Summer ~ Wait... I thought teachers and children had three months off.....

Yeah- three months off for the summer... exactly why I wanted to be a teacher... actually, it wasn't for that... I liked to grade papers and see how students could give me back what I thought they needed to know and just how unique/out of the box they could be when they would write answers to an essay.  I graduated from Georgia Southern in June of 1994.... I worked at the bank that summer... and every summer since then I have been working... doing something... so anyone who thinks that teachers have those months off... sorry... it isn't true.  I say all this... to say I am very jealous of KB and Ben... sleeping late, having a few chores to do, eating junk food all day, playing, surfing the internet... wouldn't that be fun? 

Last night while I was at the board meeting, Ben called me and said he was headed to Atlanta to "work" with Mark.  His voice is absolutely precious when he says Atlanta... sounds like an airline stewardess to me.... My children love staying in hotels... they have been doing it since they were infants... they aren't afraid... they know the routine... and they know that good food is always in their paths when staying with their daddy. 

This morning I got this first picture....

 All good days start with a big breakfast and a special order of French Toast!  I wasn't here to pick out his clothes, but he chose he own outfits for the day... maybe he really does listen to me.  They headed to a quick meeting after eating.... and then.... I get this video

 

 

All boys like to stop by golf shops and buy things they don't need... I used to say that Payne Stewart was my favorite golfer... then I chose Phil Mickelson.... and now... I think Benny McKinney sounds good! 

 

 

Evidently after a little shopping, he changed into a golf shirt and headed to Jim and Nick's... they were nice enough to bring me a bag of mix to make cheese biscuits... sweet boys... thinking of  me their bellies...

 

 And then... about 3:15.... this was Ben... sound asleep in the car.... I'm glad he wasn't old enough to drive... working wore him out! 

 I love technology... the pictures... the stories.... the videos.... capturing moments that are special to a mama.... I'm hoping for big things for you little one..... I'm glad that your days are few of eating junk and doing nothing during the summer.... I love your work habit... and your attitude about finishing projects!  Keep that fire and you will be successful in whatever you do....
I'm so proud of you and your ability to do just about anything I ask.... this week you have pressure washed, painted your room, and managed to have a little fun with Daddy going to work! 

And I can't leave out KB.... she stayed home alone today.... she has had a little set back in her ability to sleep upstairs... hopefully, when everything is finished upstairs both of them will move up there, but for now... she is downstairs with us... I not only like my little chickens all in my house at night... I also like my little chickens where I can hear them breathing (or snoring in Ben's case) (or talking in KB's case)  during the night.... She sent me this picture before lunch.... she is the ultimate "lazy days of summer" model....

I would venture to say that she and the cat are tied for time spent sleeping and being lazy today.... she did manage to walk outside and get her lunch from the car and bring me some oreos!  She is also enjoying making fun of me and "selfies"... we may label this the summer of selfies... who can be the scariest?  She did manage to make it to spirit camp, but when we went to get ice cream she said she was going to fall asleep standing up.... three hours of work and she is exhausted.... Her giggles, her corny laugh, and her sweet, sweet spirit make these difficult days of getting up a little easier for me! 

 

I am blessed with two hard-headed, active, spirited children!   

I probably shouldn't post this.... but I am....

     It didn't take long for Round One of the Summer Fights to start Friday afternoon.... as a child...they were the best.... sit around.... bored... can't think of anything else to do.... so let me pick on my brother and then have a throw down.... I still enjoy them.... when I want to... Ben has been known to get a bloody nose from a pillow I threw and KB may or may not have been pinched while playing King of Mountain (Bed) during some rounds.... The difference in my children... and my summer rounds are that Mark and I are both home trying to work, answer emails, the phone calls...etc... Mama and Daddy were never home... so when I would get enough of Guille I would go to my room and slam the door... BTW...there is still a hole at the bottom of it that fits his foot...but we don't know where it came from....
     Friday afternoon I told both of them to pick three books off the shelf that they would be interested in reading.... I had to intervene in the fights so I could have some peace....Well... Bless Ben's heart... he picked chapter books that have about twenty pages each... KB... she picked three Dr. Seuss picture books.... So- I decided to make Ben's assignment due next Friday... and hers was due by three o'clock that afternoon... I knew she would never finish it... She proved me wrong... and I am so proud of it.... If you have never read the books... you need to.... and here are her versions!  (It takes a few minutes for them to load)

 

 

 

And the other child who is in the Summer Fights..... He grilled our steaks Friday night for supper...

