Long time, No blog

So, today is a very unusual day.  The house is clean...well, clean enough, the kids are all at school, and I don't have any meetings or appointments scheduled for today.  I know.  Crazy weird.  I'm so thankful.  I think I needed today to just sit and listen.  I've got my Pandora radio set to the Casting Crowns station and I am just sitting and listening.  Love it.

Life gets crazy busy.  You know that and I know that.  I can take a few minutes and blog for our family.  Lately I've been in a bit of a funk.  My parents live in Greece and will be there for the next 5 years.  I love it.  I am so excited that they get the one in a lifetime opportunity to do that.  I miss them.  I miss just picking up the phone and talking to my Mom.  It's like she isn't there sometimes except for the occasional  facebook post because of the silly time difference.  It's just stinky. The next time we see them is in August and that just makes my heart hurt.  Maybe we should ask the "oil company" for a transfer to Greece! 

We've been super busy.  Grace is playing on a select softball team here in Houston and Aaron is one of the assistant coaches.  What is select softball?  Basically....she plays softball year round.  Practice Tuesday and Thursday nights and tournaments every weekend all around Houston.  She loves it.  She's pitching, playing outfield and first base.  She has great friends on the team and we love the other families on our team.  We should, though.  We are with them all the time.  It's a good thing that we all get along, huh?  The only thing that would make it better is to win the lottery to pay for it....okay, now I'm just dreaming, aren't I?

Susannah is the social butterfly of the family.  She loves being with her friends.  Could care less about playing any type of sport, and believe me, we have tried to get her to play!  She is just perfectly happy being with her friends and playing.  And for that....I am so thankful.

Parker is a never ending bundle of energy.  Get around him for 30 seconds and you will be worn out, too!  He's got his school buddies on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then his buddies at church.  There is always a good time going on if Parker is around...you can bet on that!

I've gotten pretty involved in the PTA at our school this year.  I know you are totally surprised, right?  I'm currently secretary of our board and this years' ballots are going out and I'm up on the ballot for President for this next year.  Yeah, and our school has 1200 kids.  Did I mention that?  I love being involved at the girl's school.  The PTA board is just wonderful.  We all get along and we want what is best for our kids.  I really do love it and that is why I do what I do.  For the kids at the school.  I guess it's my way of getting back into the classroom a little bit at a time.  I do love being in the classroom!!  On Wednesdays I get to go to Ladies Bible class at church with my friends and then on Wednesday nights I get to teach Susannah's first grade AWANA group.  It's fun and I like being just with Susannah and giving her a little extra attention.

Aaron is still teaching for the "oil company that will not be named" and is still enjoying it!  It could help that he is really good at what he does and people give him great feedback on his teaching.  He's helping coach Grace's softball team and loves it...he asked the other day if he could just be a full time softball coach...ah, NO! :)  He's also teaching in a rotation in our bible class at church that we help start with some friends this past year.  It's going great and we've had a great response from the church in attendance in the class.  I guess he's just a good all around teacher, because going back to read this...I just realized, all he does is teach! ha!


It's all good here in Texas.  Busy, but good.  We are so thankful for our family and our health.  We have a God that loves us. 

I'll get back on the blogging now...I'm going to make time for it again.  It may not always be funny or insightful, but it's me! 

Boise State....Gross!!

Last night, I stayed up until 11:00 watching, hoping and begging the Virginia Tech football team for a win against the biggest joke in college football.  Yes, I said joke.  Well, the Boise State Broncos came back in the last minute, scored and dashed all hopes for a real team of being in the top of the BCS Championship series. Gross.  Just gross. 

I mean, really.  This is the only time that Boise State will play a real team....the next closest thing that they play to a good team is Oregon State.  Really?? That is it? Come on.  You've got to get some real teams on your schedule.  And don't give me this, "We challenged all of college football to come and play us and they didn't respond" Junk....Real teams set their schedules 3 to 5 years in advance.  That is why they are REAL teams.

