Who would have thought Andrew would be an event planner. Add to that, match maker. For this year's homecoming festivities Andrew was asked by a girl or group of girls, I'm not sure the details, to go to Homecoming and find them dates, but not the "we're a couple" kind of date, just a you will look good on my arm kind of date, I guess. Anyway, so Andrew said yes, against my advise, which was, unless you are in love, DON'T GO!!

After a bunch of back and forth conversations, the girls decided they didn't want mums, so the boys don't have to worry about that, or this mother.

The other night Andrew asked if a particular restaurant takes reservations. So I guess he is now the party planner for the evening. Another girl wants to join the group, and not knowing her as well, he declared that he was done playing match maker, she was going to have to find her own date!

Ha!

Note: I have written several new posts all at once, so scroll down to catch all the news!

Bethany's high school career has started out pretty smoothly, although the stresses are high. She began having headaches a few weeks before school started, and has had them pretty regularly since. I finally got her to the doctor, and she is currently taking medicine for allergies. She's feeling a little better, but they are not completely gone, so we will see how that goes with another visit with the doctor.

Then there's Tony. At school there is an older boy who has landed a role in a new Disney Channel show. I won't call Bethany a stalker, but let's just say that if your day is made by how many times you see this boy in a given day, you practically know his schedule, and plan your opportunities to brush up against him in the hall, you may be close to stalker status. ;-)

Each day I get the reports of the Tony sightings and Beth's brush with fame. Whatever helps her get through the stressful day.

Each year at this time I attend the parent-teacher conference at the elementary school. It's always good to hear from your child's teacher what they think. For the most part it's always positive. At Blake's kindergarten conference several years ago his teacher was not in the mood for accolades, at least I don't remember hearing any because all I recall is the negative comments about...well, I can't even remember that either because what I was expecting to hear was how cute Blake was, and what a joy he was to have in the class. I really wasn't concerned about his academic potential at the moment, he was only five. So, when she didn't start the conversation with anything resembling my thoughts as a mother, admittedly a crazy one where Blake is concerned, of this precious little boy, I couldn't process completely what she was saying.

What killed me was later when I was back at my mom's house telling her about my conference with Bethany's teachers, little sweet Blake came in and said, "what about me?". My heart broke into a million pieces right there as I had to lie to my five year old about what his teacher should have said if she had half a heart!

See I have four wonderfully talented, smart and well-liked kids, I am accustomed to hearing glowing remarks. You know, the usual, he's so smart, she is such a joy to teach, they should skip several grades, you are recommended for parent of the year, etc...comments like that. This poor teacher didn't have a chance with expectations like that, but seriously, she must have forgotten the say three things positive for every negative rule. It was business as usual let's get right to the "we need to work on this" meeting.

Many months later Andrew returned to the school and Blake's teacher at the time had a daughter in Andrew's grade. They eventually became great friends. So, one day in carpool, Blake's teacher approached the car and said something about "my son". Of course I assumed she was about to tell me something wonderful about Blake, her current student, my son. As I eagerly awaited the comment about my sweet precious Blake, she went on to tell me something about my other son, Andrew, and how wonderful he was.

Blake's other teachers have all had nice things to say about him. He is smart, does well in Math, has a tender heart, is pretty much well-behaved, although social and likes to be silly, at times. So, I have heard plenty of good reports on Blake, and we are very proud of him.

Fast forward to yesterday when I met with his 4th grade teacher. She wanted to open with a word of prayer. In her prayer, it came. She actually said the words "he's a joy" as she spoke about Blake. I almost broke down right there. I definitely teared up, but forced myself to hold it together. This teacher didn't need to hear all my emotion built up surrounding that one comment. She said many more great things about Blake, like how she wished she could clone him and have more boys in her class like him.

I couldn't wait to get to the car, call Bill and tell him the news, "he's a joy!".