 

And begged to pressure wash the drive way this morning before Sunday School...

 

I'm thankful I have a creative child...and a worker bee.... now if they could just get along....

 

Cole Baby

    The night I got engaged I ran across the football field to tell Daddy and Jim the news.... when Daddy turned around he told me that he didn't think the news could get any better because he had just found out that you were on the way.... I knew you would be special before you even got here.  We planned my entire wedding around your arrival.... And boy did it take a long time for you to get here...You were born exactly one month before my wedding day and I loved on you as much as your mama and daddy would let me before I moved away.  I can remember about a week before the wedding you were fussy and your mama had a really bad headache... I begged her to let you spend the night with me so she could get some rest... You slept by me the entire night and I patted that precious little butt of yours every time you moved...
     I would come to get you every weekend I was home and let you do whatever you wanted... we took you everywhere!  I was there for your first Christmas, your first birthday, and your first "almost trip" to the emergency room when we were at the beach.  I have held you in my arms and rocked you, changed your diaper, bought you "smocked" outfits, fussed at you, fussed with you, hid your pi-pis from you, spanked you, watched you grow... and now as I sit.... I wonder if I have done enough to really send you out into the world. 
     You are special... you are the first grandchild and there is nothing like that... we all know you are the favorite... we all know you are sweetest... and we all know that you are our "trial and error" child... we see how you do...and we either mimick it or not go that route.... I can't believe that tomorrow night you will be graduating from high school... my goodness... It's like you were just born! 
     You make our vacations fun, you make me stay young trying to keep up with you and all your women, you make me keep Mark's white dress shirts cleaned and ironed, you make me wish I could eat like you and not gain weight... you make me smile when I see you smile.... You amaze me at your talents... your patience to get things done right... and your ability to fix just about anything that needs a little touch~ 
     I know you are ready for college... I know you are ready for the next stage in life.... and I know that you are going to be successful.... but for once... I just wish you were in the backseat of my car with your feet propped up on the back of the seat... your head in my lap... four pi pis in your mouth... and covered in dirt.... I miss that little boy.... thank you for loving on my babies... and being their taxi, a role model, and a friend.... I can always count on you... and just remember... I always know what is best... and I don't mind telling you! 

Happy Graduation Day!  Good luck in the next phase of life... and know this... I am always here...

Love, Unty Britt

Thank You for Being Who You Are!

     Many moons ago I sat at an 8th grade promotion ceremony for the students I taught in middle school.  I had a little baby at home that I sat and dreamed would one day be walking across that gym floor and being recognized for making the same accomplishment.  Well... part of my dreams came true last night. 
     I didn't cry, I didn't smile much.... I didn't really have any emotions at all.... I was afraid I would crack.  So many times in the recent years, I have found out that if I pray and dream and wish long enough... and with a little hard work... good things can happen.  This story isn't so much about KB as it is about another little girl who made a big impression on my heart. 
     When I was first hired in Woodruff, I met a nice lady ~ I'll call her my principal~ and her three children... they were each different in their own way, but the middle one... she was so special to me.  I never taught her in my classroom, but I coached her.  Cheering really wasn't her thing, but she did it because the crowd did it... Her thing was dance.... she bloomed when she was dancing... the look in her eyes could show where her heart was. 
     Her 8th grade year, KB was just a baby, I remember exactly where I was sitting when she received the highest award given for the school... She was named with the Citzenship Award.... It brought tears to my eyes because I longed for my own little girl to one day be recognized by adults for having a sweet spirit, a kind heart, and geniune care for others.  I can remember whispers of her getting the award "because her mama was the principal", but I promise... she deserved it... administrators' children go through a lot they don't deserve... we are finding that out!  She warmed my heart that day... and made me set goals for my own children where I try to remind them to be nice, be kind, and be smart... people are always watching you!  I prayed for my children to be seen as this sweet girl was to others. 
     As she went to high school, she gave up cheering for dance.... and she survived!  She let me come with her to pick out her pageant dress... which I hear is what made her husband fall in love with her... she came to my house for me to practice doing her makeup... and she always loved on KB when she would come to see her at the school.  "Daranda" went on to bigger and better things.... but I haven't stopped praying for KB to fall in her footsteps... She went on to Clemson to be part of the dance team... and also graduated with a degree in Nursing.... I couldn't ask for a better role model for KB to have! 
     Yes, I'm proud of KB for the long list of awards she received, but life goes on and we must set new goals... I can only hope that she will strive to be like Miranda.... I am so glad God placed her in my life for me to "dream" that KB could be like her!  KB~ I'm proud of you... keep up the hard work and keep dreaming as big as you want... I will always be your biggest supporter! 

