Part Camel???

On Thursday afternoon Courtney came out of her room carrying all these bottles, it was definitely a photo moment.  Of course since both of our kids are runners we push HYDRATION and sadly Courtney is, well both of them are bad about leaving gatorade bottles sitting in their room, since they are consantly drinking.

Courtney did admit that two of the bottles came out of her backpack from school,

 which would explain the Poweraid bottle.  Gotta love her!!!

Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:23

Blessings to all ~
Carla

He's Driving

Jonah took his driver's test this afternoon and PASSED, so watch out BG, there's another driver on the road.  I will say that he has done an great job the past 6 months with his permit but it still scares me to think that my son is driving on his own. 

 

This afternoon he drove him and his sister to practice.  I'm really not sure who was more excited, Jonah or Courtney.  It seem so surreal watching them pull out of the driveway and take off down the street.  We gave Courtney instructions to text us when they made it to practice.

 Jonah picked up his parking pass from school this afternoon..

...007 licensed to PARK!!!!!

...they believed His promises

and sang His praise.

Psalm 106:12

Blessings to all ~
Carla

Daviess Co 6k Relay

Today, was the first race of the season, a relay, in Owensboro.  This will be the only relay that the team will run this year, a 6k relay, two person team, each runner running a 3K.  It's a fun race and a good way to start the season however next Saturday will be the team's first really 5k race of the season.

 

The start of the girls varsity race....and they're off!

 Courtney running strong.

Poor girl, started with her hair braided and

a soft headband, by the time she finished the race,

her hair was completely down and she lost her hairband

at the exchange.  She was cursed with thin hair like me,

nothing stays in our hair, it's a constant fight!!!



 Courtney ran the first leg of her race,

handing off to Shelby.

 Courtney and Shelby finished 29th,

which is AWESOME considering Courtney threw up mid-run and

Shelby's knee starting throbbing, she was lucky to finish. 

Courtney's unofficial time was 14:11.

 A smile from my beautiful girl,

I am so very proud of her!

 The boys praying before the boys varsity race.

 Ross handing off to Jonah at the exchange.

 Jonah running strong.
He has train so hard this season and
has shown so much dedication.
He makes me proud!!! 

 Jonah coming up to the finish.

 Jonah and Ross finished 18th.

Overall, a good start to the season.

 

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...

Philippians 3:13

 

Blessings to all ~

Carla





Flashback Friday

This picture was taken just shy of 39 years ago of  my brother, Bryan (7), my sister, Robbin (10) and ME!!!  Yes, I'm the chunky one in the middle.  It's funny to look at this picture the WILD pattern on my brother's sweater, he looks just like his oldest son and my sister has a

daughter the spitting image of her.  My sister says that I was her "real" live baby doll.  

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make

His face shine upon us,

that Your ways may be known on earth,

Your salvation among all nations.

Psalm 67:1-2

Blessings to all ~
Carla

After School Treat

Normally, Phillip picks the kids up from school, but today he had a meeting in Nashville, so I was the LUCKY momma who was blessed with the opportunity to FORGET about picking my kiddos up from school.  What can I say, no one reminded me and it was a TOTAL change in routine. 

 

So I am sitting at my desk, watching the clock, yes it had been that kind of day, when I receive a text.  My first thought is Courtney is wondering where Jonah is, he had to stay and make up a test after school.  Then I read her text.."hey who is picking us up?"....it's 2:36 and school let out at 2:25.  I slam my phone down on my desk (thankfully I did not shatter my screen because I could see that happening after the day it had been) then calmly picked it up and responded back, "I am....I forgot.  I'm on my way."  Thank goodness, I have a boss that understands and I left everything on my desk and out the office I went, remembering as soon as I started the car that I NEEDED gas.  UGH!!!!!

 

With all that said, I felt like my kiddos deserved a little after school treat from their LOVING mom today.  So off to Sonic we headed.  On the way, Jonah made the comment that if it meant having Sonic, they could be picked up late from school everyday.  Gotta admit it was a good try....not!!!  Thankfully, we are blessed that Phillip gets off early enough to pick them up from school and starting next week hopefully Jonah will be driving on his own.

