What's Going On...

Our summer is officially underway, and while I am stuck at work, the rest of the family is in constant motion enjoying their summer break.

• We've had friends over to play and done lots of swimming.

• Karson has been pulling double duty at both volleyball and basketball open gyms on top of working out at home doing lots of jump roping and conditioning.

Spartan Volleyball camp was last Saturday.

Karson received a practice jersey to wear at open gyms for basketball and plans to participate in the team camp next Monday and Tuesday at South. I am limiting her to one open gym per day.  I don't want her to get hurt, yikes!

 

• Miles has been doing some golfing at Indian Hills and Paul Walker.  He's a natural and is constantly asking Matt questions about every aspect of the game.  Hands down - the cutest golfer ever!

• Matt has been playing in lots of scrambles recently. He played in one for HeathCo with his dad and brothers (John works at HeathCo) and won some cool prizes.  He played in the Member/Guest tournament at Indian Hills last weekend with Paul.  Their team took 3rd place and also won son nice prizes. 

• Matt and I celebrated 16 years of marriage on the 5th.  We went to our favorite restaurant Chuy's with Paul and Shannon and played cards afterwards.  We are party animals!  I knew Matt would show me up on the anniversary card front - he wrote a long and hilarious love note.  I can't imagine doing life without him by my side.  He makes me a better person and is my match in every way.  SO thankful God brought us together 19 1/2 years ago.  Whoa! 

•  We celebrated with John and Laura, my new little niece, baby Mae Kathryn, who will make her appearance in mid-August.  The Maglinger's hosted a baby shower for them last weekend.  I cannot WAIT to have a baby in the family again. 

• Matt and the boys had a little getaway to Destin, Florida with Paul, Shannon, the cousins and Meme.  Karson had to miss out on the fun because of SWMS Volleyball try-outs which landed this week.  If nothing else, she's a dedicated lil' athlete.

• Karson decided to chop her hair.  She's terribly tender-headed and wanted a short 'do' for the summer.

• Matt and I are officially taking a sabbatical from ministry. We have been hard at it for last 19 years.  After being with our current church for 13 years, we decided it was time to take a step-back and focus more on our family and what's best for us and them at this stage in our lives.  We've needed this for quite some time, but it's been a difficult decision.  I know God is at work and leading us in the direction he wants us to go.  For those of you praying bloggers out there, please add us to your list during this transitional period.  Full-time ministry has been a central part of our lives for our entire marriage.  It's strange to think about a weekend off - what is that exactly? 
  Our dear friends Weston and Katie joined stepped down from full-time ministry as well.  We've made lots of memories at Community and have nothing but love for the church and members that worship there.
  
  
  I'm sure I will have many more summer stories to tell, but this sums up the last two weeks or so.

Jerry Deaton and Intelligent Isaac

 Isaac and Jerry Deaton have been inseparable for the last 10 years.  We started celebrating Jerry's birthday on June 1 a few years back.  Isaac looks forward to it every year.  We invite all the stuffed animals in our house and usually a few party guests and have a celebration.  I buy Jerry Zebra cakes which are his favorite.  Pap bought Jerry a cookie cake for the party.  When I got home from work today, Isaac was covered on the couch with all his party guests (below) along with Uncle Seth, Pap, Nana & Meme.  He invited them all over for the party at 4:30 p.m. and they were all watching Mall Cop.  Funny side note about Mall Cop:  Isaac went to see the new Poltergeist last Friday.  I wouldn't encourage the average 10 year old to see a PG-13 movie, but Isaac really wanted to see it so I let him go with Pap.  I asked Pap how he liked the movie, and he told me Isaac said, "it was the best movie he's ever see.  Ahead of Mall Cop 2."  Yep, that sums up how my son thinks.

The party guests.

Jerry Deaton, a silent but important part of our family.

 

Isaac received a gift today - a letter of acceptance into 212 Academy.  I can't imagine any child being more "right" for Warren County's program than him, and he will benefit greatly from this program over the next two years.  He was reluctant to apply and gave me all kinds of grief about writing the two required essays for the application.   I'm glad I forced made him apply.

  Any kids that gets that excited about a stuffed animal's birthday party, needs to be in the gifted program, right?!?!

Final Fantastic FOUR

 The Fantastic Four made it to the final four in the Marshall Outdoor Tournament last Saturday. The weather forecast prediction was horrible - 80% chance of rain on Saturday.  We definitely weren't going to do a repeat of two weeks ago.  Thankfully the forecast changed, and it turned out to be a lovely day.  The day started bright and early - 8 a.m. and began with pool play.  We had five teams in our pool, and it took most of the morning and mid-afternoon to get all of those games in.  The girls played really well together and had a winning streak for the most part.  Out of the 10 games played, our team won 7 1/2.

