School's out for summer!

No matter how it comes or when it comes the last day of school is always an exciting one. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, Cade and Caelin had to completely change how they go to school. When students left campuses for Spring Break, they had no idea they wouldn’t be returning. That the last two and a half months of school would be done independently, mostly online. That they wouldn’t really be able to leave their homes during that time, see their friends or that they would miss out on traditions like school field trips, field day, end of the year school parties, and the feeling of leaving campus for the summer. Despite all the uncertainty that came with the end of the year Cade and Caelin hung in there and made the best of it.  We conquered virtual learning for 2+ months like a boss with 4 people all working under the same roof and a LOT of zooms (we had to have a family zoom calendar). Despite having to change the way they were taught, both finished the year strong with straight “A’s”.  We celebrated by decorating the kitchen and stairs for when they woke up to breakfast.  Gamee joined us shortly and brought silly string attacks while playing “School’s Out For Summer”.  We then headed up to Decker Prairie Elementary to take our last day of school pictures.  This year our signs read “I survived 2^nd/4^th grade quarantined”.  Can we just pause to say that we officially have a 3rd and 5th grader in the house?!  Cade will be moving up to Intermediate School next year as a 5th grader and sis is NOT excited about BroBro being at a different school! Sigh...time marches on.  We even took a few pictures with their face masks, hand sanitizer, and a roll of toilet paper.  Sonic lunch with treats (Blue Coconut Slush for Caelin and a Mango Lemonade for Cade) were on the menu while we spent the afternoon trying on clothes for the wedding and playing with Gamee.  After Grampee got off work, we made a reservation to eat at Cisco’s Mexican to celebrate.  It still takes getting used to being out of the house, staying 6 feet away from other tables, and restaurants only having 25% capacity due to Covid.  Like we have said a thousand times before, things have been very different in this phase of life.  During dinner, both kids received their report cards and special awards.  Cade was awarded the inspiring writer, technology guru, and brilliant bookworm.  Caelin was awarded the happy helper, growth mindset, and creative inventor.  Gamee and Grampee even spoiled them with cards and some summer spending money.  To finish out the evening, the kids had to solve a picture puzzle which told them we were doing a day trip to Galveston beach the next day.  They were pretty excited and after a long day, we went to bed ready for the beach!

Happy Memorial Day!

We spent the day at Lake Sommerville with friends to celebrate Memorial Day.  The Harroff's and Yeates' were in for some quarantined fun with jet skiis and cooking out at the lake.  Being overcast was perfect for eveyone and we had hot dogs/sausage wraps on the grill for lunch.  Charles and Cade had an interesting time being towed back in on the jet ski when they accidentally wrapped the ski cord around the motor of the jet ski.  Do not worry though, my tiny hands were able to unwrap the cord with the assistance of a filet knife.  Ha!  After we unwrapped the cord, the jet ski started right up. It was a perfect day with friends remembering those that have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for us and this great country of the United States of America.  May God continue to bless their families and our great Nation.  

Garage clean out!

It has taken us a few days of cleaning and purging, but we are finally able to enjoy space in the garage. I guess it only took 2 years after moving to do this. Ha! The boys had a successful day building a Nerf gun wall and now I have more space to work out. Bring on the Nerf wars!

A week in Round Rock

We left last Sunday, May 3rd to head to Round Rock to spend the week with Nana.  That is one positive blessing out of these uncertain times is that we can do work and school remotely as long as we have internet.  So, we decided to pack up and head to Nana's for the week.  The week turned out a bit different than we expected, but we are proud to have had the time we did with Nana.  The 2nd day we were there, Mendy and I took Mom to an eye doc apt where she began to get dizzy and had very low blood pressure.  Her BP was 80/50 and the doctor told us to take her to the ER.  We called her heart doctor in the car who said the same thing.  When we got to the ER, no one could go in with Mom due to Covid 19, so it was heartbreaking to have to let her go not knowing what they might find.  she stayed in the hospital for 2 days (May 5-7) and we were so excited to pick her up on May 7th.  We immediately went by the grocery store so Charles could run in and get what was needed from her discharge and then we went home to celebrate her 71st BD (even if it was a day late)!  The rest of the week was spent enjoying cousins and family time while helping Mom clean out the office, pantry, and yard.  We felt so happy to be able to help with some additional tings around the house.  One positive thing that has come out of all this is that Mom will be able to access home health care now and have doctors/nurses come to her.  This will help to have a continuum of care and PT in the home as well.  As I have always believed, something good always comes out of a difficult situation.

Mother's Day

Charles and I were both blessed with Mom's who serve as a daily reminder of unconditional love.  We have always felt supported by these wonderful Mom's and words are just never enough for the life lessons and grace they show daily.  Being a Mom myself, I know that not every day as a Mom is glorious.  I am blessed to have role models that show me what being a Mom is all about.  Today, we were able to celebrate with a brunch with Nana before heading home to eat dinner with Gamee.  What a perfect day.  Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!

Nana turns 71!

We enjoyed celebrating Nana's birthday (even if it was a day late) with her.  It never gets easier living so far from your parents, so I cherish every moment when I get to have them.  I guess that is one HUGE blessing about living far away...I never take a day for granted when I am with family.  God knew exactly what I needed when he gave me my Mom.  I have always admired her grit to defy the odds, willingness to stand up for those less fortunate, and how she has never forgotten where she came from.  I hope I make her proud.  At her request, we enjoyed grilled lobster and shrimp for dinner with cake and homemade cookies Gamee had sent.  Happy Birthday to the best Mom in THE WORLD!

Friday Night Movie Night

Tonight's feature brought us "The Great Outdoors" with Dan Akroyd and John Candy!