Where has the summer gone?

Wow - I can't believe that summer is almost over already. It just went by so quickly. The girls will be starting school on Aug. 13th. Hard to believe that they are 6th graders this year, their last year at Straight. I really really dread them going to school in Hooker after that. I am gonna miss the little country school atmosphere!

A little summer update: Bryce shipped out with the Navy on July 11th. If everything goes as planned, we should be making a trip to Great Lakes, IL for PIR on Sept. 12th. I'm sure basic training has been and will continue to be tough on him, but he can do it and it won't be long and that will all be behind him. We are all so proud of him!! The girls played softball this summer again and once again took 1st place for the season. Ended up with 2nd place in the tournament. Jordan has been doing gymnastics all summer and once school starts has decided to stay in that instead of switching back to cheer class. She thinks she might like to be a cheerleader once she gets to Hooker, but feels that gymnastics class will do her just as much good as cheer class would. Dakota chose not to do either, she would rather spend her time playing basketball, softball, volleyball, ect... Jordan loves to play all the sports too, but she also enjoys the cheering and gymnastics. Ed is loving his new job. It's so nice for him to have a nice company pickup and not be bouncing around in that truck all the time. He's home early every evening and never more than a few miles from home. It was definitely the right decision!! We didn't get to take a family vacation this summer, with the trip to IL coming up, we figured it best to save our money and make that a mini vacation. Bryce's girlfriend Brittany will be going with us. It will just be the 3 of us. They are only allowed 4 guests for graduation, so the girls decided to let Brittany go and they would stay here and not have to miss school - provided we can talk Grandma Jordan into coming to stay with them for a few days! I'm sure that won't take much convincing! lol

Aug. is right around the corner and that not only brings the beginning of school, but it also means it's time for Ed and I to celebrate another anniversary!! 19 years this year!!!! Bryce will also be celebrating his birthday the end of the month. He'll be 18!! By that time, the worst part of basic training should be over for him so maybe he will have a decent 18th birthday. We plan on doing something special for him when we go up there for graduation!!

I think that about catches everyone up on what's been going on in our family. Hope everyone has had a wonderful summer and is gearing up for back to school!!!

Bryce ships out today!!

Yesterday was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. We took Bryce to OKC to say our goodbyes before he ships out with the Navy. Ed and I are so very proud of him but it was so hard to say goodbye. At about 1:15 this afternoon he was at the airport waiting to fly out. By this time he's probably in the air on his way to the Naval Acadamy in Great Lakes, IL. Gonna be a long hard 8 weeks for him and for all of us he left at home. But he can do it and we'll be going up there for his graduation in Sept. I'm a proud Navy mom!!! I love you, I'm proud of you and I miss you already Bryce!! (((Hugs)))