Pete and Repeat with a Football Haircut!!

If Jacob does something, then Hayes does it more!! I often remind Jacob what it means to be a role model and he certainly is that to Hayes. Jacob is doing two practices a day over the summer for football - one being weight lifting and the other field work. When he isn't doing that, he is practicing with the JV Basketball team. I guess he decided that his hair was getting in the way so he just cut it off. Hayes was with me and decided he wanted his football haircut too!! And so, after a few minutes with the clippers the little boy on the Norman Rockwell pictures came to life. They are such fun boys - they bring much happiness to our home.

Counting my blessings to the beat of the hammer!!

Today was a beautiful day and I counted my blessings every time I heard the hammer hit the wood or the saw come on!! I can't believe the progress they are making by the day. The porch framing is moving along and the stairs to the upstairs are completed and they are framing in the flooring and rooms!! Oh, how blessed I feel. I feel blessed to know such good, capable men who do a great job at building homes. I feel blessed to know neighbors and friends who care enough to come pick up a load of laundry. I feel blessed to hear the music of the hammer and the saw. Thank you God for my friends and for the blessings you've given us.

Renovations have begun!

We have begun renovations on our home and I AM SO EXCITED!! Each of the kids will have a room of their own and we can finally move Jacob out of the basement. He has been having nosebleeds and I think part of that is due to him living in the middle of all that mold!! There are holes in the ceilings and dumpsters in the driveway!! Can't wait to post some pictures to show you the changes. We are so thankful!!

Chelsea now a junior with a job!!

Chelsea had a very emotional spring semester. It was her first time being involved in extracurricular activities plus try to keep her grades up. She struggled with math and didn't pass the EOC for her math class on the first try this year. Wonderful Sara Glance tutored her and Chelsea took the test again!! She passed with flying colors and is now a junior. She is so excited that she will graduate with her friends. She has been looking for a job and through a little bit of encouragement from Joel she starts working on Monday at Atlanta Bread Company on Hendersonville Rd in Asheville. We are now in the process of looking for a car for her!! I can't wait - it will be such a help to me to have her help me with the running around!! I am so proud of how hard Chelsea worked to move to the next step.

Jacob graduates 8th grade with perfect attendance!!

Jacob is getting ready to enter a new phase in his life as he moves from the middle school to the high school. He also had many excuses to miss a few days but instead chose to go to school and had perfect attendance this year. He is excited about going to high school. He is in football and basketball camp this summer and is spending lots of time at the high school. He lifts weights in the morning and practices basketball in the evening with the JV basketball team. I am so thankful for his coaches!! They are so good to him and have been a real bright spot during our transition. Thanks to Coaches Reagan, Thompson, Carver, Bryan and Brindley!! YOU are making a difference in the life of a young man!!

Keaton & Hailey - 5th grade graduation

Keaton and Hailey have graduated the 5th grade at Candler Elementary and are quite ready to move on to Enka Middle School. The Presidential Academic Award is given to children who have had a 3.5 GPA for 3rd - 5th grade and have scored above 85% on at least one of the three EOG tests. Keaton received the award for the entire time at Candler. Hailey also received the award but they counted only the one semester Hailey was at Candler. This shows what incredible improvement she has made since being here!! She had missed more than 20 days the first half of the year and received perfect attendance for the second half of the year. Both girls also received recognition for the A/B Honor Roll for the 5th grade. I am very proud of them - not necessarily because of the awards but more for their perserverance through some very difficult times. Both of them had an excuse to miss school and to drop in their performance but through encouragement and the support of a WONDERFUL SCHOOL AND TEACHERS they hung in there!! That is an inspiration to all of us!!

Hayes - Kindergarten Reading Award

I haven't posted in a few days due to waiting on pixs but I decided to not wait any longer. The end of the school year was filled with lots of celebrations and Hayes was awarded one of the Kindergarten Reading Awards. He received a medal and was so exicted about getting it that he slept with it. The award recognized Excellence and Interest in Reading. We are so proud of him. Way to go, Hayes!!

All kids pass the EOG

All 3 kids - Jacob, Keaton and Hailey - passed the EOG on the first try. That was quite a feat this year as they have all experienced a great deal of transition. More than that, for some reason, a large percentage of kids didn't pass the EOG this year in both schools. Chelsea gets ready to take her EOC exams (end of course) on the three final days of school next week. We are hoping for great results there as well!!

Hayes chosen to lead the pledge

Hayes was chosen from his classroom along with Cassie Brown to lead the school in the Pledge on Bobcat News - the small tv station that is broadcast into each classroom. He didn't tell me until later and it was just a passing comment. He did a great job!! We are getting ready for the school year to end. Chelsea is looking for a job so she can get her liscense and buy a car. Jacob will be involved in football and basketball camps. Keaton and Hailey are going to church camps twice this summer and will be volunteering on Thursdays with the Mothers Morning Out program at church. Hayes and I will be hanging out at the pool. I'm hoping he can be involved in a camp as well - the question will be if I can do all the running!!

My camera is broken and at the shop for the next couple of weeks. I'll post more pixs when the camera returns. Keep us in your prayers!!