A Diploma for My Birthday!

Happy Birthday Debbie

Today is my dear friend Debbie's birthday. Debbie and I met in the fall of 1989 in an education class at the University of Arkansas. I was a sophomore, and she was a junior. We both hated the class and swore off education, but we became the best of friends. We enjoyed making many college memories over the next several years, and we ended up as roommates once we both "came back to college" to become teachers. As you can see from the photo, one thing we had in common was hair!

After college, we remained close. She was the maid of honor in my wedding, and she gave me the same privilege in her wedding. I visited her when she lived in Carthage, Missouri and even when she lived in Paris, France!

Now that we're both "old married ladies" with children, it's been much more difficult to stay in touch. However, I know that I could count on Debbie at a moment's notice for just about anything. There's not many people you can say that about.

My hope is that, someday, we can take our daughters to Paris and for them to become the kind of friends that we have been.

Happy birthday Debbie!

Big Weekend for Jacob

This was an action packed weekend for Jacob. He started his Friday evening by going to the Razorback game with Granny Bea. The Hogs pulled a come-from-behind win that Jacob said was the best game he's ever seen. In addition, he had some glorious commentary about the Auburn pitcher, who (according to Jacob) was "freakishly tall" and "crooked". Yesterday, David Hunt (who sits in front of us) confirmed that Jacob had indeed amused everyone in our little section with his description and that yes, the pitcher did look a little like Ichabod Crane. On Saturday, Jacob went to a birthday party at Fayetteville's new roller skating place. This was Jacob's second time to skate, and he was so excited to get to do it again. He's not as bad as you might think, especially since he's not particularly athletic. From the party, he went to his first Boy Scout overnight campout. Evidently, he had a great time. He learned to set up his tent, cook cowboy donuts for breakfast, and play capture the flag. It's hard for me to think of my little baby boy being big enough to do all those things.

Then, the thing that makes my heart so very happy - - this afternoon, he played in his first piano recital. For those that have known Jacob a while, you know that he has long suffered from extreme shyness and anxiety about being in front of a group. He didn't even talk to other children at school until he was in the 2nd grade. (and then it was just one or two kids). Well, he did express being nervous (I assured him this was totally normal) and he proceeded to walk up on the stage, sit down at the piano, and play this:



We've come a long way!!

This is Baseball

Several years ago, you could probably have heard me say something like, "I hate baseball. I hope Samuel doesn't want to play." That was then; this is now. Obviously, I've been transformed into a baseball fan (at least Razorback ball and whatever team Samuel plays for). My sister, Ann, commented to me today (after telling her I was on my way to yet another game) - "Gee, your family has really gotten into baseball." Her comment made me start thinking - "Why, all of the sudden, do I like going to games so much?" Here's what I came up with:

1. The biggest reason - - Our family has found something we all like doing/following. That's a rare thing. We all have pretty different tastes, so we typically don't like the same movies, tv shows, outdoor activities, etc. Somebody is always complaining that they don't want to do whatever is the suggested activity. Even John, who's never really liked sports, likes going to the Razorback games. Today, John and I got to go to the game together. That's not too common - it's usually one of us with one of the boys OR one of the boys with John's mom (they're actually her tickets). We had so much fun going SANS kids and just being one of many couples at the game. He bought me a diet coke and some peanut m&ms. The usher even teasingly gave him a hard time for putting his arm around me.

2. The Razorbacks. It's fun getting to know the players (getting to know about them). You can see their personality more in baseball than in football. It's so much about individual talent and then combining that individuality into a team effort. The players are so encouraging to one another, never getting too upset when someone messes up. Baum Stadium is a fun place as well. Lots of school spirit. Lots of traditions.

3. Samuel loves playing baseball. He has been pretty good thus far (in his short career). This is his first year of machine pitch, and so far he's struck out in every game. He's still done well in the outfield, making a double play and catching a pop fly in the last game. But, he really feels discouraged about not getting any hits. It helps him so much to see the "big guys" strike out and still keep trying and still be considered good players. Going to the Razorback games inspires him to keep working hard to be a good baseball player.

4. Free entertainment. John's mom has two great tickets right behind home plate. We get to use them a LOT. At least once during a weekend series, sometimes twice. And one boy or the other goes when she goes. She also has given us her parking pass. It's so nice to park right outside the entrance. And, she will usually keep the kids if John and I go together. Free babysitting. After ten years of Montessori payments, we like free. So, even though we're going to lots of games - - we haven't ever had to buy any tickets.

Slumber Party

Hannah was invited to her first sleepover this weekend, and it was actually for most of the weekend! The invitation came from the Alvarado girls, Audrey & Isabel, who are in Hannah's class at Montessori and who are also friends from church. They have become big buddies this year, and it's fun to see them together. Hannah went home with the girls after school on Friday, and we didn't see her again until we picked her up at church today. Wow - I missed her. But, I don't think she missed me much at all. She had a fabulous time! She got to play with Barbies, ride a horse, jump on a trampoline, build a bird feeder at Lowe's, and sport some lovely eye makeup. She even got a Fayetteville Police Dept. tattoo! Here are some pictures of her enjoying being a "big girl." Boy, she seems like she's grown up so much in the past few months.

Arrow of Light

Tonight marked the end of Cub Scouts for Jacob. He can now call himself a Boy Scout! We attended his Arrow of Light Ceremony, held in the cafeteria at Vandergriff. Seventeen boys from Jacob's den were awarded the Arrow of Light this evening, a pack record! The ceremony was prescribed and relatively formal (for what these boys are used to in Scouts). Each boy was called up to get special pins, one for their uniform, and one for their mother. So sweet. Each boy was also given a special plaque made by a dad of one of the scouts in the Vandergriff pack. Jacob will be joining Troop 116. I'm a little sad that he won't be in the same troop that his older cousins were a part of, but all of his friends will be joining 116, so it's really the better place for him to be.

Happy Easter

We had a great Easter celebration today. We started our day with a great worship service at church, then we headed to Ann's house for Easter lunch. We missed James & Allison and Jeremy & Katie, who usually are with us for this holiday, but Lisa brought several new friends from college, so we still had a full table. The weather was so nice, that the kids played outside most of the afternoon and evening.