Fun with Forever Friends

Labor Day Weekend Fun with some of our Dearest Friends

Abby and Lauragale have been friends since they were 18 months old!

We met at our beloved Asbury.

These two beauties have gone from outgoing lil' toddlers to teenage Beauties!!

They both look so much like their Daddies! 

(Abby's built like Momma, but her face screams Ruley genes!)

 The Dudes

 The Chicka's

The Love Birds

 Since the Ralstons have moved to Fort Smith, we don't get the chance to do this very often...spending time with these peeps is priceless! A beautiful August night, fajitas, and scrumptious chocolate ganache cake made for a treasured time. If only we could do this every weekend... 

Goodbye Summer * Hello School Party

Ella asked before 4th grade even ended, if she could have a Swim party with her friends over the summer

So...after a very busy summer...a *Back to School* Swim Party it was! 

We literally held it 36 hours before 5th grade started. :-)

Every friend Ella invited was able to come...which was such a blessing!

We had Riley, Kate, Caroline, Talya & Reese ~ all such precious girls!

The cheesy side of me came out a bit in the snacks we served...

and the S'mores Brownies that she's been asking for...

and man, they were scrumptious!

The girls had a blast going back and forth between the pool and the trampoline

We also pulled out the Glow Sticks for some night time fun!

and of course some party favors at the end...

"5th Grade is Going to Rule

when it comes to friends, thanks for always measuring up"

Bow Heads

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

The time finally arrived for my girls to become official *BOW HEADS!

Abby's Pom and Ella's Cheer squads both had Camp at Twist and Shout during the same days and same times - how lucky were we?!

Lil' Miss Cheerleader

(Jenks White, 4th Grade)

Lil' Miss Pom Girl

(Jenks Black, 7th Grade)

On the last day, parents are invited to come view their performances

Abby's squad...21 total! (missing 3)

Sassiness...loved it!!

Ella's Squad...8 girlies strong

I was super impressed with the level of difficulty 4th graders were doing!

Ella and one of her BFF's Reese...Cutie Patooties!

Abby and one of her new pom pal's...had a sleepover the night before "Early Back Academy" at JMS.

LOVE making new friends!! 7th Grade is gonna be Greeeat!

Friday Fun with Family

Friday, July 19th, 2013

Such fun was had when we got the chance to have some of our nephews over to swim and hang out!

This is Grant (13) with my Will (14). They've been buds their whole life. They usually go to Shepherds Fold together each summer, but unfortunately, Will was not able to go this year due to 2 church camps and all his golf commitments. :-(

This is Austin (almost 5) and my Owen (6 1/2). They, too, are buds who I wish were able to spend more time together. Austin lives in Edmond so we only get to see him a few times a year.

Our Special Guest of Honor for the day...*GRANDMA! I was so delighted to have her out to watch the kids swim...it was so good for her spirit.

 Here's a little glimpse of the "pool show" she watched...

 Will flying in

Miss Ella was the "Server" of the snack cart. :-)

Lunch Time! 

I'm still giggling about Will saying it was "the best" sandwich I've ever made! All I did was buy a loaf of everything flavored French Bread...I guess it tasted far better than the typical whole wheat bread we have. :-} And, oh...the homemade Porter Peach Cobbler that my Mom brought...still humming.

Cousin Pic

(Owen, Grant, Austin, Will, Ella) 

Giving thanks to God for carving out this special day with those we Love

NLR Meant to Be

Looong story short...a lil' miracle occurred and Abby is heading off to her 1st week of overnight camp at New Life Ranch. She did go to Asbury's "Discipleship Camp" for 4 days in early June (her actual very 1st camp experience). 

After months of drama of trying to get her and 3 of her Jenks compadres in Week 4 to no avail, the other 3 moved to Week 7. I talked Abby into staying at Week 4 so she and Ella could go the same week. Literally the day before leaving, she decided she'd rather not go. :-(

A few days later, I e-mailed my NLR contact and asked to switch her to Week 7 to be with her friends. Her response - "Abby is #12 on the waiting list for 7th grade girls". Basically - no way Hosea is she gettin' in. Abby was sad, I was kinda relieved...only because of the stress of all the travel and packing involved right around our family lake wkend.

                                      

Well, as you can see....the Lord worked a miracle, and she got in! 

We knew there was definitely a reason.

1st Day Swim Test

7th Grade Girls Cabin Pic

(found out she was in a cabin with almost all Jenks girls! and...even with one of my sorority sister's daughters who goes to Jenks West)

Morning Camp Party

Trust Walk with heavy rock in hand

releasing burdens (rocks)

Adios heaviness...Ola Freedom in Christ!

Morning Camp Party again

Cabin Challenge - sponge game with feet

Abby chose "Low Ropes" one day as an elective...

and she was THE ONLY GIRL!! ;-)

she ended up winning an award for this :-)

WORSHIP

and they're off...

 

Decades Week Photo Booth

and yes...my daughter's the one with the 'Fro 

Final Morning of Camp

Savi and Abby's bunks

Miss Bev (A's Counselor #1)

Miss Kenzie (A's Counselor #2)

Her award from her counselors was: "Encouragement"

She also got the "Most Creative & Artistic" Arts and Crafts award (no surprise - she's amazingly talented)

Soooo grateful that these precious friends got to experience this together!

Romey went SPASTIC when she saw her favorite girl after 10 long days (between Lake wkend & camp)...seriously almost licked Abby's face off!! 

Home*Sweet*Home

Abby's favorite memories of the week: Worship...especially "Unplugged" on the last night where kids shared testimonies and they took song requests. She loved the giant trampoline at free time (new this year), arts and crafts (making a modge podge journal), winning the "Pit and Palace" award (cleanest cabin), and most of all, spending time with her Jenks friends!