Halfway Through

Someone please tell me how we are already halfway through the year?!?  It's month SIX people!  I do love summer but honestly, it's the busiest time of the year for me with my job.  While my household is enjoying a more relaxed, lazy schedule, I'm up at the crack of dawn and heading to work for summer camps. I just completed my second week camp and have a little breather before the next two weeks begin.  It's halfway through the year, halfway through my camps, and I'm halfway losing my mind =).

  Karson continues to stay active with both basketball and volleyball but has a little time off for dead period.  Her volleyball team always participates in a tournament at Lindsey Wilson in June.  Due to track, she hadn't had much time to shake the rust off but did a great job.  Her team won all their games (but again, it was a little warm-up, not much hard competition). Basketball participated in three day-tournaments for Greenwood High, Barren County and Glasgow High and a three-day camp at WKU.  The girl stays busy and active which is how she likes it. The track banquet was also this month and was a nice event.  I dropped Karson's letterman off at Duke's to add all her bars and patches.  She'll get to add the KHSAA Triple Threat patch to her jacket.

 

When she's not on the basketball court or at practice, you can find Karson and company at the sand volleyball courts at Preston Miller Park.

 Miles played in his first Go Series Golf tournament last Thursday in Madisonville in the 11-12 year old division.  It's 9-holes walking.  We bought him one of those rolling carts to help keep all of his gear together and make it a little easier for him.  We were super proud of his attitude and that he tied for 5th at his first event.  He's signed up for two more tournaments, but due to a thumb injury (trampoline + football + brother + AJAX soap) this week, he has to drop out of tomorrow's tournament =(.

 

Isaac spends a lot of his free time doing youth events at Greenwood Park during the summer.  It's hard to believe Church Camp is next week.  He went with the group to Lipscomb University's IMPACT the weekend before last and had so much fun.  We're grateful to Brian and Elyse (the summer intern) for working so hard to shape and teach our youth the importance of loving God and loving others.

We love Uncle Ben and were happy to celebrate his birthday this month at Long Horn!

Happy 20th to US!

Greenwood Park Church of Chirst - we were married by Matt's dad Colvin on June 5, 1999 at 3:00 PM which was also the 51st anniversary of my grandparents - Bill and Bonnie Hartwein.  Memaw passed back in November, but this week would've marked their 71st.  Matt and I were talking the other day about how strange it is/was that our parents are currently (or close to) the age of grandparents when we got married.

Is it possible to summarize 20 years?  I have no idea.  It's hard for me to remember the details of yesterday. Matt and I have loved each other for 23 years. Here is the highlight reel....

CHURCH
The Hilltoppers for Christ.  It's where we met.  Matt rolled into the student center in a Gold Acura and Bright Orange North Face Jacket.  I thought he was the most handsome guy I'd ever seen and remembered him playing basketball for Greenwood High year's ago.  We'd both grown up in the Church of Christ - me and Greenwood Park, and Matt at Lehman Avenue and Alvaton.  We'd crossed paths here and there during high school at church and school functions.  During our HFC year's we did lots of dorm bible studies, Tuesday night devotionals, mission work, and weekend trips.  He and I drove to Edmonton every single Sunday to work with the Edmonton Church of Christ.  After college/marriage, we moved to Georgia for a brief period and worked for Lake Park Church of Christ.  Lots of twists and turns in ministry.  Matt got his graduate degrees (Master of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity) from David Lipscomb.  We worked at University Church of Christ for a period of time before starting Bowling Green Community Church or Christ which initially met at Bowling Green High School and eventually moved into the 12th Street Church building.  Church was a big part of our lives and journey.  It was meaningful. It was hard.  It was time consuming. Serving in a leadership role came to an end for us.  Matt had already carved out a new career path and a more secure future. He'd decided to go back to school and pursue a degree in Education (undergrad in History, Masters in Education, Rank 1 and Masters in Administration).  He and I were both working all week and every weekend with full time jobs and a family.  Something had to give.  After much thought and consideration, we hung up ministry hat. 

These are Matt's Ten Commandments, and I love them.  Because we're not active in church doesn't change the core of who we are and are trying to be.  We still love each other.  We still love God.  We still strive to be good people.  We're not any different.  We're still good people who work hard and love others.  We both still serve the community and teach our children values.

1.  Seek Love first!  Love matters most.  God is love.
2.  Cherish Tiff and the kids and tell them how much you love them everyday.  Really, really, really, really cherish them and make it obvious to the four of them how much that you love them.  Tiff only has one husband and the kids only have one dad.
3.  Appreciate other people for who they are.  Don't compare and judge.
4.  Relax (don't worry about your life, breathe/meditate regularly).  Life is short.  Live as a non-anxious presence. Everything passes quickly.  Take time each day to get in a good mental place.
5.  Trust that LOVE wins (believe the future is bright).
6.  Exercise regularly, eat healthy, sleep well (if possible, take a nap when you're tired).
7.  Don't feel bad about feeling bad.  Let bad feelings pass.
8.  Want what you have (be grateful not entitled.  It's all a gift.  "Thanks").
9.  Choose happiness (do your work and rest with peace, joy and appreciation).
10.  Be as kind as possible (when it's all said and done, how you treated other people that will matter the most).

