Cheers to Lifelong Friends! We have been through so much together. Here we are in Ocean Isle doing a toast in memory of Kevin's mom-Chris-who only drank Busch Light.
Maggie has grown so much this fall! We started a Godz Girlz group with a couple of her friends to "fan the flame" of godly friends and a reminder about our identity and worth as sisters in Christ.
Riley got to play in the Northwestern High School Pep Band in August and go to the Panthers stadium.
Maggie did some portion control bags to help her enjoy her Haloween candy in moderation. She had a blast going with Riley to John Howard's neighborhood the night before Halloween and then also hitting up Shiland Hills the next night.
The Mad Scientist escaped the asylum and went to the oyster roast at Clay and Rachel's with a "prisoner of love"! They had a blast!
Sometimes Family Night looks like snuggling on the couch and watching Nightmare Before Christmas together.
Riley ranked up to First Class and accumulated 4 more merit badges at the Fall Court of Honor.
Maggie got to play cajon at church with Pastor Ben and his son, Micah. She worked hard on all 3 songs and did a great job! I love how she is using her gifts to give back to God!
We celebrated 17 years of QCP friendship in October with a special slideshow, trivia, White Elephant Exchange, Left Right Center game, and cake. Alice does such a great job bringing us together and making moments like this happen!
Riley won the final round of Music Bingo at Hickory Tavern and got $35 in gift cards!! Woohoo! Another Family Night fun night!
Riley and I went for our annual Mother Son Date when Maggie went on a scout event and Chris went to Bike Across South Carolina (Rock Hill edition). This sweet fella did not appreciate that I beat him in laser tag this year (because of my secret weapon...to hit the bonus sensors as many times as I could), but he got me back in bowling! I love the memories we make on these nights out. And he even opened the door for me as a gentleman-in-training would!
Thanksgiving was at Jeannie and Lane's house this year. Melissa gave us some special bracelets made from anniversary beads that Tom gave to Margaret each year. They are a beautiful reminder of their love and lasting commitment to each other.
We got to FaceTime with Kelly and baby June for a bit and hear some of her coos and babbles. This darling is growing up so fast! I wish I could reach through the screen and squish those precious chubby cheeks!
Maggie ate olives, ham, rolls, and Triscuits for Thanksgiving dinner. What a nut!
The rest of us chowed down on the rest of the feast!! It was so delicious!
Jeannie and Lane had picked out two songs for us to sing before we gathered to eat. It's so neat that my musically gifted family brings praise into each Thanksgiving time together. I don't think there has ever been a holiday where someone didn't play the piano and start a sing-a-long.
Turkeys for my turkeys on Turkey Day!
Maggie helped with BBQ and then got to have a sleepover at the church with her Scout gals.
Riley worked hard to audition for District Honor Band and got 3rd chair on Trombone. His concert of 5 songs that he learned in just a day and a half was so good! I'm so proud of his hard work and dedication!
Look how much these precious faces have changed over the years! Be still my heart!!
Seeing Dad preach is always a treat! His message on how we can amaze Jesus with our faith was spot on! He inspires me so much with his ability to deliver deep messages with practical life applications!
Some more scenes from Labor Day OIB!
And of course some more cute June pics!!
 |
| Last Day of School deserves Pelicans! |
This handsome honey turned 52 this year! We got to celebrate him at Southern Hills Gastropub in the Shiland Hills shopping center. And his buddy, Roger, popped by after for a visit too!
This girl was so ready for middle school that she wore her uniform to registration! Love that she got to meet up with a few of her buddies!
This picture cracks me up!
They are definitely growing up...you can almost feel the "teenager vibe" oozing out of this picture!
Riley made us breakfast for supper one night. He planned the menu, bought the ingredients, made the fruit salad, and only had a tiny bit of help with the waffles. I love that he thought of the whipped cream too! Such a special night to have as a family!
We did a trick "labels" object lesson where the kids wrote words that they felt described them and then in red they added names or phrases that they had been called by others that hurt them deeply. We turned over the labels and revealed that the true "contents" of the can were inside. And what matters most in our identity is who we are on the inside as well and what God says about us. After all, He's the one who manufactured us...so He knows best!
