Annie's 1st Soccer Game

Soccer has always been important at the Wog house.  When I met Dan he was on the Fletcher soccer team in high school.  He had a knee injury so he didn’t end up playing in college like he had wanted to.  He continued to play soccer up until we had Bonnie.  Soccer and Golf are Dan’s two sports that he is passionate about. 

Bubba played soccer for six years until he dedicated his energy full-time to football.  Thank God Annie has picked up the torch for Dan’s sake. Annie was so very excited about being on Pastor Dave and Coach Ben’s team.  Their daughters are in Annie’s class at school.  It’s been so fun to see Annie so pumped about something!  She gets nervous and starts hassling me to take her to practice so she won’t be late.  I had to drive around last week because we were so early. 

Both coaches were unable to be at a practice so Dan filled in.  He swung by real quick to get Annie and rushed to the field.  I asked if he was going to change out of his dress clothes but he said he didn’t have time.  My friend Maggie was so good to me and sent me some hilarious pictures of Dan frolicking with the kids in his suit pants and dress shirt!  I loved it!

Annie got her jersey and we all had an “Awwww” moment!  Bubba was also number 4 on his first team and had a purple jersey too.  Annie asked me if the whole family was coming to see her play.  I said of course!  What she meant was EVERYONE, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents!!   LOL  She asked her teacher and Coach Cara to come too!  She was so excited!

Finally the big moment was here and she was so nervous!  On the way to the game, Bubba said a great prayer in the car, asking God to protect Annie and to let her team win!  We set up our chairs and it was game time.  Coach Dave was hilarious.  He was a little freaked out about the game and uttered a quick prayer for Jesus to help him!! The kids played awesome and won the game! 

There was one boy on the team that looked so much like Bubba.   At times I watched him out of habit and had to remind myself that Annie was now playing soccer!!  LOL!  It was a great night even though that crazy field goes from burning hot to ice cold wind.  I forgot about that from when Bubba played!  It was fun seeing pretty much everyone out there!  It was like a social event for sure!  Eddie and Maggie played with friends and ran around!  I am really happy that Annie had a great first game!  I pray that she will have years of good times and wins playing soccer!!!

Big Boy Haircut

I remember the agony of when Dan insisted on buzzing Bubba’s hair when he was 4 years old.  I tried my best to hold onto to my baby looking boy.  Bubba was playing soccer and was hot and sweaty so Dan finally convinced me but I was so very sad to say goodbye to Bubba’s hair.  Dan has cut his hair ever since.

                                                       Today was Eddie’s big day.  I honestly only had a twinge of sadness compared to Bubba’s first buzz cut.  I have been the one trimming Eddie’s hair so far and it’s been a pain.  He is opinionated and bossy. (Yes, spare me the comments about him being just like his mother…. :)  He only tolerates me wacking on his hair in stages.  It usually takes me several days to finish a hair cut.  I don’t think Eddie ever really realized I did have a weapon of sorts in my hand (scissors) and he probably should have been more compliant!

Bubba's 1st Buzz Cut

Dan put Ed in the bathtub and started buzzing away.  Eddie thought it was kind of cool and didn’t fuss at all.  Of course, Dan went shorter than I wanted for the first time but I just reminded myself that it will grow.  I am actually relieved that I am now retired from cutting kid’s hair.  I think Eddie has a beautiful face and even though he looks so much older, he will always be my baby!

October Baby

I don’t see many movies anymore due to my busy life but I really wanted to see October Baby.  I first heard about the movie because my new nephew, Jordan is in the Christian band the Afters and they were doing a song on the sound track.  I heard the song a few weeks ago when they were working on it frantically so it could be in the movie.  It is just such a special song and is called Life is Beautiful.  I can’t wait until it’s available on iTunes and becomes a hit!

This movie was number 6 on Friday night and was only in 400 theaters across the nation.  It’s the story of a girl who finds out when she is grown that she is adopted under tragic circumstances and falls apart.  She begins a search to put all the pieces of her life together.  It’s a story of love, sacrifice, forgiveness and restoration.  I took Bonnie and one of her friends and they really loved the movie even though it is a weeper.  My sister in law, Lee Lee went through four tissues and needed more.  I almost made it through without loosing it but ended up using my tissue too. 