Molly is sixteen and wanting to drive so bad. She is ready for freedom, I guess. So, the past couple of weeks we finally started the behind the wheel instruction. She got her permit last May, so you can imagine how anxious she was to get moving onto the next phase. Bill and I are not in as big of a hurry, but she is persistent and we need to get her driving.

We start in the parking lot. Turns, starts, stops are the things you must master here. It's really tedious and boring, but a great place to practice these maneuvers. Molly does well here and the church parking lot is a great place to practice, especially parking. We always find her friends cars to park in between figuring they won't mind if we leave a little paint on their car. Ha ha...

I started referring to her as grandma, because the way she sits so close to the steering wheel and with her glasses and hair up, she looks like a little grandma cautiously driving around, grant it, this is a good thing!

During her first parking lot evaluation she scored an 85. She was devastated. The scoring was such that if you weren't perfect in a section you lost a whole 10 points. She couldn't believe it, but I saw it as a good evaluation of where she needed to improve. A week later, she got a 100.

We also have to log a lot of hours driving. We were both glad when she graduated from the parking lot to the neighborhood. Oooh...watch out kids, Grandma is coming to a neighborhood near you. Actually, I am so teasing because Molly is doing very well. We drove around this afternoon for a nice 30 minute drive through the back of our neighborhood that weaves into other sections, top down, relaxing, except for the occasional freak-outs on my part. I seriously need a brake on my side of the car!

Molly is doing well. It's a slow process, but a process. Bill has even let her drive to school and to church on early weekend mornings. So, add to my list of things to do, driver instructor. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Passports: check

Airline tickets: check

The two most vital pieces of our big Christmas adventure has fallen into place!

In this post I explained our plans for visiting my parents. Obviously, we didn't go in the summer. Still some details to hash out, but for now, we can put the when and where on the calendar in pen!!

When I got into this, I looked forward to the "ladder" system of starting at the bottom skill wise and working my way up through the tennis ranks. Remember how I had to earn the skirt?

There are four levels in the league, A, B, C, and D. Then, within those levels are lines, 1-4. Level D, line 4 is the entry level, bottom rung. I started with lessons, worked my way up to playing doubles, participated in drills, and looked forward to the day when I would join a team. I was picked up on a team to play in the C level. The past two weeks I have played line 2 and line 3 with the same frustrating results even though we are having great matches.

But, I wanted to start at the bottom rung of the ladder, instead I was placed several steps up, and I am hanging on for dear life!! I know it's supposed to be fun, but it's hard to keep it all in perspective. I want D, 4!!!

I need tennis shoes, but I have a deal with myself that I won't get any until I win my first match. It may be awhile.

Good luck finding the "raves" in this post!

Andrew has yet another blog. If you enjoy his writing, you will enjoy this one. Since he is 18 now and will be participating in his first presidential election next year, he is working his way through all of the candidates from both sides doing a little research, offering his opinions on each, and asking for input. It's really fun to read his thoughts and it will be equally fun to see what he decides in the end. It's not all politics, just a place for him to post about other things that music.

So, go check it out!

His birthday was actually yesterday, but around here we celebrate all week. We haven't even given him his gifts yet, although he has had plenty of gifts from friends and family.

He created a facebook invite for his birthday bash last Saturday. He had a great time, I believe. There were plenty of people around the house. The noise at times was deafening, but spoke to the great fun the kids were having. We had the usual fajitas, Bill's famous guacomole, queso, lots of chips, cake, cookies, sodas, balloons per Andrew's request, and Reeses peanut butter cups. We had plenty of food. Andrew led them all in a rousing song of "Happy Birthday" as well. Even his best friend's mom came and hung around for the fun.

Bill posted some incredible thoughts of Andrew's birth day. I remember him being perfect even though pictures show a bruised face from his difficult journey into this world. He was huge, but in a manly sort of way. It was a great day!

The other night I made a yummy meal and another cake for us all to enjoy since the party cake was consumed. Then yesterday, I served him hot donuts from our favorite donut shop, although it has been a long time since we have had donuts around here, he had a Subway sandwhich for lunch when he got home from school, then an incredible meal of tacos at his Area Bible Study in the home of one of the best hostesses our church has. So, he had a good day for sure.

