Updates, Updates, and More Updates!

Hello, Friends!  It may appear that I have slipped off the face of the earth, but in truth, it has just been an amazingly awesome and busy time in our family.  I have so many changes and updates to share.  So, let's get started!

Our summer was amazing.  Truly!  We only had one week of "nothing".  The girls did swim team this year.  That was great!  Audrey amazed me with her growth there.  She went from a flailing sea creature to a graceful mermaid in about 5 weeks time.  They promoted her to the competition team mid season and she did fantastic!  Definitely something we will continue to do.  Maddie has also vastly improved.  I'm very proud of her!

We spent 8 days at a resort in Destin, Florida.  It was a super trip!  Ironically, some of Derek's family from Dallas was in a wedding at the same resort the end of our stay.  It was  fun to see them.  The girls absolutely adore their cousins.

 

Later in the summer the girls and I spent 8 days in TN for the Pure American Girl National Pageant.  What an amazing opportunity!  Maddie took home the National Talent Award and Runner Up Model of the Year.  I believe she could have placed higher in the Queen division, but she turned into a little monster.  LOL!  After the first day of competition she basically decided she didn't want to do it and was a handful to deal with the rest of the competition.  I can honestly say, I've never seen her act that poorly before.  I'm praying this is just a short phase of life and she'll be out of it very soon.  (I think she's making up for not going through the Terrible 2's or 3's!)  It is breaking my heart right now.  Anyway, Audrey had a phenomenal week.  For those that don't know her personally, it will be hard to understand just what a huge step and growth she went through this summer and in this pageant.  Many firsts happened that week.  She spoke on stage for the first time in her life.  She did forget some of her words and paused to regain her memory once, but I thought that was amazing.  She could have fallen apart and quit right then, but she didn't.  She pulled herself together and kept going.  She also had her first panel interview.  She felt really good about it, so I take that as another success.  Her modeling progressively improved.  By the final day her poise and confidence were clearly evident on stage.  But, the greatest accomplishment was her singing a solo on stage for the first time in her life.  She LOVED it!  That's what she has talked about the most.  She actually came off the stage and told me she was proud of herself.  Money can't buy that, folks!

 

So, all in all, it was a fabulous experience.  We have learned that Maddie will not be doing any more pageants any time soon.  Audrey has one the end of the month.   And, I am the new State Director for the Pure American Pageant System.  I'm very exited about this opportunity!

We couldn't leave TN without a trip to Dollywood, The Wilderness Water Resort, Hollywood Wax Museum, and Country Tonite musical.  Great trip!

Of course, our summer included a week of VBS and Arts Camp.  There were a few sleep overs and lots of play dates.  Truly a spectacular summer!

The biggest change this year is in our schooling.  Maddie is in Kindergarten and Audrey is in the third grade.  We have decided not to homeschool this year.  It was a huge decision and not one we made lightly.  I struggled with it and will spare you all the details, but in the end I have complete peace about that decision. The girls started last week and are absolutely loving it!  I'm volunteering in both classes and plan to be as involved as I can.

I am coaching cheer again this year.  I'm still with the little ones, which I love.  They are doing fantastic!  Maddie is on the squad, too.  Audrey has decided not to cheer this year.  She is concentrating on singing, dancing, and acting which is turning out to be her love.  I'm totally fine with that and will nurture those gifts as much as I can.  Tonight is her first night of dance - 2 1/2 hours of hip hop, tap, and jazz.  Theater starts Thursday.  Maddie, on the other hand, is all cheer and gymnastics.  She had her first tumbling class on Saturday and loved it!

It is going to be a wonderful year!  I hope you'll join me on this adventure as I recommit to blogging.  :)

First Family Vacation

That's right... we're just taking our very first family vacation.  We'll definitely be making it a priority to do each year from now on.  The girls are getting big enough to travel and enjoy some time away.  I'm hoping we can do even more now that we'll be home schooling.  We can incorporate our travels into lessons - and won't be so restricted on when we go.  And, Derek's new job offer should be here any day.  With his new job, he'll be working from home - which means he can also work remotely.  God has really been paving a path for us and I'm soooo excited!!

Anyway... just wanted to share a few highlights of our trip so far.  I know it isn't over yet, but I thought if I documented it while it's happening, I won't forget the details before I scrapbook it.  ;)

We drove over to Myrtle Beach on Thursday afternoon.  The girls traveled pretty well.  With all of our stops, we made it in about 7.5 hours.  The place we're staying in is BEAUTIFUL!  (We're using my in-law's time share.)  We are right on the beach.  We have a 3 bedroom villa on the 7th floor.  It is so nice!  We've eaten breakfast & dinner here - only going out for lunch.  It's worked out great for us.

Friday we spent the day on the beach.  The girls LOVED playing in the sand.  Even though its still way too cold to swim in the ocean, they chased the waves a bit wading in the water at the edge of the beach.  Audrey actually fell in a couple of times - but she loved it.  She especially loved chasing (and feeding) the seagulls.  We walked down to the pier and had some lunch.  We built sand castles.  Audrey won a turtle race.  :)  We found LOTS of seashells and "treasures" on the beach.  We came back to rest - and Maddie fell asleep in the floor with her hiney in the air.  So cute!  D & I played games and put puzzles together with Audrey.  Then we went swimming briefly in the indoor pool.  And, finished the day off cuddling in bed watching a movie!

Saturday we slept in a bit.  We first went to The Children's Museum of South Carolina.  They really enjoyed that.  It was Dr. Suess week, so they had several activities with that theme.  They made Ooleck.  :)  They got to meet Clifford the Big Red Dog.  They got to play all kinds of different things like restaurant, post office, pizza maker, paleontologist, bus driver, sailor, etc.  Afterward, we drove around Myrtle Beach and found a place to eat - 2 Dogs 'a Walkin'.  LOL  Then we went to Barefoot Landing and walked around a bit.  We bought a kite there.  (And, I bought those stick figures to put on my van.  Ya know, the ones that represent your family.  Silly, I know, but I've always wanted some.  LOL)  We came back to the beach and flew the kite for a while.  It was GREAT!  It was so windy that the kite went up immediately.  Audrey did great!  We didn't stay out long because it was late and really cold.  Maddie doesn't seem to be feeling very well, so we came in pretty soon.  Though, we did stop by the activities center and play a little ping pong ball.  :)

So, that's it for now.  We're having a great time!  Can't wait for tomorrow.  It's the last day, sadly - and is suppose to storm all day.  We'll just have to get creative!

I'll have to post more pictures from home.  The internet at the resort is not very strong.