KIDS

It was something Matt and I had talked about at different points during our dating relationship.  Having them was sort of the progression of what we both wanted in life. We knew we wanted kids, and we had kids. I can't really process my life before them.  I ask myself...what in the world did  we even spend our money on?  We were married for three years before getting pregnant with Karson.  There were no 3-D options, just the basic poltergeist fuzzy screen where the sonographer is pointing to body parts.  You're nodding your head pretending to agree with what they're pointing at.  You brought in a VHS tape for the recording and got a blurry picture. I gained around 70 lbs. with each pregnancy.  People tried consoling me by saying it was all baby.  Nope, not true.  All our babies were small Karson at 6 lbs., Isaac 7 lbs., and Miles 8 lbs.  All I could think about was food and when I could eat next.  The hunger disappeared when they were born.  One would think nursing babies would make you hungry, and while I was hungry, it was nothing like my pregnant hungry.
     One thing I controlled was the day of the week my babies were born -all on a Tuesday, like their dad.  Tuesday child is full of grace.  It's about the only thing I could control.  There's nothing easy about the baby years.  It's all about survival - mental, physical, and emotional.  I read all the books, tried all the tips, never figured it out....still trying to figure it all out...probably never will.  One thing we both agree on is that we want to be PRESENT both emotionally and physically for our children.  At the end of the day, we want our kids to know that we love them, we hear them, we support them, and we are available - not helicoptery or smothering them to death but available.  They need to have their own lives and make their own decisions.  It's important to be real with them.  It's hard being a teenager, and all we can do is be supportive, loving, and give positive correction.

DWELLINGS

• Worthington Triangle Street in Lake Park, GA
• East 15th Street, BG x 2
• Plainfield Way, BG
• Roseberry Circle, BG

PETS

• Daisy and Duke (mini Dachshunds)
• Green Jill the Turtle
• Princess Sparkles Hampster
• a few BETA fish, sea monkeys, and hermit crabs 

We'll stick with Jerry Deaton - the stuffed giraffe horse who celebrates his birthday every year on June 1.




We plan to celebrate our 20th in New York this July with a quick trip while our kids are at church camp.  

All Under the Same Roof

Our last little Panther graduated from Plano Elementary School on Friday.  Plano has been our home the last eleven years, but it wasn't too emotional for me.  I'll be honest, I'm excited that all of the kids will be under the same roof in the fall and on the same schedule. With Matt at the high school and adding another driver, Karson, to the mix, things will be a little easier.

Friday was special.  Matt was able to sneak away from the high school for a quick hour to see some of the promotion event.  I feel like I have the right to say this because I have both boys and a girl in my household and know how different they are.  I got tickled during the ceremony with the awards - the choir consisted of girls - they won most of the big awards - they seemed a bit more engaged in the whole event - it was funny.  At one point, my friend sitting next to me, zoomed her camera in on Miles and his buddy, and it looked like they could've been napping.  Heck, I feel like I deserved an award for convincing Miles to wear khaki pants and a dress shirt.  All kidding aside, Plano does an incredible job of recognizing the 6th graders. 

Parents vs. Students in DODGE BALL game!  We lost.

State Bound and Down!

These over achieving children of ours!  May is a happening month!  Lots of events, parties, awards ceremonies, testing, projects, finals, field days, recognition, yearbooks, (for Miles) golf practice/lessons, (for Karson) track meets and (for Isaac) lacrosse games.  We're busy folks, and I swear if I hear someone else say, "are you okay?  You look tired," I might lose my marbles.  Yes, I'm tired and totally worn out.  Besides the holidays, May is probably one of the most busy times of the year for parents.

Before KPREP testing begins, Plano hosts a big Celebration of Excellence event and presents awards to students for their testing achievement from the year prior.  Miles received proficient recognition certificates in Social Studies, Writing and Reading.  We're super proud of his hard work. This is the first year Matt was able to get away from school and attend.  It was a special treat for Miles.

He's also been attending middle school open gyms once a week and hating loving golf with his dad.

Isaac picked up the game of Lacrosse (through BGPR) and has done quite well.  The sport is new for us, and we've gradually collected all the gear (with a few more pieces to go) over the last month or so.  We're happy he's found something he enjoys and that will keep him active.  He's made some great friends too.  His last game is on Thursday.

He also managed to snag the following superlative in South Middles yearbook edition!  It;s very fitting =)!  Anyone who knows or has a relationship with Isaac is going to have a blast.  That's all he's about - JOY - all the time.  I came across an old hard drive that had loads of old photos and videos - mainly videos of the boys.  They were so cute, energetic, and WILD.  Isaac's mannerisms then are exactly the same now.  He's a fun kid to be around (unless he's your older brother, then all bets are off, and the torturing begins - hah).








Karson had awards at South earlier this month.  With Matt already being at the school, I opted out.  A friend of mine sent me a picture of her on-stage.  Thank goodness for my fellow-mom friends out there.  I got this little gem.  Don't they all look super excited on stage?