The thing I love the most about this movie was the unbelievable video testimony at the end from one of the actresses in the movie.  I pray that no one leaves that movie and misses it because it is so powerful and talks about how she received life-changing forgiveness while making this movie.  The Afters song is playing at this time and I woke up with the song and movie story on my mind.  Forgiveness is so vital in our life.  Those that have a difficult time forgiving others and themselves live in such a self-made prison.  Forgiveness brings joy and freedom and I pray that this movie sets people free

 

I am so thrilled that we are having Christian themed movies that are dealing with subject matter that many people find difficult to talk about.  I pray this movie impacted Bonnie and her friend and that they never will forget the message.  I know from having five precious babies how beautiful life is.

BCS Talent Show 2012

Wow, the kids had a talent show at school last night. Ed kept asking me when we were leaving for the circus because he was so excited.  I’m not sure who told him we were going to the circus but he couldn’t wait!  I only knew a little bit about each of their acts.  I helped gather the needed outfits and items they needed but didn’t really know what to expect.  I was pretty nervous because the kids were.  The night started out awesome with the teachers doing a surprise number!  Carrie Wyatt worked with the teachers for weeks on a “Dancing through the Decades” number that was stupendous!!  Each teacher had a shirt on with the year they graduated on the back!  They did some Twisting, some Disco, some Line Dancing, the Macarena, the Cupid shuffle and more!  Mr. K came out to do a little head banging to some 80’s Heavy metal but of course, James McDonald stole the show because he is too legit to quit.  His Hammertime pants were spectacular!  It set the tone for the night and everyone did awesome!! What great sports they were!

 

Annie’s class Rocked Around the Clock and my cutie pie girl didn’t want to dance so her sweet teacher allowed her to play the drums!  It was touch and go whether she would do it or not.  I made a really stupid bribe that she could keep the drums if she smiled and did her best….and she did YIKES!  Just what my household needs!  She was so funny saying that she needs a drum lesson from her new cousin, Jordan, when he comes into town.  That should be a great, forthcoming blog! LOL

Maggie worked so hard for weeks and weeks with Jennifer Shepard, on a creative, Singing in the Rain!  It was really amazing.  They turned off all the lights and used a black light.  The girls wore white gloves, white boots and white umbrellas.  They had black ski masks on to black out their faces.  People said they looked like Ninja’s or Robbers!  Lisa Burdette and Raelessa helped Jenn pull it all together and it was one of the best acts of the night!   Maggie was also an awesome California Raisin and sang We are the Light of the World in the Choir and it was beautiful!

Bubba was the biggest surprise of all.  He has hated school and Christmas plays and has complained relentless.  For whatever reason, he was super pumped about being in the Talent Show.  He was in detention and when the teacher left all the boys started rocking out with electric guitars and doo rags on their head.  It was a riot!  The girls danced and in the weeks before, Bubba would do the girls dancing part at home and was surprisingly great!  He salsa danced the whole way out with his class and totally cracked us up!  I think his cousin Alexandra’s wedding and seeing all the wild dancing may have inspired him to cut loose!

Bonnie’s act was the one I was freaked out about.  They had done everything themselves with no adult supervision.  I asked my dear friend Carrie to check their routine out and see what she thought.  She said they were doing some pretty dangerous stunts and said she would spot for them and help them.  I had a dream recently that my car was in the way in the carpool line and Carrie, by herself, pushed my big truck out of the way.  That’s the kind of person Carrie is.  She will do anything for a friend!  I am so grateful that she pitched in because it was a perfect routine and I was super relieved!    Bonnie said that was the best they ever did!!!  Praise the Lord!

I was so impressed with the time and effort that was so obvious!  Multitudes of people poured tons of time into making this the best BCS Talent Show ever!  They raised thousands of dollars for our new gym!  There were so many elements that were awesome.  They sold T-shirts that looked like American Idol’s logo, so you know I was excited!  They did an art auction that raised $400 for our Art Program.  They had high school ushers, videos for sale, and beautiful decorations everywhere.  I love teamwork and last night was a perfect example of everyone pulling their gifts and talents to together for a good cause!!  I was also super proud of Ed who cheered for every act and was the best spectator for sure!  He said it was the best Circus ever! LOL

Another Birthday Surprise for Bonnie

Happy Birthday to my firstborn daughter, Bonnie!  It is so shocking that I have a legit teenager already!  I couldn’t ask for a better one!  She has been a dream of a child to have!  She is kind, caring, loving, thoughtful, considerate, giving, peaceful, funny, smart, unselfish and has a servant’s heart too!

