SLUFY

Tonight we had a parent meeting for the SLUFY. SLUFY (Summer Laureate University for Youth) is a summer enrichment program for Gifted and Talented Students and Emily and Erin were excepted into it this year.

Erin will be taking a walk on the wild side for home base and then head over for mathematical adventures. She will be learning about animals and their habitats and explore special patterns.

Emily will uncovering mystries in Mystory 101 then she will take cooling off in Antarctic Blast. She will be a detective in solving, writing and developing mysteries. Then she will explorer th Antarctica to learn about global warming on the ice caps.

It is promising to be a grand two week adventures that they will start July 16. Were very excited for them.

Exercise

Well, I finally got back on the treadmill. I only did 10 mins but it's a start. I did 50 crunches and 10 regular sit-ups. I had to do the sit-ups because my girls had to tell me how they have to do them at school and that I was going them wrong. I have never really minded crunches but I hate full sit-ups. I did them though, just because my daughters wanted me to. Course, they also had to do them and we even managed to get Daddy in the act. He did jumping jacks and push-ups, but since his ribs are still so sore from his boogie board accident in Florida, he didn't do the sit-ups. He'll get his chance though. We may make this physical activity increase be fore all of us now that the girls seem to want to coach me. I'll keep you updated on that.

Bitchology

I received this from a friend this morning and it fits today so I'm posting it here. I don't know the author of this but I would like to thank her, whom ever she may be. I'm with you, sister.

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.

When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.
Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.

It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a bitch.

The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.
It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!

So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch, so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

B - Babe
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle anything

Hiking and A Wedding

This morning we got up early and headed to Pinnacle Mountain. It was a lovely morning to go climb a mountain. We started up the mountain at 7:34 am and reached the top at 8:15 am. We relaxed on the rocks and enjoyed the view and breeze then we headed back down at 8:30 am. We reached the bottom at 9:06 am. 41 mins up and 36 mins down. We would have been up it quicker if we had let Erin set the pace. She was one mission this morning and had the most energy.

After we came down, we headed home for showers so I could run the girls to their hair appointment at 11:00 am. The girls were flowergirls in the Merritt/Thornton wedding at 4:00 pm and we had their hair done along with the bride and her bridesmaids. The girls were really loving being with the bride, Lindsey, and her bridesmaids, because it really made them feel like big girls. They couldn't stop talking to anyone that would listen and hugging anyone that would let them.
Their hair looked fabulous, thanks to Spring at the Taj salon. The only problem was when we went to leave a thunderstorm had blown in and so the girls had to put garbage bags over their heads to get to the car. Again, thanks to Spring for helping get the girls out to the car. No problem, the hair was not damaged. I've never seen my girls work so hard at keeping their hair fixed.

We headed home so I could dress for the wedding then off to Conway for the before wedding pictures. We got there and got the girls in their dresses and they were ready to go. See the photo below to see how my "babies" have grown. Daddy and Mommy were all choked up about how quickly it will be their wedding.
The girls did fabulous with their part and helped make this a fabulous wedding. Lindsey and John had a beautiful wedding and we were blessed to be a part of it. We wish them a long life together full of happiness and love. Though I don't feel right about asking newly weds to babysit anymore. I've lost my babysitter!!! Oh well. I will be adding a link to Crystal Goss's site when the wedding pictures are available to view. I know I will be buying some of those.
All in all it was a GREAT day.

Last Day Relaxing in Florida

Being the last day before we have to make the long drive home, we decided to go spend more time in the sun on the beach. We got up had breakfast (at 10:30 am) and headed to the sand. We got to the beach around 11:30 am and didn't leave until 3:30 pm.

We sprayed on the sunscreen, setup our staging area and hit the waves. We had 4 boogie boards, a pail and shovel, googles, snacks and drinks. We were good. Marty spent most of his time in the waves on a boogie board, I spend time on a board, on a towel, looking for shells and watching my kids. The girls spent time both on a boogie board and body surfing. Emily is really good at body surfing waves but Erin perfers the boogie board. Which they both happen to be rather good at it. Course it helps that they are both so light so it's easier for the wave to pick them up. Us larger people are so lucky. Marty happens to be sporting a very nice bruise on his ribs on the left side thanks to a wave and a miscalculation.