Arrgggh.  Now for the next 3 months, we get to hear about how "great" Boise State is because they will be undefeated come December.  WAC conference.  Joy. Really, do you want to be a part of a conference that is called "WAC?" 

I do have to give their QB, Kellen Moore, a tiny little credit.  He ran the picture perfect 2 minute drill for a touchdown and the win.  If only VT had made that 2 pt. conversion just a little while before.....or had just showed up for the first quarter. 

And that folks, is why I LOVE college football.  Not the Boise State Broncos, so much...but college football!! 

Why don't I take pictures??

I flew in this afternoon from the funeral of my friend, Kenny Robertson.  I had 24 hours in Arkansas with my friends and it was sad and wonderful all at the same time.  We all met and loved on Kenny's family and loved on each other up at the church for a few hours.  Then a group of us went out to Katy Staggs White's house and hung out for a few hours.

One of our guys from our high school class brought a video camera and turned it on while we all shared our favorite memories of Kenny for Angie and her kids to have later. Why didn't I bring a camera?  Who knows??  It was so fun.  It was so sad.  I loved it, all.  I loved celebrating that I have a friend that I KNOW is in Heaven.  Talk about a good kind of jealous.  We have our struggles and our own day to day happenings in this little bit of time that we call life.  Kenny won the race...and believe me, if anyone is happy about that, it is Kenny.  One of the most competitive people that I've ever known... and he beat us there.

Last night was a little taste of what I think Heaven will be like.  Seeing old friends from so many years past, hugging necks and loving and encouraging others.  Not everyone could come last night, but this morning, oh this morning, just watching a seeing people pour in the doors of that church.  People that we haven't loved on in so many years.  It was a great and bittersweet reunion, all in one.  Thanks, Kenny.  You got us all together and we all loved on each other, while we were celebrating your great life and your victory in Christ. We have all been blessed that you were in our lives.

The military ceremony was out at Camp Takodah.  Camp is where we all grew up worshipping, competing and just loving being out in God's creation.  I didn't get to go and I was so very bummed that I couldn't go.  I was just afraid that I was going to miss my plane and with Aaron having to go out of town, too, I couldn't take that chance.  BUT.....Here is my God moment....

I drove over to see my grandparents in Searcy for a few minutes after I dropped Katy at her house after the service this morning.  Then I went to a quick lunch in Little Rock with my favorite college girls from our old church in Ft. Worth and then they dropped me off at the airport.  I only had to wait a few minutes and then they boarded my plane.  I was almost the last one to board.  I was so tired that I really didn't care so I just grabbed a seat and put my stuff up.  The guy beside me was asleep and I was quickly asleep after I buckled up.

I woke up when the pilot was lowering the wheels of the plane and I picked up my purse.  I took the program from the service this morning.   I was just thinking of Kenny and Angie and stuff.... and then the man beside me touches my arm and says, "We were at the same service this morning.  I was in the Texas A&M Corps with Kenny for 4 years." NO WAY!!!!

It was AWESOME.  We talked and talked about Kenny and he told me some great stories from their A&M times.  We got off the plane and then I met 2 of his buddies that were also on our SAME plane.  We all just stood around and talked about our weekend and the celebrations.  It turns out that they all (13 of them) stayed up until 3 am, just like we did!!

Such nice nice guys.  They hugged me like we were old friends and then said our good-byes.  It was just amazing.  There is my God moment. While I was bummed that I couldn't go out to camp, God put these 3 guys on my airplane and they told me such great things about my old friend that I never knew.  Amazing blessing.

Thanks God, I really needed that.

So heavy.

My heart is so heavy.  Today it is broken for my friend, Angie and her 3 sweet children.  This morning, while I was still asleep in my bed with my dear husband, one of my dear friends from high school was at work.  His job?  He is a Air Evac Helicopter pilot and saves lives everyday by flying and and helping people that are in need of medical attention get to where they need to be.  They have saved countless lives in their years of flying.

