First Football Game of the Season- Maypearl vs It'ly

It's that time of year again. But of course, we're there for the band. You can see Will above with his bass drum (3rd from left). They're waiting to play the fight song and then the national anthem.
There comes the team, running thru the giant banner onto the field. They had a huge inflatable panther last year. Maybe it has a hole in it.
Here is the opening kickoff. It'ly beat us last year but we won the year before that.
Look, the mascot is on the field! No wait, it's just a dog. You know you're in Maypearl when the game is stopped twice for a dog on the field.
The It'ly band played first at half time. They were pretty good.
The Maypearl band finished off the halftime performances. The bass drums were excellent. (Will is second from the left)
One of the band members for It'ly collapsed on the track after coming off the field. The ambulance showed up later and took them away before the second half started.
We ended up beating It'ly 27 to 13.
It was a good game. The first goal of the season was accomplished, beating It'ly.
We waited by the band hall for Will and then headed home. Got home about 11:30, and I had to get up and go to work the next morning. I love (read as: need) my job.

Coyote

This guy was hanging out down by the pecan trees west of the house the other day. That's a little too close for comfort.
Can you see the panicked look in her eyes? I don't think she would make much of a meal.

Andy's at College

We dropped Andy off at UMHB on Saturday. After we got him moved in I told him to pose for me and look all sad we were leaving. This is the picture I got.
His Mommy almost made it to the car before she started to cry.

Should GranPa Get a New Car?

Since GranPa has enjoyed playing with his Prius hybrid so much maybe he should get a full electric car. Can't you picture GranMa and him driving to Church in this? It's called the Tesla Roadster.If you click on the picture you can read a review by Jay Leno. Or you can visit the company's web site by clicking here. It goes 0-60 in less then 4 seconds. Now if I only had a spare $100,000.

Toad Update

The toads have found a nice cool place to live underneath the old cow trough. There is a leak in the drain plug so it's always a little damp under there.
They even allow the frogs to join them in their lair.

The Dancing Birds are Back

Do you remember a post we put up last year about some birds that were dancing in our yard? Well, they are back. I've seen as many as 7 at one time in the yard. I don't know what kind of bird they are.If you click the link above you can see a video of them "dancing".

Watermelons

When Lynne planted her garden this spring she also picked up a few watermelon plants. There wasn't room for them in the garden so we planted them on the side of the house. They have now grown and taken over that entire side of the house.
I guess that soon we will have watermelons to eat. How do you tell if a melon is ready to eat?

Rainbow

Lynne and I had date night tonight. After we got home there was a light drizzle from the tropical storm and we could see a complete double rainbow off to the east. Now there's something you don't see everyday.

Lizzy's New House

The other night we stopped by to see Lizzy's new house. She looks like she is enjoying it.

A Hot Thursday Afternoon

As we were about to sit down for supper tonight the sky to the south began to grow darker. We began to hear rumbling in the distance and see flashes of lightning. The sky grew darker, the thunder louder, the lightning brighter, and Chico tried to get in the frount door. Then it slowly drifted to the southeast and it remained about 102 degrees at our house. Not a drop of rain here. Then the weatherman shared that the heat index was about 107. I don't need that information, thank you. It's HOT!
On another note, we found this plant growing behind the house. Any idea what it is? We figure GranPa might know.

Will on Mission Trip

Will has gone with GranMa and GranPa to Mississippi with their Church on mission trip. You can check out what they are doing by clicking here for the mission trip blog. Andy had left Sunday before last to go with our Church on mission trip to South Texas. But hurricane Dottie drove them home early last Tuesday.

Croak.

Last time I watered our garden I remembered at work the next day that I had forgotten to turn the water off. I had to call Lynne to run out and shut the water off. So now I set the alarm on my cell phone to remind me to go out and shut off the water. Last night as I was coming back from shutting the water off, I saw Chico was staring at his water bowl. When I got closer I saw this guy enjoying a swim. That's one way to keep cool in the Texas heat! I wish we had a pool.We found this site that lists all the frog and toad species in Texas to try and figure out what he is. We can't decide between Texas Toad and Woodhouse's Toad. Leave a comment and let us know what y'all think it is.UPDATE: I don't think it could be a Texas Toad because of the stripe up it's back. My new favorite is the Gulf Coast Toad.