Ben.... straight out of the mouth of babes....or not....

     Two quick stories that I need to record before I forget them...

     Yesterday, KB, Ben, and I were working in the yard... He loves nothing more than to hook up the trailer to his four wheeler and haul pine cones, sticks, limbs, cuttings... anything.... I am truly lucky to have such a "worker bee" in him.... He is my partner in crime when I start something outside... After he was finished hauling and I was done blowing off the driveway, he ran inside to get the broom.  When he came out I asked him to line up the lawn mower, the extra four wheeler, and the golf cart so they didn't look like someone had just robbed a bank and took off running... He really debated on giving me the broom, but told me to sweep the trailer out while he straightened the ride ons... I swept, and swept, and swept.... We both finished about the same time and he walked up to the trailer... looked at me... looked at the broom... and said, "Mama, I see what a good job you did on the trailer, and I like it... but I would like to go back over it one more time."..... He took the broom and did it all over again.  Who says PBIS doesn't work... I couldn't even get mad... he has learned to praise while he corrects me!  He hurt my feelings, but I totally understand those OCD tendencies. 

     The second story has some details that I will leave out because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.... He knows the story...and will always remember it... but for me, it just reminded me that anytime I say something... He is listening and absorbing everything.  In our family, when we think little miracles are occurring or we are amazed by situations or we cannot believe something is happening... we always say "You better get your heart right with God".... today... Ben witnessed something and as I was sitting not paying much attention to the situation... He sent me a text message from across the room that said, "Get your heart right with God"... He even knew to capitalize God... I love it!  Yes, it was probably a little ugly what he was talking about... but I'm thrilled to know he can spot these little situations at the young age of 10.  I have smiled a lot this weekend... he does that to me.  Crawling up beside me to rub his back, whispering in my ear that he loves me the best, and leaving a sticky note on my forehead while I was sleeping to tell me he loves me are just a few things he does to warm my heart... it makes those times that I would like to wring his neck a little easier.... I am blessed by that sweet boy.  May his heart continue to know to "Get right with God"! 

A Letter from Mark

     For the past two years I have spent my Sunday mornings writing papers and organizing my thoughts for the week.  Luckily, this morning I don't have to do that!  I have been cleaning out emails... I think Mark will be okay with me posting this~

It's from August of 2012 to KB's 7th grade science teacher.  She asked parents to write a letter giving information about their children.  I can tell from the email he sent her it was late.... I'm sure KB will enjoy reading this one day. 

Lisa –

Please do not let Katie Britt’s father’s tardiness be a reflection upon her and the
type of work you should expect from her this year.  I do apologize for the delay in
getting this assignment to you, and I hope that the delay has not caused any
troubles.  To add to the excitement, I misplaced the actual sheet and am in the
airport now ‘winging’ it …

Katie Britt is an amazing young lady (used to be little girl) that continues to make
us proud each and every day.  You will find that “Sis” is soft spoken but very smart
behind that quiet little exterior.  She values her family tremendously and has a
purely loving heart (even for Ben).  She has become an extension of Britt and myself
at home and we continue to put more responsibility on her to help out with keeping
things afloat.  She gets bored easily which you may see some during the year …. So
please always challenge her and keep her on her toes.

In addition to a loving heart, she also has a tender heart and a desire to always
please and do the right thing … if and when we ever have to correct her for being a
kid, she takes it so personally and hates to disappoint folks.  She accepted Christ
at 9 ½ and continues to be active in the Church and really seems to have a love for
it … that and she gets to see all of her friends.

She loves Clemson football, her dog Dabo, dancing and riding four wheelers.  She has
recently found a love for the pageant world (not like Honey Boo Boo) and continues
to become more and more beautiful each day – inside and out.  She fishes, shoots a
bb-gun and will get dirty with Ben and crew … she loves to play practical jokes on
Britt with me, and her laugh is infectious (albeit, goofy).
With all that being said, she is also a pure 12 year old girl and we can see a
little sassiness come out every now and then … always respectful, but being a 12
year old nonetheless.