This morning something really horrible went wrong.  We have no idea right now what happened. I do know that my old friend, Kenny, who was the pilot of that helicopter and 2 other of his associates on board, died in an accident. 

Kenny was that guy growing up that everyone loved.  Really.  I never in my life met anyone that didn't get along with Kenny.  Ever.  We grew up around the corner from each other and went to camp together in the summers at Camp Takodah.  In high school, we would meet half-way between our houses, under the big street light on the corner, and then walk the neighborhood and talk. And talk some more. 

I remember that when our family moved back to Searcy (we were gone for 3 years in High school and then moved back for my senior year) Kenny and I had been hanging out alot again-we played together all the time when we were younger but you know when you are in HS....- so Kenny asked me out.  We had gone on several dates and had a great time.  Why wouldn't we?  We had been friends for almost forever so why not?  But then we got to the date where we kissed for the first time...Oh my word.  It was so funny.  We looked at each other and it was like we kissed our own brother or sister.  So....needless to say, we didn't date anymore....but we stayed great friends.  We would jump on the trampoline, hang out and have backyard prayer time.  Yep.  I said prayer time.  We would sit on the side wall of their house and pray.  Kenny was the only boy in high school that I ever dated that I prayed with during our dates or after just hanging out.  That was something really special to me and I don't know if I even ever told him that.

We all were a pretty close class in high school. We were all really pretty good friends.  I mean we should have been...there were not even 40 of us and most of us had been together since we were old enough to go to the nursery at church!  After high school, most of us Harding Academy kids went on to Harding University.  Not Kenny.  He got a ride to Texas A&M and became a Cadet in the Corps.  Those letters from college were the best.  He was experiencing things that were just crazy to me, the little girl that was at Harding University!  Our talks and walks when he was home from A&M were just great...and then he became a Marine.  So cool.  Really.  


Life goes on.  We both graduated. We both got married.  We both have 3 kids.  I love Kenny's wife, Angie!  I feel like she is just one of my old friends, just like him.  She came into our little "group" and fit like she had always been there. 

Now, I morn for the loss of my dear friend, Kenny.  It's been years since we had a walk and talk, but that is why he married his best friend, Angie and I married my best friend, Aaron.  I morn for his wonderful wife, Angie.  She is one tough cookie.  She is also one of the most positive people I've ever met in my life.  She is like a flashlight where ever she goes.   Now, I am praying for her and her 3 sweet kids as they navigate this time in our lives without their best friend and daddy.  I know they are looking forward to the time when they see Kenny again. 

I'll miss you, old friend, but I will see you again.  Heaven is your reward.  You have blessed and touched so many lives with your kindness.

For Aunt Jess...or anyone else.

Last week, Susannah wanted her picture taken every morning in her new school clothes. It was pretty cute. When we were done...this was her last pose and she said it was a pose for Aunt Jess. She totally makes me laugh. I think these pics were from the second day of school. Sus' outfit is from Crazy 8. If you are the mom of a little girl. I suggest that you get on the Internet and do a search for the nearest Crazy 8 store to you!! They are a Gymboree company, but not quite as pricey. My girls love their clothes and I love their prices!

Grace's outfit in this picture is from The Children's Place. I have a love/hate relationship with that store. Sometimes, I can go in and find a ton of cute outfits for the girls...other times everything in there looks like it needs to be worn by a teenager. Yes, I don't like those stores. I know, ya'll love Justice. Not me. I've tried, I just can't yet make myself purchase a Justin Beiber shirt for a 6 year old. And I'm not letting my 9 year old dress like a 15 year old....that is why she is 9 and not 15 yet!! They do have some cute things, but I think we will have plenty of years to shop at Justice. For now, I'll stick with Gymboree, Crazy 8 and The Children's Place....Oh and don't forget Old Navy. Goodness...when did this turn into a shopping post?? Oh well....