It was a GREAT day at the beach. I would have taken more pictures but I was too busy being in the water.

After the beach we head back to Dianna's house and cleaned up for dinner with both my sisters and my brother-in-laws. It was wonderfully relaxing time and I really don't want to leave. But tomorrow the vacation is over. Time to head back to reality.

Bummer.

Last two days at Disney World

We had a grand time visiting the Mouse at Magic Kingdom and then Animal Kingdom. It was Marty and the girls second time to the Magic Kingdom and all of ours first time to Animal Kingdom.


We had breakfast the first day with Mickey, Pluto and Lilo & Stitch at the Polynesians Resort's Ohana restaurant. It was very nice to start the trip out this way. Breakfast was delicious and and the service was fabulous. Then the characters came around to visit us. That was really nice too. So the girls got to see Mickey before we ever entered the park.

The Animal Kingdom was day 2. Animal Kingdom is right up our liking. The Safari ride is the coolest thing. Erin loves and collects giraffes and there were three almost in touching distant of the safari vehicle and 2 more that we could see. The lucky part was that they were on Erin's side so they were almost in her face.

Now this wasn't as exciting for Emily because she loves and collects panda bears. Although they have an Asian area, there were no live panda bears which kind of disappointed her and bummed her out some. She still had a good time though.

The weather is beautiful

I've got a moment and will do my best to get this updated. It has been a long last week. Because we were leaving on Thursday evening for vacation, we had lost of little things to get done at home and work.

Work is very busy with a special project and from the time I walk in the door until I walk out I'm at my desk on the computer. This isn't bad because I like being busy but my right wrist that I had surgery on in 1999 doesn't really like it. I has been hurting for the past two week since I spray painted for VBS. Something is not right with it and I will be making an appointment when we return to see the hand special that did my surgery.

Monday was take the girls after school to the library to sign up for the summer reading program and then shopping for clothes before a church meeting at the pastors' house. Have I ever mentioned that shopping with Emily is a true adventure that I'd just as soon avoid? She is rather particular about her clothes and her taste and mind don't agree. I thought this wouldn't happen until she was a teenager?

Tuesday was another fun filled day because my suburban, which we are driving on vacation, decided that it didn't want to start after I dropped Emily off at a birthday party sleep over. I was stranded at her friends grandparents house. Luckily the neighbor took pity on me and came over while I was waiting on John and Marty to come to my aide and he fixed it. Seems that one of the battery cables had come loose and just needed to be retightened. For the recorded, I had no tools in the truck because we were cleaning it out to get ready for the trip, so this scout wasn't prepared. Shame on me. John was nice enough though to ask us to bring the sub over because we had been needing to get the rear air fix. He worked on it all evening while Marty and Erin and I went and shopped again but this time for Marty and me. You can now hang meat in my sub. THANKS John.

Wednesday was a whirl wind of work, packing and cleaning the house.

Thursday was the final day of work for Marty while I did the last minute errands: rotate tires, drop off bears for sewing, pack the bags, load the sub, grab a nap. We did all of this just for this.

Tammy works at the Cape and she had received passes for this launch and was able to get us within 5 miles of the launch pad. It was a totally awesome site and well worth the drive down.

Yesterday we spend the day at the beach trying to ride boogie boards, though we didn't do very good. Erin rode one and Emily rode one but that was it. Matt said it was a bad wave day.

Well I will post more later.

The Weekend

The weekend started off Friday evening with a birthday party for one of my dearest friend's son. Cordell turns 7 later this month, but to have friends from school come they had it Friday night. It was a great evening of laughing and joking and talking with friends.


Saturday was a buzy day. My 3rd grade brownies bridged up into juniors. It is a truely awesome occasion. Emily, my oldest, is now a junior. This also marks a land mark for me because now I'm a junior scout leader and there are a lot more badges which require a lot more work.

