Might Be the World's Longest Blog Post to Catch Up!

School started... This was taken on the first morning. Madison is a senior, McKenzie & McKayla are 6th graders- in the same class which hasn't happened since 2nd grade. It's interesting. As summer wound down, we enjoyed the lake after school which allowed us to witness amazing sunsets like this one. Everything is rosy! And I grew them!!!!Madison got a "new"car. '09 Honda Civic. Great safety rating and GREAT gas mileage-38 MPG. She also found a new "friend". This is Aleksey. They met over the summer and are attempting to further develop their long distance friendship. He is a fine young man and we've enjoyed getting to know him and his family a bit. Madison also celebrated her 17th birthday in September. This is her reaction when her friend, Cally, gave her tickets to see Daughtery as a gift! Sweet as Cally is, she asked me first if it would be ok. I said "yes". Now I am already preparing to worry about their excursion...but I know they are growing up and I need to let them spread their wings. I keep reminding myself they've never given me a reason to distrust them.... At this point, I am thinking this should be Madison's blog....but nonetheless...sharing some of her senior photos (my hobby). Trying to capture her love for piano... And who's personality could be described as "high voltage"?She continues her role as drum major. This year's show is entitled "Childhood Memories", hence, the piggytails and pink dress (the pants are just for warmth...not worn during show). Here, the seniors pull in their winning hardware. This past week, during Fall Break, we took a few days to go to Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. Some of the countless scenes of beauty.... (that little person with the umbrella is actually mom). Mom and Dad went with us...they were unaware they were being photographed. Looking sassy in the Sibley Horticulture Center...McKayla, McKenzie & Randy. The beautiful and peaceful Ida Cason Memorial Chapel. Wish I had room and time to share all the photos of the stained glass and interior. One of many butterflies at the Butterfly Day Center. Isn't it unusual in color...almost transparent? Ready to go to the cabin/hottub...you can only take so many plants and so much rain! On Tuesday, we ventured to the Wind Animal Safari...I only wish I could upload all the photos... This is a "zebra jeep". Rented one of these so our own cars weren't destroyed. As shown, everyone was "eager". An elk was the first creature to find it's way practically inside the vehicle.Yes, that is my seatbelt in the corner of the photo...this guy intended to be fed! I never knew a giraffe had such beautiful eyes...of course, I had never really looked one in the face before!! Yes, those are hooves planted firmly on the side of our vehicle...then I was really glad we rented the "zebra jeep". After the drive through safari, we took the "Walk on the Wild Side", where the creatures were behind bars. I thought this bear looked so sad...I wonder if that is an actual tear... The drive through section was really wild with rhinos, camels, antelope, bison, ostriches, and more in addition to the uploads. The funniest thing happened when Madison and McKayla were feeding some Alpacas that came up to the vehicle. All of sudden there was a strange noise and some commotion...they SPAT...all over the girls faces!!! Yes, there was quite a lot of drama but we managed to survive. The walk through section had baboons, alligators, snakes, lemurs, parrots, and more. When we are together, I'll share all the photos! There is one other thing I want to include before I end. The weekend of September 17-20, I was blessed to participate in the 96th Walk to Emmaeus courtesy of my friend, Charmaine. It was truly indescribable. If any of you can or want to go on a walk, I'd love to sponsor you. If you've never spent the weekend alone with God...it's amazing. Well, I've taken long enough. I keep thinking this blogging will be less time consuming one day, but I've been at this for several hours now. Perhaps if I didn't have to upload so much at once...anyway, I love all of you that will take time to read this, so it is worth it. I pray that God will bless you as much as He blesses me and my family. I give Him all glory, honor and praise. Take care. Kim

