Pool Party: October 2015

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Johnson Girls Weekend 2015-part 1

Shreveport will never be the same since the Johnson girls came through!
Back in July when the BobSquad was in Alaska and I was at Mimi's house, Bit texted me with the idea of Girls Weekend. We would all meet in Shreveport since it was the halfway point between Mobile and El Reno. Taron had a fall break and they decided that would be a great time for Mimi, Aunt Susan, Aunt Bit, Taron and I to get together. Although it sounded like a WONDERFUL idea, I wasn't really sure it would ever be able to happen with the shape Mimi's back was in. BUT- God is GOOD and He answers prayer! And one failed injection and one back surgery later Mimi is a whole new person!! SO it was game on!
Plans were made, text messages (and LOTS of them) were sent, excitement was high, and we were set!! The Oklahoma crew arrived at my house on Wednesday night to break up their trip a little bit. I was SO excited the entire day that I could barely work! ha! I don't really see how any of us got anything done that day with the mass amount of group texting that went on! But around 5:30, they pulled in! I was glad that the girls got to see Taron, Mimi, and Uncle Susan for an evening. They loved it! And Daddy even got to come over and visit and eat dinner. I was glad that it worked out so that he could see them for a little bit too. We all turned in about 10 to try and get some sleep for our trip the next day.
Thursday morning came early, and I got the girls up and off to school. Then the rest of us got dressed and loaded up the car.... LITERALLY!

And took our first of WAAAAAY too many selfies of the weekend and sent it to Aunt Bit telling her we were on our way!

Aunt Susan and I were chatting away, and the next thing we knew.... this was the view in the back seat!

While driving, I discovered that none of my crew had ever heard of Buckee's! So, as soon as I realized there was one on our path, it was determined that we had to stop! Everyone needs to experience Buckee's. I think they liked it- since we spent over 45 minutes just walking around looking! It was a nice way to break up our trip down there, especially since we had plenty of time. After we had lunch at Subway, we were back on the road. Next stop... SHREVEPORT!
Taron kept in contact with Aunt Bit and it was determined that we would arrive around the same time. But we had no idea just HOW close we would be! We drove up, and her car was parked at the front door! She had just gotten there to check us in! How's that for timing?!
After some hugs and squeals that this weekend was finally here and underway, we proceeded to unload our cars.

Yes, that is enough luggage for a month. Or for 5 Johnson girls for the weekend. Because us girls need CHOICES!!!

And after we got into the room, the first thing we unpacked was the Keurig! And the coffee that Mimi, Aunt Bit, and I brought....

Oh yes. Us 3 Johnson Girls need our coffee! And we put a good dent in it over the 3 days, that's for sure!

I then unpacked the gifts I had brought everyone. I'd had it planned in my head for weeks, and with Dad's help- I got it done!

They turned out SOOO cute!

And I wrapped everyone's in separate bags with their names on them.

The best part was Mimi's bag. On one side it said "Mimi". And on the other side it said "Mrs. Johnson"! I told her I didn't know which of her personalities would be present when I gave the gifts, so I covered them both!! (Side note: Mrs. Johnson is the personality that isn't related to me at the card table!) I just love my family and our card game shenanigans!

Bit also had a gift for us all.... Princess Crowns! I loved it! No girls weekend would be complete without a crown to wear!!

The Queen needed a little help from a princess to get her tiara on just right.

Then it was SELFIE time!!

After we sat around and talked for a while, we decided to check out the Boardwalk for some dinner and a movie!

Dinner was at Joe's Crabshack, and it was SO good! We all enjoyed catching up a bit.
It goes without saying that another SELFIE was in order!!

I love this amazing group of women.
But what happened next had me laughing so hard I could barely stand it...
We walked around the Boardwalk a little, then decided to find a map to look for the movie theater. Taron was the first up to try to find it, and she kept telling us that it was one way (which was IN the water...). So Aunt Susan stepped in to help her..... Houston we have a problem. To know Aunt Susan is to know that she is...shall we say....directionally challenged. She and Taron studied the map and the number that the map said the movie theater was.

And Taron was trying to get Aunt Susan to see it how she was seeing it. So she said "Just turn your head like this and it will make sense!"

Oh dear.
BUT- the absolute best part was when Mimi (who is as smooth as they come) walks up to the map after witnessing all of this and points to that LARGE tan spot in the MIDDLE of the map that says "Movie Theater" and says "Isn't that it right there." And then just walks away!

