Run, Jordan, Run!

 Proud of our girl for running a relay and the 100 yard dash. At the Elementary School Field Day she also threw the shot put and participated in the frisbee fling. She won 3 ribbons! If she ever decides to put her heart in it, her legs will take her far! 

Last Weeks of School

Highlights of the last weeks of school:

1. Cameron hit 100 Accelerated Reading points. At the beginning of the year, he struggled with his sight words and all blends. He got some great help with a reading specialist who also guided me about what to do at home and he got it! For 100 AR points he'll get to be assistant principal for a day! 

2. Lauren just finished her second year at Tech. She again had tough classes but will pull out almost all As and make the dean's list! This will be her last year being an RA. She's had a great roommate this semester. Barb is getting married this summer! Blessed.

3. Not sure if this is a highlight, but I made Erin's last school lunch last Friday. If I could count the sandwiches... Of course, Cameron requested a sandwich the next day, which he's never done...but it's no biggie.

Week at a Glance

It's MAY! OH MY! We've got 3 graduations (middle school, high school and college), 2 field days, and a birthday at the end of the month! It's never boring here!

Monday: Richard in Nashville, TN
Volleyball tryouts in Russellville, Sheridan
Erin spend the night with Lauren at ATU

Tuesday: Richard in Nashville, TN
Volunteer at Primary School with teacher appreciation 7:30-noon, Mom
Soccer in Maumelle, Erin
Soccer practice in Russellville, Sheridan

Wednesday:
Richard home!
Senior Night, last Soccer Game, Erin

Thursday:
Field Day at Elementary School, Jordan
Volunteer at Field Day, Mom & Dad
Lunch with new roommates, Erin
Volleyball tryouts in Russellville, Sheridan
Soccer practice in Russellville, Sheridan

Friday:
Field Day at Middle School, Sheridan
Volunteer at Field Day, Mom & Dad
Hair appointment, Jordan
Senior Choir Concert, Erin

Saturday:
Graduation at U of A, Katelyn
Powder Puff game, Erin

Sunday:
Lauren moves home!
Richard and Erin leave for her SENIOR TRIP! (Sunday - Wednesday)

Monday:
Tryouts for 7th grade basketball, Sheridan (7am!, Monday-Wednesday)

Wednesday:
Orthodontic appointment, Sheridan

Thursday:
Graduation Practice, Erin
End of Year Awards Assembly, Erin

Friday:
Graduation Day! ERIN
Project Graduation, 11pm, Erin & Mom
Wiffle Ball and Fat Bat at Project Graduation, Dad!

Treasure

I like this image of this verse. The word "Family" isn't in the verse, and usually this verse is used to refer to money. This last week, while doing some studying on a few topics I was struggling with, this verse jumped out of the page to me. And I thought, "Where is my treasure?" 

I can say I don't have a real love affair with money, I like to have it to spend, but I don't get a lot of joy from over-spending or stretching the budget. So, if it's not money, or things, what is it? This was hard for me, because, I think I've been treasuring ME above other things. I like to have "my time", "my way" and "my schedule." 

I'm embarrassed (but it's freeing to admit) but  I've realized I consider my big family my "job" and not my treasure. I've come to the decision that if I don't make my children, my husband and our life my treasure, then I'll continue to struggle mentally with "the job" of a big family. I pray God will help me treasure the life He has given me, the day to day things, the hard things, the stressful things, and the endless carpooling. I'm pretty sure it's a state of mind that will revolutionize the way I love. 

Awards on the Hill

This was our second year to attend the Army/Air Force ROTC awards ceremony in Fayetteville. All those men and women in uniforms, in the formal auditorium of Old Main...it's very special.

Ryan has really worked hard in ROTC the last 3 years. This year he led the Color Guard unit. Most valuable in my eyes, is that he has developed friendships with his friends and invested in their spiritual lives too with a small group and bible study. I know from experience that you can be friends with people because of living arrangements, social activities, classes or otherwise, but if you don't have a spiritual thing in common, the rest dissolves over time.

NOT going to cry

It's the last two months of school, and the last season of sports for Erin. This year we've been to tennis matches, swim meets and now, soccer games. It blows my mind that she's probably going to finish third in her class and can also make All Region and All State in Choir, participate in the Teacher Cadet program and sing at church on Wednesdays. She's been nominated for a local sports award in each of her sports this year, but she won't have to be recognized there, she's had a FULL high school EXPERIENCE! 

Today was Senior Skip day...she slept until 10:30, let me take her to lunch (that was my idea!), played at the park with her friends, went to a short soccer meeting, and then addressed graduation announcements. She's been in a group message ALL DAY with a new group of friends that will be in the Honor's College at UCA. She gets out of school on May 1st, Richard and she will take her Senior trip sometime the next week, THEN, she'll go to orientation at UCA on the 20th and 21st. I'll be out of town the next day when her dad will drive her to camp to work for 10 weeks. Then, college. And POOF all my big kids will be GONE. 

I choked up a bit about this today. I'm not even sure what it will look like with only 3 children at home, and no teenagers to help with driving, childcare, meal prep and everyday things. We'll have 3 young children that need parenting, teaching, homework help, shuttling everywhere and well, attention. I'm the mom and that's my job, but I've had a lot of help over the years from our big kids. Even more this last year with Rich traveling, I've developed more than a parent/child relationship with Erin. We're friends. And I'm really going to miss having her here. 

Lovebirds

This afternoon the Rogers ladies hosted a shower for Ryan and Katelyn, and invited all their friends! It is truly an AMAZING thing to see a room full of college kids who love Jesus, are kind and fun too! Roomates, classmates, ROTC buddies, and family filled a room honoring Ryan and Kate. They are BLESSED.