We Made It Through. We Survived! (It's a LONG one!)

We survived.

I keep changing the title because we made it to the other side of so many things.

I last posted in March.  

A LOT has happened since then.

Disclaimer:
This one kind of got out of hand.
It's longer than any other post.

This will be a huge attempt to recap our Spring Semester.

We had a Staycation during Spring Break this year. 

We stayed home so the kids could do homework and relax.

Track season began at the end of February.

The kids hit the ground RUNNING!

Preseason went so fast.

Before we knew it, it was April, and the kids were at the first meet of the season!

Corbin came home with an ankle injury due to a poor pole vault landing.  Ouch.

That earned him a trip to Urgent Care to make sure  it wasn't broken.

$$ Ouch $$

The good news was it was only a sprain.

1st crutches for either of the kids.

So...we left him at Grandma's for the weekend while we took Courtney to Kansas City for a volleyball tournament!  There was no way he would have been able to walk as much as we did this weekend!

The tournament was phenomenal.  There were SO. MANY. TEAMS!
There is no way that I can put the experience into words.

 The team!

 Lunch together at Cheesecake Factory!

 Team Bonding at the Escape Room!
We heard lots of laughing in there.

 Anticipation at it's finest.

Tournament play was over for us at this point in the weekend.
I'm happy to see she was still smiling.
(Oh!  ...and she learned a new technique for icing her shins.)

Courtney learned a lot about herself as a volleyball teammate this season.
She ended up with a strained hip abductor and couldn't finish the season.
She went to the Regional tournament to support her team, but she was unable to play.
That. Was. Tough.
I was proud of her.  She put on a smile and cheered on her friends.
It was quite sad, though, when the games were over.
She knew the season had come to an end and she didn't get to finish it with her friends.

What's a mom to do when her baby didn't get to play in the last tournament of the season?
GO SHOPPING, of course!
Okay...we didn't shop much.
Actually, we only bought one pair of shoes.
We did a lot of browsing and window shopping, though.
Retail therapy is always a nice escape.
It was a nice way to end the weekend trip before heading home.

Needless to say that this injury also impacted her track season.
It was a LONG season for her.
In the end, though, injuries allowed her the opportunity to sit back and watch coaching take place.
Injuries kind of  allow you to reconnect with and re-evaluate your goals.

This was taken in my classroom after a track practice early in April.
Corbin was still using ice on his ankle after vaulting practice,
and Courtney had shin splints.
They came to my room for the small ice!
 Love them!!

Okay...moving on...

This Kid.
He let me know at 4:45 pm that he had a Spanish National Honor Society program at 6:00.
...and... if I wanted pictures, I would need to be there.  haha.
My camera and the stage lighting in the auditorium don't really mix,
but I got this one after the ceremony.

The month of May was a blur.
There were award ceremonies, track meets, big assignments, lots of homework, baccalaureate, and All Things Graduation.

Here's the birthday boy with his ice cream cake.

18 already???

Courtney with track team friends.

Prom.

This isn't the best picture, but they looked stunning!

Courtney supporting Brother during a meet in which she couldn't participate.

Corbin supporting her and encouraging her as she prepared to run.

He's always been so good to her.

She has always had the BEST brother.

The. BEST.

Track Banquet.

Both won nice awards.  

My favorite, though, was the Academic All-State Award.

They had to have a 3.7 GPA to receive this.

(Sigh...momma is So proud of her kids!)

Corbin and his Pole Vault coach!

Sign Out Sheet...nearly filled out completely.

He's ready for his last day of school at CJHS.

Picture with his Momma on his

Last day of High School.

Graduation Day Decorations.

Photo books, Sr. Pictures, and books with life advice covered the table.

Corbin's Bulldog Award is on the mantle.

He received it from the track coaches.

It is the award based on not only athletic performance, but attitude, 

willingness to work hard on and off the field,

 being coachable, treating others kindly, 

being helpful, and having integrity.

Once again...my cup runneth over.

I couldn't be more proud.

These two.  Be still my heart.

