Today, I took Luke and his friend Seth to the Oklahoma Aquarium. They LOVED the fish, turtles and other amazing sea life. More than that, I think they loved their "boy time." Both of the boys have 2 sisters, so it is a rare occasion for them to just have time free of girls!!! Here they are giving their "mean looks." 
Ellie asked for a surprise party this year, so like a good mom, I planned it, inviting a few of her friends. But when Ellie walked in the house to hear a loud "surprise!" she was shocked. And not in a good kind of way. In the kind of way that made me as a mom want to just go find a relaxing hot tub some where. My child, who never ever has a loss of words, was speechless. She was upset for oh, about 20 minutes. But when Whiskers the Clown appeared, and our good friend Claudia started the face painting (isn't it wonderful? Face painter for hire) then she forgot all about her embarrassment and enjoyed her seventh birthday party. I think
You've heard about those people who have a special connection with nature. Well, Ellie is one of those people. Last week, we found a frog (but maybe he's really a toad) at her school. So, she named him Trojan the frog (which she pronounces Trojran.) Anyway, we took pretty good care of him, at least better care than our last frog, Squiggles, who we nearly killed. We even bought him some tiny crickets to eat at PETCO. And I for the first time in my life witnessed a frog slurping up a bug with his tongue. But the time had come to let Trojan go free. I could tell he was looking a bit sluggish and we took him to a nature preserve to let him hop to freedom. Ellie was crushed. She agonized over where we would leave him and then cried real tears when he jumped off to his new, green home. She has a soft heart and a big heart and I'm so happy she's mine!!! 
Well, after a season of absolutely refusing to go out and play during his soccer games, Luke has had a change of heart. As you can see, he got out there and jumped into the thick of it, running like a mad man after the ball! Way to go Luke!
For Grandma Ida's 96th birthday, it was decided we would have a luau! Loving family gathered at Ronda and Tom's house and celebrated by having dinner, playing, and swiming in the pool! It was a great night.... and thank goodness I didn't have to wear a grass skirt!
Our friend Claudia stopped by with her little (big) boy, Ronin for a fun visit. He was sooooo good the whole time he was here! Just content to sit on his mom's lap or let me hold him. Kyle was there too, but the focus was on this cute kid!
Question #1: Can God ride a tricycle, eat candy and play basketball at the same time?
Question #2: Is heaven soft?
Question #3: Is heaven crowded?
Do you remember Grandma's Quilt Lotto she held in July? Just for fun, Granny sewed a festive Independence Day quilt, and the whole family bought raffle tickets! We swarmed to her house to purchase the tickets for a chance to become the proud owner of a precious quilt handmade by none other than Grandma I. On July 4th, we all gathered around for the big moment, the drawing of the winning ticket. We held our breath, and with our stomachs feeling like they were exploding with fireworks, waited to see whose name she would draw. When she read the name "Melanie," off the slip of paper, to tell you the truth, it was a bit deflating. While many of the grandkids had gathered in her tiny house for this moment, Melanie was in Florida, where she lives with her husband Lew, and 3 children. There was no one to clap or cheer, but when Mom gave her a call to let her know the good news, we understood exactly why Melanie's name was drawn. You know, nothing happens involving Grandma Ida, that isn't touched by the hand of God. Mom said, "Melanie, we want to let you know that you won the quilt!" Melanie broke into tears and said, "that's what will bring me comfort when Chris (her son) goes to Iraq." So it was, on this day, September 1st, that Chris' send-off party was held in Broken Arrow. It was this day, that Melanie received the stars-and-stripes quilt from Granny, and it will be just a few days away that Chris, a marine who just finished boot camp, will leave friends and family and the comforts of home to honor his country, and fight for our freedom. Please put Chris in your prayers, and pray for him to return safely to his fiancee and his family, who will all be waiting for him with open arms. 
Luke: Mom, what do you think God looks like?
Me: I'm not sure. What do you think?
Luke: I think he must have a big mustache.
This is one of Luke's and Hadley's favorite things to do. Dressing up is always fun. Sometimes Luke dresses up as Magenta from Blue's Clues, and Hadley is his owner. It's pretty funny.
The photo shoot was Kami's idea. See how she carefully spread out Hadley's skirt and had Luke pose behind Hadley? A pretty good eye, huh?
I cannot believe this day has come! My baby boy is going to school at Jenks East Elementary, and he is in Ms. Bunch's class. Ms. Bunch is the precious teacher who had Kami, and then Ellie and now, Luke!!!! It doesn't seem like he's old enough to go off and leave me at home alone! But it's going to be a great year for Luke and the girls too. They ALL have wonderful teachers! Now if Luke can just keep from being sent to the principal's office.....
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!!!!!
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?
...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???!!!" 
