MSC v. Forest City 6/15/2010

Well our first swim meet was off to a "Wet" start! We traveled to Forest City for a dual meet. Caleb, Josh, Rahlee and I met up with the cousin's Ian, Jade, Andrew, Adien and Trish. We all faired the sticky warmth of the evening only to be pleasantly suprised as a storm slowly approached and brought with it a gentle "cool breeze". Needless to say, just when I was up to time the second half of the meet, everyone had to clear the deck because there was lightening in the distance. The meet ended up being cancelled, but not before it was clear that Morganton was going to kick some butt, and did! All the kids had already placed or won events they swam. My smile for the night was with Aiden and Andrew and this adorable picture of them in "speedo" goggles. My thoughts were turned to a few years from now when they will be kicking some butt of thier own in the water!

2010 Catch Up!

WOW! It's been last summer since I posted? Not that anyone has been missing my rantings! LOL! A lot has happened in the past almost one year. I have two new driver's on the road. Michaela got her DL in November and a car in January. She hit the road "driving". She also went to her first Prom, a little early, with her friend Taylor. Caleb turned 15 in February and in April finished driver's ed and got his permit. Caleb is a cautious and precise driver (I like that). Josh and Rahlee have both been busy too. They both scored all 4"s on thier EOG's at school. Needless to say, I was very proud of them. As for me, I made a career change in December and went back to "familiarity" and a job at Caldwell County DSS. I have a small commute each day, but I don't mind. I really like the agency and the people I work with. It has all in all, been a positive move.

So Summer has come upon us quickly. Thursday is the last official day of school. The kids can hardly contain thier excitement! Summer swimming is well under way and we will spend most of our time easing away the heat of the day at the pool in the evenings. We are anticipating several camp opportunities for the kids at various times throughout the summer not to mention vacations. We planted a real garden for our little family for the first time this year. Got a late start, but are in hopes of it yielding some fresh vegetables sometime in July. We'll keep you posted on it's progress.

Tarheel Conference Champions 2009

This summer my kids and I had to make a decision....do we continue swimming with the McDowell Mariners, my Alma Mater, or make the switch to Morganton Marlins where we live. It makes sense to swim in Morganton, however with family ties and friends, we have continued swimming with McDowell for the past several years. Well this summer we made the switch, and while we missed those whom we've grown close to, it has been a good summer. Saturday, our team won the Conference Championship with McDowell not far behind. We aren't bragging, or glad we switched because we won, just glad because summer has been much less stressful from having to drive one town over every weekday just to swim. I for one was also able to enjoy watching my children swim for once instead of being on the sidelines as a coach! I was proud of all three of my little swimmers this season and past Sat. They were awesome! Way to go Caleb, Joshua, Rahlee, and way to go Morganton and McDowell!!!!

Rafting with Family and Friends

I was so excited recently to go rafting with my older brother Briggs, my son Joshua, and friends Whitney and Carol. It was a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in the mountains of Tennessee. My thoughts were turned to another rafting trip a few years ago with Briggs again, when half way down the Pigeon River it began the storm. There was lightning illuminating the afternoon sky and the rain was beating down upon us. If you have ever been rafting you know it can be almost impossible going down rapids to just "pull over". Instead of fear, I had one of the most exhilarating feelings I have ever felt in my life! If my experienced guide brother was worried that day, it didn't show.

No rain, and no thunder or lightning this trip, but as I recalled those feelings going down this memorial Weekend, the same peace came over me. Could it be the call of the river? Nature? My calling in life has led me another direction in being a mother, but I secretly admire my brother and his "free spirit". Today is Briggs's birthday and I want to dedicate this blog entry to him. Happy 41st Birthday Briggs - We love you!

Home Improvement Mommy Style!

Well since I dedicated my entire weekend last week to the kids, Carowinds, and picnics....I decided today I needed to do something to add to the upkeep of our home. I have a ton of projects and wish lists I dream about completing someday, but truth be told, I usually make the excuse I need a "man" to do them or help do them. For some of the projects this is true, but a majority I really think I could do or learn to do if I just put my mind to it. So anyway, this weekend I decided to tackle one of two bedrooms and rip the carpet out. I have hardwood floors underneath which I had professionally refinished in other parts of the house but not these two bedrooms. After some months with two new puppies and almost a year with one of them )had to give one back, too much), the carpet had to go. My first thought was I wonder if I could persuade my ex to do it, but my pride quickly shattered that, (%^$#) pride! So I was off on a mission to boost my self confidence in my ability to be a home owner and independent single woman (with kids that are little help!) I actually got up at 4:30 a.m. on a Sat. I know what your thinking, I am the bomb, getting up that early on a weekend just to get started on projects right? Are you kidding me? I am not that motivated. I actually had to take my eldest son to meet the youth for a temple trip to Colombia S.C. today then I cam back home and went back to bed. I slowly arose again around 8:30 or so, had a bowl of shredded wheat, and a momentary struggle with my lazy side who was trying to talk me out of "working". Wouldn't laying back down, or doing something fun with Joshua (only one at home today), or watch TV or movies all day be so much funner )I know that isn't a word)? As you can see, my "responsible" personality took over. But, once I started I was on a roll. Early on I felt like I could do the boys room as well, but that quickly subsided after my back and fingers stiffened from pulling up tack stripping for several hours. From start; moving furniture out, pulling up carpet and pad, to finish, pulling tack stripping, washing the floor, and moving furniture back in, I was done in about 4 hours. Proud of myself I must say. Nothing like tackling a project like this to boost your self esteem. Now for the boys room. We'll have to wait and see how long it takes to go through this whole self-talk process again - lol!

Pinewood Derby Girl Style!

Well, when Joshua graduated from Cub Scouts this past year I thought my Pine Wood Derby days were all over. Rahlee just turned 8 years old and is now part of Achievement Days at church on Wednesdays for the 8-11 years old girls (similar to Girl Scouts). And what was the very first activity she gets to participate in but a "derby". Ugh! I thought I had made my last derby car. To my excitement, Rahlee's older brothers took right over and helped her make and paint her car and then assemble it in preparation for "Race Day"! It definitely had the female flare and was lots of fun! I think regardless of what place she came in, Rahlee did too!

Rahlee Is 8!

Our little Rahlee turned 8 years old on the 3rd of March. Rahlee has her own unique personality with a strong sense of compassion for those around her. She is so smart and loves school. Rahlee celebrated her birthday with a skating party in which she spent more time on the floor than on her feet. LOL! We love Rahlee, she is a special part of our family and brings so much joy into our lives.