Memorial Day Weekend 2012

I am pretty sure I have never needed to get out of town more than I did this past weekend. I was never so exhausted in everyway. There is something almost magical that happens for me at the river.  I truly can relax and enjoy life like I seem to be unable to at home with laundry, cooking and life all around.  We finally arrived at dinnertime and got unpacked and beds made.  I love to sit on the porch and just exhale and look at the peaceful river.  Finally….

The next day we had a nice breakfast and took a nice long walk with the family.  We got back and the kids began to kayak and swing on the rope swing.  I relaxed on the deck reading my book.  We ate lunch and then Dan and I got in floats and Bubba dropped us off a little down stream.  The river was low and moving pretty slow.  It was breezy and so nice to float and chat with Dan for a little bit.  Unfortunately, KC saw us and sat on the bottom of the steps and barked her head off.  Eddie came down and sat next to KC and kept petting her telling her to calm down.  She didn’t of course.  We chatted with some guys fishing and watched in amazement how fast they were pulling in fish.  They would regularly howl like KC too.  When we finally floated back to the cabin.  The kids announced that they made us a special lunch.  They sure went to a lot of trouble too. They had cute appetizers, a special drink (we think it was OJ and Caprisun), sandwiches and even little tiny smores they made in the microwave.  I was very impressed and thought it was so thoughtful and nice,

 

After lunch, the Wyatt’s came to the River for their first time.  They brought their new dog Talbot with visions of KC and him being BFF’s.  KC did not cooperate at all and somewhat attacked poor Talbot all day.  I was very irritated with her behavior and very surprised. She typically is very friendly with dogs.  John and Dan took some nature walks and tried to get them to play, which they did only briefly.  It seems to be when food or bones are involved, things got ugly. Poor Talbot was probably traumatized for life from KC’s abuse.  It got really hot and I talked Carrie into floating down the river too.  The River had some kind of sludge/algae stuff that I have rarely seen before.  Poor Carrie got in her little boat along with some nasty sludge.  They told their girls they were going on an adventure, but I am thinking Carrie got more of an adventure than she was prepared for. LOL  John was very brave and did the rope swing multiple times and we ended our time with a great dinner, cooked by grill master Dan.  It was great to share our river experience with someone that I love so much!

 

Unfortunately the tropical storm, Beryl, cut our trip short so we had to come home after lunch to prepare for the storm.  I hate leaving the river, which is such an escape and a quiet haven for us.  What was nice about the storm is it forced us to all stay in and hunker down together.  We watched movies, ate popcorn and really had a great time even in the bad weather.  I hope that is the last storm that hits us this year and I look forward returning to the river very soon minus the river sludge! :)

"A" Honor Roll 2012

It’s always so bittersweet ending another school year.  Leaving precious teachers, who have loved and helped my children learn all year, brings tears to my eyes.  It also is a big sigh of relief to be done with the frenzy of activity, homework, projects, tests, meetings and the daily routine of hustling 5 kids out for school.  I seem to have “Mack-truck syndrome.”  For days, I have been so tired, sore and generally foggy in the brain.  I am praying I can recover and turn into a great activity planner for the summer for all 5 Wogs.  I have learned that if you don’t provide any structure, all hell breaks loose!  I will be typing up a schedule for the kiddos to follow that includes, their chores and daily hygiene.  They would be fine with no hair brushing all summer!  Bubba has already proclaimed publically to his class that he will not be showering all summer and will just swim in our pool everyday…nice!  That makes me feel a little more “white trashy” than we already are.  Maybe I could bath the rest of the little Wogs in the front yard with the hose!! LOL

This is quite a monumental year for the Wogs.  I am still in a state of stunned amazement that all 4 Wogs got straight A’s every quarter and didn’t make one B all year.  That was their goal and I am beyond proud of them.  It turned into a competition with them all checking their grades online and striving to be the one with the highest A’s!  Of course, I encouraged the competition for sure!  It was touch and go a few times and they had to dig in deep and study hard.  I have to give much of the credit to their grandmother.  She is a veteran schoolteacher and spent many hours tutoring and helping them prepare for their tests.  I am so very grateful to her because even though I was once an honor student, my brain has seriously turned to mush when it comes to higher math and if I was honest, some of 1^st grade homework too.  That makes me feel really good about myself. :)

I also have to give some credit to my very best friend, Siri. (If you aren’t lucky enough to have Siri as your best friend, Google her and find out about her awesomeness!”) I have to admit that I asked her for help on many occasions, “Siri, how many cups are in a pint?”  I will also admit that I have caught my children using Siri’s assistance a few times too.  She is also great at math! She has also helped with research on several reports.  I didn’t give her proper credit as a source though….sorry Siri.