 

 

 By the look on their faces, I think they totally forgive me

for forgetting to pick them up, even though,

 Jonah didn't have to wait as long as his sister did.

 

Jonah with his banana milkshake.



Checking twitter.....I'm sure :)

Courtney, texting and drinking, a Sonic strawberry milkshake that is and yes,

those are mozzarella cheese sticks in between her legs. What can I say, I caved!!! Actually

she had just finished taking a picture of her cup and posting it on Instragram.

...make the most of every opportunity.

Colossians 4:5

Blessings to all ~
Carla

So Blessed

WARNING!!!

This post contains a lot of pictures......WARNING!!!!

There are times that I realize how fast my kids are growing up and that my pictures do not always consist of Phillip or I with them, like when they were little.  I know that sounds silly, maybe I'm just being a little sentimental.  So this afternoon when we arrive home from church as we pulled into the drive way before Jonah even parked the car, I said "no one changes, I want pictures first."  Yes, I heard a couple of groans but I warned them that if everyone cooperated we would be done quickly and we were.  I will say that is one thing that gets better with age.

 Always have the camera ready with his crew.....I love that I was able to snap

 this picture of Phillip being silly with the kids.  What a face!!!

Jonah, yes, he is just like his father!!!

 I love this girl!!!!  God certainly BLESSED us with one special young lady.

I really can say that she is not a follower and she is one that
will stand firm for what she believes.  I hope she is always that way. 

I am SO BLESSED......

Phillip and I will be celebrating 21 years together at the end of this month (dating) and then celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary next month.  WOW.....how time flies!!!

Well, I hope everyone had a bless and wonderful Sunday and if you haven't taken snapshots of your family lately, then I encourage you to do so.  Life's too short!!!

…by Him everything was created, in Heaven and on earth…

all things were created by Him and for Him.

Colossians 1: 16

Blessings to all~
Carla

Cross Country

The season has official begun, meets, that is, races, the fun stuff.  as far as cross country goes,

they have been practicing since the second week of June, six days a week,

 waking up at 5:30 to be at the park by 6:30 in order to run before the heat of the sun hits.  

It truly takes dedication!!!

I never thought in a million years that I would be a cross country mom, 

but I am and I AM PROUD OF IT!!!   

This morning we met at the Kereiakes at 7:30 for team photos and then a 3k time trial.  Next Saturday will be our first actually meet which will be a 6K relay.   Our team has almost double since two years ago when SWHS was opened and I am so proud that my kids have been a part of this team.

The high school team

Courtney trying to push down a tree, no, not really this is a stretch to prevent chin splits.

Warming up before the time trial....

Caroline, Sara, Courtney, Jonah, and Megan

My son is known for his bright pink socks.  

He started wearing them at the beginning of the season last year and has wore them ever since.  

It's nice because I can spot him from a distance.

Strengthening the hip muscle.

Jonah and Ross receives a pep talk from coach before the time trial.

Coach talks to the team before the race/time trail.

getting ready........

Top three runners, Jonah, Ross and Chris.  

I love how Ross and Jonah are in sequence.

Courtney, bless her heart, did not have a good run.

  She battled hip pains all during the run, you can see it in her face.  She ran a 15:04, 

coach knew something wasn't right, first thing coach said to me was,

"what happened?"  Maybe next Saturday's race will be a better race for her, let's hope!!!

Here comes my boy, coming to the finish line in first place.

Jonah crosses the finish line.....10:24 his time for the 3k. 

A cute picture of Phillip and I dressed as twinkies today for the time trials. 

Go Spartans!!!! 

 Yes, I wore my hair straight today, actually the last couple of days I've done straight. 

