final swim of the summer

 Every party needs a good photo booth.  Graham was born for a photo booth.

And every party should have chicken legs.  Why not?

helper day

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football season

 This little 70 pound ten year old thinks he is 6'5 and weighs 365 pounds.  I hope he always sees himself the way God sees him.

friends

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first school dance

 Zac loves a party.  Especially one where he can let loose and kick it.

 His dates for the dance.  I couldn't be prouder.  He has some of the greatest friends a kid could ask for.  And they all have the neatest parents.  We are blessed.  No two ways about it.

And me.  Working the soda fountain.  I really was tempted to shake it in the middle of the gym floor but out of love for my son, I restrained myself.  Apparently, no one dances at school dances in junior high.
Who knew?

i love a parade

 Happy birthday to the city of Red Oak, Texas.

 What's a parade without Jessie and Woody?

 There's the king and queen.  Riding in style.  Except they weren't throwing candy.  Shame.

 Not quite like the drill team of my day, but I'll take it.  I sure miss those days this time of year.

 What else can be said?

 I'd love to ride up there. I think his mama is about to fall out.  Aren't those trucks built for one?  It's not exactly what you'd take a date to homecoming in, is it?

 This one just makes me laugh.

 I guess Jazzerzise is still alive and well.  And on flat bed trucks, even.  Wow.

 Please hold your brother's face still so we can snap one picture.

Oh, the mardi gras necklaces.  Every mother's favorite thing to clean out of the van and toss into the trash.  Oh wait, did I say that?

texas high school football...there's nothing like it

 This past weekend we went to the Lone Star State to watch a pretty cool senior play football.  They grow 'em big in Texas.  Here he is...#54.  So proud of him.

It was homecoming.  Oh how I love a good homecoming game.  Where we live now, mums the word.  No one has ever heard of a homecoming mum.  It's a shame too.  Cause the longer the ribbons, the deeper the love, in my opinion.

 Here's #54 with his sweet mother.  He was nominated for homecoming king.  So handsome and humble.

 His royal crowning.  The people in the stands were going crazy for Sam.  He's pretty special.

 Calling out the captains for the coin toss.  We won it, of course.  I love how the captains link together to show team unity.  We all could use more team unity in our lives.

 Like I said....there is nothing like Texas football.  I've never been to games like the ones in Texas.  It's all about the experience and fanfare.   And really, the game is just a small part of Friday night lights.  The drill team is where it's at, y'all.

Here's Red Oak high school.  My sweet husband's alma mater.  If you ask him, he'll sing you the school song.  And he won't tell you that he, too, was once crowned homecoming king on that same field as his youngest cousin.

My older boys and their cousin, Sam.  They adore him.  He's been such a neat role model for them throughout his growing up years.  And what I love about this beast of a teenager is that he can tackle the largest opponent on the field and then show up at his Memaw's house later and let these little cousins climb all over him and wrestle him to the ground as if he is the weakest kid on the block.   He shows Christ by his character on and off the field.  His teammates and friends all look up to him.  Yet he always has time to play catch in the yard with his two biggest fans.  We love you, #54 even if you do have a beard and you're only seventeen.

One more of a mum. I don't even know who this girl is.  I just asked if I could take a pic of her mum.  I really wanted to ask her if I could wear it for a minute, but if I remember correctly, those suckers are hard to pin on.  I so wish my boyfriend would have bought me one.  But I guess after seventeen years and three kids, I don't need long ribbons to know how deep the love is.

amen

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off to the races

our little family enjoying some hometown flair

lately

Sports are hard on mothers.  An experienced mom told me yesterday that when your son plays quarterback he is either the hero or the zero.  It's true.  Even though there are lots of players that contribute to a win or a loss, the quarterback has a heavy responsibility and lots of times get most of the blame.

Last night our sweet teen played his first game as QB.  He was so nervous.  He looked great.  Confident, collected and steady.  He played his heart out even with a migraine and messed up helmet.  He led his team well and I could not be more proud of how he carried himself.  He plays with heart, integrity and humble confidence.

It's not easy sitting in the stands watching it all unfold.  Listening to the cheers and jeers of the crowd.  Some mothers don't use filters.  I need to remember that.  I need to keep my filter on all the time.  That same mom also told me to sit in the stands and surround myself with parents who will support us and love our son no matter what the outcome of the game is and if there is no one like that, then sit by yourself.  Despite the unfiltered comments, I was surrounded by two sweet women who encouraged me the entire game.  We laughed together, sighed together and held our breath together.  And in the end, when we ran out of time and the score was not what we had hoped for, we supported one another.  Thank you Lord for putting those two women beside me last night.

I'll be sitting with them the rest of the season all the while reciting...Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.  Psalm 141:3

a dog loyal to his pal

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first day of the last year of preschool

Because no cool kids wear "church clothes" on the first day of school, we changed.