Senior Baccalaureate

My baby girl just walked out of high school for the last time. I was so excited for her, I can still remember her fist day of school and it's I feel like time has flown by.

 

 

 I still have a long way to go before I'm an empty nester, but I'll cherish every minute with my kids.

 

 

 

Aww.. to be young again and have the whole world ahead of you.  

 

 

Sydney's senior baccalaureate was really nice, there were some great speeches and the students gave all of their parents a rose, which almost made me cry.

When I think of all we have gone through with a teenage girl, I want to cry and laugh at the same time.

 

When we arrived in England last year, Sydney was not very happy. She had to leave friends, a job, freedom and a lot of her independence. She had to leave a place she had known as her home for the last 10 years. One of the first places we went as a  family was to the base chapel and through the chapel we made some great friends. Sydney became involved in an organization called Club Beyond and even became a teen leader. She had the opportunity to mentor kids that were in middle and high school. She got to travel to Austria in December and attended Club almost every Monday and Thursday. But most of all I believe that Sydney got to know God, and that he was with her through this difficult transition.

 

These two people are the Club leaders and were our saving grace. They have been great mentors and helped Sydney grow in her Christian faith more than ever.

 

Sydney and one of her best friends, Beth.

 

I have no clue what's going on with my hair! But other than that, it's a great picture of our little family.

Graduation

Brody graduated from Pre-school the othere night, and looked so cute in his blue cap and gown.

They all did a really good  job saying the pledge of alligance, and they sang "He's still working on me."

I was so proud of my little man!

 

I sometimes wish that he could stay just like this forever.

Next graduation will be Sydney's in 3 more years.

 

Pool time

It's that time of year again, pool time. We had to replace the pump this year (that sucked) but it's so worth it. I love swimming with the kids in the afternoon after the sun has gone down.

So far Brody has not wanted any help, he's swimming all by himself.

Now I just have to find the money to clean the deck and replace some of the boards. I'm sure we'll manage to figure it out.

The reason we don't have a lot of rafts is because as soon as the wind blows them out of the pool, this little monster chews them up.  But who could get a mad a  face like that, I'm sure he's sorry.

Growing up

My sweet girl is growing up too fast. She celebrated her 14th birthday this month and she had a good time with some of her close friends. It seems like time is flying by, next year she gets her learners permit and in just a couple of years she'll be driving. I found some old pictures of her that I scanned (on my to-do list) and found a few cute ones.

Her three year old picture

father daughter dance

7 years old

Opening gifts on her birthday

These girls were brave because the water was really cold.

playing Wii

Not a baby anymore

Brody has turned 4 and informed me that he is not a little baby anymore. What am I going to do now? He doesn't want me to call him a little baby, and he wants to do more and more on his own.
We had a great turn out at the house I think I had about 19 people in all, my neighbor convinced me to make gumbo and the kids had hot dogs. I had a few gumbo virgins and a few pros, it turned out really tasty. I just tried to enjoy the day, there was no pressure to stick to a schedule we just played it by ear. I did the craziest thing ever, I decided on Monday to paint my kitchen I was not finished with it until Friday morning so that meant that everything else had to be done on Friday in order to have the party Saturday. I think that is why I was so exhausted that I just wanted to enjoy watching the kids and spending time with friends. We had an Easter egg hunt, a Batman piñata, and then had cake, and opened presents.

I think this was after the piñata was broken and Brody was looking for some candy.

Here is Sydney helping the little kids look for eggs she and her friend Jordan hid for me. It is great that she is older and is a big help.

More egg hunting in the front yard

Leia found two at a time

The kids took turns riding Brody's truck the adults took turns jumping out of the way

Time for presents he was so excited.

A Star Wars light saber!!!

I love the colors in my kitchen

Batman cake and frozen ice-cream that I had to put in the microwave hahahaha!!

The birthday boy just being a silly bug