I decided to do a little Snapchat photo doctoring to express how excited she looked...what do you all think?  Oh the ways I like needling my children!  She dropped the dagger saying - well no one was in the crowd so I wasn't sure who to smile at or for.  #momfail #sorryhoney

 

Karson had a BIG day on Saturday running the Regional Track Meet at Greenwood High School. She prepared on Friday afternoon with an ice bath.  Eeeeeek!  And then a team trip to Fazoli's to fuel up on some carbs! 

 

Despite the fact that it felt like a thousand degrees or that she'd already run in two relay events, Karson managed to pull out a WIN in the 200 Meter Dash, gaining 10 points for the girls team. 

 Although the girls team landed in third place, Karson will still get a chance to compete at the State Meet in Lexington on June 1.

I spent about five hours in the heat on Saturday and was totally wiped out.  Isaac had a Lacrosse game at 5 PM but had pictures at 4:15.  Karson's last race (200M Dash) was a 3:40 so I knew we'd be cutting it close to getting Isaac to pictures on time. I'm glad we were able to capture some quick photos with Karson post-race.  We're super proud of her!

My Easter Peeps

 

There's something satisfying about dying Easter eggs.  Apparently, the only other person in the house that enjoys Easter egg dying at this point is my darling daughter.  We got the wild hair to dye some eggs a few weeks ago.  I've found shaving cream and food coloring to be the cheapest and easiest route.  Karson and I got super crafty and decided to try the silk tie method.  We found some cheap ties at Good Will and got to work.  This method DID NOT work for us, maybe it does for others?  Each tie we unwrapped was a big, fat, Easter disappointment.  Think we'll stick with the shaving cream (or tablets) in the future.

I'm not a shopper, and when I am, I'm a bargain shopper.  I don't know what it is about shopping, particularly for clothes, that makes me think of a million other things I'd rather be doing.  I love wearing new things and getting new things for the kids - it's simply the chore of going out, looking around, finding things you like, trying stuff on, the whole process - just typing this out makes me sigh =).  I don't think it's as hard finding things for the boys.  There's not much variety - shorts, shirts, pants, shoes.  It's fairly easy to add/take away from their wardrobe.  Because we have two boys close in age/size, they can usually recycle and wear each other's things.  I like to sort of coordinate clothes on Easter Sunday.  I'd found a cute pale purple top at TJ Maxx weeks ago.  It's been a bit too chilly to wear it, so I saved it.  Karson and I found her a cute outfit with some purple accents from Hollister, and BONUS, it's was all 40% off.  I pulled some colors out to "match" the boys, and we looked decent for a family pic.

 

 We made a visit to our former church, Community.  It was a treat getting to see and reconnect with everyone.  Afterwards, we ate lunch at my mom's and the kids did a money egg hunt.  When you're a teenager, all you really want/need is money anyway.  We also did a candy hunt, but Miles was the only participant - he's still a "kid" at heart. 







It has been a BIG week for our eldest baby!  I'm trying not to freak out, but Karson got her Intermediate license on Monday.  The whole license thing is no-joke!  It wasn't like when I was 16 - you drove for a SOLID thirty days before taking your road test.  We've been logging Karson's daytime hours and her nighttime hours.  She practiced the road test route multiple times.  I feel confident in her abilities.  One of the funny things she asked me (and all you seasoned drivers will laugh at this one) is "I get confused about who has the right away."  Great question.  It's also one that apparently most people don't know the answer to =).  He appointment was at 1 PM on Monday and lasted about seven minutes.  Matt said he was a little worried when the proctor and Karson pulled back in.  She said he was in the car talking with her for a couple of minutes before he looked up and gave Matt the thumbs up.

 She got two marks but not a grade.  Matt and I felt like we both got grades when it was over - 92% is sticking in my head for some reason.  She was marked off for turning into the wrong lane on a double one-way street.  You're supposed to turn into the inner lane (which one of my friends had told me about already).  Karson didn't and crossed over into outer lane (she was probably scared she'd hit the curb by cutting it too close).  It's weird but apparently is a rule.  She also received marks on her parallel parking.  Who are we kidding?  She will rarely use that maneuver anyway.  It's been a treat for she and Isaac to sleep in a little later and leave for school at 7 AM compared to the early train with dad.  She's done a little driving - going to Pelican's Snoballs with a friend and taking Isaac to lacrosse practice at Preston Miller - nothing too major.  However, it is the weekend so we'll see!

Karson received another honor this week receiving a certificate from KHSAA called the Triple Threat award.  This is given to students who participate in three Varsity sports. 

 
 It truly is an achievement for all of these athletes.  (I feel like parents should get an award as well -just saying).  I'm proud that Karson has three supportive coaches that encourage her to be a multi-sport athlete, work with her schedule and understand there is conflict.  It's grueling and a major sacrifice - nights, weekends, summer break, holidays - to participate and represent your school.  I'm most proud of the fact that she does ALL of this and manages to maintain a 4.08 GPA (with AP classes) and got a 28 on her spring ACT.  I'm a little intimidated by her =).