The Scoop for May

We're officially MASKED.  We've actually been masked for some time but finding these suckers isn't easy.  I've managed to order a few from local sewers and had friends give me some.  As a mouth breather, this isn't easy for me.  However, the more I wear it, the more used to it I get. 

School is officially over beside two AP test for Karson.  Isaac has his AP Human Geography test on Tuesday and is officially a sophomore.  The lazy life is one that's preferable for him.  He's a homebody and enjoys holing up in his room, drinking Dr. Pepper and playing Xbox.

When he comes out of hibernation, we sometimes let him practice driving which he's really good at and seems to enjoy.  We mainly drive around South Warren High School but have driven in neighborhoods like Ivan Downs and Belle Haven and out in Rich Pond and Woodburn where there are few cars.

Karson has two AP tests, one today and one next week.  She also finished her PSY100 class at WKU with a 93%.  PSY 100 is an online Dual Credit class.  GSP is still in question, but they are trying diligently to work out a schedule where the participants come in for one (1) week instead of five (5).  I guess it's better than nothing, but we will see if it happens.  She and the other recipients were recognized at the WCPS board meeting last night through Facebook LIVE.

  

She and a couple friends got together this week to work on their SENIOR crowns and plan to have pictures done next week.  It's a right of passage to decorate and wear a SENIOR crown on the last day of school.  However, this year was a little different.  We also ordered her SENIOR shirt from Duke's for her to wear on the first day of school which may/may not happen in person.  Too many unknowns to plan for right now.  She's handled it all very well.  This should be an exciting time for her...GSP, college visits, fall sports, but many of those things aren't possible.  We already know that many things are going to be taken away for the incoming Senior class, but it'll make her stronger and more resilient.  At the end of the day, if you have your health, that's way more important than other things.

Miles did really well with all the NTI, but we are both glad it's over.  I'm also glad that I was home and able to work with him each day.  I think he would've done fine on his own, but it was helpful for me to make sure he was completing the work and understanding what he was learning.  Middle school is an adjustment, and Google Classroom is too.  There's a lot to it.  It gave me a better understanding of how he's learning.  He spends most of his days golfing, watching golf videos or putting, chipping, whatever practice he needs to improve his game.  He shot his best round ever at IHCC scoring a 77.


We broke out the N64 this week, and he's been playing a lot of Mortal Kombat and learning my personal favorite Galaga.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day,  we celebrated with brunch at Nana's.  Pap's birthday was the next day so we took him his gift as well.  We haven't gotten to spend much time with our parents during this pandemic, but we appreciate the time we get with them.  It's much more special.

Extra Extra Read All About It!!!

13-year old golfer Miles Deaton got his first hole-in-one on April 21, 2020 at Indian Hills Country Club on the #8 hole.  It was a super windy day and his knee has been bothering him since Sunday when he smacked it against a goal post.  I'm not sure if those were factors for future hole-in-one goals, but it was a great day for him!

The golf pro at Indian Hills, John Mullendore, came out to congratulate him.  He gave him a nice Callaway hat and a nice sleeve of balls.  His Pap gave him a $50 which tickled him.  Matt treated him to some Fazoli's for dinner.  Eventually he'll get the flag from hole #8 and Matt, Seth, Colvin and Miles will all sign it.  He also has his lucky ball.  I'm thinking some sort of cool shadowbox.

Wait..What?!? I Thought it Was Saturday...

All my days at home since the COVID pandemic began are starting to bleed together.  I spent much of today thinking it was Saturday when, in fact, it's Sunday.  Geez. My mind is foggy.  Has it already been a week since Easter Sunday? I guess it has!  Last Sunday, we did a PJ brunch at my mom's, and the kids enjoyed their Easter basket treats.  Mom hid one egg for each of them to find with a $20 bill stashed inside.

Since Karson's car is decorated in stickers, I had to get her a Joe Exotic one.  Isaac got a GTA sticker as well - Drive it Like You Stole It.

We did manage to dye eggs the Tuesday before Easter with a few boxes of Paas dye jobs which are basically all the same.  Isaac spilled all his green dye immediately.  Matt took some video at the exact moment it happened (which I cannot get to load on here but it was everywhere and Karson was in pieces laughing). 


Loser alert:  my favorite Snapchat time of the year is during Easter when you can find all the hidden eggs on the Snapmap.  I managed to snag 4,000.

My weekdays are spent working from home remotely and helping Miles finish up his last few weeks of 7th grade.  Last weeks FACS project was the highlight - his Food Truck Project.

A milkshake seems to solve most of life's problems these days!

I've lost count of the number of 1000 piece puzzles I've worked these last few weeks.  I grew up working puzzles and since life has come to a complete halt, it's been a fun hobby to pick back up.  I tried taking pictures of all of them but forgot to with some.  I'm about to start one that Matt bought for me in Boston one year.