He had Stoles from CJHS and Crowder College.
He also had stoles for National Honor Society
and Phi Theta Kappa (Jr. College National Honor Society) as well as
Cords for graduating with honors from both schools and  participating in
Spanish National Honor Society.

Oh, and he wore the GoPro camera for the ceremony.
The videos are great.
He has video of the Superintendent, Principal, and School Board Members telling him "Congratulations."  It was a hoot to watch.
Even though it looked goofy, it's footage of more memories to cherish.

Programs from Crowder College and Carl Junction High School Commencement Ceremonies!

Crowder Graduation was on May 14, but Corbin was at Branson for a track meet instead.

Carl Junction Commencement was the following day.

This is the group of kids leaving for the State track Meet!

It was a fun trip for them, and a fun way to to end Sr. Year!

...and then there's THIS!...

My classroom.

This is my empty classroom.
I am moving to a different building for the fall.
It looks so empty.
I've been a resident of Room 29 in K-1 North for 8 years.
Many terrific memories were made in this classroom.
Many new friends came into my life while in this room.
I must admit that just before I took this picture I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.
Don't get me wrong.  I know that many new adventures await.
We will meet many new friends.
Change is tough, though, friends.
Change is tough.
I'm excited to see what lies ahead, though!

Changes are all around!
We're getting Corbin ready to go to college.
Bedding, blankets, desk organizers, Oh MY!

Courtney is getting used to the idea of Momma being her chauffeur again.
She has a new volleyball coach at school and is enjoying getting to know her.
She had pain in her hip for 10 weeks and was out of volleyball and track until the last week of June.
She is  a HAPPY girl now that she is back to normal and not hurting in her hip anymore.
She just turned 15 and earned her driver's permit.
She practices driving with her Daddy.
Most of the stories are funny and giggle worthy.
MOST of them...

That's it, I think.
It's been a very, very busy spring and early summer.
Lots of things happened.
I'm relieved to say that we made it through the month of May!
Many memories were made this year.
Many of these things are big things, but some of them are little things, too.
Lots of life lessons were learned along the way.
I can't even begin to express the love I have for our kids.
They amaze me all the time.
I admire them for their kind, loving, and giving hearts.
I admire them for being such terrific friends to each other!
They are the best little support team.
May...as crazy as it was, I'm proud to say we made it.
It was worth every single day/every single minute.
It was Delicious!

In all the crazy and busy days, remember to stop to notice the little things.
They really are the big things.
Enjoy the deliciousness, friends!!

...Shouldn't they still be this little??? .....

I'm a lucky Momma.

My heart is so full.

Does it Get any Better than This?

The girls were playing in a tournament with 20 teams.  

They worked their way from the bottom  to the top!

Champions for the first time this season.

It was a lot of fun watching them.

They were determined to win each set.

They were determined to win each match!

They were determined to have fun and take home the Gold.

The hard work and determination was worth it.

They are still smiling today.

I couldn't be more proud of Sister.

They were short a player, so she played back row.

She took a beating all day, 

but she overcame her frustrations by hitting hard on the front row!

I'm so proud of her.

My heart is full.

My cup runneth over.

It's as simple as that.

Life IS delicious.

Valentine Treats for the Teacher

Isn't this the best?

Students were given a secret project from a parent.

This is the end result.

I'm a very lucky teacher.

I love my Kinder Kids!

I love their parents, too!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, Friends.

It's delicious!

Memory Loss

I'm pretty sure that my memory is fading me.

That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.

Lately I've noticed that I'm very forgetful.

I forget why I walked into a room.

I forget birthdays.

I forget to put ingredients on the grocery list.

I forget to take the list to the store!

I forget where I put things.

I forget where I parked my car.

Sometimes I forget which car I took to  the store.

...

The list could go On and On and ON!

I have decided to slow down, though.

I've convinced myself that if I truly slow down I will forget less.  

More importantly, I will remember more.

I've started reading and thinking about Thankfulness.

I've always considered myself to be pretty thankful.

I give thanks daily ... 

for food, 

for our home, 

for a job that I love, 

for my incredible family, 

for our  health, 

for my friends, 

for reliable vehicles,

for the ability to see the morning sunrise and evening sunset,

etc.