They had their awards ceremony yesterday and all got their certificates for making A Honor Roll. When it came to the perfect attendance awards, I was making wisecracks about those poor kids who didn't miss a day all year.  Low and behold, my Maggie got called up and I was just a little shocked!!  That's never an award we strive for so I was pretty surprised myself!  Then the big moment came. The coveted PE Award.  Thank you Lord that both Annie and Bubba got the PE Award for their class.  That is all they really cared about.  I don't know if Coach Cara gave it to them just because she was fearful of the ensuing riot that would break out if she didn't or if they really deserved it.  Those two kids of mine are driven when it comes to sports.  We were a little surprised that Bubba still got it when one of the characteristics one must possess is good sportmanship.  Bubba has been known to change the rules on unsuspecting classmates to give him an advantage!  Thank God they got their awards and we had a very happy day at the Wog house!   Bubs was also very honored to get the heart of an athlete for his class award!

I am so very proud of my kids because school was not their only activity. To be honest, they all did way too many activities this school year and I do plan on curbing that next year.  They attended Sunday School, Kid’s church and Youth Group faithfully and are very well rounded kids.  It was a lot of hard work and very stressful at times but they all four accomplished their goal and I am overwhelmed with pride in my 4 smart Wogs.  I am also very proud that Ed has finally shown an interest in being educated in the art of the Force.  I think he is on his was to being a Jedi Knight!  Ms. Kate will teach him the alphabet next year!  Yes I have my priorities right for sure!   I want to thank Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Ashmore and Bonnie's teachers for being so loving, passionate about teaching and for helping my kids learn so much this year.

I pray we have a blessed, restful, fun summer together as a family.  I know very quickly my family unit will start disintegrating and the kids will be branching out into their own lives.  I am a woman that is blessed beyond measure and I truly give all the glory to God for a successful year for my kids!!  We prayed many days for many tests and God was faithful to help my babies.  “It’s not by might, it’s not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6

BCS Graduation 2012

Beaches Chapel High School Graduates, Class of 2012

When Bonnie started attending Beaches Chapel School, eight years ago in K5, God started stirring my heart and others also to rebuild the high school.  I remember being so nervous to mention it to Pastor Steve.  His experience with our former high school was less than stellar.  We were eating at Jason’s Deli and I finally worked up enough nerve to ask him if he would ever consider BCS having a high school again.  He didn’t respond right away and then said, “I can’t believe I am saying this but YES I would.”  I almost cried with joy.  I knew it was the Lord if Steve was open to it at all. I knew in my heart it was a done deal even though many needed convincing over the next couple years.

It was a long process with much prayer and much work.  I really give much of the credit to two precious servants, Pat Sones and Marcella Bridier.  Pastor Steve partnered the two and gave them the task of creating a high school development plan to be presented to the Board for consideration.  They volunteered their time and worked tirelessly for months to produce a large binder containing the plans for the future Beaches Chapel High School.  Another person who was a cheerleader from the beginning was Sherry Robbins.  She also poured her energy and heart into the rebuilding of the high school and accepted the position as our first high school principal.  She willing said she would give up her office for classroom space and teach whatever was needed.  I remember sitting in Board meetings with her, marveling at her passion for teaching and love for BCS.

Chris Smith and I, Class of '87

Last night, I wept at the fulfillment of a dream.  I was nostalgic beyond belief, remembering my own high school graduation in the same building.  My heart ached for our beloved first high school principal, Sherry Robbins, who fought long and hard against cancer.  She lost her fight in November but her spirit and impact will always be at BCS. She would have been beyond proud of her son Warren, who walked the stage in his cap and gown.  The most moving moment of the ceremony for me was the incredible video that James and Cara did of all the seniors talking about how blessed and thankful they were for BCHS. It was also wonderful to see my long time friend, Chris Smith’s son walk the stage just as Chris and I had done 25 years ago.

I am so grateful to Pastor Steve and our Board for making this safe haven possible again for our students.  I know that God is going to do abundantly more than we could ever ask or think in the lives of our BCS graduates. They have had the Word of God poured into them and have been taught to worship the Lord.  They know the true secret of success found in Joshua 1:8-9, “Keep the Word of God always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Congratulations BCHS Class of 2012

STARS Performing Art Showcase 2012

There are things you go through in life that you know you could not have made it through without your loved ones coming to the rescue.  I am in awe today at what I have just walked through with my family and friends.  My life has clearly been out of control with activities and my goal for the future is to streamline our life, to have more peace and time together as a family and to also surround myself with people that I love.