A few days a week, Aaron gets to work from home when he is not teaching. We go to lunch and have some just Parker time and it's so much fun. Last week, he was loving all of the attention that he was getting from both of us here at home. He starts back to his 2 day a week school tomorrow and is very excited about being with his friends.

Last week also was Parker's 4 year old well check. I know, his birthday was back at the end of June, but I decided to wait until the girls were in school. Two less people to take to the dr. office with us to catch those germs!! Parker did great...he had to get 4 shots and his TB test...I thought he was a real trooper. I would have been pretty upset with all that sticking going on, but he only cried for a minute and then he was off to get a sticker! He weighed in at 41 pounds and is a little over 42 inches tall....growing just right to be a tall boy. Just like his daddy! We are off to the store today....gotta get ready for his first day back tomorrow.

James Family pictures 2010

As some of your may know, my parents are now living in Greece. Yes, Greece. They are the new directors of the Harding University in Greece program and are having a blast. We all got together the weekend before they left for a big send off, and of course, if you know us James', we had to take family pictures. Lots of family pictures. Did I mention that it was super hot that evening? What was even funnier? Our little family of 5 didn't even notice the heat! That is what being outside in Houston heat and playing softball does to you!! :)

Jon and his girlfriend, Jenna.

Jer, Jen, Jesse and Jonas. I love my nephews. Aren't they just soooo cute???

Mom and Dad. AKA, Nana and Papa to the kids. We miss them but know that they are having such a fun time and we will see that at Christmas!!!

Jess, Cliff and my most beautiful neice, Ella Kate. Love her to pieces. Literally. She is so precious. A little kiss magnet. I can't keep from loving on her!!

The WHOLE family.  My favorite picture.  Now I have to get it enlarged and printed. Oh yeah, and framed and hung on a wall.....

Nana and Papa with their grandkids that love them so very much!

We had no idea that Dad was taking this picture...I think it is one of my favorites!! Jer is a hoot.  And the fact that I, of all people, am fixing my hair is just so funny.

The four of us James kids.  Love my sister and brothers.  So much.

The original James Gang.  I miss my family.  So much.

All the grandkids.

Another grandkid picture to end the session.  Love them!!

First Turn 2 Tournament

Grace played all spring and summer (April to mid July) on a All-Star team for the Katy Cobras. We loved it. It was a wonderful experience all around for the whole family and for Grace, as far as softball goes. They won the 8U State Championships, she has 2 new trophy shelves in her room full of trophies (they placed in EVERY tournament that they played in...Amazing), and they got to play in the World Series in Panama City, Florida. Loved it.

Even in the heat of the summer, those little girls were troopers and kept on playing. It was so much fun and we loved the girls and the parents. Of course, we should have loved them. We were together, every weekend for 14 weeks so we all really became pretty close. After the World Series was over, our coach and his sweet wife (he is retired) hopped in their RV and took off for Colorado. We think they will be back in October. He told the girls to go on and play whatever sports they wanted in the fall and we will all talk later about our team. So....that left us wondering. What to do this fall??? Grace took (and is taking) pitching lessons to be a pitcher in 10U ball. Did I mention that she has to move up? Yeah. It's a huge step from 8U to 10U. So, her coach told her to just play rec ball and work on her pitching. Well...we got a phone call that a 10U team was having try outs and Grace was invited to try out for the Texas Turn 2 10U team. Well...you know Grace. She made the team. So, here are some pics from our first tournament this past weekend!!

Grace is #1 when they wear their white uniforms...she looks so big now to me!! 

Their team won second place in the "Back to School Bash" tournament in Splendora. This team only has 10 girls on it. You can only play 9 girls on the field in 10U ball. There are a ton of new rules and things to get used to in this step up, but the girls are taking it in stride. Grace scored in EVERY game we played this weekend. That is huge!! She only got one hit (only 3 girls got hits all weekend) but she walked on every time that she batted! Good eye, Grace!! It helps that she is left-handed and the girls this age have a hard time pitching to left handed batters!! :) Grace is on the bottom left and Aaron is helping coach so he is in the pictures now, too!!