Much has occurred during this crisis, and I know a lot has been lost and many experiences we will never get back...but let me tell you something BIG happened yesterday.  It's something that Karson has been working on since 8th grade when she took her first high school classes (Advanced Algebra and Biology) and that's is her Governor's Scholars Program (GSP) resume.  For three years we have documented her academic work, volunteer hours, honors, awards, invitations and extracurricular activities.  She's taken AP courses, passed exams, dual credit classes, ACT boot camp and workshops, taking the ACT multiple times as well as the SAT all while juggling three sports and various other things. The GSP application is NO joke!  It's big and hers was no different.  She spent most weekends last fall working on the application, writing her essay, getting both her teacher and community recommendations and finally got everything submitted in December.  She made it as a finalist at the school level moving on to district level (early January); and district level to state level (late January).  We knew it would be a few months (early April) before any word from the state level.  And then...out of nowhere...CORONAVIRUS ripped through Kentucky in March closing everything down.  I checked the GSP site to see if there were any updates to the notifications and had seen where everything was pushed back a week.  This week (the week of the release) another letter stating this year's selection process would be more conservative meaning there would be an increase in students not selected.  I knew Karson's application was strong.  But was it strong enough?  And with all this uncertainty, would she get in?  My heart raced...she's worked SO hard these last three years.  Please corona...don't rob my teenager of all her hard work and this incredible opportunity.  Yesterday morning I was outside watering our grass (Matt's trying to grow some in bare spots of our front yard) when Karson emerged from the house heading towards to the mailbox.  I asked her what she was doing and if she thought she'd received her letter.  The letter had arrived.  My heart was really racing.  We walked inside, and she opened it - big smiles the whole time.  Our girl GOT IN!!!!  I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her and cry like a baby kissing on her and telling her how proud I was!

We have no idea what this summer holds or if she'll even get to experience the five week college sessions which begin at the end of June.  All we know is that she was excepted, and we're going to celebrate that!!!  Last night I ordered her favorite - Korean BBQ Tacos, chips and queso from Local Taco!  We're thankful Jack and his staff are serving delicious take out!

Today was special as well.  I went to Louisville with my parents to celebrate my Mamaw Pogue's 89th birthday.  She's the cutest!  My uncle David grilled burgers, and my Aunt Linda fried up some french fries and made some green beans.  They picked up cake and ice cream from Sam's.  I love my Mamaw.  She's such a special woman!

My 43rd Birthday Pandemic

Here I am 43 years later and the entire world is under attack with Coronavirus (COVID-19).  I'm thankful to be living in Kentucky where our Governor has taken necessary (but difficult) steps to try and protect us all from the spread of this virus.  I've been working from home the last week and half and am having trouble even keeping track of what day it is. Our lives have hit the "pause" button, and besides helping Miles with schoolwork each day, things are fairly relaxed.

Isaac's buddy Luke came over to work out one day.  Afterwards, they went to Basil Griffin Park for pickle-ball before all the parks officially shut down.

I've been cooking a lot more because the thought out eating, even take-out, scares me a bit.  Both Miles and I have always had respiratory problems - January 28, 2008 was one of the scariest moments of our lives.  We're taking extra precautions to try and limit social interactions.

I do splurge on the weekends with eating out and get the kids Chick Fil A minis on Saturday morning and some of their other favorites.  Matt and I have gone "out" and actually eaten in the car on mini-dates.

Life is super weird right now, but like everything...this TOO shall pass.  I'm simply glad that our Carnival Cruise was cancelled on March 13.  Up until that day, and despite CDC warnings, Carnival was only offering partial refunds and future cruise credits.  We booked our 5-day trip last JUNE for this Spring Break and were going with my parents, Matt's parents, Seth and Ben.  The plan was to drive to Mobile and get on the Carnival Fantasy and cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel.  I'm honestly not sure how it would've been with five of us in one cabin, but we were looking forward to it.  At least we're getting the money back which is a bonus!

We've been social distancing as much as possible but hanging with our family and closest friends here and there.  My Dad and I share a birthday month.  We celebrated his (and mine) last Thursday at Mom's.  The weather was gorgeous.  We were able to be outside and visit.  The kids got to ride around on the golf cart, shoot basketball and play badminton.  My dad's gift...a COVID 19 survival kit with all the necessities (hand soap, gloves, Lysol wipes, Girl Scout Cookies, a picture of Chuck Norris, tissues, and a gift card). 

This was a candle blow-out on my own piece of cake.  Dad, nor I, blew candles on the actual cake out to avoid germs.

Normally, I'd be blogging about Karson's track meets, Isaac's lacrosse games, Miles's golf tournaments and the crazy, busy events that bombard our spring.

They've all been replaced with working 1000 piece puzzles (worked three of them last week and this weekend), doing yard work, taking Isaac practice driving, long walks in the evening, and other things to occupy the time.