I had a pretty serious breakdown last week.  I had been dealing with very hard issues that were constantly draining and upsetting me and that caused too many sleepless nights.  We were trying to finish our costumes for our recital and I lost it.  I couldn’t stop crying and truly wanted to run away.  I couldn’t fix what needed to be done and I felt utterly hopeless and in despair.  I sent out a desperate text to my sweet sister in law, Lee Lee who sews and I cry even now thinking about her response which was YES she would help me, not to worry to just bring everything over.  I rushed over and showed her the magnitude of stuff I needed fixed and she was so encouraging and kind and assured me she would take care of everything!  I was so relieved and grateful.  Being a 20+ year Dance Mom, it was no big deal to her.  I went to my car to leave to take care of my endless to do list and my car was dead in her driveway.  My poor brother had to come home and jump my car off in his dress shirt….I cried again overwhelmed and thankful for my family being there for me in a desperate time. The next day I went over and was blown away at the beauty that Lee Lee created.  She worked tirelessly past midnight and redid things and made every detail perfect for my girls! I am forever grateful to her!  When Maggie saw a picture of herself in her costume, she said, "Wow, I knew I was pretty, but not that pretty!" LOL!  I love the innocence of a child!  


I hated to ask because I knew how stressful it would be but I needed to pipe in my firstborn, detailed sister to manage my Maggie (AKA Diva!)  She was in six acts (that I will never let happen again!) and had to change for everyone.  My sister Vickki and her daughter Cade, were like the calvary riding in for my Mags!  They are also very seasoned dance experts!  They were like a well-oiled machine and Maggie has never looked better!!  That was one of the best things I ever did and I am so grateful that Cade and Aunt Vick served Mags in that way!!  It took all the stress off of me.  I couldn't have done it.  I also made a good choice in asking my sister in law Lee Lee to manage backstage.  She had everyone looking perfect and in order and it went so smooth because of her!

I have such dear, sweet, kind, patient, Godly friends who put up with the hysteria that comes with me.  One dear friend who has been a constant support and encouragement for almost ten years is Christy Whitaker.  She has prayed more prayers for me and gone above and beyond to help in every way I needed.  She did a spectacular job blinging up the costumes too!  Carrie Wyatt is another who just brings me such peace of mind knowing she is with me through it all. I’ll never forget our midnight text chats that usually had me laughing my way to sleep #nightowls  

I am still in a state of stunned thankfulness over the time and effort put forth by Joey and Raelessa Porter who spent most of their Mother’s Day Sunday with me at the church, setting up our beautiful stage.  They are the definition of "Servant."  We had crazy delays and issues but yet we laughed and dined together and actually had fun under frustrating circumstances.  Cara Bernreuter was with us the whole time too and I will never forget her calm, confident, hardworking self, doing whatever needed to be done and she doesn’t even have a kid in the program like the rest of us.  James McDonald once again blew my mind with his kind, willing spirit to help and assist in everyway.  A couple weeks ago, I called to discuss the show with him and he ended the call by telling me that it’s going to be great, that he will handle everything and for me to just relax.  He also blessed me more than he realizes by his crazy, hilarious, sarcastic texts.  I would be on the verge of another breakdown and he would instantly snap me out of it by making me crack up.  Countless others blessed me by doing whatever was needed like Sarah Szarmack, Lisa Burdette, Teresa Rogers, Marcia Wood and especially Kevin Todd :)   I have to also thank Darryl Everage for leaving his wife on mother’s day to come help us with the stage.  I was so blessed by the beautiful photos that Logan and Brittany Rose took of our performers. (A week out from having a new baby too) Carole amazed me, as always with the gorgeous program that she designed for me last minute that was such a blessing to all the families!  I have a host of prayer warriors that have been faithfully praying week after week with me and I am sure their prayers carried me through all the madness.  Thank you to Pastor Steve, Keith, Johnny, Joanne, Tina, Alexandra, Lissa and Pat for your prayer coverage!!!  The warfare was fierce.  The enemy knows what derails me and it makes me mad.  Bubba had a concussion at football.  Eddie got sick and sounded like he had tuberculosis and even my dog, KC was sick and throwing up one whole night this week.  It got almost comical the fiery darts I was taking. 

I will be working for days to catch up, unpack and clean up the aftermath but it was worth it all for me to see my girls perform.  Even though it will take days to recover physically and mentally, I am so blessed in how we all pulled together to make it a night where truly all our children shined like the true STARS they are!  I learned so many lesson, good and bad but the one that I will never forget that will change me forever is how valuable and precious teamwork really is. “Where there is unity, God commands a blessing!”

