A penny for your thoughts

In yet another attempt to keep this thing up- Introducing my "Post from the Past". I am going to try and do a few "Post from the Past" a month, just to spice things up a bit.

This post, is hardly from the past- just last month!-

One very early morning, in South Padre- I went to hang out at the beach with Presley and Owen. Presley didn't want anything to do with being in front of the camera- so I captured the spirit of a 6 1/2 year old and his first morning visit to the ocean. Wish I could have captured a thought or two flowing through his brain. What could he have been thinking??.......



"Is this what he meant by "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place,." ?"






It certainly seems it was all gathered here~!





These waves are chasing me!!!


Maybe I should run this way??!




"On Second thought!??"



"They're gaining on me!"


"OK- let's try this again!"




I actually got a few pictures with Presley too, and this is by far my favorite. (even though you can't see them very well.)

Today 9-11

September 11th !!!! (Yes- of course I had to post today!)

Just a few thoughts on the day itself!

I never even thought about the fact that September 11th was 911, until September 11,2001.
I know (atleast) four people born on September 11th. (Happy Birthday Randy, Maggie, Kenneth- and my little man Jordan)
September 11th- honestly use to not mean too much to me...

Now- September 11th!

I've been thinking all morning about Jordan, about my family- the love we all share! How things might have been different if Jordan were here with us! He would have been Eight today! That just seems CRAZY! Who would he have looked like now? (He looked like both Presley and Jake when he was born.. All of my children looked very similar!) Would he have Presley and Jake's easy going personalities, or would he be a wild man like Lil' O? Would I be picking clothes and toys up after him too, or would he have been Mommy's little helper? It's really hard to wonder what would have been- since he was only with us for 14 short hours. It's does bring a smile to my face though- knowing he would have somehow been the perfect combination of the three.

I have already shed a tear today- For my husband! As I watched channel 4 news and saw the Honor Guard for his Fire Department honoring the lost FireFighters from 8 years ago. I'm so proud of you! I will never forget the tears streaming from your eyes and the horror on your face as we watch the first and second towers collapse and you lost over 300 "brothers and sisters" who so Unselfishly gave their lives! I cry anytime I think about their lives being cut short Honoring their country and protecting those that they didn't even know. I wish TODAY I could hug all their family members and tell them how much each and everyone of their lives will weigh on my heart for EVER! I also think about the pilots and flight attendants who lost their lives just doing their jobs-how scary it must have been for them- for their passengers. Today reminds me that my life and the saddness I feel from this very day is just a hidden speck from the great pain this nation still feels.

Today also marks one year since Jerry's mom was admitted into the hospital Her cancer was not responding to treatment anymore. Last year right about this time I was sitting in a car with my Dad and Melinda (My mom and dad's realtor) eating lunch when Carol called me to tell me where she was. I honestly didn't know how serious it really was one year ago today- but she only lived one more month. Carol passed away on Oct. 11th 2008. The saddness and pain from that month are still so fresh in my mind. My husband losing a parent, my kids losing their Grandma (who they were extrememly close to), and me losing a Very Dear Friend (and my mother in law.)

Today- September 11, 2009- I just want to have some quiet time, reflect, pray, and keep thanks in my heart for all those out there serving for my freedom. Today will be a good day!

In Jordan's Memory- Please say a prayer for Your family and tell each of them TODAY- how much they truly mean to you!!!

First day of School pics

Presley was NOT interested in taking pictures at 6:15am- I got one, but the fun ones are after school the first day!
Also- Jake is TOO big for us to walk to class, so I got pictures of him, but not any of his teachers. Owen got a picture with his teacher, only she isn't his teacher anymore. We were sad he got moved, but very excited about his new teacher. (more on that later.)

You're my Child- I can brag, I'm suppose to!!

Presley- I love you! And anyone that stands around me long enough hears about it!! I just have to put your name on this one!!!!

