Makynzi's graduation party

Today, my brother and sister-in-law gave a graduating party to my neice, Makynzi.  Mankynzi invited several of her friends over for hamburgers, hot dogs and swimming.  And it was a perfect day for swimming!  And what was suppose to be a 3 hour party, turned in to a slumber party! :)

Becky made the cake and it turned out so CUTE!!

 I really don't know all the girls names, so I will not attempt to name them...lol  Too many Ashley and Allison's that I get confused!

 Rodney, Makynzi and Becky

 Becky's mom, Deborah (or Dodie to my nephews) and my mom

 And since I didn't have my blog up last year, I am going to include some pictures of the party that Rodney and Becky gave Michael last year for his friends.  WOW - has it really been a year?

 

 

Hope every enjoys the holiday weekend!

BLAKE AND REBA!!

We made a road trip to Durant, OK on Wednesday to see Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton at the Choctaw Event Arena (NOT the casino).  Originally, the concert was set for Thursday night.  I was at a clients office when the tickets went on sale, and was not able to get online to purchase them until about 4 hours after they went on sale.  And then they were all sold out!!  But lucky for me, the husband of one of my friends from work, works at a radio station.  She knew how bummed I was about not being able to get tickets.  Her husband called her and said since the tickets sold out so fast, and since it was a benefit concert for the tornado victims, that Reba and Blake decided to come a day early and do TWO shows.  And the added show had not been advertised yet, however the tickets were on sale.  We were able to get tickets on the 3rd row!! My kids absolutely LOVE her!  Michael is probably the only 18 year old with a Reba McEntire CD in his truck.  But the kids mostly love her from her TV series - we watched the reruns so many times when we lived in Arkansas.  It's like that was all that was ever on TV.  Anyway, I hated that the concert was on a Wednesday night, but the great part about being a Christian, is that not matter where you go, you can always find a church to worship at.  And I knew that our preacher had preached a gospel meeting in Durant not too long ago.  So we found out what church it was and attended there before heading to the concert.  The concert started at 7:30, so we knew we would miss the first part.  But to our surprise, it had not started when we got there.  And right when we walked up to our seats, Reba and Blake came out on the stage.  I guess they waited on us...lol 

The red head can SING

Brittany went with Michael

This is not a good quality picture, but you can see Reba up on stage in the background.

I never really have been a Blake Shelton fan, but I have changed my mind!  He was pretty good :)

Jaci went with Courtney

And my mom was my date

I like this picture because it looks like she is looking directly at the camera...ha

Reba and Blake took turns singing songs for a couple of hours, and then we headed home.  It was really a fun time! And for a great cause!!  I heard, from a my friend Lenita, that the concerts raised a total of $500,000 for the tornado relief fund.  That is awesome!!

Awards, Awards and more Awards

 It is that time of year for award banquets and recognition.  This past Sunday, our LTC (Leadership Training for Christ) kids were recognized for their hard work over the last several months.  Each kid that participated received a plaque, along with a medal for each event they participated in. 

Courtney received gold medals in Service Challenge, Teaching, Bible Reading, Scrapbook, Bulletin Board and Puppets and received a bronze medal in Bible Quiz.  Very proud of her and all the other kids who participated  :)

 We decorated the tables with bright table clothes and candy.  And each of the kids that participated in LTC received a goody bag filled with treats. 

 It was odd not having Michael and Kelli participate this year - but it is only for 3rd - 12th grades

This past Monday night was the Prairiland Sports Banquet.  It was nice that the lights stayed on this year.  Last year, the power was off for the entire banquet.

The girls golf team (minus Shelby McCoin):

Sharon Maxfield, Kastley Greer, Sidney Raegan, Bailey Gillie, Courtney and Hailey

 Courtney received the MVP award for the girls golf team!! Go Courtney!! So proud of you!

 All the MVP's from all the different sports.  Courtney looks so tiny compared to all the rest of them! 

 This past Saturday was the last Buddy baseball game - and Autumn received her trophy!!  Go Autumn!!

 And since I didn't have my blog up this time last year, I thought I would include a picture of my other MVP - Michael received the award for the Boys golf team last year.  I really wish I would have started my blog sooner, so I could have recorded his VERY busy senior year.

I can't believe only one more full week of school!!  Courtney will only have to go 2 days the last week since she will be exempt from her semester exams.  Michael finished up his classes last week.  He is still trying to decide if he will take any summer classes at PJC. 

Mothers Day Weekend

This weekend, was the first weekend in a very long time, that we didn't have something planned.  I was so excited that I was going to get to sleep in on Saturday - but I was wide awake at 7am - so I finally just got up.  My mom came and picked up me and Courtney up around 9am.  We first stopped at a garage sale in the neighborhood, and I was able to find Courtney her Halloween costume for this year - a bright yellow Polyester pant suit with a butterfly collar - she will be Marsha Brady.  I am going to try and find the rest of us Brady Bunch costumes too.  Rod and Michael don't know it yet, but they will be dressing up as well :)  We then went to the annual Paris Art Fair and walked around until it was time for Buddy baseball.  We headed out to Woodall Field to watch the kids play.  Courtney had to miss the last two weekends because we had other plans, so Autumn was glad to have her Buddy back :)

Courtney and Autumn

 I tried like crazy to talk my mom into a pedicure for Mother's Day.  But she doesn't like people messing with her feet.  So we went to Magel's and ate lunch.