We had it at the city park but had to use Plan B for the location because you can't reserve the pavilions and a lady had gotten there at 7:00 am to get the pavilion for her family reunion at 10:00 am. That's okay because we are Girl Scouts and we come prepared. I called parents and had them bring lawn chairs, sent Marty to borrow some from friends, I already had tables and Cheri called Mike for more tables and we just set up our own location next the bridge. I think it was actually better because the girls were closer to the parents this way and could be heard better. We had our Court of Awards first, which is where we give activity patches and badges earned to the girls, then we bridged the 3rd graders. I was very pleased with how it turned out.

Next we were off to the house to unload, change clothes, and water the Butterfly Memorial Garden before heading to Kristi's house for her girls' birthday party. That was lot of fun, about 10 girls, 2 boys and a Karaoke machine. How relaxing!! Hee Hee. It really was a lot of fun.

Then us adult girls took Tammie out for her birthday. Enough said. This we must do more often.

Sunday was the sad part of the weekend. Kristi's little sister, Sandi, lost her battle with cancer and has gone home now to be with our gracious Lord. Kristi was able to make it see her sister before she passed away but it is still hard to let go of someone so special. It makes me realize how much my own blood sisters mean to me, as do my christian sisters. I have been blessed with so much and this only makes me remember that more. Thank you God for the lesson you have given me through this experience.

(I will post pictures when I get a chance.)

Beautiful Friends

I have the greatest friends and I have so many of them. I am truelly blessed in my life. I have a friend for every occasion of life. When I need someone to call to rant to about a school and school issues I call Emily or Stacey; when I'm needing help with church I call Tammie, Jamie, Stacey, or Christine; when I have family issues I call Dianna or Tammie; when I have issues with Girl Scouts I call Kristi, Cheri, Cris or Roni; when I want to talk about college I call Connie, Dyana and Wendy; when I need emotional support I call Emily, Stacey, Christine, Tammie, Jamie, Kristi, Cris; and when I need to go out and have a really good time well I call all of them because they are all cool. I even have friends who are boys: Allan, John, Dennis, Chip, Brad, Don. Friends are a true blessing.

Emily talks about her best friend Mei all the time. I asked her if she has other friends and she says yeah but Mei is her "Bestest" best friend, then she has about 5 other she classifies as "Best "friends which are really close friends but don't get top billing like Mei. Then she has "REALLY CLOSE" friends. She is a well rounded social butterfly.

Erin doesn't have a friend that she calls her "Best" friend. She tells me that she has too many friends for that.

I'm cool with that. I use to think that I had to have a "Best" girlfriend. That one person in the world that got me all the time and never not got me. I don't think that anymore. Each friend has a special gift to give and fills a special need within you. You should always remember to thank your friends.

That help keep you sane.

THANKS FRIENDS!!!!

Mistakes

I did a bad thing last night. I yelled at my girls. I hate to yell girls. We were at the end of our last brownie meeting for the year, nothing had gone right all night and then the girls starting playing in the daycare with things they know their not suppose to and I lost it. Erin's feelings were hurt, Emily was sullen and withdrawn and I felt horrible. I know I'm hard on my girls for a reason but I don't have to be mean or overbearing. I usually try to explain the reason they are in trouble and that cause and effect are just a part of life. If you do this, then you will get in trouble but if you do this you will be rewarded with praise and responsiblity. I can't stand it when I loose control like I did. Sometimes I blame myself because I'm the adult, yet others I blame the girls because they have been taught to mind and they know what is expected of them.

Last night was just one very big mistake.

I've got four girls that are considering not staying in scouts and I can't help but wonder if I've let the troop get too big and have let these girls fall through the cracks. They seemed to love scouts but just don't know if they want to continue. I know that I take a lot of things personally but I really love doing scouts and want each girl to love it as I do. I just saw my nephew receive his Eagle Scout award and was wondering if I would how many of the girls in my troop would make it to Gold. It is so very rare that a girl will make it to Gold. Not to dismiss the Eagle Scouts but there are a lot more Eagle Scouts then there are Gold Girl Scouts in the world.