We will end his week long celebration on Saturday night at a favorite restaurant, that is my fave also, and present some gifts and tie a bow on the fun for this year.

It's been 18 wonderful years, Andrew, you are a joy, and we look forward to the year ahead.

On Wednesday I joined Shawn and her Glennloch tennis team for a day of tennis boot camp. We started at 9 and were put through two and a half hours of drills with three different instructors. Then, we broke for a yummy lunch and door prizes. I actually won a physical training thingy that you put on your arm. Then we played doubles for an hour an a half while the instructors came around and instructed. It was a lot of fun mainly because Shawn was there to have fun with.

Then, on Friday I participated in a tennis playday organized by the league I will be playing in this fall. Because of the huge numbers at the beginners level, I was moved to a different location to play with higher levels. It started really rough, but ended on good note. The first round, I was way out of my league, no pun intended. I was the obvious weak link, and my partner was obviously not having fun. The next round I got to go indoors for drills. That was fun, and I held my own during that wishing I would have had this round first. It was a great warm-up. The last round, I was with some ladies who were very gracious and fun. They didn't take themselves too seriously, and my partner laughed at my poor attempts to be funny, and was a hoot herself, and she was good. She was very encouraging to me complimenting me on my ground strokes. It was all over just as I felt I was getting in my groove, and wishing for more court time.

After a morning of ups and downs, I headed to Shawn's where we ate a bite of lunch and spent an hour in the pool. We deserved this little bit of luxury if only for a while as we licked our wounds and laughed about our morning.

Tomorrow tennis begins for real. I play my first match in the fall league where your win or loss is recorded both for your line and your team. Hopefully, I can relax and have fun and not get too flustered.

I'll be sure to post a detailed play by play!

Last week before attending Blake's orientation at school, Beth, Molly, Blake and I went to El Gallo for lunch. We talked about the big year ahead with Andrew entering his last year of high school, and as if it was the first time to occur to Molly, she burst into tears while highlighting in dramatic fashion the significance of this year for our family and the changes to come, and all of the years to follow all the way through Blake graduating. I had to stop her before I burst into tears. It's not like I am in denial, no, I am fully aware of the year ahead. I have been saying for months now, that this will be the year of the family. I just want us spending as much time together as possible. We are all so busy with our different activities. I know that we will have to be intentional about spending time together, especially on the weekends. With Andrew driving, it seems that he is gone the most. I don't know how this will all play out, but we will just do our best to hang out together, whether it's all going to Blake's soccer games, lunching more together on Sundays after church, (even with their friends-I love all of their friends), watching Andrew and Molly lead worship together in the same band this year as much as I can secretly recording, all attending Bethany's voice recitals or plays, harassing Andrew at his next job, those kinds of things, not necessarily grand trips or events, just trying to be together more.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Oh, and I think I will have to be like Molly and take my camera with me everywhere I go and start taking massive amounts of pictures to document all of our fun time together...you know what they say, the family that takes pictures together, stays together.

Blake's back to school, and I'm the one kicking and screaming! Blake has happily accepted his role as excited 4th grader ready to hit the books. He started last Wednesday and has a good five days under his belt, and I have logged in 3 of those 5 days back at school myself. I subbed for a teacher that was being tested for some potentially serious health issues, but thankfully, the reports came back negative for cancer. It was an easy job, but since my teenagers don't start school until next Monday, I felt like I was missing out on the rest of summer myself, and a little more time with them before the madness starts. So, we will have the next couple of days to do some shopping, lunching and school ready-ing.

Last week after we got Blake situated at school, the other three had Bobcat Express where they get their schedules, books and stuff. Everyone seems excited to get this year going, I guess. Bethany is entering high school, and she seems nervous, but ready. I'm sure having your big brother and sister there doesn't hurt, and she has someone that she knows in almost all of her classes. I know she will do well. Bethany, have fun, be yourself, you will shine!

