LAST POST

This is my last post for 2016. I love this pic of the girls. We've all been through so much this year, but what always stays the same is the love my kids have for each other. We pray for each other, keep each other up to date on our lives, celebrate the good things in each others lives, and truly love each other.

This didn't happen by chance. We worked hard to come to a place where we don't love because of duty, but out of devotion. I'm most thankful for this family trait and I pray it always is the norm in the Rogers' house.

TOP TEN 2017

As is our tradition...we all remembered 2016 and the fun things we have done, places we have been, and people we love doing life with!

Missing Erin

Erin got to come home the entire week before Lauren's wedding, but she's back to Falls Creek, working Monday - Friday and hanging out with friends during the weekend.

I miss this girl. I stole these pics off her Facebook page. It looks like she's doing fine!!

Wedding post #3 - Maid of Honor's speech

This is why I told my kids everyday..."You're best friends. Treat each other like it. Every other friend is temporary, but you will always be sisters." #thankful

When Lauren was almost two years old, she was blessed with a sweet, loving little sister… me. Almost two years ago, we were blessed with another addition to the family, although we didn’t know it at the time.

Lauren and I have been making memories together pretty much since I was born and we became automatic roommates for the next sixteen years of our lives. Whether it was talking late into the night on Mockingbird Lane or passing notes through the cracks in our bunk beds… or putting on concerts for our parents in the living room or fighting over the front seat (which I always let her have because I was afraid of her). These memories will always hold a special place in my heart.

One of my greatest memories, however, didn’t happen in our old house on Mockingbird Lane or even in Arkansas for that matter, but in Oklahoma last summer when we both got the opportunity to work for the summer at Falls Creek. Lauren had worked there the summer before and played a significant role in getting me hired.

When we started that summer I was only known as “Lauren’s little sister” or for a few very confused people “Lauren’s twin sister” (although I still don’t see it). At first that identification was very challenging for me. But then I realized that there is no one else I would rather be compared to than Lauren.

LAUREN IS loyal, works harder than anyone I know, and dedicated to whatever she puts her mind to, and in the end, she will probably be the best at whatever it is. She is feisty, fun, yet selfless. She leads by example, and is the first to pitch in when she sees a need. She sees potential in everyone, and she’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.

THANK YOU, LAUREN for being my best friend when I had none and for letting me tag along with your friends all the way through high school. Thanks for being my shoulder to cry on when I felt alone and for letting me rant to you when nothing seemed to be going right. Thank you for telling me when my outfit didn’t match and still claiming me when I wore it in public anyway. Thank you for being a big sister to my friends who don’t have one, and for setting the bar high for me on the soccer field and the classroom. Thank you for defending me in the locker room in P.E. and for always picking me to be on your team, even though we all know I didn’t get the same athletic gene you got.

IAN, I knew you were someone special when she got absolutely giddy when you sent me a friend request on Facebook two years ago. Lauren simply does not get giddy. Thank you for pursuing my sister and loving her relentlessly. I have loved third wheeling with you two.

TO LAUREN AND IAN, thank you for setting a Christ-like example for me in your relationship. Thank you for putting the Lord first in your relationship with each other and the decisions you make. Thank you for honoring each other and may the Lord honor your marriage in the many years to come. Congratulations, Lauren. And Ian.. welcome to the greatest family in the world.

What a Weekend!

It's been a crazy weekend for our family. Richard left on Friday, Gramps came in and kept kids so Lauren and I could go to NLC Woman conference in LR. Richard came back Friday night and took the kids to Cabot ALL DAY Saturday for a volleyball tournament with Sheridan. Sheridan's team went undefeated and won the championship. How many times can I say how thankful I am for the friends she has surrounded herself with? NOT ENOUGH. Richard, Jordan and Cameron spent the WHOLE DAY in a gym in Cabot cheering on all the Russellville teams. I'm so thankful for our family, as Erin and Lauren and I were being FILLED at the conference in LR. Ryan and Katelyn were on a charter bus most of the weekend going back and forth to Knoxville for the HOGS game. Well, miracles happen as the HOGS brought home an SEC win! 

This morning I got to be on the worship team for the first time at NLC. It's been awhile but every weekend I experience the excellence of our worship time I am engaged by the Holy Spirit for the teaching time and I have wanted to be a part of that. So thankful for the opportunity, even though we reported in at 6am...and didn't leave the church until 12:45. God bless the pastor who teaches 3 times! 

Looking forward to Monday morning so we can get back in the routine and not be headed out of town somewhere. Well, not until Monday afternoon! 

Texts from UCA

Moving day to UCA

Sunday after the wedding, we went to early service where I led a Connect class. After lunch we packed up Erin's college bedding and boxes of stuff and headed to Conway. It was an absolutely beautiful day for move in, and I'm thankful that it wasn't cloudy because I was. I certainly want Erin to go to UCA and enjoy every moment of college, but I will miss my little girl. She brings lots of smiles, laughter and fun to our home. She's been a HUGE help this last year and is probably the most sensitive to me than any other of our kids. I'll miss her every day. Her dorm room is set up like an apartment with 4 rooms, a kitchenette and a bathroom for them to share. We made her bed, unpacked some shoes and then left her as her roommates and their families brought in furniture, rugs and decor for all the community areas. She has some great roommates and I'm so thankful she's in the right place at the right time. 

Campers

Got this picture today of my two campers! It's raining flood-type rain all over Oklahoma. Lauren asked me to pray that the recreation fields didn't get flooded and they lose all their sand for the summer. There is also new construction at camp, and the dirt is being washed all over. And, they have already re-directed traffic around the camp due to flooding. It's children's week,  (a short week, Sunday - Wednesday) to get them started. Lauren will be in a golf cart, Erin will be up in the trees. I'm praying for these sisters to have a GREAT summer serving together.

Erin found this in her things when she got to camp:

A few more grad pics...

Class of 2015

167 graduates in red robes filed in to the coliseum at ATU. We gave Erin gifts before we headed to Russellville, went to an early dinner, and had plenty of time to find seats for us all at Tech. 

SO VERY THANKFUL for my mom to be able to come to graduation. After 4 months of pain and almost complete immobilization, she's recovered (mostly) from surgery and dad brought her down for the day. Getting to the seats at ATU is not easy...the steps are steep, and we were sitting on the opposite side of the entrance. It was a wonderful blessing to have her there. My brother and his family came too. I am so thankful they support my kids and love on them. 

My job at big events...follow my kids around with my camera and take pictures. Everyone is photographed, and I pray they aren't blurry. Three friends from Russellville came to graduation, as well as all her classmates, and family...it was a busy day, but full of wonderful memories.

Senior Concert

From start to finish, Erin's final choir concert was all about the music. Each senior could sing a solo or group song, and the choirs sang group numbers too. There was a senior slide show and awards for the seniors. It was touching, because when a group of people come together to do something they couldn't do alone, it's a special thing.