So much laughter ensued. And I think Taron's face tells it all!!
We did end up finding the theater, in spite of our directionally challenged crew, and saw "Bridge of Spies". It was pretty good, but I had to have some of it explained to me after! Story of my life.....
Back at the room, we started winding down and getting ready for bed. It took this crew until midnight to stop laughing and talking and get settled in. But we did, and some serious sleeping followed!
Next up: Day 2!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Pink Luncheon

Over the years I have seen several facebook friends post about attending the annual Pink Luncheon put on by the Parker County Health Foundation, and I always thought it looked like a fun event. Then PINK became a reality for us, and I became even more intrigued by their posts each year.
A few months back, I saw a billboard advertising the 10th annual Pink Luncheon and suddenly I had a strong desire to go. I looked up the information and when I found out that it was $100 to attend, I knew that it would be hard to find someone to go with me. So I kind of wrote it off. Then one day I casually mentioned it on facebook that I think it would be really neat to go, not really thinking much of it than just thinking out loud. And within 10 minutes, I had Becky and Emily both telling me they wanted to go with me! Seriously! I have the best people in my life. So I got all 3 of our tickets ordered and we were set!
October 9th was the date, and we had all picked out the perfect pink outfit! ( I MAY have even spent some time the night before trying on outfits and texting pictures to Becky! LOL) I had come up with the idea that, since we were all going to honor Mom, that we should each wear some pink jewelry of hers. That way we had a part of her there with us.

I wish I had thought to get a picture of what each of us wore of Mom's.
We all met up at New River Fellowship and ended up being there plenty early. Which was good because it gave us a chance to look at the auction items and purchase tickets for that as well as visit with a few people and take a few pictures!

When we finally got in, we found our seats and discovered the really neat purses that were full of goodies as well as the super cute place setting complete with a cupcake! I almost ate mine first!

The program was so neat. They talked about what the Parker County Health Foundation does and what the money raised was going to support. Part of what the money went to was providing mammograms for women who couldn't afford them. The other part went to the Careity foundation- which holds a super special place in my heart. They did many things that made Mom's journey easier. The biggest blessing to us was that they provided someone to come to the house and give Mom massages during those last weeks when she hurt so bad. This "angel" came and sat by Mom's bed and just massaged her while she stayed where she was most comfortable. Most times Mom slept through it, but she was just as sweet and caring as she could be. I still swear her angel wings were hidden under her shirt.
I was honored to be part of such a wonderful cause. The guest speakers were outstanding!!! They were sisters who told their breast cancer story. They could have you in tears one minute and doubled over laughing the next. "Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." As Truvy said in Steel Magnolias. Then at the end, they showed videos of 3 Parker County women who had battled breast cancer in the last year. I kind of got a knot in the pit of my stomach because I had a pretty good idea that my friend Shirley Smelly was going to be one of the people, and low and behold- I was right. She was the 3rd video. I was already on the verge of being taken over by my emotions and her video pushed me over. She has been a life long family friend (Mom did her mom's hair as long as I can remember), then Shirley is the one who helped us with hospice care when we made that decision for mom. She even came out on a Sunday afternoon to talk to us. Because she is just that amazing. Then after we lost Mom, Shirley found out she too had breast cancer. Thankfully she is cancer free now! God is so GOOD!!! But I could hardly wait to hug her neck after it was over.
But the number one thing that made me emotional on this special day.... was these two ladies.

I can't even begin to tell you what it meant to me that they went with me. Becky had to take off work, and Emily had to find a sitter. Just to be with ME. Words can't even express the gratitude and love I have for these two ladies. They have lifted me over the last 8 months (well more like 2 years) when I was at my lowest and carried me when I couldn't do it on my own. I am not sure what I would do without them. Not sure what I did to deserve to be loved by such wonderful people, but I sure got lucky in the in-law department. They will never know how appreciative I am that they did this with me. It was a wonderful day full of memories that I won't soon forget. I can't wait to go back next year.

