December Already!

What is it about this time of the year, seems like it moves faster than ever!?!  I mean to blog more, but time simply isn't on my side and free time is a blur in the winter.  My brain about exploded when I got both boys basketball schedules last week.  I knew it would be tough - this is the second year in a row all three kids are playing basketball at the same time.  Games are all over Warren County, and our house is a train station.  We live on concession stand food and whatever we can scrounge up in the house.  I found myself at IGA at 6:40 AM this morning to purchase cinnamon rolls because we were out of them.  We ALWAYS have cinnamon rolls on Wednesday, and it's one of Isaac's favorites.  I had planned to go to the grocery store during my lunch break yesterday, but after taking off from SKyPAC, I managed to run over a razor blade.  I heard something horrible in my tire/wheel well and pulled over at the Post Office.  I noticed a large, sharp piece of metal sticking straight out of the tread.  It didn't look like the kind of thing that could be "patched" so I headed over to Firestone to have them check it out.  2 hours, $153 dollars, and a new tire later, I was back on the road - NO groceries.  Tis' the season for spending, right?

  In effort to stay caught up, there is much to report...beginning with the tail end of November which began with the volleyball banquet for South Warren Middle School.  I'll admit, I've gotten fairly lazy with documenting anything volleyball because we have lots of excellent photographer parents on our team.  Their photos put my iPhone photos to shame.  I did take a couple at the banquet though and wish I had gotten a team photo.  I'm sure there is one circulating around on Facebook.  Coach Jackson puts a lot of time and thought into the banquet and makes sure to individually recognize each girl.  I love it.  Each of the 8th graders received a nice enlarged action photo, a sweatshirt and leggings.  They all feel special and loved, and it's because we have a wonderful coach and wonderfully supportive parents.

This wasn't my favorite action shot of Karson, but it was her favorite and the one she wanted for her photo. There were so many great shots to choose from, it was tricky to find just one.

All of Karson's best friends play volleyball, so it's always bittersweet when it's over because their parents have become my very best friends as well.  Karson decided not to play club this time.  She's decided that after basketball, she would like to try out for the track team at South.  This GIRL of mine!

 

I always enjoy spending time with my basketball mom friends too!  I imagine we will make some new friends for track.

 Snapchat has become my new favorite time thief!  I don't know how I've lived without it for so long.  Karson has had to teach me how to use it, but it's so much fun.  I love looking at her stories and seeing all her fun posts.  The highlights have been her posts about Advanced Biology dissecting!  Last week a frog, this week a pig.  Cracks me up!

Matt celebrated the big 40 on November 30. We've been through a lot in 20 of the 40 years.  It's hard to believe we've been together half his life.  Matt has been suffering with a sinus infection and head cold for about two weeks.  He had talked about possibly staying home from school on his birthday.  I had scheduled him a (surprise) balloon-a-gram weeks ago and was hoping he wouldn't miss it. I had also run all over town collecting flyers from pharmacies, assisted living homes, funeral homes, etc. for his golfers to pass out to him throughout the day.  Fortunately, my plans weren't spoiled and he made it to school that day.  The gorilla mistakenly brought him a 50 balloon which I think made it even funnier and also gave him a lap dance (which I didn't pay for - hah).

 We celebrated with family and close friends, who might as well be family, at the new El Mazatlan on Cumberland Trace Road.  I cannot say enough kind things about the staff there.  They gave us our own private room, were attentive to all of our needs and treated had the best customer service.

We love Matt Deaton, all 40 years of him!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Deaton house.  The kids decorated Gingerbread Homes to get in the spirit!  The icing to candy ratio is always somewhat of a challenge.  Heck, the whole process is challenging.  I'm hopeful none of the kids plan to go into engineering because this is not their forte.  However, it's a fun tradition and one we always look forward to.

 Isaac has had a extra exciting month.  I have to throw in these pictures of him fishing because they are totally worth documenting.  He loves going fishing with his Pap, even when it's COLD.

 

Isaac is following in his sister's footsteps and competed in 6th Grade Showcase Governor's Cup last Saturday.  He's a whiz at Quick Recall.  He also tested in both written composition and Social Studies.  Our team did really well and made it to the semi-finals in QR.  Isaac was bummed about missing his first basketball game AND pictures, but it was for a good cause.  Our team ended up placing 2nd over all and Isaac got 4th place awards in both his testing subject areas.

 Mr. Smarty Pants was invited to join Plano's BETA club.  Like most things, he is resistant at first, but he eventually concedes and decides he'd like to participate.  This was true with both Academic Team and 212 Academy.  BETA at Plano is relatively new and our chapter started last year.  He was invited to participate then but opted out.  I didn't encourage it at the time because we were already overloaded with stuff to do.  However, this year he wanted to do it, and better yet, wanted to run for an officer position.  He made these decisions with zero prodding from me (whew).  I absolutely love his letter stating why he'd like to be the BETA treasurer and would be a good choice.

He had to deliver a 1-2 minute speech last week in front of the club.  I didn't ask him about his speech because Isaac is fairly independent, creative and requires little assistance from me.  Y'all have seen his Youtube Channel right?  Anyway, he gave his speech last Thursday, and I could tell something was wrong when he got in the car at pick up.  He told me he blew his speech.  I assured him he didn't and that it was only supposed to be 1-2 minutes.  I don't know what he did/didn't say or how it was delivered, but he got the news Monday that he was selected at Treasurer.  The induction ceremony was last night at Plano.  Isaac had to give a speech and light a candle.  I'm super proud of him!

 We had to jet out of the ceremony rather quickly because Isaac had a basketball game at Rich Pond at 7:15. If any of you follow him on Instagram, you need to check out the video he posted.  I have trouble uploading video on Blogger or would post it.  He's such a character - every time he scored a basket, he did duck tails down the court.  He scored 6 points and was a showboat. Oh this BOY of mine!

Saturday was the great STORM of events - Karson had a game in Owensboro, Miles had a game and pictures at 1 PM, Isaac had Governor's Cup at Plano, and we had our annual Pogue Family Christmas at my sister's house.  I knew we would be late getting to the party but was thankful we made it and actually had it in BG this year (because otherwise I don't think we would've been able to go).  It's always treat getting to visit with my Louisville/Lexington family.   

Grandma Pogue and her great-grands (minus a few)!

We got together for a quick photo shoot at Colvin and Debbie's on Sunday.  It's the first big family picture with our sweet baby Mae Kathryn!  Looking forward to an exciting Christmas with her!

Got some shopping done, got our tree up, got our STAR SHOWER (aka chicken pox) on the house and all the decorations.  It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS!  It'll be here soon!