My Math Dilemma

This is Lynne. My house is clean (thanks to Keisha), the dishes are done, all but two loads of laundry are done, all my have to do today list is done, and I am actually thinking about school. I learned not too long ago that I am going to have to teach math as part of my schedule this next year. I have avoided it as long as I can. I brought home the teacher math book in an effort to learn it and a friend (Lynn) loaned me her homeschool math book but the block in my brain continues. When it comes to anything beyond adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing (the last two being questionable) I draw a blank. People tell me that "I am not trying hard enough" or "I could if I just put more effort into it" or "Can't never could do anything". I have heard them all but it doesn't change the fact that I just don't understand math. It is that illusive foreign language that I can't seem to grasp. I can remember telephone numbers of people, places, etc after they are told to me one time. I do sudoku puzzles for relaxation. I can quickly add and subtract multiple numbers in my head. All of that has to do with numbers but when you throw in x, y, and z and tell me that I have to accept that this long drawn out process ends up with the letter actually being a number I get lost. (In fact as I type that last sentence out, I find myself drifting in my thoughts). In college, I took college algebra twice. The first time I made a 50 in the class so with determination that I was going to graduate no matter what I went after it a second time. I attended class every time, I had two tutors that gave up on me, Jeff even tried to tutor me (and I think if he hadn't quit tutoring me then we wouldn't have gotten married), and finally I begged the professor for a D in the class. When grades actually came out after graduation I discovered I had actually made a 20 in the class. It takes real talent to go from bad to worse in a class. Now I am faced with teaching special ed classes math lessons. Will the torture never end!!!! :) I guess I have put off my lessons for as long as I can so with a heavy heart I leave you so that I may attend to my math book. Thank goodness I am the teacher so I do have the answers not that it helps me to understand it. Have a glorious day!!!!! :)

The 4th of July

We had the annual 4th of July family reunion at our house again this year. We had a good crowd, about 45 people. Even one all the way from Georgia.There was lots of food and good conversation.

And a bunch of kids. Don't ask me who they all belong to.
Rex made his famous peppermint ice cream. It was Great's favorite and she always pestered him to make it.
We spread out in the house and on the porch. You could always hear a good story wherever you sat.
It was a great 4th celebration. As well as 2 birthdays and an anniversary! Later that night we had a group from Church come out and we shot off a few fireworks. We only set the pasture on fire once.

Leaving The Nest

I am sitting here watching the new baby birds that are finally showing themselves outside my window. I am watching the momma and daddy birds take constant care of them. It reminds me of taking care of my kids. They always seem to be hungry or needing something. It is a never ending thing. There are times when I wish I could slow down and take a breather. Well today I am able to have that breather although I am not too sure about it. My house is extremely quiet. The older two boys have left for youth camp and my youngest is at a friend's house for the day and evening. Jeff and I will have a very rare time of no children at home tonight. I am constantly on the go with the boys and used to dealing with their noises and such that the quiet is almost too much. I find myself turning up the radio or television to make up for the lack of noise. You know with all the hustle and rushing around that we do, there are times when I just wish for some quiet time of my own. Today has taught me that quiet isn't all that it is cracked up to be. I guess I say that now because of what has happened this past week. I am wanting my children close to me. Jeff would say that my apron strings have tightened up again. He is right. They seem to be tighter these last couple of weeks. I know that just as the momma and daddy birds will help their babies learn to fly and leave the nest, I am doing the same thing with my babies. At some point we have to let them fly on their own just as the baby birds will someday do.

Karla Ford

This is Lynne's blog today. On Friday morning, we learned that a beautiful young lady in our community had passed away suddenly in a car wreck. We had the privilege of knowing Karla this year because she was Andy's date for his senior prom. She was very athletic and excelled in everything that she put her mind to. She had a very sweet personality and a lot of spunk. I know that several times I observed her with her family and I knew that she was close to them all and loved so much. She will be missed greatly by all the students at Maypearl as well as those of us who knew her. I would ask that you pray for her family. I can only imagine what they are going through at this time. I was happy to learn from Andy that she was a Christian so I know that one day we will see her again. As her parents told the media, hug your children a little bit more than you normally do. Someone at church today reminded me that the dishes can wait, the house can stay messy, but the time with our children is fleeting. Spend more time with your kids and let them know you love them more than they know.

Andy's Graduation

Well, it only took 17 years, but Andy is now a High School graduate. His Momma didn't even cry at the ceremony. The entire class came down before graduation started for a group picture. Can you see Andy in the picture? (It's kinda like Where's Waldo?)
There he is! There were a lot of smiling faces in the group. A lot of goofin' around too.
This was the Valedictorian, Simeon. He gave a good speech with a lot of humor in it. Then we sat through a long slide show of every student in the class. They finally started handing out the diplomas to the kids.
And there comes Andy! Right before I took this picture our youth minister, John E., set of his air horn from the balcony. He almost made GranPa jump out of his seat.
Andy first shook the hand of the School Board President, Allan Wilson. I graduated with Allan and he was one of Andy's little league coaches.
He then received his diploma from the High School Principle, KayLynn Day.
He then had his tassel move by Rosanna Simpson, one of the math teachers.
They then gave him a rose which he brought over and gave to his Momma.
After all the diplomas were handed out it was time for Andy to give the closing prayer.
Then everyone threw their hats (hoping not to put an eye out) and it was over.
When we got to the house all the family that was there had their picture made with The Graduate.

Bird Update

The Phoebes have finished their nest. The Momma has laid the eggs and is now sitting on them. The Daddy is keeping guard.

High School Awards Ceremony

We went to the High School gym on Tuesday night for their awards ceremony.Andy, Stu, and Jodie had to stand around and socialize before the event began.
Here are Jodie and Andy accepting one of the scholarships they both received.
Later Andy received his academic rewards.
They also installed the new student government members and gave a gift to the outgoing members.