Randomness

Earlier this year my camera died.  It was about 7 years old, so it had probably outlived its life expectancy, anyway.  We have found, though, that the camera on my cell phone is actually better than my old camera.  As a result, I find all kinds of random photos on my phone.  Or, like today, my children will pull out the phone while we are our and about. 

Here are the latest random photos:

The cat had been outside and came in looking like this. 

At the mall - no desire to go in here!

In my class last week on Diversity we learned about Afghanistan culture. The women in class got to use henna to decorate their arms, hands, and feet. This was my henna "tattoo."  The mark can last up to 3 weeks, but mine faded after about 5 days.

 We get a lot of Daddy pictures!

 

Sleepover with our friend Mercedes before she left for college

 

 Emily called this "James Bond's license plate"

 

This one says "RUBBISH", which is a phrase The Doctor uses on Doctor Who, a favorite British TV show.  The bumper sticker on the right is a British flag.

 

Heather's chemistry class learned how to change the color of pennies yesterday. One was changed by chemicals; the other by fire exposure.

 

Three Amigos

Megan changed schools last year but ended up having two great friends, among others, that she spent much of her time with.  We are going to miss that camaraderie.

7th grade basketball teammates

8th grade volleyball championship game

 

Shopping for 8th grade promotion dresses

School talent show - 8th grade 

Talent show curtain call

They all wanted to have matching hair styles.

8th grade promotion

Thank you, Alyssa and Abby, for being so good to my girl.

Softball Championship

Megan played softball again this year.  Her team played in the district championship today.  Unfortunately, they lost the game.  However, they held the toughest team in the district to 3-0 in four innings.  Good job, Lady Mustangs!

Megan is 2nd from left on the front row.

Daddy, assistant coach, is in the back with hat and sunglasses.

The Blessings of Struggling

Four weeks to go and this semester is OVER!

This has been a really hectic semester.  Not only am I carrying 18 credits this semester in a program where most classes are in 8-week blocks, but I am writing my senior capstone research paper, being a single mom of three teenagers - one in rehearsals for a school play and one on the school softball team - and dealing with normal struggles of a single parenting, full-time college student, and modern woman.  That's a pretty full plate!

I have often felt overwhelmed and stressed this semester, but just when things seem to reach a point where I don't feel I can go forward, something happens to alleviate the stress.

- Class discussions frequently give me new insights into my research topic.

- My ex-husband volunteered to be assistant coach and get our daughter home from practice three times a week, thus lightening my load considerably.

- I attended a conference at school where the keynote speaker has studied my topic for two decades and she willingly sat with me afterwards for 30+ minutes to discuss my paper, my struggles to find sources, and the strengthen of my argument.  She gave me new insights, enthusiastically encouraged me in both the paper and my education, and told me exactly which sources would give me the information I felt I was missing.  What an answer to prayers!

- Last night some friends "kidnapped" me and "forced" me to eat Mexican food, talk and laugh for hours, and let go of some of the stress that has kept me wound up so tightly.

As I think about the ways each of these, and other, events have blessed me I am reminded that the Lord is aware of me.  He knows my struggles.  He knows what I need to stretch myself and He knows when He has pushed me to my limits and it is time to provide relief.  I admit I have cried and I have been frustrated and I have moved forward without understanding what I needed to do, but I have also grown through these struggles.  I will be glad when this semester is over in four weeks, but I wouldn't trade this semester for anything because of the things I have learned, both in school and at home.  It has been a hectic semester, yes, but I am SO glad it happened. 

Megan for President!

In the school yearbook, Megan was voted Most Likely to Become President.

Her best friend, Abby, was voted Most Likely to be on American Idol.

Looks like I'll be making some visits to Washington, DC, and attending some concerts in the future!  Yahoo!

Valentine's Day Flash Back

When Megan was in 3rd grade, she had a wonderful teacher that she loved dearly.  When Valentine's Day rolled around, Megan insisted on buying her a giant Hershey's kiss.  The teacher thanked her profusely, took a token bite, and took it home for her husband to eat.

Several days later Megan asked the teacher if she enjoyed the chocolate kiss.  The teacher casually mentioned that her husband, who frequently volunteered in the classroom, had eaten the kiss.  Megan had always loved her husband, but suddenly she was furious with him.  She was SO upset that she stormed around the house for days.  We were at the store after Valentine's Day and found some on clearance.  Megan insisted we purchase another chocolate kiss for her teacher....NOT the teacher's husband.

Poor guy!  He told me later that he felt like his wife threw him under the bus with Megan.  She was mad at him for about a month.  (He also ate the second chocolate kiss, but we never told Megan.)

The following year, Megan purchased TWO chocolate kiss:  one for her former teacher and one for her husband.  He laughed and ate both of them!

