Cuz Swimmin'

Saturday August 12th, 2012

Found out my lil' bro and his gang were coming to T-Town so we set up a get together at Greg's Dad's for a picnic lunch and some swimmin'!

Ella 8, Tanner almost 2, Abby 11, Owen 5, Will 13, Austin 4

My kids absolutely adore these lil' guys!

Momma lounge time ;-)

Courtney and I call ourselves "Sista's from anotha Motha" cause we are soooo much alike!

Kendall with his Boys - love this pic!

Our time went by way too fast...I always wish that we lived in the same town when we have to say our goodbyes. :-(  Until we meet again...

All four In

Tuesday, August 14th, we got the chance to go meet our new Teachers for the year

This is Owen and his big sista's standing outside his new K classroom. I don't think it was quite sinking in for little man. :-)

Ella and Miss Walker on "Meet the Teacher"

Twas the Night before School

We celebrated with special chocolate pudding parfaits!

Ella's self portrait homework

My 8th Grader and 6th Grader - both at the same school as last year

Jenks Middle School and Jenks East Intermediate

Someone mentioned that it looks dark outside...that's because it IS dark outside! Will catches the bus at 6:50 a.m. and Daddy leaves to take Abby to school at 7. Good Morning!!!

I love that smile of his!

(he just got braces a couple of weeks ago)

My fashionista in her new Abercrombie floral print jeans

with her Daddy's mug :-)

Abs ran into one of her BF's on way in - they are sooo excited that they get to eat lunch together this year! Abby has Mrs. Kennedy ~ we've heard rave reviews and just loved her when we met her!

My 3rd Grader and Kindergartener (is that a word??)

Big boy backpack

Pretending they love and adore each other ;-)

"you and me buddy"

This Momma is so very thankful to have my two babies at the same school. Truly an answer to prayer! However, due to house situation - it may not be lasting. STILL waiting to hear back as to whether our contract is accepted by seller's bank. "Short Sales" are NOT "short!" 6 + weeks and holding... 

The classic school pic

Owen's K Classroom

off to put his backpack up

Owen with Miss Kackley

Finding his name

under his breath..."Mom - why are you taking so many pictures?!"

Mommies saying their last goodbyes

Miss Walker's 3rd Grade Class just upstairs

Monday, August 20th was my first full day alone at home since the kids started school. I'll have to say, it was a verrry strange feeling to have quiet for that long. I can't say I won't get use to it (grin), but it was quite bizarre. No one to ask me for food. No one tattling on another. Nobody playing their music too loud. No one asking for a playdate. Nobody to check in at the gym. As crazy as my fab four can make me, I feel a part of me missing when they are not around. A new major role in raising them has become one of prayer. When teachers get to have your children as much as or more than you, you are left with the humbling act of prayer. "The prayers of a righteous Momma are powerful and effective!" James 5:16  Thank you Father for your promises!

The Final K Blessing

We were blessed to experience our fourth, and final, Asbury Kindergarten Blessing Service.

Although it is a blessing, it is also a time of grieving for this Momma of Four.

I have realizing after sending three of my baby birds off to school, that once they start...I hardly see them again (well, at least til' the next summer). Their teachers actually have more time with them than I do...that's an unsettling feeling - even when you love & adore their teachers!

The wonderful way to combat that uncomfortable feeling is to PRAY for my children.

That is one of the BEST gifts that my own mother passed down to me. She isn't a woman of many words, but she a woman of many prayers.

Speaking of prayers, Pastor Gloria did a wonderful job leading the Blessing Service.

Owen surrounded by family love

Our Beloved Baby Boy 

Time to celebrate with cake & punch!

(And an awesome scrapbook...of which my boy wasn't quite calm enough to sit and work on - too much excitement and energy goin' on - this will be an awesome home project) :-)

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap."

Author: Barbara Jordan

Ark Community Friends 

(Mom & Dad's Sunday School Friends' Kiddos)

Do you see an indication of which one of these 5 may end up being a bit of a Class Clown?! 

:-)))

This boy brings me SO.MUCH.JOY

Julia & Owen

(J is comes from a fellow BK HS sweetheart couple)

O with the Crockett Cuties

Mighty Owen - seriously...this is how he initially posed!

All I really need to know... I learned in kindergarten.
Robert Fulghum

3 more sleeps 'til the Big Day!!!!!

Ella's Drama Debut!

My Mom asked me a couple of weeks ago if Ella could attend a choir camp at her church. I, of course, said yes. So...the adventure ensued.

Ella basically moved in with my mom ("Oma") for a week! She attended the choir camp from 9 am - 2 pm, Monday through Friday - with the final performance on Sunday morning.

My mom couldn't wait to inform me that Ella tried out for the "Narrator" role. Ella, my daughter who is known as the quietest in our family. Ella, who often won't look a new person in the eye to say hello.

Needless to say, we couldn't wait to see her performance!

We were absolutely blown away by our daughter's performance! Not only was she a fantastic Narrator, but she also sang a beautiful solo!! We were so so proud of her! She definitely has a bold side to herself that we had never seen...what a joy it is to see God reveal hidden talents. :-)

*Added Bonus: Getting to see Grandma and give her a Big Hug!!

20 Years Later

Twenty four years ago (1988) God brought a little Methodist girl and a handsome Jewish boy together at a Catholic high school called Bishop Kelley. 

It didn't take long before God brought us, and many others, together as friends. Friends who had an absolute blast together!

It really is beyond belief that it's been TWENTY years since we walked across that stage getting our diploma. In the above picture alone, together, we have produced 14 kids! So...a few things have changed. We have been forced to grow up. :-)

A fun little fact is that my BF from college was not a close friend of mine in HS. Her last name was "Kirkpatrick" and mine was "King" - so we did have lockers right next to one another. But, it wasn't until our freshman year at the Univ of OK that we connected on a much deeper level. (SO thankful for that by the way...she is a rock in my life!)

I apologize for the *vampire eyes - iphone pics aren't so snazzy...really wishing I woulda taken my good camera in to the event :-(

The girls above were very special people in my life in HS. Starting from left - Jolene and I became fast friends at the age of 14. "KAJO" is our nickname. We have walked out mothering 4 children each, and regularly keep in touch and celebrate Holidays together. Next one up is Ashley...she was my first close friend at Kelley. She and I share many special memories. Then, there's Ashleigh B. We double dated our HS sweethearts and then all through college as well. She and Greg went to KU freshman year and then Dan and I (her beau) lured them down to OU by our sophomore year! We continue to be dear friends. 

I am still laughing about the above...Jolene kept telling us the *Key to a great picture is to "drop jaw" right when the flash is going off. We giggled til we almost wet our pants about this...every pic she would yell out, "Drop Jaw!!" I wasn't so good at it. 

Last, but not least, we ended the evening with a bang. The bartender asked if anyone left in the room played football...and guess who did? My hubs. He was the lucky one who got to run through our Class Banner like it was a Game Day! 

What a way to end our Reunion!! haha :-)