I wanted this to be a monumental birthday for my sweet girl so why she was out of town at camp, Dan and I slaved to an extreme level to redo her room.  Our desire was to do an addition and for her to have her own room but the economy has slowed that dream down a bit.  Bonnie and Bubs have always been great friends.  They have never had the normal antagonistic brother/sister relationship.  It reminds me a great deal of  their cousins, William and Alexandra. They love each other’s company and have fun together.  Years ago, Bonnie started sleeping in Bubba’s room so they could hang out and talk at bedtime.  The little girls went to bed earlier and messed with Bonnie in the morning, so she defected to the “man cave” Ed snores and sleeps like a rock so Bonnie and Bubs would chit-chat and discuss their life with each other. 

About 3 weeks ago, Annie asked if Eddie could have a “sleep-over” in their room in Bonnie’s “real” bed.  He was still in his crib mainly because he had never climbed out so there wasn’t a rush to move him.  With the other kids, we had to boot the 2-year-old baby out due to the incoming sibling.  He had a total blast and never went back to his room.  That’s when I decided to switch the rooms around and give Bonnie her own personal area so she wouldn’t be a gypsy of sorts with no real personal space.  I haven’t worked that hard in years and years.  Dismantling 5 children’s stuff, switching beds, dressers, pictures and STUFF is a royal pain.  Dan was a champ and drilled holes and hung stuff, put together things and even helped me fix up the kid’s bathroom too!  I spent ALL day in the two bedrooms.  Dan even brought me lunch up there because I don’t think I could have escaped through the mountain of stuff.  I am a very sentimental person and I was determined to purge and stay focused.  I had Christian radio on the whole time, and I know it helped me through plus the prayers of friends.  Accepting the fact that I now have a teenager and don’t have a baby crib in the house after 13 straight years was a challenge and a milestone for me but I did it and I am proud! 

 

Bubba was so kind to me. I apologized to him for not having his own room and for taking over half of his room for Bonnie.  He said he was excited and felt bad that Bonnie never really had her own space for years and years.  He said he was lonely for Bonnie the two nights she was at camp and couldn’t wait for her to get home.  I was never more proud of Bubba for not being upset that I took down half off his posters, pictures and paraphernalia!  It made it even easier for me!

Well, the moment finally arrived today.  Bonnie got home from camp and came upstairs and freaked out over the bathroom first.  She was stunned when she walked into Bubba’s room.  She has had so much fun in there arranging her things and getting all settled in.  I got her some specific things that every firstborn would love.  A cabinet over her bed with little cubby baskets, a lamp with a swivel organizer around it for pens and pads and an empty under the bed storage for her keepsakes.  I feel so happy in my heart and relieved that this is behind me and all my kids are comfortable and settled, for now!  Now I need 2 Advil and a nap!

Surprise River Trip for Bonnie

Bonnie is turning 13 next week but will be out of town so I wanted to do something really special to surprise her.  She said all she wanted for her birthday was to go to the Youth Group trip.  That made me very proud of her. I have never had a surprise party for one of my kids.  Bonnie has some really sweet friends!  I called their moms and asked if it would be OK to take them to our River house for the day!  I didn’t tell any of my kids. They were making all these plans for after church.  I felt kind of bad, but didn't want anyone to ruin it for Bonnie.  I worked all day Saturday, packing and getting ready and sneaking around Bonnie!  I was really nervous and hopeful that everything would go as planned!

 

I woke Bonnie up early and told her to get dressed and she was like “What??”  Dan picked up her friends and they knocked on the door!  Bonnie opened it and was the cutest thing!  She was ecstatic about finally taking her friends to the River!  She asks all the time but we have no extra seats in the car with the dog. Dan drove his car with the girls and said it was very loud but really cute.  The worst part about this plan was it was the day time changed.  That was tough!