Molly will be a big junior, or short one, according to Bethany. She seems the most anxious. It will be a tough year academically, but I know that she is up for the challenge. As wonderful as her life is filled with friends, talent and charm, school is where she feels the most awkward. Hopefully, Molly will feel more comfortable with herself this year, and not worry so much. Ok?

Andrew is entering the big senior year filled with all sorts of unknowns for the future. I'm ok with the unknowns, because I trust that with time and a little loving shove from his parents, he will figure it all out! It will be a big year. Praying that he will find his way and enjoy his last year of high school. The good news is that life does get better from here on out. To quote someone who quoted someone on her graduation day, the best is yet to come. Enjoy, Andrew!!

This week Bill, Bethany and Molly have been away at Victory Camp in Alvin, TX. Bethany went as a camper, her last year as a Junior Higher, Molly went as part of the band and rec, and Bill went as a counselor. They have been having a great time. Andrew, Blake and I are heading out there this afternoon (once the DirectTV guy gets here and installs the very thing that will make our lives complete-ha ha-just kidding, of course), if we ever get to leave.

I have been up since 7am in preparation for the "Cable Guy" to arrive. We had the 8-12 time slot. I wanted him to come early, so we could get on with our day. Well, it's 1:30, and he still hasn't arrived. He called earlier and said that he would be here at 1:00. So much for our plans to head out to Alvin. We will still go, but we were hoping to get there during some of their free time so Blake could swim.

It has been a great week for us here at home, as well. It's been quiet. Not that the girls are loud, but take out half the family from the day to day activities, and well, things run smoother, I guess. Andrew has his own car, so he doesn't need me as his "taxi queen". I have spent much of my time doing laundry and cleaning. Since I have been home for big chunks of time, I can get stuff done. We have also had some fun. Monday we played some tennis together. Andrew has been out every night, so Blake and I have watched movies in bed till we fall asleep.

Last night Blake and I went to the Astros game. In the afternoon Craig Biggio announced his retirement, so we knew this would be a special game to be at. Andrew already had plans, so it was just Blake and me. We got down there, parked, got our tickets, food and to our seats with no problems. The first half of the game was kind of uneventful. Although the game was tied 3-3. At the bottom of the 7th inning, Biggio stepped up with bases loaded. We stood to our feet to cheer him on, and boom on the first pitch which he loves to take, he sent it out of there for a grand-slam home run, only his 4th in his 20 year career and 2nd of this season. We went crazy! I barely saw them all run the bases, we were cheering so loud! It was so fun! After that, Blake was done, so we headed out early to get going. The Astros won 7-4. The night before they got beat 10-2, so what a game for us to be at!!! Too fun!

Today our plan is to head out as soon as the guy gets here and done. My patience is running thin! I know it's not his fault, he doesn't schedule the appointments, but wow! It's getting late! I can't reschedule, Blake would not be a happy camper.

So, I will just sit back, and enjoy the quiet, somewhat clean and orderly house for the moment, because they come home tomorrow!

Update 1:45pm He's here!!

Update 2:12pm Horrors! He has to go into my closet!! Not. Prepared. For that!!!!

Update Well, the guy finally left at 4pm, and we were right out the door behind him. We made it to VC, had a lot of fun hanging out. Blake got to do the water slides and swim a bit around 10:30. We ate pizza at 10, and walked around until around 11. The most fun they seemed to have was playing frisbee in the meeting room. The floor was very slippery, so watching Andrew take a fall about every 3 seconds was comical and painful to watch all at the same time. Blake had fun trying to get it, also while trying to keep from getting hurt. We finally left at 11:20, and 52 minutes later pulled up to home. After a little time of Blake checking out the DirectTV, I told him we needed to head to bed. He was up fairly early this morning watching the sports shows and now The Disney Channel. Bill just texted to say they are on the bus, so they will be home soon where we will head to El Gallo for the updates.