This week we were at the store and saw the giant kisses.  Megan remembers part of the story and wanted a picture to remember the year her teacher's husband ate the teacher's Valentine's Day present.  She is still a bit steamed about that, which makes me laugh.

New Beginnings

It's that time of year again when students go back to school.  Heather and Megan are both at new schools so they were a bit nervous and excited all at once.  Emily was just thrilled to see all her school friends again.

Emily wanted to do Heather's hair for her first day

Smiles everyone!

Heather and Megan were both happy to lose the dress code at their old school.  It included tucking in your shirt, wearing a belt and allowed only uniform shorts.  As a celebration, they both wore denim shorts the first day of school.

Megan insisted on wearing her boots

The older girls had orientation yesterday, Emily as a group leader and Heather as a participant.  They claimed it didn't count as a "real" first day because they didn't need their backpacks and would only be in each class for a few minutes each.  So today we took their official "first day" photos.

Emily was all smiles

Heather was not

Heather wasn't happy this morning and absolutely refused to smile, no matter how much I begged.  So I took a grumpy picture and posted it here for all to see.  So there!

High School Bound

Heather completed 8th grade in May and is now headed to high school.  She looks pretty happy about it, doesn't she?

Before the ceremony

Heather rarely allows me to curl her hair so I had to get a picture of the pretty curls.  She was VERY clear that the curls had to be minimal.  Ha Ha

Scowling at me for taking yet another picture as she walked in with her class.

Receiving her certificate from the superintendent.

The school always makes a string of stars for each student who promotes. 

80's Dance

Last April, Megan's school had an 80's dance/activity.  She refused to wear leggings but wore the oversized t-shirt and the side ponytail.  She had a ton of fun with her friends.

Party Popcorn

Megan's favorite food is popcorn.  It was the first food she learned to cook in the microwave.  She did an entire science fair project about popcorn simply so she would have an excuse to eat a ton of popcorn!  She cannot watch a movie without munching on popcorn.  She LOVES popcorn!

Luckily for Megan, Grandpa K has an old-fashioned popcorn machine.  He was invited to bring it to the school for the end-of-the-year class party.  They were both very excited to have an excuse to share yummy popcorn with Megan's class....and eat some themselves!

Grandpa and Megan outside her classroom.

(Apparently someone used a popcorn machine INSIDE a classroom last year and set off the fire alarm for the whole school, so we had to be outside.)

Megan had a student teacher the last few months of school.  The student teacher was pretty amazing, but her mom was also Heather and Megan's 2nd grade teacher, so Megan took an instant shine to her.  With college ending in early May, the student teacher finished her stint at our school.

On the day of the class party Megan saw the student teacher walking across campus.  Megan ran to hug her and was crying with joy at seeing her again.  I think she just likes to cry!  Ha Ha

Is Patriotism Still Important?

Heather's teacher sent me a copy of Heather's Patriots Pen essay so I thought I'd share it with you.


Is Patriotism actually still important?  If we did not have patriotism, would America be the America we know?  Would it be the best country in the world to live in?  Patriotism is what makes Americaso outstanding.

What is patriotism?  Patriotism is being patriotic -- loving, respecting, defending, and supporting your country.  That includes its soldiers, air force, navy, army, marines, veterans, police, fire fighters, search and rescue workers, farmers, businesses, citizens, hospitals, government, families, and everyone in between.  In every American heart there is a need, a want, an instinct, a craving, a hunger, a passion, a longing, to be loyal and patriotic to the USA, just waiting to be satisfied.  It can be showing on the outside, or it can be buried in the extreme center of the heart, but as sure as life it is there.  Patriotism is not about protest, though some people believe it is.  They say, "Patriotism is about protest!" and then they burn the American flag.  What liars they are!  Patriotism is an antonym of protest!  What they're doing is showing disrespect of America and the hatred and anger of their negative opinions of America.  That is definitely not patriotism.

Soldiers are amazing examples of patriotism.  They love, respect, support and want to defend America so much that they go to war, risking their own life, their own blood, their own physical condition, and risking the chance of even coming home again.  They even risk their families' unbroken hearts, rest, and peace of mind.  They are some of the most patriotic people in America, and they are not afraid to show it.  In fact, they are extremely proud of it.  They would not have it any other way.  Their families and friends are proud of them, too.

Patriotism does still matter, and it is as important as ever, if not more important than ever before.  Patriotism makes America what it is:  the best country on earth.  Patriotism matters to everyone.  People can let it show by celebrating patriotic holidays and honoring the American flag the right way.  Don't let the flag touch the ground, leave it out in a storm, or leave it out at night without a light shining on it.  On the 4th of July, Memorial Day, President's Day, and other patriotic holidays let the American flag fly in the sky:  standing out proud, majestic, beautiful, and bold.

Patriots Pen

As one of their Social Studies assignments, Heather's class was asked to write an essay for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Patriots Pen Essay Contest.  Apparently, the VFW holds an annual writing contest for students in grades 6-8.  Each year they choose a different topic and students are encouraged to write an original essay of 400 words or less. 