I have always thought that those things were specific things for which to be thankful.

I've had it all wrong. 

These things are simply part of the "umbrella" of thanks.

They are still very general.

These things I've listed are not naming specific blessings.

Count your blessings and name them one by one.

Name them.

Yes, name them.

Be specific.

#1  Time in the early morning while the house sleeps to sit quietly with a cup of coffee, a candle, and a daily devotion.

#2  The sound of a heater kicking on while the cold wind blows outside.  

#3  Birds chirping as they search for breakfast.

#4  Christmas lights still strung on  the porch window. 

 Lights which remind me of my Daddy who celebrates Christmas in Heaven.

#5  January and new beginnings: 

 a fresh start,

 another chance, 

a time for changes in behavior and attitude and health

#6  The sigh of a sleeping child

#7  The warmth of a comfy chair, a cozy blanket, and the flicker of candlelight

#8  Pictures on a wall that show milestones and memories

#9  Daylight peeking in the window as the sun comes up behind the gray clouds

#10  The promise of this new day and all the possibilities which lie ahead

Yes, I still have a long list of chores to do.

Yes, the list is long.

Yes, it will take me most of the day to accomplish the goals.

If I can just slow down, though, I can enjoy the little things.

The moments.

I can take time to hear the furnace kick on.  

I can take time to see the beautiful gifts God has so graciously gifted to me.

If I notice the little things more often, maybe, just maybe I will remember more and forget less.

Now is the time to remember more.

The kids are growing up so fast.

The days pass so fast.

The friends come and go.

Days on a calendar creep up so quickly.

Everything today is fast.

I'm going to try to slow down.

to notice the little things.

to sit and visit longer.

to mail the letters to far away friends.

New year.

New beginnings.

New chances, right?

Life is too short and much too delicious to not notice the little things.

Slow down, friends.

Enjoy the deliciousness!

Senior Stuff

(I had no idea that I'd have time to sit down for this today!!!)

Our Baby Boy is a Senior.

It is only October, and we've already ... 

taken Sr. Pictures for the yearbook

taken Sr. Pictures with a photographer

ordered graduation announcements

ordered the cap and gown

ORDERED pictures from the photographer

gone on college campus tours

and

applied to colleges

His soccer season is drawing to an end.

Sr. Night is 2 short days away. 

One week from today will be the beginning of the end of the soccer season. 

Tuesday is the first night of District play.

If they win, they will continue to play.

If they lose.... well, it's over.

He may only take the field two more times.

He has been playing soccer since he could walk.

My soccer mom days are numbered, and as I reflect on that,

 I am reminded of how much he has learned on the soccer field.

He has learned to be a team player.

He has learned to take guidance from and listen to a coach.

He has learned how to help someone up when he is on the ground.

He has learned how to stand up for himself and push back just a little.

He has learned how to push back just enough to make a statement 

but not enough to get in trouble.

He has learned how to win with a happy heart.

He has learned how to say "Thank you" when given a compliment.

He has learned how to lose without pointing fingers at others.

He has learned how to self evaluate and work to be better.

He has learned about friendships and being a teammate.

He has learned about compassion, integrity, empathy, and grace.

He has learned about commitment to a team, a coach, and to himself.

He has learned that as a member of a team, 

he represents himself, his family, his school, and his community.

He has learned that on bus trips home, he can order from the dollar menu 

and still have money for ice cream.

He has learned life skills on the soccer field.

The game of soccer as he has know it is about to be finished.

The things he has learned from participating in the sport will go on with him throughout his life, reminding him every day of how to live fairly, cooperatively, and wholeheartedly.

As his mom, how can I ask for more?

Growing up is what we want them to do.

It's our job to help them learn what they need to know in order to 

go out into the world and be successful.

I'm thankful for the years he spent playing soccer.

They have helped us mold our kid into the young man he has become.  

Watch out World, because this kid is almost ready to fly.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for him.

I can't wait.

It's been a sweet Senior year experience so far.

I just wish it would slow down.

Just. A. Little. Bit.

Every minute is Delicious.

