Sing at the pool

Funny story...

I picked up Cora from school yesterday, and she very excitedly told be about how she was going to "sing at her school in the morning." I was a bit confused because I didn't see anything in her folder about any such singing, but I didn't argue. This morning after we left Carleigh's school, Cora tells me I don't know about the pool. Pretty random, I know. I ask her what she is talking about. After a few minutes about the pool, she tells me she is supposed to sing at the pool this morning. The lightbulb then went off in my head, and I realized she heard her teachers say they were going to sing at the pool, when what they really said is we will "See You At The Pole." In case you don't know what that means, I'll explain. In 1990, a group of kids from Texas decided they were going to pray for their school, their friends, and teachers. So, they did. Their idea spread, and students across the state and nation began gathering at their poles as well. Students gather around their school's flag pole, and they pray. I was among one of the students who gathered with my friends around our pole in 1991.

 

So this morning was See You at the Pole. We went to Luke's school first and prayed...for his friends, his teachers, the staff and administration, and the school district.

 

 

 

And then we went to Carleigh's school. We prayed for her friends, teachers, staff and administration, thanked God for our schools and the blessing it is to receive an education, and thanked Him for a country that allows the freedom to gather around a pole and pray. I was blessed to see so many faces I knew. What a comfort to know there are good, Christian teachers at her school.

 

 

And then we went to Cora's school so she could "sing at the pool!" :) I didn't get a photo of her singing praying, because she is not still for very long, but here's one of her and her sweet friend at lunch at her school the other day.

 

 

 

Please join me in praying for our children, their teachers and staff, the administrators, and our government officials.

 

Hope you'll join your child next year as they sing at the pool! ;)



Mama's birthday

Yesterday was my mama's birthday. She turned 63. I'm sure she's just tickled pick that I shared that with everyone. This evening we had her and Dad over for a birthday dinner. We had salad, steak, smashed garlic potatoes, roasted okra from Aunt Sharon's garden, and Luke's famous Texas Sheet Cake. It was all so good...especially the cake. There's not much better in life than chocolate.

 

 

 

 

So much to say...so little time

I have so much to say. I wish there was a way for my thoughts to magically make their way to my blog complete with edited photos and videos. I want to talk about what's going on in our neck of the woods, in our country, in our world! I want to show you all of the cool work Cora is doing and the neat things the big kids have going on. I want to talk about fall and food and fun things in the future. I want to talk about paint colors and home improvement projects I have in my head. I want to show you my fall chalkboard and my table top decorations from our ladies luncheon this weekend. I want to go back a few weeks and tell you about my girls weekend with Carleigh and talk about the things that scare the pants off of me. I want to do a lot of things.

Instead, I guess I will go to the grocery store so we can eat dinner and wash clothes, run by the library to return books so we don't have huge fines, tote kids to and fro for soccer, gymnastics and dance classes, and fold the three baskets of laundry that don't seem to be folding themselves. I'm bound and determined to carve out a spot so I can write here more...I have to!

Have a happy Tuesday

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Another first

What can I say? It's her first day of pre-k, and she is thrilled. She only asked when she was going to school 50 or so times. When she saw her little buddy, you would have thought they hadn't seen each other the entire summer the way they ran and embraced...but they have...like two days ago. I know I say it every time I write, but I just can't get over how fleeting the days are. With Cora, it seems even more so, because I truly have very little recollection of her being a baby...grief is weird that way. She is a spunky little monkey, and we are so blessed to have her. So, today, we have one in preschool, one in elementary school, and one in junior high school. Lord, help us!

You might recall last year she wanted to be a scarecrow. I think teacher is a good change. ;)

First Day of School 2013

Today is the first day of school for Carleigh and Luke. I'm a complete mess. I just cannot believe our little girl is a junior high schooler now! Our little guy isn't so little anymore either. I hope and pray we are raising them according to the will of the One who created them. I want them to love God more than anything and have a relationship with Him that is all their own. I pray they will be able to stand at school even when it's not popular. I pray they will keep their innocence and that their hearts wouldn't be wounded but remain soft. I hope they will learn well and retain the information they receive. I pray they are a friend to the friendless and that they have fun. These are the best days of their lives.

Spaceman aka astronaut

I didn't get to walk Carleigh to her homeroom this morning. :(
I just watched from the car as she walked through the door to her first day of junior high school. Carleigh wants to be a kindergarten teacher. She will make a great one!

Luke was not at all interested in having his picture taken this morning! He is not at all interested in his naturally wavy, curly hair either. He likes to get it wet and brush it straight down on his head. He has the best hair. I wish he would embrace its coolness.
I guess everyone wants something they don't have, huh?

Thunder and Lightning

We had a little camp out this week...in the house. Twice this summer a storm has blown through and knocked out the power. I take electricity so for granted! It's funny that even after several hours without power, I still tried to flip the switch upon entering the bathroom! A couple of nights ago the winds started blowing, the trees were bending, the thunder was booming, and lightning was popping! It was a STORM! (said in my best Sweet Brown voice) Around 6:30, the power went out. The kids were running around asking where we should go during a tornado, and I was trying to figure out plan B for dinner. A gas stove top is a very good thing when the power is out. I decided it was a mac n cheese night. After dinner, Cora and I dozed on the porch, and she finally went sound asleep. When Kelvin made it home, he set up the generator. Luke set up the chess board, and he and Kelvin played chess by candle light. Luke and Carleigh made their spot in their sleeping bags on the floor of the living room in front of the fan. The fans worked great...until the gas of the generator ran out at 1:30 in the morning. Good thing it was still cloudy and rainy when the sun came up a few hours later. I appreciate the ones who worked hard to restore the power. When the lights came back on at 9:30 a.m., our crew did the happy dance and our fair share of whooping and hollering. Over 12 hours without power was plenty for us, thankyouveramuch. I'm thankful we have power most of the time. Lights are a good thang! And so is A/C (especially in August in Texas!)

Last night was sleepover night. Carleigh and Luke had friends over. Fun times!

 

 

 

 

 

Well, the natives are getting restless. It's pancake time. I'm making some cinnamon syrup to go with them...yuuuummmy! What are y'all having? Have a great weekend.

 



 

 

The Perfect Day

Have you ever had the perfect day? I just love it when one of the kids says they are having the best day ever. That's how I felt Saturday. We have some precious friends who let us use their lake house on occasion, and this weekend was one of those occasions. We got there late Friday evening. Saturday morning we rose from our slumber and lingered on the porch over coffee. I made pancakes and sausage, and then we headed out to the water. We were all in the water by 10 a.m. We played and swung on the rope swing until we were famished and had to stop to eat lunch. We all scarfed down a sandwich and then headed back to the water for a couple of more dips in the lake. Mr. Sandman came knocking about that time, so we all headed in for a nap. I just love naps. They're my favorite. After naps we headed out once again and played in the water until dark. We caught the sunset on the porch, then grilled burgers and ate dinner at bedtime. Kelvin and Luke went fishing after dinner, and I dozed on the back porch before we all headed to bed. It was the perfect day on the water. As an added bonus, Kelvin's mom joined us. The kids love it when one of their grandparents are with them. It's like the cherry on top. :)



Summertime, and the livin' is easy...indeed