Struggling

I am struggling with an issue concerning my youngest daughter. I don't believe my kids to be superior to anyones but I do believe both to be fairly bright and quite capable of doing very well in school. This last 3 months, Erin has be struggling with reading. She has been moving at a good pace all year but about 3 months ago she started having issues. We stepped up with helping her and did all the extra work that was asked and she is still struggling.

We just received her Iowa testing results and I can honestly say I'm in complete shock. These results, in my personal opinion, by no means resemble my daughter and her abilities. I am completely bewildered at how low they are and can't understand how she could have done this bad. She did excellant on them last year and was one of the top students in her class. This year, I haven't checked to see how she did compared to the others in her class, she is struggling with reading, spelling, writing and lanuage. Math was the only thing that she scored where I would have imagined she would have scored. Something is not right and I can't figure it out. She is excited about reading and trys reading books all the time. She can retell almost any story she reads and is very good at sounding out words, yet here we are......

We haven't said anything to her about how disappointing her scores are and we haven't had a chance to talk with her teacher. We are trying to get an appointment with her now, but haven't been able to get it set up. I can't describe the sick feeling I have over this issue. I feel like I have not been there for her or not provided something that she needed. I feel like I might be failing her.

First part of this weekend is complete

Yes I know I was suppose to be walking all night long for the Relay for Life but it closed down early due to rain. A huge thunderstorm blew up and we had to very quickly leave the field for the field house. We made due though. We started doing laps around the field house. We did get to do opening ceremonies before the rain started. I got a good picture of Kristi with her mom, Carol walking the care givers lap. Sandi, of course, could not make it but her kids came down with their grandmother and that was great. We had a wonder time and I got to do some where in the area of 50 or more laps. I stopped counting.

Well off to bed so I can get up and start working on the Memorial Garden for Breanna.

Sandi, may God take away your pain.

Breanna, we miss you with all our hearts.

Quick type something!!!!!

Yes I know it has been 2 weeks but I'm still recovering from getting sick at camp. GS Camp was great but it completely wore me out plus my allergies hated the cabin which I'm sure had mold and plenty of dust mites. But the important part is that the all the girls had a great time and it is over!!!! I will not, repeat WILL NOT, do that again.

I did not get the opportunity to take a lot pictures and I'm waiting on my moms that did to get me some. So here is the only picture that I have:


Course now that I'm doing physically better I have another marathon weekend. Tonight at 7:00pm is the Relay For Life all night walk at Cabot High School. It is from 7:00 pm until 6:00 am and then tomorrow my brownie troop is starting the construction of the Memorial Butterfly Garden in memory of Breanna Hammaker, our sister brownie we lost in October of 2005 to brain cancer. So it is going to be a very long weekend. No-dozs anyone????

I will try to take pictures. It should be a lot of fun, if I can stay awake. Oh and Marty and Erin will be there with me. Emily is going to a birthday slumber party and will probably get more sleep then us. Isn't that ironic.

Well got to get moving. I've got to get things really for tonight.

Busy Weekend

The busy weekend is about to begin.

There are two activities going on this weekend. The first is Noahs of Ark Men's Walk #127 - Walk to Emmaus. I know four men that are going and my prayers are with each of them. This is a spiritual retreat for older Christians who have read the Bible (not absolutely every word but get the just of it) and want to deepen their relationship with Christ. I took my walk in Sept/Oct of 2005 and it was the best experience religious experience of my life. I've never felt God's love so warmly and completely before.

I pray for each of these men as they embark on this journey to learn what God has for them to discover. One of these men, is entrusting me this weekend with his step-daughter so it will be easy to keep him in my foremost thoughts.

Thus the second activity of this weekend - Juliette Low Service Unit Girl Scout camp weekend. It starts tomorrow at 5:30 pm. Well at least it does for the girls. It started for me somewhere back in January or before. I know that it will be a wonderful weekend for all, but I'm already tired before we even get started. Please pray that the Lord will watch over each of these girls these weekend and let them have an open mind to learn what each activity director or staff member has to teach them. We will be learning orienteering (taught by me), ecology (taught by my mother-in-law), sports and health (taught by my co-leader, Cheri), knots (taught by a brownie leader) and first aid and safety (taught by another brownie leader).

