Back to School

Summer is over and school is back in full swing. I can't believe that Tommy is actually in high school! Both of them are going to new schools this year, so it is a new adventure. Tyler is also playing trumpet in the band. Here are some pictures of them waiting for the bus on the first day of school.

Tommy on the back of his future truck

Tommy and Emily

The bus is coming!

Tyler comes out to wait for his bus

Tyler looks apprehensive!

Waiting patiently at the end of the driveway

Last 39th Birthday Celebration

Today was the last official celebration of my birthday that I will have in my 30's. We went to Elgin to celebrate at Daddy's. Enjoy some of the pictures from the day.

An attempt to get a Christmas card picture for Daddy.

An attempt to get a picture of me with the boys.

The picture after threatening Tommy if he doesn't quit messing up my hair.

Classic Stephen face

Random picture of Tyler sleeping with Casey that was on the camera

Saxe Gotha End of Summer

Tonight was the end of summer program for parents for Saxe Gotha where Tyler goes to daycare. It was really bittersweet for us because this is Tyler's last summer there. We have really loved our kids going there, but Tyler will be going to a new school in a few weeks, and they will not be able to pick him up. The Son Force Special Agents really did a great job with the program for us.

Tyler with Ms. Joy

Tommy and Tyler with Ms. Ginny

Tyler with his first love from last summer, Megan

Home - Safe and Sound

The last of our crew is finally home. Jamie didn't get in until 2 am this morning, but he did finally arrive safely. His flights were delayed due to the storms, and he said that it was pretty creepy to fly with lightning all around. As you can see from the pictures, he really got a lot of good experience from the conference. He showed Tyler the picture of him and Mike and Tyler asked him who the lady was with him! Funny!

Jamie and Mike - Gene and Paul better watch their competition!

Looks like it was a rockin' show

Home at last

Today was another long travel day, and the house is no longer quiet anymore! Today was pickup day at Asbury Hills. I met Joyce at the church at about 10, and we were off to get the boys. We got up there a little after 12:30, and to my surprise, they let us load up the boys' stuff while they were eating lunch. It wasn't terribly hot, and I was glad because I had to get Tyler's stuff from one cabin and then go to another to get Tommy and Corey's. We got down there just in time to walk down to the closing program. I couldn't find my camera this morning, so the pictures from today were taken with the disposable camera that I sent with Tommy (since he failed to take even one picture). I think that they all had a great time. The weather was probably the best week of the whole summer. We got home at about 4:30, and even though they had pizza for lunch, Tommy begged for it again for supper! Now it is back to our lives of mahem!

Tyler is happy to see Mom!

Tyler with his group

Tommy and Corey with John from last year

Joyce reunited with Jordan and Zachary

Freida reunited with Corey

Me reunited with Tommy and Tyler

Tommy reunited with Bobo and Casey

Whirlwind day

Today was quite a whirlwind of activities and emotions. We were late getting to bed last night, and Casey was not content to stay shut up in the hallway, so I ended up putting her in bed with me. I was worried that she was going to scratch up the door of Mimi's house.

We got up pretty early (6:30) and got ready for the funeral. The funeral didn't start until 11, but we were going over to Aunt Beth's house in case she needed some help and support getting ready. When we got to Aunt Beth's, she was out with a friend taking a walk. I can't imagine the pain that she must be feeling. We picked up Uncle Gerald at 9:30 and headed over to the church. We sat in the library until time to go in with all of the family.

The funeral was very moving. Wes (Quentin's younger brother) spoke first. God must have given him the strength and the words because I can't imagine being able to do that in the pain that he was enduring. I know that Quent would be so proud of him. I didn't know Quent well, but after the service, I wish that I had known him better. He really did live a meaningful life. He was very active in his church, was devoted to his family, and from the turnout at the funeral, must have been well liked at his job.

After the funeral, we ate at the church and went back over to Aunt Beth's for a while. Thankfully, she was resting and several of the sisters visited in the kitchen. I hitched a ride back to Mimi's with Aunt Iva Jane because I had to get back to Lexington to register Tyler for school. We got back to Manning at about 3:20, and I changed and loaded up and hit the road by 3:45. Registration was from 4 to 6, so I didn't have much time to spare. I got home and dumped the dogs out and gave them some water and made it to the school at 5:30. I was relieved to get there in time so that I could get everything taken care of without having to take more time off of work later.

Tomorrow I will be heading up to Asbury Hills to get the boys. Freida will not be able to get off of work in time, so I will pick up Corey as well. I am looking forward to seeing the boys. I hope that they took some pictures because there haven't been very many of them on the website this year. Jamie will be getting home late tomorrow night as well, so it will be back to our hectic household on Saturday. I must say that life has not been very restful this week after all. One thing that has been reinforced in me this week - we need to treasure our time together with the people that matter to us.

Tyler in line for ice cream

A hard day

Today was a very difficult day. Jamie's first cousin, Quentin, passed away on Monday from a massive heart attack at age 31. He leaves behind a wife and two small children and parents and siblings that are devastated. We have visitation tonight and there were so many people there. We got there about 5, and it wasn't supposed to start until 6 and people were already there. We didn't leave until after 10. They said that the line went around 3 buildings outside. We will definitely be praying for the families as there will be a big hole in their lives now.

I called Jamie to try to touch base after we left, and could barely hear him. He is at a Kiss concert tonight at the seminar that he is attending. He said that he got his face painted, so maybe I will have a picture tomorrow.

I looked at the pictures from camp when we got home, and there was finally a good one of Tyler. That is a good thing to close with after a day like today.

Looks like Tyler visited the camp store!