It's been a little over a year since I started this little blog, and I imagine it seems almost that long since I have posted! It has been a very busy summer!

A few updates:
Operation Ukraine has been moved to Christmas. This will alleviate several potential issues, one being passports, which has been a nightmare for many, timing, Christmas will be more relaxing, and the cost is so much more affordable. We are all very excited even though we have to wait a few more months.

Tennis has been going great! I have been able to play so much this summer in spite of all the rain. This morning was the first time I actually was relieved to hear the rain, so I could just roll over and sleep instead of getting up and going to play! Shawn and I just finished up a summer's league. It was so much fun, and we really are improving! We did end up with a coveted towel even if they gave it to everyone! ;-)


"40 Love"

This week I was able to get together for our annual lunch with Shawn, Misty and Sandi! Jeanna was supposed to join us, but had to decline. She and her family celebrated with us for my birthday! For several years now, we use this time of the year, usually around my birthday, to get together. I tried unsuccessfully to make it a no-gift occassion, but they wouldn't have any of that! We had a good time and laughed and caught up. It's never enough time, though. We hope to get together sooner than next year. Both Sandi and Misty are going to Kenya in a few weeks, so maybe we can get together after their trip to hear the awesome stories!



Here we are "Fab in Our Forties"! Sandi just got her little perm for her trip. Too cute!

Besides tennis, and South Beach, I have been the taxi queen taking the kids all around. Molly has been busy volunteering at church, Andrew has been busy socializing, Bethany has stayed busy at home and church, and Blake has tried to stay busy, although we haven't had much soccer except for a couple of camps.

And then there was the rain...we have had so much rain. It's been good in the sense that it has kept the temps down (I am sitting here in a sweatshirt), but it is really starting to get annoying! Well, annoying for us, but I am certain a real problem for many. So, I can easily deal with annoying.

Bill is heading out to Junior High camp this Sunday along with Bethany and Molly. Summer is moving along, and we are enjoying it!

So we are planning a family trip to the Ukraine this summer to visit my parents. A very huge task in so many ways. First, Must. Get. Passports. I have known for months that this is an integral part of the process of actually going abroad, but right in character I procrastinated to the last possible second. It used to take 6 weeks to process, but now they are saying up to 10-12 weeks. I am praying for them to be true to their word. I can start tracking them in about 3 weeks.

We have a man working on the tickets and possible route scenarios.

Stay tuned for the saga.

Sometimes I love it when things get canceled. Not sure why, but a lot of times it's because I would rather be doing something else. So, tonight just as Beth and I headed to her swim practice where I was going to time, the rain, thunder and triple threat, lightening struck! Sweet! Home to my pajamas, it is 7:30, you know!

Here's a short video montage of Bethany doing her thing.

You go, girl!!

Last week was an amazingly wonderful, busy week! All activities converged at once. We did the best we could to survive, and I believe we did!

First, Bethany's wicked performance as the Wicked Witch in the 8th grade school play, Oz was wonderful. She didn't disappoint! I will work on a youtube excerpt of her song. She really was amazing! It didn't happen without a lot of offstage drama and tears, but the show must go on, and it did!

Here's a picture with Bethany and her grandparents.



Here's another with her good friend, Carmel, aka, the Cowardly Lion.



Here's Bethany with Katherine, aka, Dorothy. I love Bethany's in character pose.



We were so proud of Bethany. She really stole the show! She delivered from her wicked laugh, to her acting, to her singing and performing, to her great ability to improv at the drop of a hat. Ha! If you were there, you totally got that! Anyway, kudos to Bethany for a great play!

Then, Andrew had prom! He invited a friend that he has known since Kindergarten. They have kept in touch over the years, and it turns out that she is the cousin to the girl that organized this group of mostly dateless guys. I think he had a great time, but I imagine if he goes next year that he will most likely skip the Project Prom. But, here's a few pics of Andrew and Amber and their group.