Maggie and I got to spend a Mother Daughter Day before school started back by going to a movie, getting a pedicure, having lunch at a Chinese buffet, shopping at Five and Below, and taking a walk at Manchester Park. I loved our honest conversations and silly moments!
These gals sure do make me smile! We spend so much time on Marco Polo sharing our lives, but actually getting to spend time face to face is icing on the cake!
Maggie got to cash in a gift certificate from Nailed It to create her very own artwork for her room. Thanks Grandmam and Papa for this gift!
Maggie orchestrated a Dinner Out Voting Night where we narrowed down our list and chose a restaurant based on which place was everyone's favorite. Fuji Japan was the winner!
Right before the kids headed back to school we
Right before school started back, we had one last summer fling. The kids each got to have a friend or two over and we made candy sushi, tried a slip n slide, threw water balloons, played a few water games, and let me them enjoy some time just being kids. Isn't that what makes summer so great!?
I got to give my teachers at school a little back to school gift this year that wasn't very expensive, but I hope it reminds them of how much they are loved and cared for! Teachers are some of the hardest working people I have ever met and I am so thankful to have such a great group that I get to be around each day!
So Riley did a pretty important thing this past August...he got baptized!! He was baptized as a baby when he was 3 months old, but considering that he couldn't talk or make the decision for himself, this baptism is really significant. The one when he was 3 months old was special too, but it was more like a dedication and a commitment to raise him up in a Christian home and to help his faith grow as his parents. But taking this step is like coming out from underneath my spiritual umbrella and owning his faith on his own. He wanted Dad to baptize him and Rodger and Melissa were kind enough to loan us their pool. It was such a beautiful day together. And I'm so incredibly thankful that Riley wanted to follow through on his own with making a public declaration that he believes in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and he wants to honor God with his life.
Maggie at Open House showed off her locker and Riley showed us a group work poster he helped with.
Not sure why these Ocean Isle pictures are so out of order, but it's late and it's hard to fix on this website, so I'm just going to roll with it. We had some fun with a Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt and the boys won by a few points and got to Silly String the girls. We also played a Candy passing game.
For Maggie's Communication merit badge (that I helped lead this summer with her scout troop and Riley's), she had to lead a Court of Honor as the Master (excuse me, Mistress) of Ceremonies. She did a great job. I love that the merit badges teach such great life skills.
Family Fun Night when mom picks almost always includes a game. This "Hearing Things" game was a big hit and had us all laughing! Maggie's Family Night activity will almost always include food of some kind. She set up a Dessert Bar with root bear floats, cookies and cream milkshakes, brownies, candy, and Blow Pops. Sweets is definitely her love language!
One of my favorite Family Nights is watching old home videos and this scene warms my heart!
Maggie and I continued our annual tradition of attending the Mother Daughter Retreat hosted by Tega Cay Baptist Church. And this year, Maggie spoke during the Tea and Testimonies time! I was so proud of her courage in sharing. She did such a great job and managed to get a few laughs along the way as well. We had a great time on our prayer walk, s'mores making, 1 on 1 time, dance party, and spa night. These are the days I wouldn't trade for anything!!
 |
Teacher of the Year Banquet
I got honored as Teacher of the Year from my school! I got treated to a beautiful catered meal banquet with my principal, Jacob Moree. Honestly, this has been one of the best jobs I've ever had and going to work is truly a joy most days. I really get a kick out of doing specific interventions and watching how quickly kids can meet their goals! And for someone who loves data and numbers and is results-oriented...this is the perfect spot for me! |
Mom and Dad treated us to some donuts and drinks at Windy Hill Orchard this fall! Delicious!
Rachel, Kyra, Misty and I all got to attend a women's conference called Unstoppable at Impact Church in October. Misty got to share her testimony with battling cancer and Rachel, Kyra and I got to enjoy worship, crafting, cookie decorating, picture-creating, friend-making, and speaker note-taking.
"True friends are great riches!" ---Unknown
Riley and Maggie-here's a little word of advice as you travel through school and eventually work....
Love God.
Love Others.
Love Yourself.
You guys are such a gift to your Dad and I and it is amazing to watch you grow not only academically, but physically, and spiritually as well! You are learning so much right now....your minds are like sponges. Keep soaking up what is good, true, honorable, loving, kind, and right. Love you always and forever!
