Congratulations, Chloe!

We found out today that Chloe has been chosen as Spotlight Volunteer. Jesse had that honor a few months back. They are both going to be recognized at an ice cream party for all the volunteers in August.

We are so proud them.

Celebrating both girls' birthdays

We went to Charlotte this weekend so Grandpa and Grandma could celebrate the girls' birthdays. We chose the date because it was between both dates. My parents surprised the girls with an awesome birthday cake made for just them.

Coo1, huh?!

Of course, the dogs were along for the trip. And of course Hank is getting more and more comfortable there. Rosie considers my parents home her home. I think Hank is getting there too.

It was a birthday, so there were presents.

 

Chloe's birthday

Yesterday was Chloe's birthday. It is difficult to believe she is now 11!

I posted a picture of Chloe on Facebook yesterday for her birthday. Of course, the first question was, "Where's her hat?" lol  Yes, I found a picture where is not wearing one! At the end of the day, she was excited to read the list of all the people who liked her picture and wished her a happy birthday. It made her smile.

She decided to meet up with some friends to go bowling. I think in total there were about fifteen of us, including the adults. I think everyone had a great time, especially Chloe. Afterward, we went to Cici's for lunch...her choice.

We also let her choose a game for us to play. She loves board games! Of course, we knew which one she would pick...Scrabble. Of course! We actually had a great game. We usually wind up with a bunch of two-and three-letter words, but this game was full of awesome 5-letter words.

We spent the evening watching some of Chloe's favorite shows that had recorded and we hadn't watched yet. I think all-in-all she had a great birthday.

How could I forget to mention this?!

Last Sunday, after Family Day, John could wait no longer. Chloe received her birthday gift from us. She now has her very own, brand new, laptop...Chloe sized. She has been on it every day! She is even doing some of her on-line school work on it.

Tomorrow she is going bowling with some friends. She has one more present from us, that was going to be a "birthday eve" gift but now will be opened on her birthday; and a gift from Jesse, which she is going to totally love!

No one is perfect...right??

Okay, I've admitted it before but I will do it again...I am not perfect.

A couple of weeks ago I gave Chloe a science test. I was quite horrified when she failed the test (53). I talked to John about it, then we both talked to her about it. We had Jesse tutor her and give her pointers on how to study.

Today, she was suppose to take an alternate test. The girls and I had so many places to be today! When Chloe asked me where her test was I told her where I keep them. It wasn't until a couple of hours later I realized I needed to make a copy of the alternate test. So what test did she take??? I spent the next couple of hours fretting over it.

When we got home she gave me her test. Now, I was more confused. "Chloe can you get me the first test you took off my ottoman?"

Yep! I gave her the wrong test initially. I gave her the test for the book she hasn't even started yet and she still scored a 53! She is totally awesome. So what did she make on the correct test??? A one hundred! Of course. LOL

I know I should blog daily so I don't have to write a catch-up post

If only life were so easy that I had the time, and energy, to write a post daily. lol  Last Thursday was rather quiet. Jesse had an orthodontist appointment at the same time Chloe had a  Battle of the Books meeting. Other than those two things being at the same time, life was quiet.

Friday afternoon we headed to Edgefield. It was John's Dad's birthday. Korean custom is you visit the grave to leave gifts. We actually went down early to spend some time with Oma. She is doing well, but not happy with her new diet. Change is difficult for all of us. After the cemetery, we stopped off to have dinner at one of our old favorite restaurants. It has changed owners, and the menu is now (in my opinion) hard to read but the food is as good as ever.

Saturday was the baby shower. I know the girls enjoyed seeing Brittany and of course eating some awesome cake!

The Teddy bear Jesse made for baby Liam.

Brittany with her mustache!

Sunday was Family Day at the lake for John's work. I have to be honest; all four of us thought it was going to be horrible. We were surprised! It was hot, and we knew it would be. There were people there who are annoying...we knew they'd be there. But John and the girls found a way for us to find some peace. We took a couple of peddle boats out onto the lake. It was early enough so there was still some shade around the lake. We had a good time.

Monday we went over to look at RVs again. We actually found one with both agreed would be nice. It is a pop-up, with a slide-out, a wet bath, a stove, and a microwave. If only we had a truck! lol

Tuesday night about midnight John woke me up to tell me our air conditioner was no longer working. Great! We woke the girls up and carried all of our bedding upstairs. Wednesday was hot, but not too bad. The girls and I hung out in the classroom (where the window unit is) until the air conditioner repair man came. It didn't take him long to fix the problem...condenser coil, and we had air again. I was beyond grateful!