The VFW has numerous districts within each state.  Essays are submitted to a specific district.  The district selects the essays they think are best (finalists) and then narrow it down to one winner.  The district winners go to the state competition.  The state winners go to the national competition.  Heather's teacher submitted her essay to a local district and Heather was selected as a finalist for the district.  (Someone else in her class won for the district.)

The topic this year was "Does Patriotism Still Matter?"  I haven't seen a copy of Heather's essay yet (the school computers were down today), but she received a framed award certificate.  How cool is that?

Lovin' the Math

Heather's least favorite subject is math.  She is actually very good at it, but it is tedious to her and she has a hard time staying focused. 

Her class has recently started doing math that has extensive steps.  Heather just dreads doing the homework.  Below is a picture that shows just how boring she finds the math assignments.

Pat was here that night.  We woke her up four times and finally sent her to bed.  Poor thing!

Megan's Favorite Place

Megan’s class was learning to use descriptive language in their writing, so they were assigned to write about one of their favorite places without stating where that place is. Below is Megan’s description of a favorite place:

I’m so excited that my stomach is like a jar of butterflies. Several birds are chirping a lovely song. The landscape is green all year long. When you are here, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic time. Most of the time you can be outside all day due to the warm climate.

Since this place is near a cow farm, sometimes it has a small odor outside. It’s in Buckeye by the mountains with dancing tumbleweeds. The breeze is warm and gentle. This spot has a park nearby.

When I am here I use my senses. I hear the flapping wings of birds. Inside, you can smell cookies and casseroles baking. This site makes me happy.

My family and I do many things here. We laugh our heads off and tell jokes. Plus, we create things like artificial flower arrangements. Yes, the location and weather do affect me for the reason that we have no snowball fights.

Thanks to the hot climate, you could play outside all day here. I would recommend going to this place as it is heaven on earth. It’s nickname is “Kids Are Spoiled Here!”

Can you guess where she likes to go?


UPDATE:  I found some pictures of Grandpa and Grandma's house to include with the post.

Grandpa's front yard

Grandpa's back yard - he built that retaining wall himself

I painted this sign for Grandpa and Grandma many years ago.  I need to touch it up but this is where Megan got the final line in her story.

Back to School

Emily started back to school yesterday.  She is now a high school sophomore.  In the next year she will learn to drive and be eligible to date.  How in the world did she get that old?!?!

We had a discussion about her wearing more "girl clothes" this year.  She understood that to be frills and lace and ribbons.  I simply wanted some feminine colors, rather than the darker blacks, reds, and greys that she favored last year.  I think this was a great compromise, don't you? 

My little girl is growing up, which is bittersweet.

But I am so proud of the confident young lady she is becoming.

Heather is entering 8th grade this year.  She has grown up so much in the last year.  She wanted her picture to look like she was walking.  She definitely has a creative side.

Heather and Megan started school today.

I love the fact that she is happy to go to school!

Megan loves to strike a pose.  She was out of bed, dressed, packed her lunch, and combed her hair before 6:00am!  Who are you and what have you done with my Megan?

(Actually, it was REALLY nice!)

Megan was also very excited to start school.  She got the teacher she wanted and is ready for a great year.

They are all busily doing homework.  The house is amazingly quiet!  Ha Ha  

Zippers and Buttons

Krystle and Heather during the Poetry Slam

At our school, the students memorize poems and recite them for their teacher every 2-3 weeks. Once a year the junior high students get to work with partners to write and memorize a poem. Their teacher holds an annual Poetry Slam, which allows the students to recite their poems for family and friends. The students are quite creative. Some write silly poems. Some write poetic skits. Others write about love lost, their goals for the future, their heroes (including those with capes), or food.

Heather and her friends wrote the following poem:

Zippers......No, Buttons

Up and down the zipper goes

Makes a funny sound

Fun to play with during class

Must be the best thing found.

Buttons are better.

All our joy

They are better than a toy

They come in different sizes, shapes and colors

Even different styles.

There is nothing that they cannot do.

Buttons are better in

triangles

squares

and circular types.

Buttons are better

with two holes

four holes

or even eight.

Buttons are better on

shirts and jackets

Levi jeans and khaki pants

or even Grandma's knitted sweater that I did NOT want for Christmas.

They come in different varieties,

colors included. Buttons are better in

blue

red

yellow and

shamrock green and skylight blue

tangerine orange and charcoal black

pearly white and lemony yellow.

Some people like zippers

but we prefer buttons.

~ Krystle, Julie and Heather

Unfortunately, Julie became sick and missed several days before and after the Poetry Slam. Heather and Krystle took over her parts and carried it off like true professionals.

My girls have been walking around for the past several days quoting funny lines from the various poems. We obviously had fun. :-)