Moving AGAIN

Apparently after about 300 posts, blogger is unable to support posted links, sooooo ...

I am moving AGAIN! 

Fresh new blog appropriate for new changes in life- 

https://changingtheunbalancedchronicles.blogspot.com/

Silver Pen

What a fantastic evening!

Tonight Connor was awarded first prize and his THIRD scholarship award.

YES, this baby peanut.

He makes me cry every day because I am so gosh darn proud of him!

If only I trusted God more.

Connor wrote an essay on overcoming his dyslexia and ADHD through faith and further shared how that journey cultivated leadership.

Only three within the area counties were winners. 

All of the essays were so good.

We were SHOCKED (and so proud) to learn Connor won first prize!! 

Ridgecrest held the most beautiful dinner and ceremony! 

We were allowed to invite four people.

They made the sweetest baskets for each winner with the most beautiful personalized gifts and a mattress for their dorms- I mean truly the neatest touches. 

Dinner was a delicious three course dinner with dessert! 

During dinner we sat with a gentleman who had lived in nearly 50 states, served in the Korean war, and was 93 years young.   He told us the funny story of trying to be in drama club in college when the professor put a chair in front of him and told him to act like he was "making love to a woman".  He said after that day "no more drama club". 

We joked he should be getting the award, not Connor.

It was so much fun.

Connor was a nervous wreck about reading his essay but God gave this child the gift of speaking well and in front of others.  

It was amazing and you could tell he held the crowd.

He literally made his sister start crying and ya'll know I was already starting 

(and Aunt Steph started before Connor was beginning). 😂

I loved the lady who awarded Connor first prize.  

She told Carlee she would be keeping an eye on her too! 

I feel the spirit of the LORD working all over this boy. One day I will tell you how we started and how far we've come in God's goodness.

God is Good Yall! 

 

Spring has Sprung

 

                                              Spring Break Awesomeness

This week was so much fun but now I have a taste for summer and I don’t know HOW I’m going to make it through these last few months. 

Let’s recap the highlights!! 

Dress Shopping

We have been looking for the perfect middle school dance dress.  

Why is finding the right fit for girls such a nightmare!?!   

We definitely differ on what looks good (I like long and frilly and she likes short and shiny).  Two online orders and three stores later we finally found a cute dress.  Details coming soon but these matching nails are a hint.

Here are a few that didn’t make the cut but sooo pretty.

Tennis!  

Our FINAL (weep) high school tennis season is up and running. I LOVE watching Connor.  This year he is the only senior leader on the team. We, like most parents,  just pray for a final great season for him.

Bedroom Renovation

We moved in this house about twenty years ago and there has only been one room we have not yet fully renovated- our bedroom.  

Of course mom and dad are last when nursery rooms need to be painted, daycare bills, dentists, new cleats, etc. etc. 

Finally it was time.

I hesitate to post the before pictures because our old carpet belongs to the Museum of Science.  

New paint, new hardwood floor, new furniture, new curtains, and new bedding-  I

’m loving it! 

Great Wolf Lodge

Birthday trip at Carlee’s favorite place!  

This time we had the boys join and it was pretty fun for all.  

They couldn’t get enough of that TORNADO! 

& Cake

This is the first time I’ve attempted a birthday cake from scratch.  Carlee and Darren says it’s great but Connor said it tastes like tree bark, so the jury is hung.

Books

I read all of these over the break!  

They were all fantastic (except for Hoover, sorry Hoover).

Friends

We tried to catch up with as many friends as we could before back to schedules, paperwork, and bed by 8pm!! SIGH.  

It was fun while it lasted.

“That is one good thing about this world ... there are always sure to be more springs.”

Lucy Maude Montgomery 

Happy Birthday Doll!

 

Look at this sweet little butterball?

How is she already 12 years old!!!

Let me just tell you that you could not PAY me enough money to be a 12 year old girl today.  Sure there are a lot of things that have always been around for girls- catty behavior, pressure to be perfect, body image..... 

but when you throw technology into the mix, you have yourself a nightmare.  In my job alone, I can't get over the pressure girls face each and every day.  

In many ways I miss the younger days, but not for me, for Carlee.  There was once a sweet time when you could wear whatever you wanted and be whoever you wanted free of judgement! 

Society doesn't let our baby girls be babies for long. 

Carlee you still handle being 12 like a pro!  

 I've learned so much by watching myself.

In 12 years you have become:

-a deep thinker. You are a lot more observant than anyone realizes.

-humble.  

I see girls today bouncing around with so much confidence, which is great, but when that confidence causes one to be unkind to others the line is drawn. I am so thankful you don't take joy in the hurt of others. 

-an animal lover.  My house smells like Pet Smart as a result but I'm glad you want to take care of your guinea pigs and Mags.

-spiritual.  The music in church makes you cry.  You are so interested in God's word and always have the best questions.

-A cheerleader.  I could not believe you tried out for cheerleading! Even when you made the team you doubted yourself but I think you are one gifted performer.  You are also a great teammate, NEVER berating someone who didn't get it.   

-a dancer. This year you tried a new dance class- ACRO! 

-a stronger family. What is hard to navigate at school is easy at home.  You are close with mom, dad, and brother and WE will always have your back (and have fun too).  

Sorry girl but we will ALWAYS see you as Baby Sechrist.

-Swimmer.  You love to swim and could spend ALL day in the water.

-A TOTAL night owl. You catch your second wind at about 7pm and HATE mornings.

-Funny.  You have a wicked sense of humor.

Too Much Peopling for you Today

-A MAJOR Swiftie.

Carlee doesn't like cake but she loves cookies.  I made this cookie cake from scratch!! 

It is as lopsided as heck but I feel accomplished.

-A Sephora Junkie (even though I hate that overpriced place).

-HOME EC student.  You really enjoy baking and sewing. Middle school is all about discovery and I think it's awesome you love home economics.

Pillow by Carlee

-what you like: your perfect day is sleeping in, shopping, and getting your nails done

-Fashionista. Fashion is your jam.

-Roblox'er.  You still love to design things on Roblox

-Photographer.  You are definitely a nature girl & love to take photos

Happy 12th Birthday to our Sweet Doll

WE love you!!