Monday, October 19, 2015

1st six weeks Awards

At the end of the first six weeks of school, Peaster does an awards assembly for each grade level. They started this last year, and I got to go to a couple of them for Brenna. I especially enjoyed the end of the year one when she won the Golden Paw award for Integrity. The Golden Paw award is given to one (or two) outstanding students for each six weeks in each class. It is chosen by the teacher and has a different criteria each six weeks.
This year, I got a text from Macie's teacher saying that Macie Claire was getting the Golden Paw award for her class for the first 6 weeks! I was so proud of her! I also knew she would get perfect attendance since (knock on wood) the girls haven't missed any school yet.
Brenna was also due to get a couple of awards..... SO I knew I needed to be at their ceremonies. Brenna's was that morning first thing, so I knew I could swing that one. But Macie's was in the afternoon during my class, so I had to pull some strings and as a favor of another teacher, and I was covered to go to hers too!
Brenna, as always, was excited to see me at school and waved non stop when she got there. I even got a hug! I was so proud of her for getting a perfect attendance award as well as A honor roll! Only two kids in her class got A honor roll, and she was one of them! Way to go Brenna Grace!!! Not sure where this kid gets her brains.... cuz it isn't from her Mama! ha! I was totally happy just sailing through school with a passing grade.... any ole passing grade would do! But this kiddo has got it going on! Especially in Math. It's her best subject, even though she will tell you it isn't her favorite.

Headed to get her perfect attendance award.

3rd grade perfect attendance!

My A honor roll cutie!!!

I loved how proud she was of herself. It melted me!

Macie's award ceremony came later on in the day. Nina was able to take off for an hour or so and go to that one with me! YEA!! I was so glad she could come! Next time we will plan better and she can go to Brenna's too.
Macie is a whole different kiddo when it comes to school.... Normally she is clinging to me and wants all of the attention. But at school it is totally different. She will glance over at me and, if I am lucky, will grin at me. But she will not go out of her way to come over and hug me. I think she is scared of getting in trouble. Which is funny- because at home, getting in trouble doesn't bother her in the least! Maybe I should get some pointers from Mrs. Boecker! haha!
So Macie walked in and kind of smiled at us when I TOLD her to, but that was it. She acted all shy. Oh that girl. One day I will figure her out. Maybe. BUT I was so proud of her none the less. She got her perfect attendance first, then got the Golden Paw for Positive Attitude. I am so proud of this chick! She was so timid last year and cried the whole first month of school when I dropped her off. So I was very concerned about how this year would go. But she has done great! She loves school and loves her teacher! I can't wait to get a chance to be in her classroom at some point and watch her interact with her peers.

I had to MAKE her smile. Lil' toot!

Perfect attendance! Yea!

How sad is it that the first thing I noticed is that she didn't have on the cute sandals I dressed her in, but rather her yucky pe tennis shoes!

Showing off her Golden Paw AND perfect attendance awards.

Finally- a real smile!

After the ceremony, they went out to the hall to take pictures of the Golden Paw recipients. I went out there to get her picture and had to basically hold her there to get one! She was ready to join her class and didn't have time for Nina and I! Oh this girl.

I was one proud Mama! Maybe Daddy will not be on shift next time and can come too!

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Gettin' Dirty!

After I painted the girls faces a few weekends ago- they asked to do it again. But this time I was feeling brave- either that or I had lost my mind- and I let them paint each other's faces!! It SOUNDED like a good idea.

Brenna was a good sport! I would have been a little more nervous than this if Macie Claire was holding my head and coming at me with blue paint!

Then they switched!

Beautiful!

But I don't see "face painting" going on their resume's any time soon.

From there they moved on to digging! It was a fun Saturday evening spent at home doing NOTHING but having fun. I loved it!!

I asked Brenna what they were doing. She said "we are digging holes! Then we are going to fill them up with dirt!"

Ummmmm. Okkkk... Whatever floats your boat child.

Then it was on to sidewalk chalk! Because when you are already filthy dirty- sidewalk chalk is the obvious next step!

Macie's self portrait!

And Brenna's self portrait!

Notice that the colors of her clothes are even accurate! That's my girl! Details.

Pops and Memaw ended up coming over to do a little back porch sittin with us. So the girls decided to draw them too!

I was pretty impressed! Their clothes are accurate, and check out Pops' mustache!! I should have had the live versions pose with their portraits!

And last but not least- Mommy and Daddy!

Check out Daddy's crown! (And absence of a neck!) and my tiara.

The artists and their masterpieces!

After this- things took a turn. A messy turn!!!

The paint was found, and more body parts were then painted. But this was the point in the night where I decided "as long as they are having fun..."

And fun they were having!!

Messy fun!

The final (photographed) event of the evening was a bicycle built for 2! (Or not) they giggled and squeezed and rode on this together. I loved it. Little girl belly laughs... Best. Sound. Ever.

The last event was not photographed for obvious reasons. As Pops and Memaw were driving off- we stripped the girls down and hosed them off! They were THAT dirty!! I loved it!!!!