The girls will get to make smores, sing campfire songs, go on hikes and just hang out. Did I already say I'm tired. Just thinking of all of that makes me tired.

Well, I should have some really good pictures Sunday evening, so you will have to check back.

DeColores Ron, Russ, Jeff and Scott. My prayer time is 6:00 am Friday morning. God bless your wonderful weekend.

Tired

Well, it has become a very busy month. I've been doing very well with posting until time got away from me. I feel kind of like a rag doll because I'm so very worn at the moment.

Why am I so tired you ask, well, camp is this coming weekend for scouts and got a little more involve then I had originally intended. Not that I don't mind helping but sometimes I just can't find the boundary of where I should stop helping. Usually, I cross that boundary and am miles on the other side before I realize that I'm helping way more then I was actually asked to help. It's my A type personality.

A friend needed help and during the middle of the project had a family emergency, so here I am. Exhausted, overworked, and ready for a margarita the size of Mexico. Which is a real shame because it's my favorite drink, which I have become allergic to. Yes, I mean actually allergic to it. About 20 minutes to 45 minutes after I start drinking, I start sniffling and sneezing and it just goes down hill from there. Do stop drinking them? Well of course not. Like I said, it's my favorite drink.

See, I'm so tired that I'm just rambling. The thoughts are moving through my head to my fingers and what comes out are these rambled thoughts of a Girl Scout Leader and a Christian Wife/Mom.

I've got to leave in a minute to head to a meeting that doesn't take place until 5 pm tonight in a town that is 2 hours away which is not the most convenient time for me to be going since I have so much prep to do for camp but I guess that I must do what they pay me to do.

The phone is ringing so I must go.......

He Lives

Hi my name is Jo Bowie, do you believe in Easter?

Easter is a very big deal in my family. For more reasons then just the bunny that comes and brings baskets full of candy and eggs full of money. It's because it is the celebration of our Savior who triumphed over death on this day for our sins. If you have never heard about Jesus Christ, I would really like to tell you His story.

We attended our church's "Son" rise service this morning at 7:00 am. It was a brisk 28 - 32 degrees. The wind blew just enough to make it nippy. That did not deter us though. Marty was there at 6:00 am to help with set up and the girls and I got there at 6:30 am to do the Children's Ministry set up.

The children's choir sang "Where you there?" and "He Gave". It was so very beautiful to hear.

After this we made our rounds to visit our family. First stop was breakfast with Grandma, Pop and Aunt Norma at Golden Corral, where the girls promptly received a basket a piece from Grandma and one from Aunt Norma. The goodies were abound.

Next stop was NoNo's house where we helped finish cooking lunch before we headed off to Uncle Ronnie's and Aunt TJ's house. There the girls received a basket a piece from NoNo, but it doesn't end there, the girls went on a special easter egg hunt created just for them by their older cousin Bryce. MORE candy.

Now don't think I'm not very glad to see that our family goes the extra mile for my girls, but the dentist and doctor bills are going to enourmous if their allowed to eat this mountain of candy.

Bad Days

I don't like it when my husband has a bad day. It doesn't happen often, because he is so laid back about things, but it does happen. I'm almost as protective over him as I am over one of my girls. Not that he needs my protection but because I want his every day to be special. He's my other half and I don't function well with out him and what effects him, effects me. We have a uniquely awesome relationship. I'm so blessed that I can't even tell you how blessed I am. We complete each other and when the other isn't themselves, it's really difficult.

Today is a bad day for him. Work gets stressful when some clients just can't accept that they can't always have exactly what they want, no matter how bad they want it. Not due to Radar not wanting to give it to them, but that it just can't be done. It's so difficult to see him upset.

A lot of people don't get a spouse that is their true best friend, but I know that I did and it's unexplainable, unimaginable, and undefineable. I would never have dreamed it. I dreamed for many things but this simple blessing..... no, I did not. I will forever give thanks to God for him.

