Selby Elisabeth

5th grade... I remember that year! Selby has the sweetest teacher this year..I am so excited for her.. She was a little worried but when she met Ms.Hollis yesterday she felt much better. I pray that Selby will meet a really good friend this year and that this will be the best year yet!

My Babies....

Sena is in 7th grade this year. She is excited to see her friends but anxious about her teachers. She has heard the 7th grade is hard.. I know she will be fine and her teachers will love her. She is such a sweet little girl... or should I say big girl.. She Just turned 13 years old. Her daddy and I surprised her with a party. Sena has lots of friends and everyone loves her...

Senior 09'

I can't believe this day is here. Has it really been almost 18 years since my first baby was born? Is this really her last year of school? I can play her life like a motion picture in my head, her first step, first words, first smile,first everything! Now I can add today to my lists of firsts for her.
Sydney's first day of her last year of high school!! Wow time does fly. She is so excited to be a senior... I'm excited too... I think...

summer time, summer time

Why is the summer so short and the school year so long? I'm not ready for school! My babies are growing up too fast and I want it to slow down... We have had a very easy summer... laid back and relaxing...We have made memories and enjoyed each others company... My sisters visited us this summer with their children and we had a blast... My girls are still talking about that visit.. I love my sisters and am very close to them. I pray that Syd, Sena and Selby will have the kind of relationship that Erica, Kim, and I have... Here are a few pics from the summer!

Brace Face

Selby is so cute with braces! She has wanted them for a long time or so she thought. It took about 2 hours to get them on and she was a trooper. Here are a few pictures of the process.

This is before the torture

After 20 min. I could see panic in her eyes!

"Simon Says"

Last night Sena and Selby were in our Church musical/play "Simon Says". They did such a good job. They both had solo's and they played Mary and Martha in the play. I think they had a great time . This was Sena's last time to get to participate because she moves up to youth next month. Sydney was very proud of them.
Do you think Lakeside Youth can handle 2 Hope Girls!!!!

The month of May

How can it be. It was just January!!! The end of school is upon us, hooray I can't wait to have the kids home. I'm tired of homework and projects. Summer is almost here.... hang on it will be here soon..... sleeping late..vbs.....sena's first youth trip....sleeping late.. trips to geyser falls...my sisters visit.... oh no its almost August.. and Syd will be a Senior.. Stop slow down, my babies are growing up. How can it be????

Prom 2008

Silly picture of the four of them. Holden, Ashley,Sydney and Jackson. They had a great time.
Sydney and Ashley have been friends since forever. They both look beautiful.
Sydney invited Jackson to go to prom with her. He is a very good friend from church. He is also a big Bama fan and that doesn't hurt!!

I Ain't No City Girl!

I hate going to functions with my husband. Not because I don't like him, I actually adore him, but because there are Doctors, Doctors wives, Researchers, Researchers Wives, Administration, Administrations Wives. You get the picture! I just don't feel like I fit in. Not that they dress any better than me or that they do anything or say anything to make me feel uncomfortable in fact it is the exact opposite they go out of their way to make me feel welcome. I only go every other year because I always make up an excuse as to why I can't go like Sena needs help with a project or Selby hurt her toe and she needs her mom, you know really good excuses.
Well something happened tonight that I will never forget and I may never show my face again! When I walked in I was greeted by a few of Steve's co-workers they were all very nice and then we walked into a big room where the table were set up. The wine bar was in my view! I noticed a photographer standing by the wall, as we walked by she asked if she could take our picture. Steve had already mention how much taller I was than him with my heels on. So what do I do! Oh my gosh I can not believe I am even sharing this! Now remember we are in the big room, at the Country Club, with hundreds of people. As I am speaking to the photographer my mind is saying don't do it but I couldn't stop. I say "I should take off my shoes because I am taller than my husband" and then I just took of my shoes in front of everyone. As soon as I did it the connectors in my brain lit up. I could she this neon light flashing "You don't get out much do you". Needless to say, I will not be attending any functions any time soon!

