Busy little beavers!

It's been one of those weeks. You know what I'm talking about. Every day has something on the schedule and you crawl in to bed at the end of the night and want to crash? Except this week B has been in Seattle, so thanks to the lovely time zone difference I crawl in to bed, wait for a few hours for him to get back to his hotel so he can call and talk for a few minutes and then I crash. Around 1 am. And, y'all, Cari isn't used to this. I like my carefree days with a day or two of busyness. But when the girls have been gone all summer and we only have one week to get ready for school, busy it is!

The girls came home from their Kentucky vacation (that deserves it's own post!) and they haven't stopped since. It's been one thing after another!

Sunday

First Sunday in the youth group!

First Lifegroup! (Yes, I was THAT mom and snapped a pic as I drove away. And, yes, they yelled "MOM!" at me. But I captured the moment forever! Woot, woot!)

Lifegroup was a pool fellowship and the girls go to our dear friends' house. So I was happy when I was sent a couple of texts through the evening. Loved seeing those smiles! And, hey, I didn't even ask for pics! My friend just knew I'd appreciate them! :)

They said they weren't going to swim and just wore regular clothes. One of the guys wasn't having any of that and encouraged them to get in.

Monday

Shopping was our main priority for the day. Lots of shopping. And these girls HATE shopping, so I had to go in with lots of prayer and patience. We all held it together surprisingly well, made a lot of progress, and after seven hours of going from store to store, we called it a day!

This is Cay hating the capris she was trying on. I was taking a pic to send to B and she said "I'm not gonna smile" and I said, "That's fine, I'm not even getting your face". Ha! She ended up liking the capris after her daddy said they looked cute. Go figure! 

Monday's haul. Wowza. For nonshoppers, they did good that day!

Before B left we had a family meeting. We talked about all kinds of things... responsibilities, junior high, making wise choices, etc... He ended the meeting by giving them their "You're going into junior high"present -- their first phone. Part of Monday's shopping trip was to buy a case and then they could have their phone. Oh man. We've entered a whole new world (cue the Aladdin music). For the record, there's LOTS of rules and regulations with these phones. Sigh.... no longer babies.

Posing for a pic with their phones to send to Daddy.

Tuesday

Nothing says "welcome home from summer vacation" like a trip to the doctor. And not just any trip, but for shots! While at the doc we found out I am officially the shortest person in our family. Yes, the girls have passed me in height. I knew from the time they walked into their one year old well child appointment and their doctor said "Well, hello, Venus and Serena" they were going to be tall girls. He could see it when they were one. And they've always towered over their classmates. And now they're taller than me. Craziness. Cay is 5'9.5" and Bay is 5'9.25" and I'm a measly 5'9'. B better watch out or they'll be passing his 6' frame soon! 

After their shots with the free ice cream coupon and stickers the doctor gave them. That appointment was a hoot! We all laughed the entire time. They were laughing out of nerves and I was laughing at them as they talked ninety to nothing. Too funny. A sticker?! Lol!

 After the doctor we finished up their school supply shopping. 

We ended the night with a little Just Dance. :)

Wednesday

Haircuts! Oh my, did they ever need a haircut. They hadn't had one since Hairmageddon 2012 & since that was a little traumatic, we didn't press the issue. But the time had come. And they were ready. We did our best to take dramatic before and after pics. The before pics CRACK me up! They were totally into the drama. Hilarious!

Baylee before...

...and after!

       

Caylee before...

...and after!

       

After haircuts we went to the junior high and picked up their schedule. They have first period and lunch together and that will be great. They can start the day together, meet up for lunch, and then catch up with each other after school. I'm praying for a fabulous year. For all the moves they've had to endure, they deserve it! 

I'm so glad they let me take this picture. We were upstairs looking for one of Bay's class and since it was the end of the day and no one was around, they happily posed. With the panther in the background. Love this picture so much! Trust me, if someone had started walking by, they wouldn't have let me take a pic for nothing!

Thursday

Oh, Thursday, a day that tested my patience to the MAX. The girls needed a few more items, particularly shoes. We snatched up some deals right off the bat and things were looking promising. I thought we were in the clear and headed for smooth waters. WRONG! I'm not sure what their deal was, but they wanted nothing to do with shoe shopping. After a few stores, I was tired of the complaining, shoulder shrugs, and less than enthusiastic attitudes (including myself!), so we headed home. Shoeless. 

