Thursday night football.... woo hoo!

This is what being a "leader" cheer or otherwise is all about. The second girl from the left is Jacqulin, the little girl is Riley, the cheer coaches daughter, then another Riley who is the girl who talked Jacqulin into trying out for cheer. Jacqulin loves both of these Riley's so much. This picture says so much.




This is my second daughter, Kahsia. She and Jacqulin have been friends since Kindergarter and she is in our Sunday school class. I would like to same I'm her Fairy Godmother!




My sweet girl!! Same cheers different uniform. No wonder people love cheering. It's like playing dress up every day.

It all started with a leaky washing machine....

It's a laundry room. Not the prettiest room in the house but just functional. The last time we bought a washer and dryer Bert found them on Craig's list. They were fine ... 10 years ago. I have no "before" pictures because I was a little embarassed.
So, we bought a new washer and dryer. Yeah!!! Until we realized they were too big for the room! Bert had to move water and electrical to the far end of the room. He plumbed me up a utility sink while he was at it.


How does he know how to do all this stuff? Honestly, he thinks everybody can do this if they want to, at least every guy can. I keep telling him that he's a freak of nature! I have friends whose husbands can't paint their way out of a cave much less move electrical and plumbing.

A fresh coat of pain and we are all ready for the new washer, dryer and utility sink.


My beautiful laundry room with my very exhausted husband. I think Bert has been surprised at how excited I am about all this that he actually apologized for buying me a used washer and dryer last time.

Our Favorite Cheerleader at Her First Game

A quick prayer before the game...this cheerleading stuff is serious.


First game began with a pop-up thunderstorm & more lightening than I have ever seen. The game was delayed for half an hour and we were given a clear, cool, beautiful night. Very unusual for it to be this cool in the middle of August.





Jacqulin and Kahsia, Jacqulin's friend since Kindergarten.
They were beautiful and did a great job. I have never heard the stands cheer along with the crowd like they did tonight. I'm sure it was because of the great leaders of the cheers. Even the football players won because they were so encouraged by our cheerleaders.

First Day of School for Luke 2011

August 11. 2011 is the first day of Luke's sophomore year at Centennial High School. Jacqulin still feels a little cheated because he only has a 1/2 day today. We have taken this picture for 11 years and the changes are dramatic.



Most dramatic change this year....LUKE DROVE HIMSELF TO SCHOOL!!!!!




Getting the dew off the window.

Puting on his seat belt.


Driving away.

Then Jacqulin said "that makes me sad." When I asked what she was talking about she said "he's driving off by himself!!" So, we followed him but, in my defense, we were going the same way.... sort of. I promise not to do that every day.

First Day of School for Jacqulin 2011

Jacqulin's first day of eigth grade, Friday, August 5, 2011. Wow!! I cannot believe how tall she is. More importantly, I cannot believe this beautiful girl is my daughter. She is as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. The thing that struck me the most today was how nervous she is to start 8th grade. If I had looked like that in 8th grade I would have ruled the school!



Hardest part about today is this is the first time Luke and Jacqulin have not started school on the same day. Luke doesn't start for another week. He was laughing about this and she told him she would not be quiet at 6:00 a.m. when she was getting ready.

Let the Celebration Begin - Luke turns 16!!!!

We've had a busy couple weeks. Luke went from being on a mission trip in New York to a day of rest and then to band camp. Band camp consist of really long days from leaving the house by 7:20 a.m.(because he refuses to be late to anything, he gets that from his Memaw, Sarah Sumner) until 10:00 p.m. So, the only time to fit in a party was Sunday night. We tried to get the word out thru Facebook & word of mouth. He had a great time with friends from church, school and the neighborhood.






Is that an Abercrombie commercial in my den?

New York Mission Trip 2011 - Friday - last day.

We stayed on Staten Island this year. The Ferry is a great 28 minute ride every morning but today we got on at 6:15 a.m. You can see that we all look fresh but very tired. We are on our way to see the "Today Show" and a concert in the Plaza. Our commute consist of a bus ride to the Ferry to a subway then our feet!


Alex, Rachel and Luke looking like New Yorkers. I like how the boys automatically flanked the pretty girl instead of sitting with their Moms!

Corrie and I are really tired but we were determined to pack as much as possible into this trip for our boys. This was Friday and the camp we worked with the kids ended Thursday. We had half a day to play. We saw Hoda Kotb when we got to Rockefeller Plaza. She was really nice but we were too tired to remember to ask for a picture.



The "Today Show." This is Al Roker doing a check on the weather. We had a great time but it was already really hot and it was only 8:00 a.m. Below is Matt Lauer and the other people from the show. I'm not good with personalities.



This year I conquered China Town. Well, at least I bought stuff. I hated it last year when I had Jacqulin with me. I had just read a murder mystery about human trafficing in China town and I had my gorgeous daughter with me. I don't like people in my space and lets face it, China Town smells really bad. This year I didn't have to worry about her being kidnapped.





Goodbye Manhattan, goodbye Lady Liberty.... goodbye Luke... we could have left him there and he wouldn't have known the difference. We are all worn out!!