Summer already!!!

Hard to believe it's been 2 months since I've blogged. I've started to write many times and then thought to myself "nope, I may say something about Jeff being out of town"... Well friends and family, Jeff is out of town! There, I said it... it's now public to the World Wide Web... Oooooohhh!!!

As you know Jeff works for AT&T. With all the tornados and storms back in April/May, he was asked to take a crew of guys to TN to expedite phone/internet stuff. Jeff left the first week of May and was in Memphis for a few weeks. From there he went to Alabama and that's where he is now (actually we are all here...more about that later). Of course we talk on the phone everyday and we video chat several times a week but it’s not the same as seeing each other in person and hugging everyday! We’ve been very blessed and have got to see him a few times since he left. One afternoon he popped up at the house and nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought someone was breaking into the house! In was reading my bible and having much needed quiet time and Taryn was taking a nap. It was too early for Kiarra to get home from school so when I heard the garage door open, I just knew I was a goner. After freaking out for 5 seconds looking for my beating stick, I carefully covered her sweet body up hoping the burglar (or murderer as I was thinking at the time) wouldn't notice her sleeping! Once I saw Jeff, I was very relieved and of course excited. I hate surprises but this was a really good one! I’ll admit it, he got me good!! We plotted to surprise both kids and it worked! First we got Kiarra by having Jeff ring the door bell and her answer it and then when Jayden got home from school Jeff was standing right inside the door to welcome him. Let's say there wasn't a dry eye in the house for either surprise and the best part is that I got them both on video to remember forever. It was awesome!!! He was only home for the night but we didn’t care…we had him back for a night and that was way more than we were expecting! We also got to see him Memorial Day weekend. We have some pretty awesome friends and we spent the weekend at their house on Lake Livingston. We all had a blast zip-lining, tubing, jet skiing, and simply hanging out! Kiarra even learned how to drive…well a golf cart anyway! The weekend went by too quick and it was soon time to send Jeff off again. I hated that drive to the airport but I know he is doing a great thing in states that desperately need help.

The week after Memorial Day was the kids last week of school. I had been waiting for this week for months. I couldn’t wait for school to be out this year. I don’t know if it was due to me being home and wanting to spend more time with them or the simple fact that I wouldn’t have to sign planners and check up on homework each night. Whatever it was, summer is here – Thank GOD!!! The kids finished out the year with near perfect report cards. Jayden had all A’s all year and Kiarra had A’s and one B. They both were commended on their TAKS tests and Jayden scored 100% on his math TAKS. We are very proud of them. Taryn had her spring dance recital in May as well. She was so cute and knew the entire routine. Kiarra sang in the school talent show the last day of school. She thought she would only be singing to the 7th graders since she was singing with someone in the 7th grade but the teacher liked their performance so much that she had them sing at all 3 (6th, 7th and 8th grade). They sang If I die young. She loved singing in front of people...and wants to be a singer... Guess it's time to get her a guitar and some singing lessons.

I do have to say I have much more respect for single Moms. I've always respected them but I definitely respect them more now that I've lived it for 7 weeks. At first it seemed to be the same routine and then it got a little crazy… especially on Wednesday nights when Kiarra had volleyball from 5:30 – 7 and youth group from 6:45 – 8. The other two kids had kids church from 6:30 – 8:30 and of course all these activities were in different locations! FUN FUN!!! Kiarra had a great year in volleyball. She has mastered the overhand serve and is ready for 7th grade ball! She had a great coach who worked really hard with them and of course her assistant coach wasn’t too shabby either (me)… LOL.

Now that school is out, the kids and I decided it would be fun to drive to Alabama for a few days and surprise Daddy. We were originally going to leave Wednesday but something else came up so we left early Thursday morning. This was the first time I’d taken a long road trip by myself with all the kids and knowing it was going to be about 11 hours I had to mentally prepare myself for 14 hours after potty breaks, gas and eating. I typically like to drive at night so the kids sleep but I knew that would be too risky being the only driver so we hit the road at 6:15 am and prayed we’d make it there before dark. We stopped once for a potty break and once to grab lunch and get gas. We arrived to the hotel around 4:30 pm (yea, that’s right - 10 hours) and as I was scheming with the front desk to get them in on the surprise, Jeff walked by! Come to find out, he pulled in the parking lot right behind us. We parked in the front and he parked in the back! It’s only a God thing that he didn’t see us. He was completely surprised and speechless! SUCCESS!!! We knew he had to work each day (including this weekend) but just being here in the room when he finishes each day and getting to see him face to face is something we all needed. While he is at work, we enjoy time by the pool and honestly just chilling and not having a schedule. Today after Jeff got off work we went to see some caves. I’m definitely not into that kind of stuff but it was way cool. We were 175 feet underground! If you are ever in Alabama, the Rickwood Caverns are a must see. I don’t think I’ve ever been in a cave and I know my kids haven’t been. It was really awesome.

Tuesday we’ll pack up to head home and I pray we have another quick safe trip. We’ll hate to say good-bye again but it will only be a few days before we get to see him again. He gets to come home Fathers Day weekend! I have a feeling this summer is going to fly by. After this week we’ll celebrate Jayden’s b-day then VBS and camp and vacation and more camp and more VBS! We LOVE summer!!

I know there are some important things I'm forgetting to write about.... Sorry! I'll post pictures as soon as I figure out how to get them off my iphone!