Sorry seems to be the hardest word

I hate saying I'm sorry! Today I overreacted to a situation and now I have to fix it,ugh! I want to say that i have to fix it because my 12 year old witnessed it, but i think its because my Father witnessed it that I really have to grovel. I've already apologized to Sena and my Father in Heaven. Isn't that enough? I want to make lots of excuses as to why I acted the way I did, but truly the only reason is lack of self control. Haven't I prayed for that? Haven't I studied the fruits of the spirit? Don't I know that my actions speak louder than my words? The answer is yes to all of these things.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and SELF- CONTROL. Galatians 5:22
Father, I am trying, and I will ask for forgiveness. Please, if it is your will let my apology reach a forgiving heart.

Just because I don't want to forget!

Sena and her friend Hannah were having a conversation the other day: Background information
Both are 6th graders
Sena attends Lakeside Presbyterian Church, members 500
Hannah attends Pinelake Baptist Church, members 7,000

Hannah: What is the difference between Presbyterian and Baptist.
Sena: I'm not sure.

After a little comparison

Hannah: I know I bet there was a man with the last name baptist and he wanted to start a church so he just called it The Baptist Church, and the other man with the last name Presbyterian wanted to start his own church so he called The Presbyterian Church.

Sena thought for a minute and said: Yeah, John the Baptist and Jesus the Presbyterian!

That's my girl.

If looks could kill....

I think I saw my sister Erica look at me like this a few times..... with admiration and respect.ha,ha

Selbyisms

Selby always has a story to tell about her day... usually involving "girl drama"!! "Momma you won't believe what Victoria did today" or Momma promise you won't tell but Brooklyn said____". Everyday there is a different story!
Wednesday was such a beautiful day that I was sitting in the swing waiting for her to get off the bus. After a few min I asked her about her day. "I had a good day", she said. I was surprised she didn't tell me a story, so I asked "No girl drama?" "Well I just ignored it" she said. My Selby ignoring drama! Couldn't be... So wanting to know why she ignored it, I asked, why! "Well, Momma you know I was baptized on Sunday!" Oh, I said, so now you have to ignore all drama?" "Well, during the drama I thought about my baptisim, and I thought that God probably didn't want me involved in that!" My Selby has taught me a lesson. I need to remember my Lord and Savior and stay away from sin!!
Matthew 19:14 "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these"

Easter pics

Spring Break 08'

We have had a wonderful spring break! Syd went to Ft. Morgan with the youth group, Sena and her dad flew to San Francisco for the week, and Selby and I went to spend a few days with Erica and the kids. I will post pictures later.
Steve takes the girls on a Dad and daughter trip just to spend special time with them. Over the years he has taken Syd to James Town N.Y, then New York City, Sena has gone to Boston and now San Francisco and Selby has gone to Disney World. Next year is Selby's turn for a trip so we will see what her dad has planned.
Sydney had a fun time at the beach, they played in the cold water and stayed on the beach most of the time. I think that our new youth director is growing on her.
Sena will be home tomorrow so I will get to hear all about her trip. I'm sure she has had a great time with her dad, he spoils his girls.
Selby and I had a great time in Auburn. We went to Pine Mountain, GA to the Animal Safari, and to Butts Family Farm. Selby loves to ride horses and we had a great time at the safari, I think everyone should do that once in their life. There is nothing quite like having a Buffalo come up to your van and stick his head in, yuck!! It was hilarious !! We shopped a lot and just enjoyed being together.
Selby will be baptized on Easter Sunday. I am so proud of her. She is such a sweet little girl. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for her. I know it will be great!!

Growing Pains.....

Do you remember middle school? Glad its over for me... Never want to go there again!
Pray for the middle schoolers in your life. They need and deserve it!!!

Change,What is it good for?

Its not easy to make changes is it? I know that I don't like big changes in my life. Let me tell you about my Syd, she hates change! When we moved into this house when she was 2 years old she begged us to take her back to the old house "I want my nother house"! When we rearranged the furniture in her room she threw a fit... When Steve sold his old car she begged for it back. She just likes things to stay the same.
Well, her world has been rocked. We have a new youth minister. Need I say more... Please say a prayer for her. She is really having a hard time "lots-O-tears"!!