One the teams were placed in brackets, the actual tournament started.  It was single elimination, and we started off playing a team from BGHS.  They were pretty tough, but we managed to pull out a win meaning we would be playing in the final four.  The next team we played was the team that had beat us two games in pool play.  The girls knew they would be a hard team to beat.  They played their hardest but ended up losing.  I thought all the girls played well.  It was a long but fun day.

There's a wonderful treasure right next to the interstate - Jerry's Restaurant.  I have loved going there since I was a kid.  It was on the By-Pass for years before moving out to Louisville Road.  I absolutely love their spaghetti.  It was actually the highlight of my Saturday.  I believe Karson and I have eaten there together 2-3 times over the last couple of years.  We aren't on that side of town that often, so we take advantage when we can.

Karson has started reading hte Twilight series books.  She's reading Eclipse right now and was wanting to check the movie out.  I got on WCPL's website to see if it was 'checked in'.  The DVD was at the Smiths Grove library branch so we took a little road trip down I-65 to retrieve it.  We also made a stop at Flavor Isle for a chocolate cone and hot fudge cake.  It was a Fantastic Saturday!

A Chapter Closed

 

And, so, the close of another school year.  My kids are getting older, which means I am too.  Add another gray hair to my head, wrinkle to my face - I still tell people that I am 37 years old because I can't seem to grasp the fact that I am 38.  Where does the time go?  I will have a 3rd, 5th and 7th grader in the fall.  My jaw hits the floor when I think about it.  Isaac only has two more years before he's in middle school, and Miles will be there not long after since they will be phasing the 6th grade classes into the county middle schools in the next two years.

 

I took at vacation day from work on Thursday.  There was simply a lot going on, and I needed to be there to cheer on my oldest baby as she graduated from 6th grade.  I can't imagine a better way to spend a vacation day.

Everyone should be lucky enough to have a Christy Bearden in their life.  She has been beside me the entire time at Plano.  Her son Nathan and my Karson have been joined at the hip since day one in kindergarten.  Christy is my partner in crime, my friend, my sounding board.  She's the first person I look for at school events.  We talk for hours, laugh together, gripe together and the list goes on and on.

 

The last day of school was especially special this year with Karson graduating from 6th Grade.  The ceremony took me back to my own 6th grade graduation at T.C. Cherry Elementary school.  I was sporting the ever-so-stylish all over permed hair, looking much like a standard poodle.  I wore a lovely floral dress with one of those pin-on flowers at the waist.  I had my white tights and matching white flats.  B.E.A.-utiful as Jim Carey would say.  When the ceremony ended, all of us 6th grade girls locked arms and sang around the piano "That's What Friends Are For."  We cried and hugged and declared that we would be friends FOREVER.  Karson's graduation was nothing like it.  The were remarks from the principal, dean of students, a choral presentation from the chorus, and then each teacher came up and presented awards to their class. Karson's awards barely fit on my counter.  She received a ton of them. #nerdproblems =)

Karson has been blessed with some of the best teachers and friends at Plano.  Graduation wasn't the least bit sad for her or me.  I am happy for her time at Plano, and I know she is completely ready for the next chapter in her life.  Look out South Middle, this class of Plano Panthers is going to break some academic records.

After the ceremony, the kids went back to the classroom to change into play clothes.  We headed out to the front of the school for a cook out and afterwards a day full of games (dodgeball, kickball, and volleyball).  I pretty much just hung out with Christy and baked in the sun.  I stayed at school until 1 p.m. when it was time for the boys classroom awards.

Miles receiving his awards from his teacher Ms. Turner.  The Movie Star Award and the Jolly Roger Award.  She bragged so much on him and how happy he always made her.  We sure will miss her next year!

I'm certain that Isaac is completely in love with Ms. Kirk.  Not only is she gorgeous, but she's got to be the most popular teacher at Plano.  I doubt you'll meet a student that doesn't want Ms. Kirk as a teacher.  She is one of a kind!  Isaac almost tackled her going in for hugs both time he received awards.  He had the best year and the best time being in her class.

 So long 2014-2015 School Year.  This is officially the last time all three of our kids will be in the same school together.  When Karson and Isaac reunite at South High school, she will be driving him to school.  Sheesh!