Miles hasn't skipped a beat and has played or practiced golf almost every day since school has been out.  When he's not golfing, he's playing ping pong, pool, or football on the trampoline.  He had a buddy over last Friday, and they had so much fun being together.

Miles the Pool Shark!

Yesterday was perfect, and I'm glad to be trapped at home with my favorite people.  My sweet sister popped over for a while with Evan and Elizabeth.  We had a nice visit and worked on the puzzle.  She brought me a few more.  Another friend had her son drop some birthday cookies off (which were all consumed in a matter of hours).  Friends texted, Snapchatted, and wrote on my Facebook wall.  How cool is it that we can all still be connected in 2020 even if it's not face to face!?!

My Schmoozy Post

The days are long but the years are short...I feel this more and more in my 40's.  It seems like Christmas was a minute ago and now we're entering the month of February.

I have a lot of mixed feelings today - sadness, happiness, gratefulness, tiredness... We got Miles registered today for a golf tournament in March (he's played everyday since Saturday - little addict), Isaac has lacrosse this afternoon, and Karson faces District rival BGHS in basketball tonight.  Life simply feels fast.

(sadness) Maybe it's because it was sunny and beautiful yesterday and the rest of the week will be gray and rainy (blah)?
(happiness)  I read the sweetest Love Letters written by my friend Kari Carr in the recent edition of SOKY Happenings.
(gratefulness) That I was able to go for a quick jog last night after work because the weather was gorgeous.
(tiredness) Three teenagers.  Enough said.

This Schmoozy Post is dedicated to my Three Tuesday Teens because I want them to KNOW I am their biggest fan!

To my Karson Ann, born on Tuesday, October 22, I sometimes wonder if I came home with the right child from the hospital because you are simply off the charts in every way.  You are the one that made me a Mom first and stole my Strawberry Shortcake blankie that Mamaw Pogue made ME.  In every way, you've exceeded any expectation your dad and I had for you.  I can't even imagine how difficult it is being a teenage girl in 2020, but you handle it beautifully with emotional maturity and strength.  You juggle three high school sports, take Dual Credit/AP classes, and have passed the District level of GSP.  It's truly incredible what you've accomplished, and we couldn't be more proud of the young woman you're becoming and what an incredible daughter and sister you are.  I love OUR time together - reality TV, spray tanning, trips to Panera, getting massages, or wherever our path takes us.  I've got you babe!

To my Isaac Matthew, born on Tuesday, January 25, after hours of being in labor...you were worth the wait and have always marched to the beat of your own drum (starting with your birth).  I've known you were mine from day 1 - you were the best baby (so was I).  I totally understand your personality...making people laugh, writing books and making movies at a young age, speaking sarcasm naturally, folding shirts neatly in your drawer, keeping your closet organized and ready to go at a moments notice.  We're different in that you've always had confidence that is super admirable and the ability to connect with ANYONE.  I see you cutting up with 1st graders at ballgames, playing for hours with Mae Kathryn, going next door to play football with the younger neighbors, amusing all your teachers at South, connecting through music with Phil your guitar teacher - you simply "have it."  I'll be your number one cheerleader forever, slip you some cash when no one is watching - hah, and absolutely love that you're always so affectionate to me with your hugs and appreciation!

To my Miles Collin, born on Tuesday, October 17, you were a surprise but a welcomed one.  I love seeing life through your eyes.  Wonder.  Excitement.  I'm not sure there's anything that makes your happier than when it's snowing (even if it's simply a dusting).  You want to be the BEST at whatever you're doing and willing to put the practice (hours long) and determination into it despite your stubbornness and sometimes self-defeating mentality.  Ping Pong, Golf, Basketball, Pool, Science tests...whatever you're tackling...you give it 100% effort.  As the baby of the family, you learned to adapt quickly - with two older siblings, our time was always divided trying to accommodate the needs of everyone at such young ages/demands.  You and Isaac have always been an inseparable team and love to love and despise each other.  It's bittersweet but fun knowing you all will have each other's backs ALWAYS.  The sky is the limit for you, and I know your future is going to be bright and hopefully fitted with a green PGA Tour jacket =).



To my hubby Matthew Colvin, born on Tuesday, November 30, it was you
from day 1.  Our worlds collided when were little and our moms taught together at Dishman and families vacationed together at Fairfield.  We'd cross paths at Area-Wide youth devotionals through the church.  I'd watch you play basketball for the Gators.  Eventually, we'd reconnect through church at the HFC house where you'd sport that bright orange North Face jacket and roll up in your gold Acura.  24 years together and more memories than I can count.  I always choose you and it's not even a "choice" - loving you is easy.  I can't really say that we've had "ups" and "downs" - but we've managed to roll with the punches of life and handle all of our experiences holding hands and saying "bring it on."  I love you and admire you and am proud that our kids have a dad like you!