I like it but the guys (Jonah and Phillip) prefers it curly.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Blessings to all ~

Carla

Angry Words

First of all let me just say that this is not my typically post.  A few years ago, my friend Leslie made the comment to me, "your blog is always so uplifting and positive,  it makes your life sound so WONDERFUL."  I did not take any offense to this comment by no mean, she just meant that I rarely post anything about the CHALLENGES that I face in my life, which there are plenty.  I came across this card recently and it made me think of Leslie and her comment that day standing in her kitchen. 

The past couple of months I've have struggled with many different things in my personal life that I've kept to myself.  You know that saying, "you wear your feelings on your shoulder", well that is certainly me and probably at least 90% of the female population.  I have always struggled with the harsh words that others say to me and of course I let the devil constantly repeat those words in my head over and over.  Why??

There is a song that we sing at church, in fact we sung it last Sunday morning and I've sung it a thousand times in my life but the words are so meaningful.  If you will just open your heart to them.

Angry words! O let them never,
From the tongue unbridled slip,
May the heart's best impulse ever,
Check them ere they soil the lip.

Chorus

Love one another thus saith the Savior,
Children obey the Father's blest command,
Love each other, love each other,
'Tis the Father's blest command.

Love is much too pure and holy,
Friendship is too sacred far,
For a moment's reckless folly,
Thus to desolate and mar.

Angry words are lightly spoken,
Bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken,
By a single angry word.

Refrain

Just recently someone dear and close to me made a comment that I have shed tears over and made me realize just how much words do hurt.  Sadly I don't speak to this loved one a daily basis and I am not sure what to say when I do speak with them.  Why does it always seems like the most hurtful words always comes from the ones that are the closest to you and you love the most.  Oh Lord, these are the days that are the hardest!!!

My soul finds rest in God alone...

Psalm 62:1

Blessings to all ~

Carla

Second Day of School

On the first day of school the kids were pretty much laid back as they headed off to school, with just a three ring binder in tow. Then this morning, it was down to business as they both grabbed their backpacks as we headed out the door for day number 2.

Courtney sporting her turquoise Jansport backpack, 

of course turquoise is her favorite color.  Isn't she adorable.

Jonah with his Nike backpack and a Gatorade for the day (actually two), gotta stay hydrated!

And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love Him...

Romans 8:28

Blessings to all ~
Carla

First Day of School

Summer is over and school is back in session.  The first day of school was today and it is hard to believe that the kids are both now in high school.  Courtney is now a freshman and Jonah is a Junior.  Where does the time go??!!??

Courtney now stands at the height of 5' 5 1/2'' while Jonah has now made it to 5'9", yes, they tower over me, but I'm glad that do.  I wanted them to have a little more height then I do.

Courtney is excited about being at the high school especially her art class but a little nervous about her AP Human Geography class, which I think she'll do fine.  I wish I would have taken a picture of her this morning at breakfast, her phone was going off nonstop from friends texting her asking her questions, like.....What are you wearing?  Where do we go before the bell rings?  What time does school start?  Oh, the life of a teenager.  Too funny!!

Jonah, well this is his third year at SWHS and he's pretty much ready for it.  In two weeks, roughly, he'll be driving on his own, which means he can drive him and Courtney to and from school.  His first class is a dual credit class with Western KY University, an online class, so he doesn't have to be at school until 9 each day for the first semester.  Which is going to be different!!!  He's certainly growing up!

The Lord your GOD is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with His love...

Zephaniah 3:17

Blessings to all ~

Carla



What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'M LOVING my new basil plant.  I love fresh basil.  I love it on a hamburger, I love it in bruschetta and I love the SMELL of it!!!

I'M LOVING that the kids are enjoying the pool.

I'M LOVING that we are finally cleaning up on all the leftovers and extra food from our out of town family last week.  I thought I was planning so well. I made a menu, did all my grocery shopping before they arrived and I think I bought too much or maybe I just planned on us eating more then we did. Ha! 

I'M LOVING that school starts tomorrow, even though I LOVE summer break and the lazy days!  I love the routine of being in school.

What are you loving????

By day the LORD directs His love,

at night His song is with me—

a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42:8

Blessings to all ~
Carla