Until next time, friends.

First Quarter Down

So, I remember the first day of school in August.

I remember how exciting it was at our house.

Everyone had the new shoes, new outfits, new chrome books.

Cars were washed and pencil bags were stuffed.

It was a morning of firsts and lasts.

It was Courtney's first day of High School.

It was Corbin's last first day of High School.

It was my first day to have two students in High School.

HIGH SCHOOL???

I just don't know why time has gone so fast.

We blinked, and they grew up.

This was Corbin on his first day of Freshman Year. 

(He did not want me to take a picture....I did it anyway.)

This was the two of them walking into school his Sophomore year and her 7th Grade year.

He walked her in every single morning.  

She has NO idea how lucky she is.

So, that brings me to these pictures.

Freshman and Senior Year.

I'm a very, very lucky momma to have these two as my kids.

 So grown up!

 Tolerating a silly picture with mom.

 I know...just one more, please.

Then we all went to school.  I did very, very well until...

 I got to the office and saw our secretary, who also has a senior kid. 

 I started to sniffle.  

Within minutes, there were my kids!

They needed $50 for Chrome Book Insurance.

Yes, I said $50.

That killed the tears.  

 The Librarian snapped this picture for us before they left.

I love those always-asking-for-money kids!!

Last one.  We promise!!!

Anyhow, the first quarter is behind us.  

Each of them has been B.U.S.Y. with fall sports.

Corbin's soccer team just won Conference Championship game. 

They have a few more games to go before Districts begin.  

This coming Thursday will be Sr. Night, 

where we have the opportunity to honor the Senior players 

for their hard work and dedication to the team.

 #14, Corbin Schmidt!

That guy seriously kept pulling on Corbin to keep him away from the ball.

Grrr.

2015 Conference Champs!!

Courtney has played volleyball this fall.

It's been a fun season.

She has played well and had fun hitting the ball and blocking.

Her team did a great job and worked hard throughout the season.

Celebrating a point!

More celebrating!

Jump high, sweet pea!

That is a BLOCK!

Nice!

This weekend I have spent time in front of the computer.

More hours than I anticipated.

I looked at Senior pictures with the proverbial fine tooth comb.

I've studied each one...his smile, his eyes, his hair, his shirt collars.

I've looked at how grown up and handsome he is.

I've looked into those beautiful eyes and seen the kindness.

I'm very proud of the young mad he has become.

We've filled out college applications and Senior visit day registration forms.

The year is passing quickly already.

Stick with me if I don't post very often.

I'm busy enjoying every single minute of his last High School year.

I don't know what his future holds.

I know that for a while longer, he's still "mine."

I'm going to sit back, watch him do his thing, fix his favorite dinners, 

and enjoy every single minute.

Today is also the 8th anniversary of saying goodbye to my Daddy for the last time.

We buried him on Oct. 18, 2007.

The kids were 6 and 9 years old.  

This is the last picture we took before his passing.

I miss him every single day.

On days like this, though, I truly wish he were here.

I'd love to hear him giggle one more time.

I'd love to get a big bear hug one more time.

I'd love for him to tease the kids.

I know he is looking down from Heaven.

I know he is proud of them and their accomplishments.

It would be so special if he were here, though, cheering them on from the stands.

Pictures have become my new past time.

Sorting and saving them.

Moving them from one computer file to another ...just because.

Studying their little faces and watching how they've changed throughout the years is a hobby.

I've always noticed, but now I get it.

ENJOY the messy house, the peanut butter and jelly all over the table, 

and reading stories in the rocking chair.

All too soon, the chair isn't big enough, the story isn't long enough, 

and the messes are not as big.

The hands of time will have spun out of control, and the baby days will be gone.

It's not that these days are less fun.

They are fabulous!

I LOVE my kids and who they are becoming.

I enjoy spending time with them...visiting with them...talking with them.

I just miss the days of little people around our house.

We blinked. 

That's how fast it happened.

I'll be back during Christmas vacation, unless I just can't wait to share.

Imagine how much I'll have to share by then!!!

Hang on, friends.

Parenthood is Delicious.