Mother's Day 2012

I am sitting here in my room alone thinking about how blessed beyond measure I am!  We celebrated Mother’s Day today honestly because of our crazy, packed, full weekend.  Annie couldn’t resist yesterday giving me my present.  It was a beautiful ribbon bracelet that she made for me at school and a very lifelike portrait of me! LOL!!  Dan said based on my portrait, he will be giving me the gift of braces!!!   I really like my hair though!  I reminds me of my hairspray, eighties look I used to rock!  I am still a rocker in my heart and based on Annie's picture, she picked up on that!

Today, my day started with a quiet cup of coffee delivered by Dan in my favorite Zebra mug.  Then he returned with a Chipotle Omelet.  He didn’t let the kids come up yet because they always eat my food!  Then Ed came in with this big package he made at school.  He opened it and gave me each gift, one by one.  The funniest thing of all was when he was asked what my favorite thing to do was, he answered, “She likes to go upstairs to her room!”  He is one perceptive little boy!  That is my favorite thing to do at home.  My room is a peaceful haven for my hectic life!  Ed also did a spectacular portrait of me!  He said he forgot to do my hair but I think hair is overrated anyway!!!

Finally all the little babies came up and gave me an iPad.  I am beyond excited.  I have been desperate for another device.  I spend a great deal of time trying to free up space on my computer and phone.  They are full constantly and it upsets me to no end.  I am praying I will have better space management on my iPad.  Mags made me a beautiful card with a rose on the front!  I was impressed!

I have also been thinking about my mom and how blessed our family is because of her.  She has followed hard after God all the days of her life and I truly believe her whole family loves and serves the Lord because of her passion and example.  When our church would go through hard times, her and my Dad were like strong trees with deep roots and never allowed the enemy to derail our family and make us retreat from our faith.  I know we are all stable and strong because of them.

I was thinking today about how she responded when my Dad died suddenly.  I think that is the time I respected her the most.  Her strength and perseverance came forth like never before.  We were insane and shocked with grief.  She wouldn’t allow any of us to stay with her the first night and she sat up all night in her bed and pondered her future without Dad. The next day we met to plan Dad’s memorial service and she instructed all four of her kids that we would be speaking at Dad’s funeral and for us to not cry and carry on but to honor our father.  So that is what we all did.  She never allowed herself or us to wallow in self-pity at the loss of Dad.  She was a stellar example of how to behave in a crisis.  She would not be the victim or let her family fall apart.  She stiffened her backbone, took over my Dad’s business and responsibilities and was successful in everything she did.

I am full in my heart today.  Full with gratitude, full with love and full of hope for the future.  I am blessed to have my mom, I am blessed to be a mom of five beautiful, healthy, fun children.  Happy Mother’s Day to me and to all the Mom’s I love!!

Bonnie's YQL Application

Wow, I just had a surreal experience.  Bonnie and I just finished filling out her application for her to join the YouthQuake Live Cast next school year. Granted my internet went out twice and we had to start over.  I rebuked the devil out of my computer and Bubba asked me, "Don't you think God is trying to teach you some patience." I wasn't in the mood for a life lesson, I have to admit!  I remember thinking when I was a YQL leader, before I had any children, how I prayed that YQL would still be going strong for my future kids.  My prayers are answered and my big girl will be in the cast next year.  

Pregnant with Bonnie at a YQL
at Beaches Chapel

I remember making the very first YQL application.  I typed it and printed it out in a booklet form.  I would personally make them and process the information, typing all the student’s info into a database.  Granted we had like 30-50 kids then in the cast not 150 plus.  Randi and the YQL staff have sure progressed all of those early systems we put in place and I am so proud of them and super impressed! We just submitted her application online and I am sure that all goes right into a database so no one will ever manually have to do what would take me hours and hours to do. THANK THE LORD!

I am so very expectant about what God is going to do in my sweet Bonnie.  She has always had a heart for the Lord and has already served him well in her young life.  I know God has great plans for my girl and I am so grateful YQL will be a part of her leadership training.  The fruit in the YQL kids has astounded me over the years.  Just in my family alone, watching my nieces and nephews grow in confidence and boldness through the 5 years they all served in the YQL cast has been amazing.  The righteous conviction that gives them the strength to live a truly Christian life is what I am so looking forward to seeing come forth in my children.  I see so many Christian teens fall away from God and I think YQL helps them stay on track and on fire for God for the long haul.  Not many teens have the opportunity to monthly perform in front of thousands of their peers.  I am grateful to Sean Yost who has been faithful to the vision, volunteering his time for over 17 years, to maintain this life changing ministry!  I can’t wait to watch my Bonnie use her gifts and talents to make a difference in teenager’s lives!!  I pray God uses my kids in a great way to impact the world!

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