Bye, Bye My Friendz

Cue the sad music. Can you hear it playing? I can, just as well as I can feel the tears running down my cheeks. Our friends, who have been part of our lives for 8 years, have moved away. I guess I am pretty lucky to be my age and not to really have had anyone I love move far away. But it doesn't make my sadness any less real. I can't tell you how my heart aches when I think of Corey, Nicole, Jourdan and C.J. not being around next basketball season. They have added so much to our time at ORU. Mostly, they have added FUN. It took me awhile to get to know Nicole, but let me tell you, I KNOW that girl because she shares. And she shares. Let me just put it this way, she talks about things that no other girl has ever said to me. Oh girl, I wish you were here now, just to crack me up again. Not that's it been all laughs. We have been through some pretty tough stretches together. Basketball losses. Husbands being away for long stretches. And terribly, the loss of her little girl. But through it all, I have to say Nicole's faith has made her a shining star. She has picked me up off the floor before, her soft voice saying, "It's OK Annie... God has a reason for this." And I do know He has a reason for this too, she and her family leaving. I KNOW that I know... and in my sadness, I find comfort in the blessing that has come to the Williams family. They are less than 3 hours from their native Georgia. Corey's new job is a great opportunity to work at a very strong school under a well-respected coach. I am truly happy for them. I know it sounds dramatic, but I don't know if I'll ever stop missing Nicole and her family. I hope she knows how dear she and her family have become to us in the last 8 years!!!!!

Take Care of My Baby

Yesterday, I dropped Kami at New Life Ranch. Here she is with her counselor Autumn. Kami was literally so excited she was SQUEALING as we took that last turn into the campgrounds. I imagine it can be a difficult thing to drop your kid off and have no real communication with her for a few days. But with Kam-Kam (as she has been signing her name lately), I have no qualms. The girl would stay for a month if I would let her! A camp counselor in the making?

It's a Pond

...what they're swimming in, that is. Ellie, Hallie and their cousin Sabra are swimming in a muddy, fishy pond out on the farm. It was a rib-tickling night, with one cousin plunking in after another until there were 8 heads bobbing out in the old hand-dug pond, overlooked by seasoned oil tanks. How could they, you ask? Well, it doesn't seem that unfamiliar to Kim and I, who grew up sometimes swimming in the ponds ourselves. It was one of those full circle moments where you just can't believe that time has played such funny tricks on you. The kids had a blast, we loved watching them, and when we left, they asked, "Nana and Papa, when come we come swim in your pond again???!!!"

Our Little Girl Is Growing Up...

Fun on the Fourth

How much fun can we pack into one day? Let's see: 1. Grandma I's house for pizza and the quilt raffle. (Congratulations, Melanie for winning!) 2. Hanging out with cousins at Granny's house.
3. Swimming with friends at the neighborhood pool.
4. Competing in games such as the water balloon toss and a watermelon eating race.
5. Playing endlessly on the slip and side.
6. Eating dinner at the club.
7. Watching Kami practice her new trick off of the diving board.
8. Playing on the lawn, waiting for dark to fall.
9. Watching an awesome fireworks display.
10. Yawn - that was a mighty day!
Happy Birthday America!

If You Give A Boy a Water Balloon....