Ok- so Presley comes home from school with a few minor assignments. She told me one was for her PRE-AP Language Arts class- she had to "define herself" in 6 words. I thought she meant something like : Girly, Christian, Swimmer, etc... - but she read her teachers definition to me. "It's the journey, not the destination." - OK, before anyone else says anything- you have to look at it two way- regardless, that was her teachers. So Presley's first thought was " Be yourself, everyone else is taken." I told her I really liked it, and it did define her- she is definitely herself all the time- but I asked her where she heard it and she told me "Ms. Sundee's office." - so she kept thinking and about 30 seconds later she said "Well, here's one.. "LIVE BY PASSION, NOT BY PRESSURES!" ." I just looked up from what I was doing- thinking this definitely defines her even more, and again I ask "Where did you hear that?" and she replied " I made that one up Mom." and holding back a tear or two- I said " That's the ONE- You will be a writer one day!" I meant to say " Presley Faye Majka you are the most special 14 year old I know! You Rock!! YOU make God smile down on the whole world!!!(because he knows your heart, and Jesus is your Passion.) You will Always make me proud!!" but instead ( only because I didn't want her to think her mom was a sappy crybaby, I said " You will be a writer one day!" what is that about?? And with a smile she said " I'd like to be a writer one day!"

First Day of School - Pictures coming soon!!!

I honestly can't believe it!! Presley started High School yesterday! First block starts at 7:15am, but we had to leave the house at 6:30a to get her to school before the traffic got CRAZY!! She had a smile on her face at the end of the day though. She said it was weird walking through the halls and not knowing Anyone- when she would see someone she knew she got excited. She also has NO idea where her locker is!!?

Jake's day was pretty uneventful! Usually he has something of great significance to say about everything, but yesterday NO! All he really had to share was that he really liked his Social Studies teacher- He is "Too funny and cool!" and his Language Arts teacher seems "Strict". Here we go another year of PAP for Presley and Jake- INDEPENDENT STUDY - Here we come!!! (What do you think my chances are of talking Presley into doing her independent study on Skiing and Jake doing his on Human Anatomy?)

Owen really didn't have too much to say about school either- he seemed happy though. He had several friends in his class, and he also let me know that his classmate "Sophie was coming from China and wouldn't be there the first day, but only she would be there Tuesday." This was actually pretty cool to him, because ever since the Olympics were in China- Owen has said he is going there. A lot of it has to do with the fact that Nastia was in China and according to Owen, and yes this came straight out of his mouth the night she won the gold for the all around "She thinks I'm HOT!"

I have been horrible about posting and updating! I vow to do my best to be better- for the kids sake. This is the best scrap booking I can do (for now.) I really need to make it up to the church to have Stacy and Carol help with with a real scrapbook- If I start soon, I might have Presley's ready for a wedding gift!! (Sad thought!)

4th of July festivities

For the 2nd year in a row- we made our way out to Jeff and Darcy's house for the 4th of July! So now, according to all the kids- "It's a tradition!"

We did have a lot of fun! The first night we were there we all (well, minus my mom who wasn't feeling great) went to a party at some friends of Jeff and Darcy's. They threw a great party with an Awesome fireworks display after sunset. The kids got to play on a huge air up water slide, drive golf carts (which was the best part of the night for Little O!), go fishing, feed and pet all different kinds of animals- and there was a TON of food! Thanks for a great time Scott and Becky!!

Jake, Beau, Colby, and Owen played on the water slide for at least an hour! They had an absolute blast!!















Meanwhile- Jeff, Christian, Presley, and Jerry- were checking out the fishing pond.


Jeff and Christian got bait on the line and were ready to cast the line!!






Presley didn't look so sure -













But she figured it out and cast her line too! They enjoyed the fishing for a while! It was relaxing, but no fish biting!!















Everyone worked their way around to see and do everything- The kids had such a Great time!




The donkey really liked Presley, and Owen really liked the donkey!! He said he was a midget horse.... the mind of my child!!????!!











Jake and Beau took off on one of the Golf carts that wasn't suppose to be played on. They didn't know when they went racing by everyone- (so fast I couldn't even get a picture) there were about 5 golf carts in this race- 2 of which were not suppose to be driven, and of course those were the two that won! Jake and Beau had their ride confiscated. I did get pictures of them after the getaway-




And since Beau didn't have his flip flops on- Jake tried to give him a piggyback ride!






Only- that didn't work out so well, so Jake ran back to escape the "bad guys"- Beau had to get a ride back with the "bad guys"!


Not sure how far Jake felt like he needed to go? They weren't even in trouble!!














We blessed the wonderful food, ate a wonderful meal and had a little too much of the Wonderful Desserts!!











