Firsts

 

I was the first one gone this morning. 

I got to school early and was ready for all the craziness of the first morning at my school. 

That was a first.

But I missed dropping a kid off a school.

Because now they go the same High School. 

Just one year of togetherness. 

One year of Katie driving her to school (and some friends that tagged along). 

I texted Katie to see if she had seen Kellie during the day.  The answer, "yea, I had lunch with her".  It made me tear up. 

A year of them in the same school for some reason makes my heart happy. 

They fuss about the "first day of schoool" picture every year but I made them promise to let dad take one.  I can't believe they even smiled.

 

 

 

When I asked Kellie if she was excited or scared she said "NO... it's just another day of school" and when I asked Katie if she was excited it's her senior year she said "NO...I'm just ready for it to be over..."

Well, I was scared and excited for them.  And as I could have predicted, Kellie had "just another day at school".  She is so easy going it was just no big deal to her.  And Katie called me as soon as she got out to talk a little more about where she wants to go to college.   She is really ready for it to be over.


A first day of high school and a first day of the last year of high school.
 I think I'm really not that crazy about either of those.
It's going too fast.
That thought or sentence is really NOT a first...
But it sure is fun.

A month later...

The summer has sped by slowly this year.
I have enjoyed all the days we had at home doing nothing.
Family time has been the highlight of my summer. 
Mike is still without a job.  And just when I got a little panicky about money God handed me a little part time job where I am getting to do the type of nursing care that I haven't done in years and I am really enjoying it. 
But summer is coming to an end and school starts for me next week. 
Here is a quick summery of the last few weeks....
Right before starting the new job I got to get away with good friends.  It was exactly what I needed.

Is there anything better than girlfriend time in the mountains?

We spent a lot of time out on the deck enjoying the cool weather.

There were rain storms that sounded beautiful on the metal roof.

We worked on our Project life books

and I fed the deer everything I could find.

I am so thankful for a wonderful friend with a beautiful house she was kind

enough to share.

 

I came home and started the new job that came with a friend

he loves to come inside and take a nap in the cool air

 

 

I took Katie to have her Sr. cap and gown pictures made

I didn't even cry.

 

The last week has been such a blur because I worked so much .

I was enjoying a night off and cooking dinner when

I made a little slip with my new chefs knife.

It is as sharp as they advertised

luckily I just missed some important things in there

and a few stitches later...

I think I'll be using the  dishwasher for that knife from now on....

 

 

Tomorrow my baby will be 14.  14.  That isn't even any sort of a little kid anymore and I really don't like that.  Not one bit.

She is however, a really great teenager (so far)!

We went to dinner tonight so tomorrow she can spend the evening with the important people.  Her friends. 

I may hate she is not my baby anymore but I sure do love the girl she has turned into. 
That is, when she'll hang out with me!

Happy Birthday my beautiful girl!!! 

 I love love love you.

 

 

 

 

We missed the fireworks?

This having the summer off, as good as it is, I completely loose track of days... 

especially when Kellie is gone and I'm hanging out by myself most of the time

 

 

 

Just FYI...

On Tuesday Jennifer and Kellie came home

 

I think her sister even missed her...

 

she had a great time but the majority of pictures Jennifer sent me looked like this.  She should be all caught up on her rest

On the way home they stopped and bought sparklers because my kids are sheltered and have never done any fireworks...(because I am a fun sucker I believe is how they described me)

On the 4th we went to a movie

 

and we went to lunch where Katie works

look at the nice girl waiting on us

now look at the angry girl waiting on her sister

we headed out to watch fireworks... we sat just down the street from where we usually watch them

There were tons of other people around us

 

luckily there were a few fireworks around us

But.  We waited and waited for the big show.  Waited till everyone started leaving.  Apparently moving just down the street wasn't a good idea. 

We never saw the fireworks

But someone bought sparklers

and saved the day

 

 

I think she's having too much fun to miss me...

Kellie has been begging to "live with Jennifer" for the summer. 
We decided just a week would be better.
She is off living with the best cousin in the world and since they are two peas in a pod I can't wait to hear the stories.
But....it's much quieter than normal here.  I'm used to having her around.  Running errands with me.  Fussing about what I cooked or didn't cook.  Trying to kiss her and her refusing.  Basically, I just miss the 13 year old who lives here and it happened faster than I thought it would.
The 17 year old is around some but the last couple of nights she has had plans and I'm quickly seeing that life after my kids leave home might be very boring. 
I do not care about watching the NBA draft. 
I don't want to watch another episode of Jeopardy.
He doesn't want to do any projects like painting.

I think I'm going to have to adopt some more kids.
Soon.

Back to Kellie...
She was excited to fly alone.  Until the day before and she started getting nervous which surprised me... she's brave usually.

They let me walk her back to the gate and she was glad

boarding, finally a smile

Jennifer wanted to embarrass her

and it looks like there has been some fun

 

 

 and a lot of sleeping going on...

 

 

 

Back in Lubbock we are enjoying record high temps

 

 

and that calls for some cold beverages with friends

 

 

lip gloss melts at this temp....

 

and even dogs need ice cream

 

lazy mornings

 

and some time in the redneck pool, you don't want to see that picture...

 

But most of all we're missing

 

 

 

 

hurry home Kellie and Jennifer

 

 

 

Summer love

School is out and summer has started.
The first week has been nice since we are all home for a change.
 I'm ready for Mike to have a new job but it's a treat to get to spend some family time together.

Kellie used her saved money for a "white trash pool" as Katie calls it.

 

Ellie thought it was a big play area when we were putting it together.

 

Elvis has adopted this raft as his own

 

Kellie spends hours in the pool.

 and she likes me to be out there all the time with her

If I'm not this is what I get

 

Mike took the top of our old entertainment center and re purposed it

He built a top for it and made a bar

 

This is the final outcome. 

He did a good job. 

 

He's been watching "Bar Rescue" and decided he needs to own a bar.  

I told him this is as close as he will come, enjoy.

 

I am loving the patio now. 

Till the next dust storm when the cleaning starts over.

 

We had friends over tonight and enjoyed dinner outside

 

 

You need to try PW's Shrimp Quesidillas

They were a hit at dinner tonight!

 

Hope your summer is off to a good start

Come hang around the bar and if you're brave you can try the white trash pool