Bonnie is the ultimate tour guide.  She walked those girls all over the property.  My mom, the kids and I quickly set up an insta-party while she was outside showing the girls everything.  We brought out her beautiful zebra cake, banner, balloons and she was again surprised and loved all our efforts!!  Bonnie tried to scare her friends at the cemetery and telling them a story about an ax murderer but the girls just laughed. She wasn’t very believable!  They did the zipline, kayaked  (almost sank it with all 4 on it at once!) and Dan even coaxed them into doing the rope swing.  Mom and I were so impressed with how brave the girls were!  I think they had a blast and I am so thankful they kept the surprise from Bonnie!  My Mom really shocked us when she did the zipline!! It was classic!!! Dan grilled all day long!  He made hamburgers/hot dogs on the charcoal grill for lunch.  He cooked ribs all day long and chicken too!  We ate like kings!!!

I am entering a new phase of parenting and even though I used to think I was a bit of an expert, being involved with youth ministry for so many years, it’s so different when it’s your baby!  I have chosen to celebrate and embrace every stage (Dan, not so much! LOL), but I don’t necessarily like how fast Bonnie is growing up.  I am beyond proud of her and very happy with the choices she is making.  I know she will make mistakes but knowing that I stood before God with my family and friends and dedicated my precious baby girl to the Lord, gives me comfort that she will serve the Lord!  The fact that all she wanted, as a gift was to go on a church trip, spoke volumes to me and makes me feel like being faithful to keep my kids in church their whole life, has made a difference.  That is my ultimate goal in life is for all my kids to serve the Lord.  I know if you sell out to God completely, that is where you will find true fulfillment and happiness. Nothing else will ever satisfy your soul!   I think Bonnie is on her way to doing great things for God and I will always be her biggest cheerleader!!! :)

 

Burgers, Yogurt and Concert

What an event packed day!!  We bribe, I mean “reward” the kids with a night out, of their choice, if they make Straight A’s.  I honestly, with my lack of faith self, didn’t think they would take it so serious and work so hard to maintain Straight A’s. Last night, was our quarterly, celebratory night out!  They chose Smashburger and TCBY!  It was so delicious and the kids loved it!  When we went to TCBY, it was like a revolving door of fun! We walked in and saw the William's fam!  We knew the employee, then my niece Laura came in with her sister and friend, then the Bowersox fam.  The fun kept rolling! A few people we knew may have slipped in with all the mass fellowship going on!! Eddie was funny with Laura and her twin sister.  I don't know if he has ever seen identical twins before and he acted a little confused!  

Then it was time for the much anticipated, much talked about, Phil Wickham concert!  I knew his songs but nothing else about him so I didn’t really know what to expect.  I was so pleasantly surprised when the parking lot was almost full 45 minutes before the show started!  It was like love fest 2012.  I got to see so many people I love all in one place.  It’s how I imagine heaven will be, no barriers of church walls, or distance. Us believers will be reunited under the one banner of Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

Austin Adamec started off the concert and did a fab job!  He got us doing motions and really helped all of us pin point those who had rhythm and those who did not!  LOL  Phil came out and started showing off his phenomenal vocal range that blew my mind!  I was so pleased when my nephew Will Smith, slide in beside me!  When you watch a show with William, you get a music education too!  He told me he uses the same technique as the Edge and we discussed how sometimes Phil reminded us of Bono and we both closed our eyes and pretended briefly that we were listening to the Edge and Bono worshipping Jesus!  How cool would that concert be? :)

Phil was so anointed and really pushed us into full blown praise and worship.  I cried a little, rejoiced and enjoyed myself profusely!!  I got to sit with my fam and friends and loved every minute of it!  I can’t wait for the next concert and suggested we do get Bono!!

Kony 2012

I have been so freakishly busy lately I don’t feel like I have sat down all week.  Yesterday, all four Wogs came home with Straight A’s on their report card and I suddenly remembered why I work so hard helping them do their schoolwork.  I am super proud.  I got up today with renewed energy in my efforts and called out 3 spelling test, 3 memory verses and vocabulary all before 8 AM!  I felt a sense of relief when they all left for school that my schoolwork was done for the week!  I turned on Mickey Mouse for Ed, grabbed a cup of coffee and got back in my bed.  I did my devotionals, answered some email and thought it may be a good time, while Ed was occupied with Mickey to see what all this Kony business was about.  I have been hearing and seeing it on Facebook but hadn’t taken the time to learn what it was about.