Push her, and I think you will be pleased.  Always, always know that you can come to
us with any concerns at all … we thank you for taking care of her this year!

M

Katie Britt... don't ever doubt that you aren't a "Daddy's Girl".... He loves you more and more I see you being JUST LIKE HIM!  

By the way... I love this assignment.... Isn't it great for children to know how their parents feel about them?  Sometimes children on see this through the hugs, the kisses good night, and the "I'm proud of you".... but wouldn't it be great for each child to have the opportunity to read what their parents say about them?  Thanks Lisa... I'm glad you did this! 

End of Middle School

     I know it seems like yesterday that I was dropping you off at Kiddie Korner in Woodruff with Ms. Cathy, Ms. Jerry, Ms. Tracie, and Ms. Patty.... It's like I have really blinked and you are about to enter high school.  As I sat in the auditorium yesterday, I was overcome with emotions as I thought about how quickly your first years of school have flown by and you only have four more.  I truly wish I could live life with a remote control... I would pause life right now.... it's the perfect time... you can brush your hair, fix your breakfast/lunch/supper/snacks, take care of yourself, talk to me when you are upset, laugh with me when you are happy, and give me just enough hugs to be "agavatin sis"! 
     I'm covering you with prayer each and every day in hopes that you will continue in this pattern of being sweet and sassy with just enough charm to make me proud!  This year has been such a learning experience...and we are all the better for it.  When things didn't go like we planned...we relied on His plan and were blessed even more.  To say I want to brag about you everyday would be an understatement... no one else wants to hear about how wonderful you might be, but I don't want you to ever doubt my belief that I know with every ounce of my heart that you are going to be just who you need to be and you are going to be perfect in my eyes.... no matter what.  I'm extremely proud of you this year for being so aware of grades... you have set your goals and through these tough middle school years you are putting petty things aside to accomplish them.  I personally think you are worrying too much about the future, but I know what you want and your Daddy and I will do everything in our power to make it happen. 
     This is a big week for you... we started at the Jr. Beta Induction Ceremony where you received your stole for promotion next week.  As you led the ceremony, I decided you might need to be a public speaker instead of a nurse... I thought about your last year and how you have done so many things... You ended last year by getting up in front of lots of people at the Board of Education meeting and telling them what you thought.  As I sat in the kitchen and listened to your speech... I cried tears of joy to hear your voice...the voice of a thirteen year old who knew what she wanted to say and didn't care that I was a nervous wreck about you getting up and telling it.  I was so proud...you continue to make me speechless... to make tears well up and thank God that I was blessed to have you! 

I think ya'll were tired of pictures?????

I love that this is just the 8th graders~ minus one~ in our church.... when you have a foundation like this to keep you straight...surely you will think twice before acting up!!!  Let's hope so! 

Last night we had to go to the athletic banquet for the high school.... you were such a good basketball player you got moved from middle school to junior varsity... HA... just teasing... they needed you for a warm body to play.  I'm so glad I encouraged you to get out of that box... you are eager this year for basketball and I can't wait to watch you! 

Congratulations on the Coach's Award.... Ms. Jackson pushed you this year and I love someone to make my children reach their highest ability level!  Congratulations to Jack too for being Most Improved!  I can't believe you two have made it this far..... when everyone else is on your nerves... you always seem to be happy when he is around. I'm glad he makes you smile, has nice manners, and entertains Ben on our family trips!  Jack and KB... your granddaddies would be so proud of the two of you... I still think ya'll are just best friends... no matter what your future ends up as... I'm glad you have had him to keep you straight during your middle school years! 
     Thanks for being almost perfect during your middle school years, KB.... I'm proud of every single accomplishment you have made!  Keep your chin up... reach those goals... and remember that there is always something else when you get something checked off your list!  

Love, Mama

3rd Grade Tybee Island Trip

Last Friday I had the "honor" of chaperoning the third grade class to their trip to Savannah... it was a WONDERFUL  experience... I loved it!  Seeing children see the ocean and sand for the first times in their lives was something I will never forget....

I took pictures of the children I was with... forgive me if my child shows up more than any other... I am only tagging the teachers on the trip.  If you want to tag your children, just add your name to the comments section. My favorite pictures are the ones on the way home!!!