Joyous July

July was a busy but relaxing month. Shortly after taking Madison to GSP, McKenzie, McKayla and I visited the Yates' in Alabama. We all had a great time doing lots of nothing...just swimming, floating, laughing, reading and making memories. I tried to preserve some for us with a short photo session which included this photo...I really like it. And, if you go back through my old blog posts you will notice how much everyone has grown up. Speaking of photos....I am also still working on my photography hobby. Recently I took some staged photos of a bride and some senior portraits. I really love it and I am so very excited and flattered that my sister has asked me to photograph her family this fall!!! (in Boston...even more exciting!) We took some time to stop and taste the ripe raspberries on the farm. It was a great time spent with Nana and Papa doing something I remember doing as a child. For more photos of this you can check out facebook(because the upload is a lot faster there)...the whole berry picking outing was great fun until me and my trusty camera were staring right into the eyes of a black snake warming in the sun! Our niece, Tori, and husband, Shane, were blessed to deliver Taelor Shealynn. She's a beautiful baby...as you can see. Congratulations to Tori and to all of us too! While it was fun to visit and hold baby Taelor, it was just as much fun to observe 1st time grandmother--Vicki! I wouldn't doubt she hasn't photographed every minute and I am sure she knows the way to Cookeville blindfolded!! Madison graduated from the Governor's Scholar Program on July 25. Since we had to travel to Louisville to bring her home, Randy and I went up a few days early to hang out and do some things the girls are never excited to do. Below, we visited Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum....very impressive. We also went to a Louisville Bats game, went to the Falls of the Ohio State Park, saw a movie, ate well and did lots of sightseeing before attending Madison's GSP closing ceremony, packing her up and coming home. The welcome home crew. And then....on July 29, 2009 McKenzie and McKayla turned 11. They got cell phones which they think they needed, I don't.We celebrated with one big cake...two different icings and different colors. That's what you get when you have a twin sister and a former babysitter who bakes wonderful cakes, understands your differences even as twins and caters to your wims. Thank you, Mrs. Pat..it was perfect!! After a sleepover--still trying to figure that word out since no-one sleeps at these events--we all went skating and laser-tagging for the day. Now, we are just two days away from the beginning of school and McKenzie and McKayla are both sick. Hopefully the antibiotic prescribed today will clear things up quickly. Madison continues to spread her wings as she drove herself to Richmond today (interstate driving) and made it fine although I worried. Just pray for our healing, our safety and our sanity! We are truly blessed and one of our best blessings are the dear people that read this post....true friends and family! We love you. Kim

Life...Edited

I seem to sit down to do a blog update when it's raining outside or I am feeling emotional...both of which apply today. If I were to write everything I could say, we'd all be here way too long so I will opt for the edited version...

• Yesterday (Fathers Day), we delivered Madison to Bellarmine University in Louisville for the prestigious five-week Governor's Scholars program. We are very proud of her and are honored that she has such a privilege but as I sat through the opening ceremony I kept wishing life had a pause button. I know Madison is ready, but I am not sure her parents are quite as anxious for her to actually leave...although we want only what is best for her and we know that will not allow her to stay here or with us forever....thus a pause button would be nice at times. The other emotional issue related to this is that my sister, Misty, was a Governor's Scholar back in the 90's. I remember visiting her at Centre College and I remember how much she began to grow up after GSP. I think about how much both our lives have changed since that time and it's just a little sentimental.

• Here are some scenes from the move in....

• Maddie & her roommate Teal

• Last weekend, June 12-14, was the Miss Kentucky Outstanding Teen pageant where Madison placed in the top ten semi-finalists out of a pool of 23 contestants...most of whom had done this pageant and many others prior. We were exceptionally proud of her.

• Instead of vacation this year (since our schedule doesn't allow our family to be together long enough without some event) we've opted for a staycation...stay at home or on the lake. To make that a little more fun, we bought a waverunner. Here are some scenes from the girls first rides.

• Randy was off all last week and we made use of the waverunner and pontoon a couple of days. We also took the girls to Kings Island. On Saturday, we went to the farm to cook dinner for the dads (Randy & Kay). McKayla made the best campfire potato dish and truffle cupcakes!!

• My sister, Misty and her family, Abe & Mira visited with us the first weekend in May. We enjoyed what little amount of time we got to spend together. We went out on the boat for a chilly Friday but enjoyed a beautiful evening as the sun made it's way out. Check out Misty's blog at www.westcoastojures.blogspot.com for better photos than I have.

• We've had a week of Bible School and Randy is playing on a church league softball team two nights a week. I taught a week at Health Rocks Day Camp and McKenzie and McKayla attended part of the week.

• Of course May brought the end of school where we watched our daughters receive honors for their hard work. All three were honor roll students for the entire year. Madison will be a senior next year and McKenzie and McKayla will be sixth graders.

• Memorial Day weekend was a blast as Dad celebrated his birthday with his annual bash. McKenzie and McKayla say he has the best birthday party in all the world. Of course they usually get to visit with cousins they seldom get to see...well visit might not be the best word choice...

May 9th, Madison competed in the Wayne Co./Monticello Junior Miss program where she was first runner up. She won preliminary awards in talent, interview, poise and fitness. We were very proud!! There are so many more happenings that I could include but the post is long enough for now. As everyone can see, God continues to bless this family in a beautiful yet undeserving way. May we show His glory through all we do.