Awards!

Today was 8th grade awards day! We weren't really expecting awards today--mostly because we hadn't been notified that she'd get any. But we were pleasantly surprised!

She won "Outstanding Achievement" for 3 sports!! They gave an "outstanding achievement" and "outstanding effort" for each sport, then they gave the 3 sport award. Hadley won that one!! Go Hadley! She also won a Presidential Achievement award for academics.

And, she's in good company. One of her best friends--Alli--won Lady Mustang of the Year, along with several other awards. Her friend, Cindy, was in the top ten students for grades as well as several other awards. Madelyn (we know her from church too) won the Presidential Achievement award for academics. And David was in the top ten for grade averages, won several other awards and he won the most prestigious award of the day--the Lamar Lively Leadership award.

I'm so proud of these kids!! And, I'm even prouder that Hadley surrounds herself with such a great bunch of friends...

**now for the little caveat. Lance was seriously disappointed yesterday when he did not win any awards. I can tell you this because he won't read this! So, if you congratulate Hadley, please do it on the sly! Thank you!

New car!

He's been looking for so long--I really wasn't sure he'd ever find one. But he did! Today, Tyler and David left for Dallas at 4:00 a.m. to go have a look at this 2005 Honda Element. The deal sheet had already been sent, money arranged for--just needed to approve the car. Turns out it was even better than expected. We got a fair price and feel good about the deal.

Tyler is SO excited. He absolutely loves this car! It's different from anything I've been in---there is an amazing amount of room inside. The shape and style is similar to Bj and Ginny's old FJ, but it's set up differently. The seats fold down--you can even sleep in the back area. They make a tent that attaches to the back so you can have more room to camp in. The back seat is elevated--like theater seating. The floor boards are rubber--it's all very durable. It feels like a Honda--very snug and tight. It has 50,000 miles on it---and we're hoping it can take 150,000 more!

I'm relieved he'll have something safer and more reliable to drive back and forth to school. I'd rather not have a payment, but Tyler plans to take care of most of it. He's even on the loan papers! Funny thing is---he now has the newest car in the house. And, we now own four cars that were all bought via the internet. Weird.

The jeep went into the shop tonight for a major overhaul. It was to the point it wasn't safe to drive, much less pull the mowing trailer. I think we'll be keeping it.

I can't help but think about all that's been going on during the last month or so. My question is: Could we possibly add any more stress to our lives???

Ten minutes of fame

The scene on 45th Street. The other half of the graduates are listed on the opposite side of the sign. Go Tyler!

Just glancing at the picture of our display board and it really looks like a SHRINE! LOL

Senior Stuff.

Yesterday was senior Sunday at church. We set up our display board for the second time at church--also did the night of the senior banquet. Not all of the boards were set up yet when I took this picture, but you can see the massive pile of gifts already growing under his spot! He got some terrific gifts: LOTS of towels-maybe 5 or 6 sets?, an iron--way cool, a laundry basket filled with detergent, bleach, softener and carefully written instructions on HOW TO DO LAUNDRY!! Love that one!, cash, nail clippers, several storage type bins, several laundry bags-at least one monogrammed, a manly bathroom bag--monogrammed, a power surge protector--great idea!, a dorm tool kit, a multi-tool, flashlight/tools in one, a super soft blanket and a bunch more stuff. (and of course the new Bible from the church) That's just what I can think of while I sit here writing. He was so excited! He had no idea he'd get that much stuff--neither did I really. The economy is pretty bad, but it doesn't seem to keep people around here from being generous. We are so grateful for that. He was really "feelin' the love" yesterday. (He also quickly learned who had been to Tech because they all came up to tell him what a great choice he'd made.)



Then, yesterday afternoon was baccalaureate. The attendance was pretty small in comparison the number of graduates. I counted fewer than 20 from PD, fewer than 30 from CHS. All the rest were from THS and AHS. It was a nice service, but not without its hiccups. It was student-run, which is always a gamble. :) The lighting was TERRIBLE and I didn't bring my external flash, so this was the best shot I got. Doesn't he look OLD here??


Today, Hadley had an ortho appt. around lunchtime. David had training in town today and it just worked out that we all got to have lunch together. David picked up Schlotsky's and we made it a picnic lunch. The weather was absolutely PERFECT and we all wanted to stay the rest of the afternoon. I took this shot with my cell phone.Not bad for a cell pic, eh?? Wish it did as well indoors!

PSA

Taking a break from my monster "to-do" list to bring you the following public service announcement...

Anybody else out there struggle with yucky hard water deposits on your dishes??? I read about this product and decided to give it a shot. After only two loads of dishes, I can tell a REMARKABLE difference in my glassware!!! Yay! I hope that after several washings, the film will be completely gone and my glasses will once again sparkle like new. (I was even considering buying new glasses just so I wouldn't have to look at them any more.)

Ok. Commercial over. Back to the list!

Just sharing...

the picture of the day.

Senior banquet

Just sharing one from the senior banquet at church last week... This is the group of graduating seniors. Some of them have been together since they were babies, and others nearly that long. The banquet was fun--a nice way to honor them.

Saturday...

I'm so saddened by the news of Huck's death yesterday. He was a really special guy---full of wit and mischief and heart... He and Eva made a wonderful couple and family. He will be missed!!


Lance has been feeling the pinch since he spent all of his "wad" on his Xbox. He's been on a constant search for something he could do to earn some cash. I love that he's trying to earn it himself, instead of just asking us for some!! What a kid!

David decided Lance was old enough to help feed some trees. If it was too rainy or wet for Tyler to mow this morning that they would go out and do a little work. Lance was chomping at the bit and even woke David to see if they could go. Sure enough, they were able to do a few jobs. Isn't he something?? My heart overflows...

P.S. For some reason when I try to make this storyboard larger in blogger, it looks all pixelated and blurry. Don't have a clue why! So, if you'd like to see it larger, click it. I *think* it will look ok that way. Oh. Almost forgot... Anyone recognize that Texas hoody? Used to be Bj's...