Then it was back to playing, exploring, laughing and just enjoying the evening!





The boys loved playing chariots.
















Papa enjoyed a little time fishing too!



Presley and Owen fell in love with the Host Dogs! They were Beautiful Great Danes!
















And we ended the night with fireworks close enough that we all got to enjoy the firework aftermath in our hair and eyes. Luckily no serious injury or burn!!

The kids got a little Sparkler action in too!!

Presley


Owen

Jake

Colby

Beau











Saturday was a very relaxing day- the kids played and played - I got a short nap in :o) and that evening Jeff and Darcy had friends and neighbors over to enjoy more fellowship, food, and fireworks. After dinner I was hunting down the kids and found them at a neighbors house- in the backyard - helping a kid destroy a school project with fire crackers- it was actually pretty entertaining!!!





And we all had fun watching the kids do what makes me Crazy Nervous - Play with Fireworks. ( Jerry told me to let them be kids- I can't help but think of the accidents that have left "Kids" permanently injured) Anyway, mostly they did sparklers, but Jake did partake in what I think is a Roman Candle.






Thank you honey for making sure we were protected from the mosquitos! They were out in full force!








Jeff ended the night by pulling his police car around the corner with lights and sirens and sending the neighborhood into panic mode! Panic lasted a total of about 10 seconds before someone busted out laughing and then everyone else joined in!

It was a very short, but entertaining weekend! Thanks Jeff and Darcy for another fun and exciting 4th of July!!- We all had a great time!

Schools out for Summer - But no break Yet!

The last day of school was Thursday, June 4th. What an exciting day! The end of Kindergarten for Owen, Jake gets to go to a brand new school next year for 6th grade, and Presley is on to her first year of High School!


Jake asked several times to be picked up early- we always like to take them out early on the last day of school. When I picked him up (at the time we had agreed on) He was so sad and didn't want to leave. He said all his "girlfriends" were crying and hugging everyone- so their emotion rubbed off on him- making him wish he had stayed a little longer.


The entire Kindergarten class had a program that they practiced very hard for. Owen was singing SO LOUD in the shower the night before - but didn't have it in him to belt it out the morning of the performance. We stayed for a few hours and helped his teacher "Tear her classroom down!" That afternoon, Owen's friend came over and hung out for several hours- they had so much fun! Owen didn't have an emotional meltdown until the next morning, when he woke up very late (9:30) and came and cried in my lap that he really missed all his friends.

Presley didn't get to leave early- well 10 minutes early. She was such a troooper. She told me Ms. S would need the help because there would be so many other kids leaving early, so she would stay. It was very unemotional for her. Her thoughts are on bigger and better things. High School and Swimming-.

Anyway- Presley left 3 days after school got out to go to Galveston on a mission trip with some of the members of our church. I didn't get to talk to her at all and missed her terribly! Jake left Thursday June 11th to go to Omaha to play Baseball in the Little League World Series. GO MOJO !!! He got back Monday, then left yesterday to go to a football camp in Lubbock, Tx. From there Darcy will take him to Amarillo, Tx. to meet up with the youth from church and he will go on a Youth retreat in Colorado. I'm gonna miss my Bub! When he gets back we will have a small break before Presley leaves to go to "Fun in the Son" a High School youth conference in South Padre Island. When she gets home, we will have less than 2 weeks before we leave on our family vacation with Jeff, Darcy, and the Boys- Back to South Padre Island. (WAHOO!!! We are ALL very excited about this trip) After that, the countdown to the first day of school starts. I hope though very busy, the kids have a very fun summer!!

I have always taken pictures of the kids on their first and last day of school, (with their teachers in elementary school) to see the physical changes that they made that year. I am going to post Kindergarten pictures of each child and last day of this school year. Now- with that being said, Presley- we have to get to your school soon to take a "last day of school picture" - (I honestly couldn't embarrass my child by pulling up on the last day with a camera hanging out the window- Not in Jr. High. :o) )











Owen's first day of Kindergarten -
















Owen's last day-











Jake's 1st day of Kindergarten - 2003










Last day of
5th grade
- 2009









- Ok, this isn't the first day of Kindergarten, but it was just a few short months later. This was the day before Christmas break Presley's kindergarten year. I still have to get a current picture. (and as of today, I am two weeks late.)





A Safe and Happy Summer

To Everyone!!