to prepare, adding in extra curriculars and lesson plans, many ortho appointments, and field trips.

My 18 hours this semester is spread over two days, allowing for homeschooling and my homework...but little else on those two LONG days that I am away.

School, along with a business that took off much faster than I thought, DEMANDS a schedule. So, if I don't call you back immediately (or text) like I have always done...don't be offended, your on the list being worked into the schedule! I promise!

Fortunately, Bobby is backing me up on the homeschool front, helping with the constant demands to be here, there, or somewhere else, and staying in town for awhile, and I can't thank him enough!!

Rogers Heritage Flight Night

Bad photo, but this is Braden King #2

Turner Horton, here on crutches.
Kennedy is 5th one from the left.

What an awesome way to celebrate all of the student athletes!

Boys and girls tennis teams are represented here.

Ok, all of the the captions scattered, so it is kind of a puzzle... Go War Eagles!

Oklahoma Aquarium Trip

Our first official field trip...and boy did they have fun! The boys all enjoyed each others company and Olivia was a good sport being the only girl. They have an amazing shark "walk through" and tons of different ways that the kids can interact with the animals. These photos show Olivia and Parker both taking part in the hands on experience. What a great science class!

Kennedy's First Day of High School

So today I am equally excited and sad. She is growing up before my eyes and I cannot control how fast it is happening! Watch out Heritage High---she make take you by storm! Good luck Kennedy!

Have you ever...

Have you ever looked at where you are and wondered how you got to this point? Why are we given something only to have it taken away? Yes, I am aware that this is not a happy, smiley family post with cute photos of the kids. Sometimes, we just need to reflect...and today is my day.

It has been a very emotional couple of days. Kennedy is starting high school, and I just keep asking myself if that is possible?? I am excited for her, and at the same time, I realize that she is going to be gone in four years. Wow, the pressure to get everything in that I wanted to do with her and remember to tell her everything I want to be sure that she knows.

Pondering another point, I am turning a nice "round" number in a few weeks. It is going to happen whether I like it or not...but I don't like it. I don't have to, it isn't required. Am I where I wanted to be at this age? I don't know. I think I have forgotten what I wanted, but I have learned to be happy where I am. I think that comes with age. That may be the one "up" side.

My sister has been gone for eleven years. I still think about her everyday . Our birthdays our coming, and we always celebrated together growing up, because they were only two days apart. I hated that then, but would give anything for it now. It does get easier in a way, but she is still gone. It is still hard to talk about. Today marks the day that she went in a coma. I was so fortunate to have spent the day before with her. There is so much more I would have said if I had known that we would not get another day. But, if she could hear me, I gave her an ear full for the six weeks she lay there. It does make me smile to remember some of the things I said to her, trying to get her to wake up. God gave me more sisters, I am very blessed. I love them all. God gave me Kameron to remind me of his mother. He is a funny sweet boy and she would be so proud of him! I still wonder why? I also wonder if I have the right to question God. I know I don't, but I do.

Life can become so overwhelming with both good and bad. This is where I am sitting. I am overwhelmed at everything going on around me. I am at a point that I can see my college graduation! May 2012...very excited. I have made it to 40 (well almost!). I have a wonderful husband that wants me to be happy. My kids are not delinquents (so far). I have a million reasons to be thrilled with my life. So why does this time of year always make me bipolar? Seriously, some days I know my family thinks I am. There is just so much change going on in my life. Maybe that is age too...not liking change. The house, education, my business and just life in general is spinning around me and my personality says, "get a grip, and take control of this."
I like control, or feeling as if I am on top of things. I am aware that I am not the one in control, but he let's me think I am sometimes ;) ...and then I get a subtle reminder that HE is in charge. Maybe that is what this is....a time to remember that I can do anything through him and he will take care of the details. Maybe I just need to be medicated...who knows.

I also wonder why things happen when they do? I have heard that there is a reason for everything, but as you have read, I question that. Why do things come at the most unexpected time- some to make you smile and some to make you question and some to just become another issue to deal with. Do our paths in life really cross at certain times on purpose?

I have talked to God about all of this...I will get back to you on what he says.