Me, Courtney and my Mom

 Courtney and her friend Charlie

Saturday afternoon, I was lucky enough to get to babysit a co-workers granddaughter, Avery.  We really enjoyed keeping her.  Courtney was a baby 'hog.'  Avery was the sweetest little baby and never cried at all! She would laugh and smile at us.  She is 2 months old.

 I am pretty sure Avery was not ever put down the whole time we had her

 Michael even held her for a while - he was a little scared of her at first

Being a mom is the most wonderful thing in the world!  I love my kids so much, and love being their mom.  And it blows my mind that they are almost grown!!  Seems like just yesterday I was bringing them home from the hospital, or taking the training wheels off their bike, or walking them into their first day of school. And now one is about to go off to college, and the other is driving. 

I am also very thankful for my mom, and for all she has done for me over the years, and continues to do for me.  I love you Mom! 

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers out there!!

Emily's Going Away Dinner

Last night, several of us ladies, met up at TaMolly's to eat with Emily before she left on her journey back to California.  Emily has been back here in Texas for about 8 months, while her husband (who is a Border Patrol Agent) was on an assignment.  It has been nice having Emily back home and she is going to be missed!

Cousins - Chelsey and Emily

Hailey, Sandra, Courtney and Sheila (Emily's cousin)

The sun was shining in the windows, so the pictures are not the best quality

                                          Britney, me, and Melanie

Emily was so sweet when she got up to say a few words and thank everyone for coming. 

There were a total of 23 of us there, which I thought was a great turn out during this busy time of year.  Good luck out West Emily!  We love you and are going to miss you!

Happy 87th Birthday MawMaw

Sunday, May 1st, my MawMaw turned 87 years old. We waited until tonight to celebrate, so that my uncle Mike, who lives in Dallas, could be here. My grandmother is a very special lady and loved SO much by SO many. She has 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 16 grandchildren. She is such a beautiful and magnificent woman. She is always there with a warm tender hug and an encouraging word. Some of my best childhood memories are with her - from family vacations to sitting for hours at her house and playing paper dolls.  And when Michael was born, she would come over everyday for weeks to be with us and help me after my mom had to go back to work.  At that time, I had never really been about babies much and was scared to death I was going to do something wrong.  And now I love going over to her house and hearing all her memories about her life.  She remembers EVERYTHING! 

Courtney, MawMaw and Michael

The party actually began for me and Becky on Thursday night. Becky came over to help with the cake. I had never really worked with fondant before, and since Becky is a pro (she has a certificate from Hobby Lobby cake decorating class saying so), she came over to help and teach.  We have decided we will NOT be going into cake decorating business anytime soon.

The pink flowers are fondant, the rest is icing.

Since we were having so many (I think we counted 35 that came), we made a batch of cupcakes too. My cousin Kathy's husband, Larry, told me those were the best cupcakes he had eaten in a long time.  So when she asked me for my recipe, I had to bury my pride and tell her the truth.  Pillsbury white cake mix.  It really is the moistest cake mix that I have found.

Courtney and I made a Happy Birthday sign for the party with scrap booking materials

I decorated the tables with bowls full of milk chocolate and strawberry whoppers. The strawberry whoppers were definitely the best

Uncle Mike and me before everyone started arriving

My cousin Kathy, Courtney and Makynzi

Kathy's husband, Larry

Hudson, Seth, Poppy, Becky, Rodney and my mom

The birthday girl!

Not really a good quality picture: Uncle David, Michael, Rod and Jeffrey. I'm impressed they are all chewing with their mouth closed!

Vicki showing off her happy plate
Waymon, Clay and Kristin

My aunt Denise and cousin Teri

Matt, our newest family member, and my cousin Staci

My cousin Hannah with my MawMaw.  Hannah and Staci call her Nonnie.

Uncle Mike ALWAYS has his video camera out

Courtney and Rodney. Normally Jeffrey is the one that is the aggravater, but tonight it was Rodney
Mom was taking pictures of everyone to put in her address book .

Becky and me

Opening cards/presents

David getting an iphone lesson from Becky

Two of my cousin Kristin's boys: Taylor and Brenton
And Cody

Michael and Rod doing what they do best - kicking back and relaxing

Courtney, Makynzi, Matt and Staci having a serious conversation

Waymon, Jeffrey and Teri
We all wrote about a special memory of my grandma, and my cousin Teri put them all in a scrapbook for her

There was a intense game of Twister going on up in Courtney's room

A sweet picture of Rodney and MawMaw

and another with mom and the kids

Sweet niece/uncle bonding

My mom is anemic and has trouble keeping her hemoglobin up. Every month, around the 1st, Michael gives her a B12 shot. Scary, huh? I realize he gives shots to dogs at the clinic, but my mom is a human. But she allows it. So I don't argue. She has to go to the doctor every 2 weeks to get her blood counts checked. And if her counts are below 12, she has to get a shot of Aranesp. She just had to get one this week.  But sometimes can go several months without getting one.
If that were me getting a shot, I would not be smiling.

It was a great night with family celebrating my MawMaw's 87th birthday. And I hope it made her feel as special as she truly is.  I am lucky to be her grandaughter. 

Rod is shouting BT (which means bedtime around our house). Or I could go on and on about how great my MawMaw is.  Good Night!