If you see him today, give him a pat on the back or a handshake or a hug and tell him that all is great with God and that He will only give him what He knows he can handle.

Awesome Weekend

What a fabulous weekend it was to camp!! The weather was a bit breezy at times on Saturday (strong enough to snap one of our tent poles) but as I've been camping with Radar now for 16 years so camping and crazy weather go hand in hand.

The weather on Friday was warm and overcast but we had a great time biking from camp to Sunset point to Sunrise point and back to camp. Then we biked to the Summit Trailhead, hiked the Summit trail, and biked back to camp. You would think we were tired by now, but no, after dinner we biked back to Sunset point for the sun set which was overcast and not really worth that rided. Though, the ride was good for us.

Friday night and Saturday morning was when we got the wind and a little rain. That blew out by lunch and other then being a little cooler then we were prepared for, the day was beautiful. The sky was so blue and clear. The pollen had been washed away and the buds on the trees were a rich green. Birds sang to us and the butterflies would flutter by for us to watch.

It was so very relaxing. We got to finish the day with this fabulous sunset. Yes, we biked back to it again.

Packing to come back Sunday was rather disappointing. I'd much rather stay for many more days, but reality is always waiting just around the corner.

Excited about Getting Away

Last night we ran to the store to pick up the things we need to go camping this weekend. WOW, were my girls off the wall the whole time. They were all over the list making sure we weren't forgetting anything. If they weren't all about the list, then they were dancing around in a fog because they could not control themselves. You would think they never get to go camping or on vacation. Granted it has been since last fall that we've gone, but still, you just had to see them.

Their Daddy isn't much better. He is trying his hardest to figure out how he is going to get off early so we can leave earlier then 5:30. I wish him luck, because that rarely happens around his office.

Me, I'm ready to get away and will enjoy it when I get there but at the moment I'm looking at all the work that has to be done before we leave. All the packing isn't done, I'm right in the middle of Girl Scout camp planning, almost the entire crew of Sunday school workers are on Spring Break and I have no idea if there will be enough people to cover Sunday (though we were given "orders" by the pastors to not be there this Sunday), plus this is the start of the next month rotation of workers and I'm not sure they remember that it's their month. This is the first Sunday since launch that I will not be there and it concerns me. Now, make no mistake, the volunteers that work the children's ministry are absolutely awesome and I know without a doubt that they can cover for me. It's just the timing because a lot of people are out. If everyone was going to be there, then I wouldn't worry but I don't know that everyone will be there. I only know of three and it takes for sure 5 to put all three areas (Bible Excursion, ECA and Nursery) together. I know that God will handle it and make sure everything that NEEDS to be done will be, but it's the extra stuff that I like to have for the kids so that it is even more special that I hate not to be there.

My thoughts are overwhelming me so I guess I'd better stop.

Being a Scout

I love being a scout but I think scouts get a bad rap like being a Christian. There is a perception that if you're a Scout you can build a fire by rubbing two sticks together, camp with nothing but the clothes on your back, and survive any wilderness excursion. 1) Scouts aren't MacGyver, 2) With todays technologies why sticks, 3) Have you seen the latest adult scouts?

I'm not picking on anyone but if you don't like the outdoors and you become a scout leader, you're not likely to take a group of kids camping and to teach them wilderness skills. If you've seen Troop Beverly Hills then you've seen how some troop are today and there is nothing wrong with that. Teaching to a group of kids strengths is the best way. If they don't want to camp or hike or fish, then we shouldn't make them. If community service, government and urban activities is the interest then teach them that. We just need to change the perception that all scouts are outdoor enthusiast.

Now, as for me and my troop, we are the outdoor enthusiast. My girls want to camp, hike, fish and canoe, which is great for me because this is what I love to do.

I just received by Outdoor Adventures training and I'm so excited because my family is going camping this weekend. I enjoyed training because I learned to tie 4 knots and I don't need my husband to do them (He was a Boy Scout). I was more involved with the cooking in the dutch ovens and know I want one. I've been building a fire for years in the fireplace but I really want to do one in the outdoors, my boy scout always handle that. I want to be doing more.

This should be a fun weekend.