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!!

He's not a GANGSTA' !!

It just doesn't get much cuter than this!!
When Owen was born we always referred to him as "Baby O' " and now that he is bigger we call him "Little O' ". Could this have anything to do with his future goals?- His hopes and dreams?


My Crazy Man has been taking a Hip Hop class since last November- He actually learned more than I thought he would. (I realized this last night when he put on a 30 minute show, exclusively for ME!) He also learned (I'm thinking this wasn't from the Hip Hop class, but more TV and every day life) how to dress "The Part". Little O' quite fitting for a Hip Hopper, right! But, when you ask Owen what he wants to be when he grows up- You might get one of the following:

1.) He wants to work on Cars! (This is a definite possibility- maybe even race them.)

2.) He wants to build Huge buildings

or


3.)


"I'm gonna be a Gangsta!" ( I'm really thinking he means a Hip Hop dancer!..?)


I try and tell him- Gangsters are not good people- and he is a Good person! He demands "I'm going to be a Good Gangsta!" So there you have it!


These photos were taken by his Hip Hop teacher! Thanks Jamie!!!

"Everyone in the 5th grade has a Cell Phone- except ME!"

According to Jake! And am I ready to cave?- Yes!

But justifiably so!

To state my case:

*I told Jake if he passed all of his TAKS test we would get him a cell phone (a bribe? maybe- was I sure he would? deep down- Yes! Was I just looking for something to hold over his head? Without a doubt!) Anyway, yes he passed them all, and (he isn't aware of this yet) was Commended on his Science Taks!

WAY TO GO BUB!

*Jake technically already has a Cell phone. The one we got for him and Presley to share. The same one that hasn't left Presley side for two years. The same one that he has never taken with him when we needed him to.

Who in the world could say no to this face? ( this picture was taken several years ago (5-2004)-but I love it!)

* Next year, he will most likely be walking to and from school- so I'd like him to be able to call me if he needs!

*And of course the thing all parents worry about- Your child goes to play at someone else's house, and while they are there you are talking to another one of your friends that tells you the dad at the house your child is at is a little off his rocker- so then you get a little paranoid, but you don't want to call that kids house- because the dad might then know that you found out he is a little off his rocker- so I'd rather just be able to call Jake and make sure he feels safe with the LOONEY! I mean how would you feel if your child was with this guy?

NO!

Sorry Honey- I couldn't resist! (Halloween 2006)

Anyway- so yes- I'm going to go get Jake a Cell phone! And NO- Not every 5th grader has a Cell phone except my son! I know this because I had to promise my good friend Karen that Jake wouldn't tell her son when he got a cell phone. There might still be one 5th grader besides you Jake!

*Jake- You did very well this year honey- All Pre- AP classes, and all A's and B's!!! I am very proud of you and Love you very much!*

Smarty Pants

Presley was (for the second year in a row) inducted into the National Jr. Honor Society. We are so proud of her and her accomplishments in Jr. High School!

Sophie (our associate pastor) came to the NJHS ceremony with us.

And a year ago.....

Wahoo!! Way to go Presley! I love you and I am so proud of you!

Finally Home!

OK- I will try and not make this too long, but I wanted to add this first post for anyone that might happen upon this blog who doesn't know the ins/outs of the Majka clan. My intention of starting this blog is a savings place for memories and pictures so our family can come back and remember the fun,sad,trying,exciting (etc..) times we share. And no better time to start this than Mother's Day! (by the way- I became a mother on Mother's day- 14yrs ago.)

Here goes

-I'm currently 39- married to a fireman for the last 15 1/2 years. Have three kids, a girl and two boys- had a fourth, he is currently (or eternally I should have said) playing with Jesus! ( the visual I have is Baseball in Heaven- He might be more into cars though.) Anyway, hence the address to my blog- Jordan Andrew Majka. Let me start right there even though it's the middle of my story. It's the part of my story I talk the least about, why- I don't like being around uncomfortable people- because then I get uncomfortable. (and honestly, most people aren't comfortable for one reason or another- talking about our loss.) Jordan was born on Sept. 11, 2001- about 12 hours after the unimaginable happened. ( the collapse of the twin towers ) We knew something was wrong with Jordan, but had no idea that it was as bad as it was. (I will be happy to tell all later) Anyway, Jordan was with us for about 14 hours and Jerry and I were holding him when he took his last breath. At the time, the most horrible thing that had ever happened to me (to us.) Anyway, the short of it- YEAH- Jordan, you are where we only dream of being, you are "Finally Home!"