Molly thankfully didn't have any major activities, except for preparing for her World History AP test, organizing a four hour video session with her English group for a project they are working on and taking random pictures. Actually, the picture I will post is one of my favorites of her recent pictures. And, I think it is with her favorite picture subject, as well!



Then, Blake had soccer all week mixed in with baseball. This weekend the boys debuted their new Thunder uniforms supplied by a company of one of the dad's and they had an outstanding tournament. It didn't end as well as we hoped, but 2nd place is not bad. They dominated the first day, creaming the opponents, 9-1, 9-1, and 10-3. It was funny listening to the other coach yell at his kids that they were not going to get to swim at the hotel later, if they didn't play better. But, our boys were amazing. It was fun to watch. The next day, the competition was tougher, but we prevailed the first game, and went down in the second 5-3, after being up 2-0. Only good things are to come from this group, and it's so fun with these families! We are truly blessed to enjoy this experience with them!

I have had a total of four tennis lessons. Yippee! It's been a lot of fun, and Shawn and I are enjoying this adventure together! We also got together with two other ladies that are just starting out, to play doubles on Mondays. So, we are getting plenty of practice. Not quite skirt-worthy, yet, but I'm working on it.

My biggest problem now is that I am so unfit. I knew I was out of shape, but I really didn't think I was this bad off. After every lesson, something different hurts. The first week I had the weirdest pains in my bottom or hips, couldn't tell the origin of the pain, but for about a week I really hurt. Then, last week it was my legs, arms, whole body, but that was for other reasons. Now, this week I am feeling it more in my upper body, and especially in my back. Yesterday, right at the beginning of the lesson after hitting the first ball, something pulled in my middle back. I commented to Shawn, like, ooh, that just hurt. I limped my way through the lesson wondering if I will ever feel normal during one of our tennis outings, and once I got home, I was in major pain. I have since had to take 2 Advils every 4 hours just to do what I need to do. Thankfully, I won't be playing until Monday, but man, I hurt.

I also started walking/jogging on the treadmill to boost my fitness level, and Shawn mentioned something to me about joining her for weights. We will see on that one.

I'm having fun, just will be glad when I get through the "no pain, no gain" part, cuz' right now I'm living in the pain!

Waitin' for the gain!

Ok, so I am driving in my car fetching some lunch, and I catch part of the convocation for the Virginia Tech students and families. I hear the end of the Governor's speech and then he introduces the President. The President speaks and offers his condolences. Then, a lady introduces the next several speakers, first a representative from the Muslim community, then the Buddhist community, another woman something or other, and then finally a Lutheran Reverend. I was wondering to myself, where are the Billy Grahams of our day? Seriously, this is what we get, a Muslim, several women, and a Lutheran I have never heard of? Ok, that is so politically incorrect it's ridiculous, but I really don't care right now. Remember, I only heard about 15 minutes of this, so I could have missed something earlier or later.

And, since when are the Muslims part of the religious community in this country? I shuddered as he spoke of Allah and spoke in his language. Does anyone remember 9/11??? I truly fear for our country. Since 9/11, doesn't it seem like the Muslims have been given more exposure and respect? Do you remember even acknowledging their presence in this country before 9/11? I don't.

The most evangelical words I heard came from the Governor and the President. Ok, I realize that this is a public university, not Baylor, but wow, if I was a family member, I can guarantee you that I would not be turning to Allah or the Dali Llama for words of comfort.

I have been silently praying that those that have been affected by this tragedy would be comforted and find their way to the true and living God, who is able to be their hope and strength through a very horrific time.

May God help them.
May God help us.
May God continue to bless America.

My dad posted about an incredible moving of God in Crimea. As missionaries you hope and pray for these divine appointments.

Read the whole thing. The account is moving. I spoke with my dad today, and he told me the whole story. What a joy and privilege for him to be apart of this, and to think that only three weeks ago he was in a hospital in Hungary.

God is always good!