Count Down to Destin

Fall Break can't get here soon enough.  We are counting down the days to the beach.  I can't wait to smell the salty air, squish my toes in the sand, sit in my beach chair, and hang out with my besties with a drink in my hand.  The first few months of school feel like we're running ourselves into the ground.  Volleyball is non-stop with three tournaments in Lexington (twice) and Sevierville.  Isaac has been taking guitar lessons, and Miles has been going to lots of basketball open gyms with try outs after Fall Break and playing lots of golf.  Those are just the extra curricular - add school, work, and all the other things into the mix and we're overloaded.  I'm ready to sleep in and do NOTHING!

 We celebrated Mae Kathryn's 4th birthday and Zella's 2nd birthdays last month.  These little sweethearts are both going to be big sisters soon and are too precious for words.

Matt and Isaac took a special trip to Las Vegas to see Eric Clapton live in concert at Mobile Arena.

 Other trip highlights:: walking around on Fremont Street, riding the Big Apple Coaster, Isaac loved shopping at the Vegas memorabilia shop, playing a few rounds at Top Golf, and eating at Heart Attack Grille.  Matt and Isaac made a vow to go back on Isaac's 21st birthday (for obvious reasons) =).

 It was a quick trip but the perfect amount of time.  Karson and I were in Sevierville at a tournament, and Miles stayed with Meme and got to have a friend (Bryce Priddy) spend the night with him.

 Karson and her besties painting up for Spartans football.  Thankful for her fun crew!

Miles hangs out with Matt quite a bit before and after school in his office.  Miles like his mini fridge with drinks and his stash of snacks.  Best buds.

Matt and I had a nice date night last night.  We ate at Novo Pub when Matt spotted Brooks Koepka a few tables down.  I had no idea who Koepka was but apparently he's the #1 golfer in world.  

Matt was starstruck and all I could think about was the scene from Stepbrothers.  I have a weird brain sooo...

Matt asked if he could take his picture and had the best night!

Dale Doback : Why do you have Randy Jackson's autograph on a martial arts weapon? Brennan Huff : 'Cause I bumped into him and all I had on me was this samurai sword. And you're not gonna not get Randy Jackson's autograph, right? Dale Doback : I would've done the exact same thing.

 After Novo, we ran over to Warren Central to hear the South Warren Marching Band perform and then went to Spillway to see our bestie Weston sing and hang out with our crew (who will all be in DESTIN with us - yay!).

A Brutal August

I'm truly just referencing this weather.  It's brutal!  From a rainy beginning of the summer to dry, dusty and down-right HOT!  Karson and Miles have both picked up allergy problems with school starting back.  It's easily remedied with some allergy meds and a humidifier, but it's still annoying having a dripping nose.  Besides the normal school grind, all the kids are actively involved in something. 

Karson continues with volleyball.  It's a fairly short season but packed with activity.

Miles continues with golf (and is beast - see video below) but started basketball open gyms this week.  It was cute, he came home on Monday and asked us, "have you ever run suicides?"  He said they'd ran a bunch of them.

Isaac has started taking guitar lessons at Rich Pond Fine Arts Academy.  It's more something we've wanted him to do than something he's expressed a strong interest in.  He's got two guitars and plays, but he's to the point where lessons would be beneficial.  He's enjoyed going and likes his teacher Phil.  I'm not sure he's looking forward to the Winter Recital in December, but I'm excited to see him perform and how he's progressed this semester.  I'd love to have a picture from his first lesson, but he's not big on picture taking so I've stopped pushing that.  Instead I'll post a picture of me getting my hair trimmed at SKyPAC.  I do LOVE it when props arrive at work.

Deatons Take on South '19-'20

All three Deaton's under one roof this year, and it's not Plano Elementary (sniff, sniff).  My adorable Miles started middle school today.  I know he's anxious because he was extra chatty last night and this morning.  Change is hard.  And uncertainty even harder.  I can't wait to hear about his day and hope that it was good.  I've been extra nervous - mainly because Miles didn't have a lot of his Plano buddies in his classes.  In middle school, they are grouped by color (Blue, Black and Silver).  The best way I can understand the main way they group is through Math.   I'm simply hopeful there were some familiar faces in each of his classes and especially during lunch.  Miles is a friendly little guy so I have no doubt he'll make lots of new friends.  However, there is a lot of comfort in knowing a few people in your classes.

