Limping To The Finish Line

How are we not out of school already?!?  This post should be about the last day of school and awards ceremonies and all that good stuff.  Blah.  You'll have to wait until June for that post.  We are still in the full thrush of the school year with KPREP testing finishing up this week.  I have literally, physically and mentally surrendered to the school year.  At this point, it's every man for him/herself in my house.  Part of the reason my brain has shut down is because of the million other events happening in our lives.  Some of you know that I am working full time at SKyPAC and have been since last October.  With my new position came a change of location to the Capitol Arts Center which is currently 'managed' by SKyPAC and about a block up from the facility.  It was a transition leaving SKyPAC and all my co-workers there to work in a remote-facility (although nostalgic - I can't tell you how many plays I saw there during my childhood) with very little contact day to day aside from the education team which consisted of me and my friends Zac and Andee.  Long story short, the EDU team recently moved back down to SKyPAC upon the completion of our last youth theater event in May. I have been organizing and sorting all of my materials and enjoying seeing all my co-workers daily, having conversations, laughing, meeting new people and the list goes on.

Karson finished up her final round of shots for 6th grade.  Let me tell you…it has been a dozy getting all the shots done for Gardasil vaccine.  The 6-month follow-up (3rd and final round) for Gardasil and Hepatitis A made her super nervous.  She got anxious on the way to the doctor and got so worked up, she started crying when we made it into the exam room.  I did my best to comfort her but knew it wouldn't help much--she told me she didn't know why she was crying.  I told her she had just worked herself up and that it would be over quick (and it was) - bless her heart.  I am GLAD it's over.  The nurse said something to me about a follow-up for another shot she'd had a while back - don't even remember - it's a 'new' follow-up that she needs to have in 5 years.  I said, she'll be a teenager then and can make that decision on her own.  I wasn't about to talk to Karson about MORE shots. We.Are.Done.For. Now!

Karson completed her first year at 212 Academy. There was a 6th graduation and 5th grade showcase on May 2.  Karson made some wonderful friends from other schools at 212 and keeps in touch with them through text and InstaGram - thank goodness for social media =).  We are fortunate that she has the opportunity to participate in this wonderful academy through Warren County Schools.

- Karson and 212 Teacher Ms. Sheffield - 

Testing Excellence Awards took place last Monday.  Karson received distinguished scores in Science and Language Mechanics and Proficient scores in Math and Reading for the 2012-2013 school year.  She was bummed because she was only shy a few points of having a distinguished in Reading.  I think it's made her more aware for this year's round of testing, and hopefully, she will achieve her goals of all distinguished.  She's my over-ambitious one!

Waffle House is the place-to-be on Saturday mornings.  Wear a jacket because you'll freeze!  OR, in my case, wear two, because your 9-year old will steal yours!

 Matt and I had the opportunity to see The Addams Family Musical which was the last show in our Broadway series this season at SKyPAC.  I sadly admit that I haven't been to as many shows at SKyPAC as I would like.  When your husband has two full-time jobs and you have three kids and all their extra curricular events, there's not a whole lot of 'extra' time.  I'm practically a taxi service as soon as I leave work each day.  With that being said, every one of the Broadway shows that I have had the privilege to attend, have been wonderful!  It is entertainment in its truest form, and I would encourage everyone to look into our Broadway season package for the 2014-2015 season.  It's an exciting line-up!  After the show, Matt and I also had the opportunity to eat at the new Mariah's restaurant.  If anything, I think their food has improved with the move.  Everything was delicious especially the Galaxy Pie which we ate every single bite of.

Every person should be required to spend at least a few hours each week with a 4-year old.  Abby Kate is my "adoptive" 4-year old.  If she's not taking a SELFIE on her plastic cell phone, she's in full costume or talking your ear off about something interesting. Love her!

Miles reading his newest "Goose Bumps" chapter book.

 

My mother-in-law Debbie retired from Alvaton Elementary School this year.  There was a retirement celebration in her honor last Wednesday.  She retired with one of her best friends Jane Kirby.  Both of these women deserve a round of applause and pats on the back for a 'job well done'.  I can only hope and pray that my children have teachers like them at Plano.  Congratulations Debbie!

It was a family affair and we took up quite a bit of space in the library.

I have made a new best friend at church - this lil' sweetheart is attached at my hip when she's at Community.  (Again, you need some 4-year old's in your life to keep you grounded).  My niece Elizabeth gave her life to Christ and was baptized by her dad on May 4.  Isaac has mentioned being baptized on more than one occasion.  I know all I have to do is give him the green light, and he's ready to go.  Do I think Isaac is a believer? Yes.  Do I think he trusts in God? Yes.  Does he know the importance of baptism, how it will/should shape his life? Has his heart been pierced with a conscience that makes him want to be baptized?  I don't know.  I am gradually seeing a 'mature' side to him that makes me consider it.  Karson was only 8-years old when she got baptized, and he is an entire year older than her.  We'll see =). 

I got to celebrate the birthday of a very close friend this month.  Lisa is more than a friend to me, she is a sister.  Although we aren't related by blood, I feel that special bond with her.  I admire her servant heart and willingness to make everyone feel special.  We celebrated with her last Monday, ate dinner at The Olive Garden and noshed on a Brewster's cake at the pool house.

 We spent Saturday of Memorial Day weekend at Nolin Lake. I made a Wal-Mart run early that morning to grab some floats, Isaac a new life jacket and snacks. $100+ dollars later, we were ready to go, stinkin' Wal-Mart.  We got to the cabin a little after 10 and met up with my sister and her family and my parents.  My Mamaw wasn't able to come down from Louisville because she has a bad case of pneumonia.  I know she was disappointed.  It wasn't the same without Mamaw there begging us to eat and ready to get a card game going.  The lake crowd was slim at the Pogue Compound.  There has been a Baby Boom in the family - two of my cousins recently had babies and another one is due any day.

Charley Grace Pogue - Born to Jackie and Stacy on May 19, 2014

Kyle Randel Mastin - born to Randy and Lyndi on April 15, 2014

 A few of my cousins were able to make it to the lake this weekend along with my Uncle Jackie and Aunt Lois. We took our two pontoons out among the MASSES of speed and ski boats whizzing around everywhere.

One of my Wal-Mart purchases - the Island float which managed to get popped somewhere between the cabin and boat.  I guess that's what happens when you allow the kids to tote a float.  Thank goodness for those water proof patch thingies.

We spent almost the entire day on the lake - made a pit stop to the beach close to Moutardier, two stops to the dock for ice cream and candy, tubed, jumped off some rocks, snacked on sandwiches and chips, jammed to some tunes (including the famous "Turn Down for What" - YouTube Video Remix) and enjoyed a gorgeous day in the sun.  I am thankful that summer is almost here!  Bring it on!