So in between all the running around, grocery shopping, cooking dinner for a friend who had surgery, one last Zumba class with my sweet Madison before she heads back to college, and the normal day to day duties (laundry, dishes, sweeping dog hair up, cleaning bathrooms, etc...), we have had a full week. And I just got off the phone with B, so it's time to crash. Can't wait to pick him up later today -- I can say today since it's after midnight!! :)

Hope he's enjoyed Seattle.

But his girls are ready for him to come home. :)

Summer Fun

Every year since the girls were six years old, they have made the trek back to Oklahoma for the summer. When we moved to Arkansas the first time, it was quite the adjustment to be away from grandparents. We went from being four minutes from my parents (15 minutes from Bran's parents) to being four hours away from them. The girls were close to all of them and even with all of the trips we'd make in during the school year, there just never was enough time. So the summer after kindergarten a new tradition was born. Bay and Cay packed up their suitcases and headed back to Arnold Acres and Peggs, America for the summer. It has truly become the highlight of their year.

I've had people question me time and time again about how B and I do it... "Do you miss them? How can you stand to be apart from your girls for that long?"... And, really, for us, it's a no brainer. We know our girls and we know the joy it brings them to be back with their grandparents. They adore Grammy and Grandpa and Grandpa and Grandma. Precious memories have been made over the years and relationships have grown and deepened. In addition to the grandparents, our girls have been able to stay connected to our home church in OK -- the same church I grew up in, the church B & I were married in, the church they were dedicated to the Lord in. They've had some of the same Sunday School teachers I had and it thrills my soul to see them stay so connected to a place that helped shape who I am today.

So, yes, B and I miss our girls. Terribly. It's weird to have such a silent house. But you know what? It is also precious time together, just B & I, to work on our marriage. We can go on dates, late night Soinc runs, and fall more in love with each other simply because we can give each other undivided attention. I know as the girls get older this tradition might stop or maybe just be tweaked, but for now, we all look forward to our summers. And it's not like we don't see them at all. They've made trips back to Arkansas for a few days, I've gone to Oklahoma a couple of times, and there are numerous texts, phone calls, and FaceTime to get us through the separation. We know it's not for every family, but it is for ours.

They return home this weekend and I am ready for our fall routine. Junior high is a little over a week away and I'm anxious to see what this school year holds for us. For now, though, here's a glimpse of a little bit of their summer in Oklahoma.

Goofy lunch dates with Grammy

Oh my. This is Bay and Cay to a T. So, so goofy. The knives are a little scary, though. Ha!

Photo shoots with Wally

Sun Goddesses

This pic cracks me up. Cay is laying on the pool floatie, but it's on the deck, not in the pool. And her head is completely covered up and she is wrapped up in a towel. Classic Cay.

Horses and X-rays 

(I mean, what's a summer in Oklahoma without a trip to the ER?!)

Right before Cay fell off the horse at a youth group fellowship.

Waiting for an X-ray. Yes, B & I made another mad dash in to Oklahoma when we got the call. I knew as soon as my mom said "Cari" that we had a problem. Praise the Lord everything was ok!

Warden, Tinkerbell, and Preacher

The girls claim the two horses and donkey that live across the street from my parents as their own. This is Warden and they spoil him with carrots, oats, apples...

Mt. Nebo

My parents and the girls came to Arkansas for the fourth of July. They were headed back to Oklahoma and made a pit stop at Mt. Nebo.

Lunches with Grandma Faye

My grandma lives on her own, but mom checks on her a few times a week. This was part of their summer routine. They'd go to her apartment, take her to the grocery store, and then to lunch. Precious memories.

Yard sale
Mom and the girls have a summer yard sale. Last year the girls made enough money to take mom and dad out for their anniversary. This year they purchased stuff for our dogs Molly and Annie. And it was a multi-site sale. A couple days was at mom and dad's and then one day they moved it to town at my aunt's.

Sale at Aunt Suzy's

Befriending animals

Both girls have a heart for animals, but Bay zones in on a select few and takes them under their wing. She took this pic and sent it to me when she touched Daisy for the first time. She was on the phone with me when it happened... "I'm touching her! I'm touching her!", she said in a soft whisper. I told her to hang up and snap a pic. 

Boating with Grandpa and Grandma

B's parents rented a boat one Saturday and the girls had a blast!

Lunch with Aunt Bear after the boat ride. 

That's pretty much their summer in a nutshell. Nothing over the top or fancy. Just precious memories made with loved ones. Right now they are finishing the last of summer vacation in Kentucky on a quick mini-vacation with my parents. I can't wait to hear all the details on that trip!! I pray these girls always know how loved they are and how blessed they are to have grandparents who love and adore them.