Sunshine Sentiments: September 2022

Monday, September 26, 2022

MY GRANDSON

I'm pretty sure there is nothing better than being a grandma! Being an LDG (Long Distance Grannie) is another story... but at least I get daily phone calls - where I proceed to "play" via FaceTime. We play dinosaurs, dragons, pirates, cars, and every other "boy" thing you can think of. A grandson is so different from raising daughters.

Skittles Lillywhtie

Here are the latest pictures of my favorite red head:

Kiara asked him to smile for grandma... I got the sticking out tongue.

Keeping cool this summer.

Riding the carousel.

Mommy is Skittles best friend!

Skittles played soccer this year.

He was scared the first few weeks, but was able to play by himself at the end of the season.

Making friends.

"Blocking the goal!"

Learning to swing by himself.

Skittles called me from the park to "play pirates" with him.

He steered the ship as I yelled "Ahoy, me matey!"

Apparently my job was to hoist the jolly roger.

I love that smile!

I love this kid!

I can't wait to see him in a week and a half!

And a couple of bonus shots of other events in our lives:

Apparently Skittles decided his mom needed a picture too.

Isn't she beautiful?!

And these silly kids are keeping really busy this semester, but still managed to go camping this summer.

They are so cute! And happy!

Scott went to a couple of professional soccer games.

He and Chris have a lot of fun together!

Saturday, September 17, 2022

FOREVER YOUNG

In the 80s, Rod Stewart sang a song that comes to mind when I think of my seminary students:

"May the good Lord be with ya down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud, dignified, and true
And do unto others as you would have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young!"

I really love teaching seminary! I really love my seminary kids! And I pray these kids will stay courageous, brave, and true.

Most of my class....

One of the fun things I've been doing the past month is supporting these amazing teenagers as they pursue their different interests and talents. Each kid is truly amazing! And I've enjoyed watching them each grow, learn, and become (not just at seminary, but in other interestes as well.)

Sariah is my Voleyball star!

She's the best on her team... at least as far as Scott and I can tell.

Her smile lights up the court as well as my classroom!

And she's a fierce competitor.

David is a freshman and the #1 golfer on his highschool team.

I didn't know ANYTHING about golf when I went to his first match.

I discovered I LOVE watching golf.

I love the polite crowds, the outdoors, the walk, and watching this kid shine in his element.

I even told Scott that I think I might like to try golfing because of David.

This guy is going to be inundated with scholarships for golf someday...

I just know it.

Isn't Emalene beautiful?!

She's gorgeous - inside and out.

And she's fast!

She's involved in cross country (and ROTC).

She's simply amazing!

And Max is also a runner that I call "mine!"

He's a triple threat: fast, kind, smart!

At his 5K, he was stung by a bee on the leg while running.

He continued to run. And he ran FAST!

His determination and persistance makes him a role model for me!

David and Grace are musicians, as well as terrific students!

David plays the trumpet and Grace plays the cornet in the pep band.

I went to a football game just to listen to the tunes!

They were awesome, and definitely made the evening more fun for me as I heard them play all the traditional (and not so traditional) pep songs. (They even played "Coldhearted" from the 80s.)

David is behind Grace in this picture. Best I could get of him... but Grace looks awesome!

(BTW Grace also plays guitar!)

What talented kids!

I couldn't get a selfie with Elijah.

He was too far away on the soccer field.

He's #6 with the ball, front and center.

He has some awesome soccer skills!

Look at the footwork!

Elijah and I are both excited for the World Cup this November.

I wish I could blog every single one of my students.... And I'm sure I'll get around to it throughout the year. But suffice it to say, I love them all! I'm so blessed to be a part of their lives. They enrich mine in so many ways!

Monday, September 12, 2022

QUICK GETAWAY TO THE BETTENHAUSENS

Thank goodness for best friends who stay best friends even when they move far away (Missouri). And thank goodness for three day weekends (Labor Day). It was a fun vacation that was over too soon. We played games. We went hiking. We played games. We went on a double date. We played games. We were irrisponsible and stayed up way too late. We played games. We went to church. We played games. We visited and visited and visited. And we played games. It was wonderful being with our "family" again. Love these kids. And love my friend/sister Amy!

Raisin

Marmalade

On the road....

Glad my friend shares her adorable kids with me!

Starburst and Apple Pie

Amy gave me a cross stitch and a new game (Karma) for my birthday!

I was given a heart, homemade headband from Raisin.

I had to model it!

Scott and I had an amazing dinner at Schnitzel Bank in Indiana.

Scott LOVES German food.

Raisin dressed my husband up.

I think he looks a bit like Elton John in this picture. It could be the pink sunglasses.

On our hike... I loved this purple flower.

Raisin and Jelly Bean

The hiking crew

Climbing the mountain....

We went to dinner with our besties at a local biscuit restaurant.

It was delicious.

I wish the Bettenhausens still lived in Kentucky. But I'm grateful they are happy and thriving in Missouri. I'll always love them! They'll always be part of my family!