My hubby, has been a Firefighter for about 9 years. He is the perfect Fireman! He loves his job- and I love that he's a Fireman. He makes me very proud! (sorry, I don't tell you enough honey.) We got married Oct. 30, 1993. We honestly (well possibly) couldn't be more opposite, so we are the case that proves that Opposites do attract. Early on in our marriage- we were often referred to as Al Bundy and June Cleaver- that was before Sandra Bullock married Jesse James- That's us! Jerry is my rational, my other perspective- the one who always thinks things through before he speaks. (bad, bad habit of mine.) He is truly a Man of God- He's also an awesome "Mr. Fixit!" Honestly, I always knew my Dad could fix just about anything, but didn't give Jerry the benefit of the doubt the first few years we were together. (He can truly fix Anything.) Anyway- he's a keeper!


My first born miracle is Presley Faye. I never even dreamed God would bless me with a Daughter! He's Awesome- He did!!! But just one- because, I knew I would always have BOYS!! And I did- 3 after Presley was born. So I openly take this time to praise my Heavenly Father for my Daughter- who Rocks!! I love her! So the short of this one- I have a teenage daughter who is truly a HUGE blessing, in every way! She is 13 (ok 14 this coming Thursday) and she does so much for us and brings so much to the family and I couldn't be happier with the woman she is turning in to.


My oldest son is Jake! He is what I always knew one of my kids would be. He has a sense of humor, loves sports, loves movies- He's all boy (yet at the same time a very compassionate and sensitive young man.) One thing I will always relate to Jake is Superheros. He use to love them all! ( I think deep down he still does.) He broke his arm when he was 4 playing Batman, cape and all- flying off my bed. Ouch! Jake's favorite sport is Football, he's truly a Texan, but he plays a mean game of Baseball too. Jacob Alexander Majka- his initials JAM for Jerry and Margie - and he is a very Jammin' kid. My second blessing from God!!

My youngest- but only by age, not by might- is Owen Brady! (Usually referred to either as Lil' O, or Owen B. ) (We considered Brady Owen so he could be the BOM- but thought if kids knew his initials they would call him B.O.-body odor- )besides, I love the name Brady, but for some reason I couldn't let go of "OWEN", even though I had relatives asking if I was giving birth to an old man- (what was that really about) - and my Awesome Friends even with a smile told me it was the perfect name ( I know some of you really meant it!!) Anyway- it couldn't have been anything else, he is such an Owen! It's perfect. He is crazy, wild, all boy, car maniac, 6yr old Boss of the house! He's awesome. His personality is so different from the older two- With Owen we can always be reminded of our HOPE and FAITH! Our blessing that reminds us that God is in control, don't ask questions, just live and love while you're here, and he will take care of the rest! Owen is FULL of life. ( overflowing at times.)

That brings me to explain the name of my post- My family is everything to me! So when Jerry is working 24hrs straight, I'm so glad when he is "Finally Home", and when the kids have been at school all day- I am happy, and it makes me even more happy to know that they are happy when they are "Finally Home". When we are on vacation, we are always happy when we are "Finally Home". When the kids go spend the night with their friends and they are out of our protection, I am so relieved when they are "Finally Home". Maddie Mae (Madeline Mae- our Old English Sheepdog) gets overly excited when we are "Finally Home", but mostly- I think as a family we all look forward to the day when we can celebrate God, all he has done for us- what we were hopefully able to do to show others about him, with him, with Jordan, with loved ones that have passed- the day when we are "FINALLY HOME."