My Happy Place with a Sad Face

I was in my "happy place" holding my babies all weekend long...but it came with a price.

Friday afternoon, Audrey came home needing a snuggle and a quick nap. I loved it but didn't realize her body was getting sick.

 Later that night, Brenna went down with a fever...

 ...and kept it all through Saturday. Lots of snuggle-time, lots of feeling bad, a few dozen loads of sick laundry, but still managed a few smiles.

 Brenna made a quick turn-around and was well by Sunday morning, but Audrey was hit hard and fast with a fever, sore throat, and overall yuckiness. This lasted all Saturday night, Sunday, Sunday night, through Monday with many lows...but lots of cuddling for the high points.

 We missed school today and no friends are here to play. Instead, we made a trip to the doctor for our fever and rash. Strep and scarlet fever. What? Like typhoid, tuberculosis, smallpox, pioneer days scarlet fever? I learned something new today. Some strep can cause scarlet fever (common even though we are not in the 1800s) which is an itchy rash, not contagious to the touch...and not fun for my girl.

So I've been wishing and wishing I could have Audrey back home with me every day, and with a sad face, I got my wish. She will be home again tomorrow. I am going to relish every second I get to take care of her, even in the middle of the night...but my happy place is actually anywhere my girls are happy and healthy.

Rah

We have introduced our girls to the world of cheerleading (despite the fact that it has never really been my thing).

They attended a mini-cheer camp held by the high school cheerleaders, and they had a lot of fun being with friends and doing "stunts".

And while they enjoyed the socializing at camp, they really didn't care all that much for the cheering part...whew ;) This pic caught Brenna trying the arm motions and kicks, but Audrey always found her way to the very back when it was performance time...and she just stood there smiling, no cheering. She said it made her nervous and embarrassed to do a cheer, especially the one where they shake their hips. She is definitely my child.

But like I said, they enjoyed the stunts and actually tried that at the real football game. But still, no cheering, just smiling.

Now, just because I said they don't like to cheer definitely doesn't mean that they don't like the uniform. We are still decked out in Indians garb on Fridays. Mom made some super-cute fabric-strip black and gold skirts.

And we wore them to the pep rally...but still no cheering, just smiling!

Our favorite guy in gold to cheer smile for is this big football guy...

Isn't he so cute tough out there!

Such a hoss already!

And we like to support Coach Awpa, too!

"We're behind ya, rootin' smilin' for ya, go Layton, Awpa, Indians, Go!"

How we roll...

I love being able to ride around with all my little friends. This is how we roll everywhere we go...

Happy...

Silly...

Funny (check out the passenger on the window...they loved watching how far he rode)

Sleepy...

Desperate for groceries...

 And happy again most of all.

 If you see a vehicle with lots of little heads in it and children's music blaring in the elementary pick-up line, wave because it's probably us! Speaking of...it's 2:40 and time to load up.

Pidgey Perch

Rain, rain, go away.

Pidgey wants to come down to play...

I would actually never wish the rain away around here, but our cat-like canine really really doesn't like it and spends most of her rainy day time up the tree waiting for the ground to dry out.

But even on dry days, the kids spot her going up and down the tree looking for something to chase. She must think the view is pretty good because oftentimes she will just perch there.

Her absolute favorite place, though, is riding right along beside you in the car, sneaking a ear sniff whenever she can. Even though she climbs trees like a cat and dislikes getting wet like one, too, she is definitely "man's best friend" and loves us with every wiggly tail wag.

 You are one funny tree-climbing girl, Pidgey Widge.

Protected

I let my girl get hurt. 

It involved a little 4-wheeler that went a lot faster than I expected and not enough driving experience on her part.

I don't care to remember any other details other than the Lord took total care of her and Layton. She came away from it with a big shiner. 

We just see it as a visual reminder of His protection.

 Oh, and Picture Day tomorrow...that will be quite the visual reminder, too...

Thank you, Lord, for watching over these babies all the time, especially when I am not.

Target in Sight

Does this scream "helicopter mom"? Or maybe I actually have a future in stake-out surveillance ops...

 Yes, these are in fact long-zoom photos of Audrey on the playground. But I didn't take binoculars and long-range hearing devices.

In my defense, we were waiting for her recess to be over to pick her up early one day, so the kids and I just parked and watched playtime...and we were not confronted by any uniformed police officer for suspicious spy activity in a school zone.

I had lots of crazy dreams before she started Kindergarten. I guess the one of me sneaking around the school taking pictures of her actually did come true!

Football Family

Our favorite Eastland Maverick, cousin Jeremy, is a senior this year and a great football player...and I'd say he's got just a few little fans in the family rooting him on :)

I remember when he was just a little guy running around at all of our sporting events.

He is really great with all of the kids, as you can see...very uplifting quality in a high school kid these days (no pun with the picture ;)

These are all the little cousins in the Harrison family if you can believe it...and another on the way!

Brenna and Blakely

This photo shoot was a great opportunity to enjoy some cousin time and get pictures for the football program.

Payslei (1.5), Kenlee (13?), Audrey (5.5), Kelton (9?), Jeremy (18), Layton (5.5), Camden (9 months), Brenna (3.5), Corbin (5), Blakely (3.5), Kyrstin (4.5), Britani (21-22;)

Brenna smiled and posed and flashed the Maverick sign the best out of everyone! You never had to remind her to look at the camera ;)

 In between shots...

 The boys...

We got your back, Jeremy!

9/11

Dear Parents,
Texas has a new law which states that on September 11 schools must make a statement about the victims of the 9-11 terrorist attacks and honor them with a moment of silence. I composed a statement for our campus that I hope honored those individuals who lost their life and I also hope it was appropriate to the ages of the children we serve at Comanche Elementary School. I'm informing you of this because your children may ask questions tonight. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call me at the school. Below, you will find the text of the statement I made over the intercom. Curtis Stahnke 
"Boys and girls, this morning I'd like to talk to you about a terrible thing that happened to our nation 12 years ago. Some very bad people attacked the United States and many Americans were killed. It was a sad day but our country is strong and we did not let those bad people win. Boys and girls, in just a moment we are going to have a moment of silence in memory of our fellow Americans who lost their lives during this attack. We want to honor those people and to be proud of the United States. At this time please begin a moment of silence to honor the Americans who lost their lives. .....moment of silence..... Thank you boys and girls. The United States is our home and we should be proud to live here. I want you to know that you are safe and we will always take good care of you."

I was choked up today on so many levels. I had already talked to Audrey the night before to prepare her for the day and for the moment of silence. Then our wonderful principal and neighbor so lovingly handled his part. I used more references to God in my talk than he is allowed to at school, but overall, our talks were the same. Have I mentioned how thankful we are for our community, school, and principal?

These little faces don't understand our world and its headlines...Syria, gun bill, abortion pill, scandalous performances, hate crime, drug death, chemical attack. They put their trust in love and warm hugs and puppies and cookies. Our girls look to us to hear that everything is ok. And while I cannot explain to them that the world is definitely not ok, I can take them to the Shelter and Fortress where I know they will always find Refuge in the best of times and worst. 

Take heart...He has overcome the world! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Gone so soon, Weekend?

If we keep hiding out and be real quiet, maybe Monday won't find us...

Girls just wanna have fun...

...and girl, do we ever!

 Avery!

The pic is somewhat posed, but the high heels are definitely not. They go clicking through the house daily. (And no, the zebra high heels were never mine. Aunt Bobby is to thank for these ;)

 Last swim day of the summer :(

 When everyone wears skirts on the same day, do the twist!

Sugar and spice at its very best around here ;)