Same Song, Second Verse

Big S started complaining Sunday night,"I don't feel well". We've all heard that one before from her.In fact we hear it at least once a week! If you ask middle S and little S what Big S favorite 4 words are and they will tell you "I don't feel well" So I thought nothing of it... Monday morning coughing, sneezing, aching,fever can't rest! Does this sound familiar? Went to the Dr. this morning tested negative for the flu but the Dr. thinks she has Flu or MONO!! Why did she say that out loud especially to miss "I don't feel well" instead of 5 days out of school we could be looking at 10 days!!
I want everyone on their knees now praying for my sanity!!

This is the big cheerleader try-outs week, Middle S is so nervous that her mouth is full of ulcers. I just hope she doesn't catch the flu bug.

Big Plans...

Last night Selby and I were talking and I asked her what she thought she might do for God one day? What did she think God has planned for her? She thought for a minute and then said " Well I know one thing I hope he doesn't want me to marry a hitch hiker". Where did that come from? I just said I hope he doesn't either!
Sena is trying out for cheerleader at school next week. She has been working really hard to master her back hand spring. Tonight after tumbling class she said, Mom, I really did well tonight I think I'm going to get it on Saturday and I know it is because God is doing it! Wow, I hope she makes cheerleader! But God you know what is best for her! We both will be there to pick up the pieces if she doesn't.
Syd went to the soccer playoffs tonight, we won! We have one more game on Saturday. She was so excited for the team. She love's sports. Alabama Football and her school teams! Pray for Syd as she is taking the ACT soon. She has some major decisions to make in the next 10 months. We are trying to lead her in the direction that we feel God is calling. Pray that her ears, eyes and heart are open to God's call.

Winter Blues

Do you feel like sometimes you can't get anything done! Selby had the flu and missed a week of school. She has felt better since Friday. Played with her friend all day today and guess what happened about 30 minutes ago. Her ear hurts not just hurts is killing her!! I have put swimmers ear in it, drops for pain, and given her a tylenol, and put a heating pad on it. It still hurts!!! I had so many plans for this week with all the girls in school. Dentist tomorrow, bible study Tuesday, Dr. appointments. Wed. I hope this is not another week of sickness and missed appointments. Rescheduling is not fun. Well anyway I'm glad its just an ear ache I know it could be alot worse.
I hope that all 0f you have a great, sick free week!

Hey Auburn, we just beat the "heck" out of you

Well the weather man was right. The roads were clear and we made it to Tuscaloosa safely. Steve's brother Chris got us tickets to see the Tide play Auburn and they were amazing seats. First row seats right behind the announcers. A few people from church saw us on T.V as did Sydney. She was so mad because with the tickets came a club pass. The club is where they have lots of food and drinks for the big time contributors. Steve and I have decided that we could get used to this!!! We have also decided to retire to Tuscaloosa. Steve says we will never get bored there's Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Swimming, Football, Gymnastics!! I'm counting down the years(he says 18 years) I think we need to play the Lotto!!! We had a great time being together. We rarely get a chance to spend a whole day together with no children and it was very nice. We really do like each other! He is still my best friend after 20 years of marriage.

What's up with the Weather!!

Santa left the Hopes Alabama Basketball tickets in their stockings (I love that Santa is a Bama Fan) for the Bama vs MS. State game so we were all excited to head to Tuscaloosa! The weather man said the roads were clear... ha... yeah from our driveway to hwy 471! Sydney and Phil were following me, Steve, Sena,and Selby and before we could get to Meridian the roads were slushy. Of course Steve was in a panic because Sydney has never driven in anything like that. We pulled over in Meridian and asked Philip if he wanted to drive the rest of the way and he did. I think that he and Steve had whited knuckles by the time we got there! Well we made it safely to Tuscaloosa only to see the Tide lose to State (does anyone see a trend...). I never have been a basketball fan before but you guys know how I love Bama! Steve is taking me back to Tuscaloosa this weekend to see Bama play Auburn and guess what it is sleeting!!! So the question is do we trust the weather man this time or not? I'll let you know what happens

Here We Go

I've often read other blog spots but never thought I would start my own but here goes! Maybe I will have something to post occasionally!