Mondays @ 6:30 -

 Soccer Practice

Hurricane Storm Invitational

Okay, to be fair, we were warned by the name of this competition that it would be a DISASTER! The girls competed at Monroe Area High School today and again, looked awesome. That was not the disaster ... this disaster was man-made, by the organizers! At the middle school level the schools are divided into two categories, small and large, based on how many cheerleaders take the floor. Without going into great detail - because of how we are scored, points for amount of tumbling, amount of stunts, etc. it would be nearly impossible for a team of 16 (small) to compete with a team of  20-30 (large). Well, apparently, the organizers of this competition did not know this (very scary thought!) or didn't care, or maybe, didn't want to buy a lot of trophies with OUR money. So, our girls placed second behind the only large school competing. We had no idea that we would be scored together and to make matters worse, the judges didn't know they were scoring all teams together, either! Oh, wait a minute, there is more ... Makenzie's stunt group participated in the "lib-off". The goal here is to be the last group standing in a "liberty". (Her group was the only middle school stunt group to participate.) They out lasted every group competing with the exception of one. The DISASTER here is the flyer in the other group dropped her leg at least three times, obviously not a liberty, and was never called out! So, again, Second Place for the First Place team!

But, here is where it gets good ... is that why we allow and encourage Makenzie to cheer? For the medals and trophies? For the glory? No, of course not. We want our kids to enjoy life, find their passion, learn about teamwork, but mostly, we want to mold Godly character in each of them. So, today, we have the opportunity to teach (and model!) just that! James says it like this, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (2-4 The Message) So, today I am praying that her Second Place finishes are growing her into the the Godly woman that above all else is pleasing to Him.

I know a secret!

Please, please, don't ask me to tell.

Okay, okay ... one hint.

Someone in our family is "exceptional".

No. Really, I have already said too much.

I really shouldn't even know this, but I know someone who knows someone who sends e-mails about educational related topics.

Okay, one more hint and that is it.

We are "batting three for three"!

I know, that was a bad hint because now you are thinking sports and it has nothing to do with sports. It has to do with school. Well, yea, sports can be related to school, but not until middle school and this is about a second grader.

Oh, now I really have to stop.

I know that wasn't fair because you only got one good hint.

Okay, one more, and that is it!

Someone that I know got an e-mail from someone she knows who is in charge of "exceptional education" in our county about someone I know (and love!). But, I absolutely cannot tell you what the e-mail said ... well, I can tell you it was about the results of all their "testing" on this certain someone that I know (and love!). But, I absolutely cannot tell you if I know whether or not

Mitchell was selected to be a part of the Gifted Education Program!

So, please, don't ask me because I cannot keep secrets!

Okay, I have NO problem admitting that I am not "tech-savvy". I do like to think I am not completely living in the Jurassic Period, though. I e-mail. I blog. I Facebook. I have an iPod. I google everything before I do anything. Do you agree? It's not like I am sitting here typing on a Smith-Corona, listening to Bon Jovi on a cassette in my boom box, wearing stir-up pants, leg warmers and a side ponytail. But, this is exactly why my teenagers are so great to have around ... to keep me humble! I mean really, just when I think I am moving forward ...

... here is the story, you judge! I take this cute picture of Marshall and his girlfriend, Meggie. While I am uploading some pictures to Walgreens.com (Again, not exactly my mother's send off 35 mm prints!) I think, "Marshall, might like to have this picture!" So, I print it for him. I e-mail Troy and ask him to pick up our prints which I am sure he paid for using a debit card!  I show it to Marshall and ask him if he likes it. He does. Feeling very proud of my "coolness", I offer it to him. He looks at it like it is a telegram and says, "Well, not like that! I need it as a .jpeg file! Can you like scan it and send it to me?" I give up! When did actual photos become obsolete?

By the way, this is his background on his iPod Touch!

Grayson Ramfest

First Place for the Cheer Devils!

We had a great start to Makenzie's birthday. Her team competed in Grayson and looked awesome. It was the first competition  for some of her tumbling, so that made it especially nerve racking  exciting! Several of her sweet friends brought her gifts and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her as we went in to the school. She is blessed with great friends in her life.

Happy Birthday, Makenzie!

We love you more than you will ever know.

I hope your day was First Place!

(enjoying enduring her 14 minutes under the bed!)

A Fun Little Weekend!

 We were able to spend a little time with family this weekend.

We cheered a little ...

... we played a little ...

... we loved a little ...

... we ate a little ...

... we did a little ...

... we talked a little ...

... we relaxed a little ...

... we shared a little ...

... we laughed a little ...

... we enjoyed our little weekend, a lot!

Thanks, Aunt Rob!

Not because of what you do for us,

but for who you are to us!

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28

Dawsonville Tiger Classic
Today was the day we  Makenzie has been working for since April - the first competition of the season. Our Red Devils looked HOT, and I know we have an awesome season ahead of us.

Friday Night Lights!
Tonight was the first home football game field show of the season! We are so proud of Marshall's determination and loyalty. After breaking his finger, his director gave him the option of not participating in the field show until his cast was off, which would have left a gap front and center. Marshall chose to march in spite of not being able to play his sax AND proudly carry my clarinet!

Is it wrong to leave the "football game" after the field show at half time? I live in the south, of course, it is. Don't think for a minute you would ever see me doing that! :o)

9/11

It is hard to believe that it has been eight years since the worst terrorist attack on American soil. I, like everyone else, can tell you exactly where I was when I heard the news. I had not been home long from dropping Marshall and Makenzie off at school and was nursing Mitchell. I remember the news anchors' shaken voices, the horrific footage of the towers falling and trying so hard to understand how this could be a deliberate attack. Who could hate America, the greatest country in the world, this much? I remember just wanting to hold my babies all day. It makes me sad to know that Mitchell, and really Marshall & Makenzie, will never know anything except a "post 9/11" America. Because they were so young I believe it is my duty to never let them forget the sacrifices made that day and the days and years that have followed.

Freedom is most definitely not free!