Random Update

So it's been awhile since I last blogged. I'll try to catch up with some of the very random things that have been happening.

 We've spent quite a bit of time at the beach and just started using my dad's pool which has been great. Love the warm sunshine.

The girls have been busy with the last week of school and that means completing assignments, taking exams, and wrapping up activities in class.

Lily applied for the SCA Executive Board for next year and she was accepted for another year. Very proud of her motivated attitude. She was also asked to be a part of the National Honor Society's Executive Board for next school year.

Shelly has been working hard on her SOL tests and giving it her best. She is a hard worker who is always committed to her school work.

Fynley continues to add so much love and happiness to our lives. We are lucky to have this little Peekapoo.

We've enjoyed some nights eating outside at various restaurants. We love the gliders at Rudee's.

Shelly helped John clean the roof and sky lights on top of our porch. When she was done helping, she climbed through her bedroom window!














We attended a graduation party for one our good friends' daughter. 

Shelly has made a couple trips to Greensboro for her orthodontist appointments. The most recent trip included the knowledge that at her next appointment, she will have her braces taken off!!! So proud of her and all that she has done to be extra responsible with her braces.

Always being silly with their cousin.

First Day/New School

Tuesday was the first day of a new school year for the girls. There were lots of mixed feelings about this school year, but also some very upbeat attitudes. 

Lily headed out for the day first. She would be embarking on a whole new school adventure...new building, new teachers, new people! She did such a great job and she encountered some great girls along the way. Proud of this junior!

Next up was Shelly (2 hours later). She woke up with a great attitude and was ready to go. She walked into school with a friend and was so happy to have someone else by her side. Such a brave 7th grader. 

A very good day was had by all! 

New Teacher Gift

My niece was just hired for a 4th grade position in Virginia Beach. We were super excited for her and we made a little basket of teacher goodies for her. 

The watercolor sign was made by Shelly

Always loved putting up the bulletin boards. Thought I'd offer up my expertise.

Target was full of cute teacher items for the basket

Always handy to have some hand soap available

Last Day

Shelly finished her last day of school on Friday, the 17th. This marked her official start to the summer and she became a 7th grader. Very exciting day for her. 

It was also the day that Lily felt she could officially call herself a junior! That is just crazy to think that she is about to be an 11th grader. 

So proud of them both and how they've handled the transition from North Carolina to Virginia. There have been many challenges but they both have risen to the occasion. 

We had a little fun after school was out. Shelly's last day coincided with the release of Finding Dory. We   were all eager to see the movie and it didn't disappoint. It was a great way to kick off the summer!

Teacher Gifts--Mason Jar Cups

For the end of the school year we chose to give each of Shelly's teachers (seven of them) a mason jar mug and a Dairy Queen gift certificate. 

I found the mugs on sale at Target. They are cute and had several fun summer colors. 

Catching up---

A random selection of thoughts on today's post---

Lily is doing well with her online classes. She is very self-motivated and is enjoying the subject material. She really misses her friends and the social interaction of the school building. 

Shelly is doing well at her new middle school. She especially enjoys her teen living class. They have already made smoothies, flavored popcorn, and English muffin pizzas. Yum!!!

We joined our local rec center. It's just a few minutes from our home. So, Lily and I try to go three times a week. We are counting it as the equivalent to Lily's PE break. I love having her as my motivation.

Slowly but surely our lives are falling into place. There are still things that we need to become accustomed to, but overall we are moving in a positive direction.

We love being near our family. We love the time we have with them and the opportunities to have dinner together.

I'm on the lookout for a new seating situation in our den and a storage cabinet for our kitchen. 

I turned a photo of our house into this neat picture via the Waterlogue app. Thought it looked so pretty.

We are waiting on the kitchen remodel people to begin the mini remodel in the kitchen. Hopefully, it will be starting soon. I feel like I haven't used a real oven since October. So, I will be eager to whip up a yummy dinner once the kitchen is all in place.

Lily got her Virginia learners permit and she has been doing a great job of driving me around town. It's nice to see her embracing the driving experience. 

Random Thoughts

I haven't blogged in a bit. So, thought I'd catch up in this post. We celebrated my sister's birthday at a Mexican restaurant. It was nice to be able to join in the celebration with her this year. 

Here she is with the sombrero on her while they sang Happy Birthday. 

The girls are working on their bedroom decor. They each have such unique ideas for their rooms and I love that about them. They both really have a flair for design and style. 

We had a day of snow and I thought it looked so pretty in front of our house, as we drove into the driveway. 

We make frequent trips to my dad's house to visit with him and our cat, Daisy, while she is having a little extended visit with him. 

Shelly loves taking bike rides in our neighborhood. We are lucky to be close enough to ride over to her middle school. 

We are really enjoying our screened in porch. We have had a few warmer days that gave us a chance to sit outside and enjoy the scenery. Shelly enjoyed posing for me. 

John and Lily made a visit to North Carolina last week. Lily had a chance to see friends and I think she needed that. While they were gone, Shelly and I shared some one on one time. She enjoyed a Slurpee one day after school. 

She Did It

Shelly made it through her first week at her new middle school. She had moments of apprehension, but overall she did great. I am so proud of her attitude toward her new school. She gets up and is ready to go with a smile on her face. Shelly is handling it all like a pro and fingers crossed that she continues to be happy about it all!

First day at her new middle school

A Trooper

Tomorrow is the second first day of school for Shelly. She will enter the halls of a brand new (to her) school where she doesn't know anyone. But her attitude about it all has been terrific. I'm sure she's nervous about the changes but she has her head up high and she is handling it all so well. 


This evening she said to me, "I'm just going to keep breathing in blue skies and breathing out grey skies". This has been her mantra ever since she saw it in an American Girl movie years ago. She's a smart cookie who is strong and brave. If you can spare some extra prayers for her tomorrow, I'd really love it.