So we didn't have school on Tuesday. It was too hot and the upstairs was a mess because I had taken all the boxes out of the attic in case the repairman needed access. Wednesday we didn't have school either. I decided if I didn't get the house cleaned up I was going to go crazy. We took the day to not only clean, but organize. While the house is not perfect, it feels so much better now.

A little catch up

I haven't posted in awhile. I'll be honest and say I've been tired and depressed. So many things going on at once that it is just a bit overwhelming. I am finally, kind of, feeling better. I still don't have much energy thanks to not sleeping well, but hopefully I'll get there soon.

Today, we said goodbye to Tryphena. We are going to miss her so much! We did take her a goodie bag...candy covered pretzels. And Chloe made her a felt lion that she said she was going to wear the rest of the day. Hopefully, we'll see her at the library awards ceremony at the end of the summer. She said she was going to try to come because she wants to see Chloe get her award.

We, our family, had more bad news. Sunday night my Dad's cousin, Wilburn, called from Florida. My Dad had a difficult time understanding him, but finally realized Wilburn had had a stroke. Wilburn and his family are very special to John and myself. They were the only extended family at our wedding. In fact, they drove down a snow covered mountain then up another mountain just to get to our wedding. They are awesome people and we are hoping for the best for Wilburn.

Monday night I met a friend for coffee. We talked for over two hours. It was something I needed. Between being sick and school work, I think I've felt a little isolated lately. The girls are probably feeling it too, but they haven't complained...yet. I also got to hold her new baby the whole time. There is nothing quite like comforting a little one to make your own issues fade away. I'm grateful to her for coming out with the little one just to spend time with me. She is totally awesome!

Saturday we took the girls to a dinosaur exhibit in Columbia. Chloe had been wanting to go the past couple of years, but we never made it. She never let us forget it. lol So, this weekend we went. It had some very cool hydraulic-powered dinosaurs. We also played a little dino mini-golf.

I spent most of this past weekend crocheting a baby blanket for a baby shower this coming weekend. Yeah, nothing like waiting until the last minute. Anyway. I finished it on Sunday and I love the color! I hope she likes it. The girls have been looking forward to this shower for awhile now, so they are very excited it is finally here. It just means more family time!

Yet, more change

The girls and I ventured to the library this morning. We had some books that were due today and a few this weekend. Rather than taking a chance on forgetting those this weekend, we went today to do everything. While we were there, Tryphena (one of the librarians) came up to me. She had this look on her face. I didn't like the look. But honestly, I didn't expect what came next.

Tryphena recently took over the volunteer program when Amanda left last month. She is a great joy to be around. She has the beautiful, contagious smile that warms the room. Today, she hid behind the books she was holding. I did not brace myself...I wish I had. Tryphena is leaving our branch. In fact, she is leaving the library. She has taken a teaching position with a middle school near Blythewood. {sigh}  Another awesome librarian gone. And one that smiles and laughs often.

I made her tell the girls. I was not about to tell Chloe knowing how much she adores Ms. Tryphena. Chloe just looked up at her, tilted her head, "Really?!" Poor Ms. Tryphena.

We are happy for her, but this is the second librarian to leave in two weeks. And the sixth in a year. The year before there were three, two retired. It is difficult to see so much change so rapidly.

A loss

Last week, one of my cousins informed me that my great Aunt Bernice was being taken care of by Hospice. I admit she has not been well for some time, so really it was not a surprise. However, it was difficult.

When I first received my driver's license, I would just drive. I'd drive all over the place. I'd load up a small cooler with Mt. Dew and take off, destination unknown. Most of the time I'd wind up an hour from home at Aunt Bernie's house. I'd sit with Uncle Buck chatting away the hours. Or go inside to chat with Aunt Bernie. And always, if "the kids" were there, I'd have to play something, or carry someone on my back. Which is too funny now because they are much taller than I am. lol

Anyway. I have many special memories of this wonderful, sassy, lady. John does too. His first was the day we came back from our honeymoon. My Uncle Buck passed away while we were gone and his visitation was the day we returned. It was our first function as a married couple. And John's first glimpse into Aunt Bernice, who upon seeing me scolded me for not coming by with John while Uncle Buck was alive. I'm not sure, but I don't think John was too keen on her that night. I don't think his family is big on saying what they think when they think it. But here he was face-to-face with a woman who strongly believed it and lived it...until the day she died. His opinion of her changed his second meeting with her. She was also loving and embracing. He was loved and hugged. :)

I received a message on FB this morning that she had passed. To say I'm heartbroken is merely words. She was joy and laughter. She was hard as nails. She was so loved! I will miss her. Truly.

Back Row: Kyle, Doug, Skyla, Tori Front Row: Aunt Bernice