Wordless Wednesday

First Day of School (that almost wasn't)

For several weeks now Madelyn and I had a mama and Madelyn day planned for Tuesday, August 17. I had scheduled pedicures, 7 year pics and lunch at Chuck E. Cheese. Both of us were looking forward to our day together. And then I got the phone call from Ryan on Monday afternoon telling me that Madelyn started school on Tuesday not Wednesday!! I'm not sure what we were thinking but we had both thought school started on Wednesday. Wouldn't that be something if a school administrator's daughter missed her first day of school because we thought school started another day. We rescheduled our Mama and Madelyn day and her first day of second grade went off without a hitch. Well except for the fact that her daddy missed our usual pics before school because he was at his school before 7:00am in the morning, and it was pouring rain so we didn't get the usual outdoor pics by the Lincoln Elementary School sign.

Madelyn reported that she had a GREAT first day in 2nd Grade!! She was so pleased that her pin was at the top of the board because she and one other child had the best behavior of the class for the day.

(This will be Madelyn's last first day of school in this school, as the new school being built should be ready to move into by the start of next year. )

And just because I love this outfit I had to take a picture of her on her second day of school.

This was supposed to be Wordless Wednesday

Mug Shot Monday

Soccer in the Heat

Last night was the first soccer practice of the season. At 6:00pm when practice began it was still sweltering hot, but thankfully kids are pretty much resiliant to the heat.



Madelyn moved up to arena soccer since she is a 2nd grader this year. I've heard arena soccer is more fun to watch than typical soccer. I'm sure hoping it is. :)

Fourteen Years

From this precious babe....


To this beautiful young lady.


Where has time gone?

It is hard to believe my very first niece is fourteen today. I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. I was working at Bluestem Farm & Ranch in Emporia, KS. I was alphabetizing billing statements in the office when I got a call from my brother-in-law that I was an aunt for the very first time. I was in disbelief at first but soon realized he wasn't joking. Of course I started crying tears of joy. I was so excited to be an aunt! I was a basket case at work from then on, so much so, that they let me leave early so I could meet my new niece. I drove to JcPenneys to purchase a baby girl outfit and was soon on my way to the Morris County Hospital to meet her. It was love at first sight.

Happy Birthday to my most favorite fourteen year old niece, Kaitlyn Elizabeth!
We love you!

PS - Kaitlyn, even though you tower over me at 5'7" I can still whoop your hiney! :)

My Silly Must Haves

I'm not talking about the most important things in my life such as God, my family and my friends, I'm talking about the trivial things that I think I cannot live without.

In no particular order:
Chapstick - Carmex or herpecin (because I think it prevents cold sores)
Sunglasses - particularly in the summer because I hate squinting
Fan - I have to have the noise of a fan going while I'm sleeping
Ice - I do not like cold drinks without ice (well, beer is the exception)
Moroccan Oil - my hair is never the same without it
Flat Iron - my curly, frizzy hair looks much better straight
Running Shoes - can't run without them
Clorox clean-up - I love the smell, and it is my fav cleaner
Tweezers - I would have a full beard without them
finger nail file - I don't like long nails so I'm forever filing my nails short
Chocolate syrup - My fridge always has at least one bottle
Milk - I love choc milk on the weekend mornings
My happy pill - trust me, you don't want to be around me when I don't have it
cetaphil face wash - I use it every morning and every evening
Crest toothpaste - no other will do
A large mug of ice water by my bed at night - can't sleep unless it is there
My huge ghetto comb that I've had since High School

Just to name a few. :)