National Junior Honor Society

Recently Sydney was invited to be a member of the National Junior Honor Society at her school. This society only invites students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and models good behavior. So we were very excited to attend her induction ceremony today.

Last semester only 19 students were inducted - and this semester they added about 100 more.

These students will all be expected to do a service project at the school and then another on their own.

For the ceremony, the NJHS leaders explained the 5 areas where they are expected to grow - Leadership, Service, Citizenship, Character and Scholarship. Then they lit a candle for each topic. The students were then called up on stage where they received a certificate.

Way to go, Sydney!

What are the odds?

Sometimes things happen and you just have to stand back and say, "NO WAY!!!" That's just what happened when Randy was playing cards with the kids. Chase dropped some cards on the floor and when he bent down to pick them up, this is what he saw....

They fell straight up and down right in a crack. I can't help but think that God does this because He has a sense of humor. It sure made us all laugh!

Biggest Puzzle in the world!

During the snowstorm I decided to pull out this Coke puzzle that had 2,000 pieces. We were stuck inside for what looked like several days so I thought it would be so nice to have something to keep us busy. Boy did it ever! After several days, Trish came over to visit. She helped with the puzzle and we got lots done.

Then the next weekend, Phillip came to stay with us and Betsy and Dave came to visit. They all pitched in and we finally finished it. 2 weeks - TWO WEEKS! I was dreaming about puzzle pieces. It was the hardest puzzle I have ever attempted and I don't have any desire to do that again. But it was so worth it - except for the fact that it was missing ONE PIECE. Seriously? One piece? Oh well. I was just glad to have it finished!! Woo hoo!

Snowmageddon 2011

I am cracking up that the weathermen in our area are calling this "Snowmageddon 2011!" But it's the most snow we've had since the Blizzard of '93. So I can't blame them I guess. I have to say that I am LOVING this snow. I have a hard time understanding those that don't like it. But I will take it anytime!

When Tyler and Chrissy sold us this house and moved to Florida, they left a sled in the shed. I never thought we'd ever have a chance to use it, but boy was I WRONG! It was perfect. Sydney even figured out how to steer it.

And what do you do when you don't have enough sleds? Use your rotary cutting mat! Go ahead and laugh, but that thing is slick! And towards the end, a neighbor let us use another sled, so we had it covered.

I think I pushed the kids hundreds of times before we were all wet and sloshy and had to head home.

Our sweet neighbors, Dick and Martha Faye made us some snow cream. It was the first time we had ever tried it. They are just the sweetest!

Tonight Randy and I are cracking up at how sore we are. We're moaning and groaning as we walk around as if we're 100 years old. But it was so worth it. Once when I was about to push Chase down the hill (for the millionth time!) he said, " This is funner than Dollywood!" I have to agree. Oh wait - it's even better than Dollywood because it's FREE!!

How did this happen?

Someone please tell me how 13 years could possibly have gone by already. What a blessing that she is healthy and growing, but this mama's heart is not ready for the teenager that she has become.

What strikes me about Sydney is how mature she seems already. I have to remind myself to treat her like the child that she still is, rather than a grown up. She has the gift of logic and reason - which she gets from her dad, oh and his height too! And what does she get from me? Hmmm. Let's just say that the girl loves to S-H-O-P!

We are blessed beyond words for this child-turning-adult. Her metamorphosis from child to womanhood will be a joy to watch.

My prayer for you, Sydney, is that you will love God with all your heart and love others as well. Keep your eyes on the One who loves you and has made you a Princess in His eyes.

On a lighter note, these little monkeys got into the action as well:

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

I have to admit it - I'm not very good at the inner workings of my computer. Although I feel computer literate, there are things that just make me want to PULL MY HAIR OUT. This blog layout has been one such thing. I have been frustrated in trying to get it to look good AND have something clever to say.

Well, since it's been months since I've posted, I've actually realized that it doesn't matter that the blog is imperfect. And there really is no pressure to say things just right. It's just important that I document what's going on. I love looking back and seeing how we grow and change from month to month.

Even now I just went back to a posting from last year and can't believe how one child in particular has changed. Sydney will be 13 tomorrow (insert tears here!) and I can't believe how much she has turned into such a beautiful person. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she is also a very sweet and beautiful person on the inside. Makes a momma proud!

So being the cool mom that I am (ahem!) I am not making her go to school tomorrow. Major brownie points!! We are having a spa day and going out to eat. Then we'll come home and make her favorite dinner and open presents. I'm looking forward to it just as much as she is!

Wordless Wednesday