She had a great time! We have this weekend off and then we are back at Splendora for another tourney on Labor Day weekend. It's nice to not have a tournament every weekend. With this select team that we are on, they only play 2 tourneys a month!! Yippe! Grace gets to play and then we get a few weekends as just a family at home.

This is Grace and one of her best buddies, Kylie. She and Kylie played together last fall and then this past spring in rec ball with Katy Girls Softball. She is also a redhead and they have so much fun together. We are thankful for good friends on the team like Kylie. She is also playing on this team with 2 other of the girls that played with us on our summer All-Star team...Chloe and Morgan. Again...so very thankful for our good softball friends!!

I warned you....more pics....

Susannah and her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Holdman. If you remember from, oh I don't know, like 6 blog posts ago, Susannah's Kindergarten teacher looped up with the kids to first grade!! Love it!! She is the best and we love her so much. Her daughter, Sydney, is also in first grade so she is in this picture, too!! :)

Here is SusieQ sitting at her desk, already doing her work on that first day. She was so very excited to be back with her favorite teacher and of course, all of her friends from last year! She even had a playdate after school yesterday at a friends house. She loves 1st grade already and it's only been 2 days!!!

Grace is in 4th grade this year. Our school is just huge. So, of course, we now have portable classrooms at our school. Yep. Our school is ONE YEAR OLD!! Talk about poor planning on the school board's part. Their enrollment is .....get this....1,130 kids!! That is just K-5th grade. Isn't that CRAZY?? So, they put all of 4th grade outside. You know, the other grades are too little to go outside and 5th grade has earned the right to stay inside because they are the biggest in the school. Grace took a sweater to school yesterday. So funny. She said it is freezing in the classroom. I guess that is a blessing. They can control their own heat and air so I don't have to worry about her sweating in this crazy south Texas heat!

Grace in her classroom. She wouldn't let me take her picture with her new teacher. The main reason? He is a new teacher and he is a HE!! That is right. Our school had to hire 17 new teachers this year and one of them is a male teacher. The only one in our school besides one of the PE coaches. So, she was a little apprehensive at first about him and getting to know him. Now, she really likes him. Why? Because his little sister plays college softball!!! How cool!! :)

More first day of school 2010 pics...

Parker had to get in on the picture action that first day back. It was cute...he said, "I need kisses!" and the girls were like, "Mom, take a picture of us kissing Parker!" They so have my family genes when it comes to pictures, for sure. Always looking for a cute pic!

We walked to school on the first day. I had a meeting up at school and they were so excited to get there early. Not again will we walk. Not atleast until it cools down. It was soo hot and it was 7:40 in the morning!!! Crazy! They ride the bus to and from school now and they both love it. It's great because it saves me time and gas....AND all of their buddies on the street ride this year, too. I guess we all got tired of that dreaded drop off and pick up line last year! :)

Here are the girls in front of the school sign! They were excited to go inside and see all of their friends that they missed this summer.

As we are walking up to the school, Sus grabbed Grace's hand and held on until we got to her classroom. Grace was sweet and just let her hold on for the walk. See, they like each other when it counts, right?

First day of school 2010

I know...I've been a down-right horrible blogger. Honestly, we just were not home at all this summer with sports and going to see family. But now we are home, school has started and we are getting back into our schedule again so I can blog again (just for you, Uncle Cliff!) So, here are some first day of school pictures for you to see and I'll blog on from there about the summer that I didn't have time to do this summer!! How about that?? :)

Grace is just getting so tall. She can wear my shoes now, but they are just a smidge too big...so I'll be having to guard my shoes even more, pretty soon!!

Susie in her "bling" outfit. The cupcake sparkles and so do her shoes. They also light up when she walks....oh my.

Parker in his mismatched jammies saying good-bye to the girls on their first day back at their school!!