The video was 30 minutes long and I was thinking that was really long but I would give it a shot.  I turned it on and was totally blown away.  The topic was shocking and tragic but the documentary was so very well done and moved me to serious tears and heartache.  The whole thing is about this demented man named Joseph Kony who has been traumatizing small children for over 25 years by abducting them from their homes and forcing them in his child army.  He prostitutes the little girls and makes the little boys into ruthless warriors who disfigure faces and murder parents.

The narrator is a young man named Jason who is quite the storyteller and communicator.  It’s been his life mission for the last 10 years to bring awareness about this particular atrocity in Uganda.  I was so very impressed with how organized and effective his cause has become. I had to take Bubba to the doctor today and as we were there for TWO HOURS, I showed him the video.  He acted somewhat annoyed at the beginning but was enthralled and visibly moved by the information he was absorbing.  It's a sad topic for a protected, loved and cherished child to come face to face with but oh the importance of allowing our kids to feel compassion.  

I have been linked with Sean Yost for almost 20 years who has pounded into my soul that young people can truly change the world.  This video reminded me of the message we have been faithful to present for all these 17 years through YouthQuake Live!  A young person, moved with compassion, has truly changed the world for so many people in Africa!  I pray to the Lord that he will reveal where Joseph Kony is hiding and that he will be brought to swift justice for the sins he has committed against these voiceless, invisible children!  

Happy 17th Anniversary!

Dan and I are really stunned.  Granted, we have been busy raising five kids and a hound dog but 17 years, really?  I started my day with Dan serving me coffee in bed, which he has done for 17 years and the poor man doesn’t even drink it.  He sat in bed with me and we looked at our wedding album and relived all the fun and craziness at the showers, parties, golf outing and reception.  I thought about all the people who blessed us at our showers. I saw several people who have passed on to heaven like my Dad and Dan’s grandfather.  I loved my wedding so much and it was all I hoped it would be but I would sure do things different.  I so would have cut out all the throwing the garter and flowers and even the wedding cake.  I don’t think I have ever known why you do such things. 

Dan asked me if I wanted my presents.  I was pretty surprised!  God bless him!  He went shopping with four of the kids including Ed.  I think he is really brave!  He got me a beautiful scarf and a cool zebra jacket! Furniture was the suggested 17th wedding gift and the kids did want to buy me another zebra chair! LOL  He also said he had made dinner reservations!  I was very impressed!  He took me to Rhett’s Piano Bar in St. Augustine.  It’s an upscale restaurant next door to Scarlett O’Hara’s. Is that a brilliant idea or what?  I went through a period where I was really obsessed with Gone with the Wind so I was so excited!  I really didn’t want to go that far way. If you know me, I like staying close to home and burrito gallery take-out would have been fine with me!   

Rhett’s was awesome though and Dan has always forced me to branch out and to have fun!  I learned early in our marriage to not be such a control freak because it stops ME from experiencing and enjoying things!  They sat us upstairs, tucked in the corner, with a balcony view of the most happening street in St. Augustine, apparently!  We had a blast people watching and eating a good meal without our little darlings, scavenging our food like they tend to do!  We saw a large group of motorcycles rumble by and all manner of crazy people, from drunks to street musicians, to big girls in spandex.  The chef came out for some reason and chatted with us.  We found out that he was the chef at Cap’s seafood restaurant who transformed their menu from fish camp food to a classier level.  He is going to be on the Food Network soon!  Dan is always amazed at how I can probe (he says interrogate) people.  I will spare you the details on our waitress….I know a lot about her too! :)

After dinner, we strolled down St. George Street and really saw all the sights.  I was stunned at the amount of people out and about.  You would have thought it was a national going out holiday or something!  It was crazy and we had a total blast!  I am very thankful I married a young, unestablished college kid!  I think he was the only of his peers that came back from Spring Break from his honeymoon in Lake Tahoe!!  LOL I saw great potential in Dan and he has exceeded everything I had hoped for.  He works tirelessly to support his family and has made me feel so very loved!  When I meet his co-workers, they always tell me about all the nice things Dan says about me and I appreciate him very much!  Happy 17^th Anniversary Dan!  May we celebrate many more!!