 I fixed the boys cinnamon rolls this morning.  It's our Wednesday thing.  I drove them to school since Karson was gone, and Matt needed to get to school super early.  I'm pretty ignorant about start times, and by that I mean, I have no idea what time I need to leave and what time school starts/ends.  I have no idea why I can't remember, but I imagine it has to do with the fact that I NEVER take them or pick them up.  We left at 6:40 this morning which was way too early. The school buildings don't even open until 7:00 (smh).  We did an extra lap around the school and noticed the middle school was letting kids out (of vehicles), and they were lining up.  Got Miles dropped off and then circled back around to the high school to let Isaac out too.  Good news: I got them there, and they were on time.  All that matters, right?

Karson and her friends did an early breakfast at Waffle House.  Be still my heart - all these girls are growing up quickly and are stunning, intelligent young ladies.  

 

The difference in two high school teens via text messages:

Karson texts me that she needs another folder for class, and if I can pick her up one, she'd appreciate it. Happened to be close to a Dollar General so I decided to shoot Isaac a text and ask if he needed anything. His response, "I'll let you go through the syllabuses when I get home." 

 Matt texts me midday to tell me that Isaac just came up to him in the cafeteria and talked to him for a few minutes and said he's having a good day.  Matt said, "it made me happy that came up and wanted to talk."  Karson's never done that.

WELCOME BACK WARREN COUNTY!!!!

The Calm Before

School STARTS!  I loathe back to school, and it's not because I'm not a schedule sort of girl because I am.  Routine is a good thing, and school is important.  They'll all be under the same roof and on the same schedule which will be very nice.  BUT...the thing that makes me sad about starting school is the speed of everything.  Time moves at a faster speed (or seems like it).  You blink and another school year is over.  For me, that means, my kids are older.  I am older.  It's not fun.  I feel the years with kids at home slipping through my fingers.  That's what makes me the saddest.  My babies aren't babies.  When the school year is up, I'll have a 17, 15 and 13 year old.   I don't like it one bit.

Let's refocus.  The calm before school starts.  Isaac got to spend the weekend with the youth group on the Ocoee River with Quest Expeditions.  This is his third year rafting, and he loves it!

 I'm super thankful for Brian and the Greenwood Park Youth Group for loving our kids and providing them with such exciting adventures!  Karson was bummed about not being able to participate in the trip.  Sports are a wonderful thing but a big commitment.  And our eldest stinker participates in THREE of them.  Each year the volleyball team has a lock-in right before school starts, and it happened to be the Friday of the rafting trip.  Team bonding is an important part of the season, and it's something Karson didn't want to miss.

The upperclassmen always adopt "littles" for the season.  Karson picked sophomore Naomi Richards who is quite a bit "taller" than Karson to be her "little."  She adores Naomi, and she's going to be a fierce Middle Hitter for South this season and is an all-around sweet young lady!

 Love this sweet team and looking forward to volleyball season!

Karson got to spend Saturday afternoon with her bestie at Barren River so I guess she technically got to spend some time on the water??!!??

For posterity, I totally dropped the ball on church camp documenting.  Between NYC and Miles's baptism, I failed to post any pics about the highlight of July which is CHURCH CAMP at Taylor Christian.  It falls during Dead Period and generally during the week of July 4th.  Taylor is special and anyone who has been to GP's camp knows exactly what I mean.

Maybe one day Miles will join them at camp???

Karson's received the F.O.X. award - Female of Excellence.  We think she's pretty great.  Her SWHS basketball coach Lane Embry was also her church camp team coach.

 Karson said they paired the older girls up with younger girls, and she really liked that idea.  She said when she was a younger camper, she didn't know anyone older.   

 

 

 Her sweetheart kickball studs - Logan and Colby.

 Isaac is totally in his element at camp.  He's a go, go, go sort of guy - and camp is non-stop action.

Reunited with old pals - Aidan and Logan Allen who spent the night with us the Saturday before camp.  We sure do miss them!

Miles is totally addicted to golf.  He can't get enough of it.  When he's not on the course, he's upstairs putting away on his putting green.  Due to his thumb injury, he wasn't able to continue to play competitively this summer.  However, he did score a 2nd place finish in the Goat Gary Championship Tournament today at BG Country Club. Good job Miles!