I Think I Found Myself A Cheerleader

Two of them, actually. 

 

 Kathryn and Kamryn have been cheering on their football teams this season and having a great time along the way!

Go Big Green!

Fifteen Is Full Of Surprises

Our baby girl is fifteen. I kind of want to sit around and cry about how she is growing up way too fast, but every time I try she does something fantastic and reminds me what an awesome, beautiful young lady she and what an amazing life she is blessed with.  So instead of cry-we celebrate!

The celebrations began on her birthday when we did the usual family dinner and cake.  She picked out a new comforter for her bed and is re-doing her room for her birthday gift.

And then the celebrating came to a screeching halt when we went to take her permit test...and she didn't pass! That's right, one of the smartest people I know failed the written part of the driving test. So we had to go back the next day and try again.  Thankfully, she was successful on her second try and we decided it was God's plan so that she would at least know what it was like to fail a test for once in her life.  I can promise you-she didn't like. But, we were back to celebrating!

Yay! Now we can start the always exciting "learning to drive" phase of life. It's so joyful and relaxing.

But then the celebrating slowed down again when Kathryn realized her friends seemingly ignored her birthday.  AND they were all going out on Saturday night and hadn't invited her!! (maybe she's not as smart as we think).  So you can imagine her final surprise when all her BFFs jumped out to yell "Happy Birthday!" in our basement to restart the celebrating once again. 

So, like life, the week was full of ups and downs. But when it ends with a room full of friends and family who love you, I'd call that a good birthday. Happy 15th Kathryn Savanna. We are so thankful to be able to celebrate every day with you! 

#endit

We don't get to put on our fancy clothes very often, so it was an extra special evening when we attended the Well Spring Living Gala in Atlanta.  Well Spring Living is an organization that rescues young women from desperate situations, offers them long term care and prepares them for a career and a future. Our sweet Jessica asked Kathryn to serve as one of the "living art exhibits" where Kate represented one of the girls who had been rescued from a human trafficking situation and was enrolled in school. We joined the Roth family for this encouraging event where we were able to meet many of the girls who had successfully come through the program and were on their own and now helping other young women gain there freedom.  We were so excited to be able to attend and look forward to continuing to support this amazing organization. Thank you Jessica for making us aware of how we can be a part of the movement to end human trafficking in Atlanta!

A Day in Athens

Finally, our entire family was able to enjoy a Georgia game in Sanford Stadium thanks to our good friend John Waldrop.  We had beautiful weather, great seats and the day ended with a win over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Go Dawgs!

A Smaller Labor Day Crowd

For the past several Labor Days we have hosted the Voorhees clan for the long weekend. This year, however, we had a smaller crowd.  Joe and Amy were homebound as they are expecting baby girl number 3 in a few weeks; Jay had a speaking engagement in Dubai; and John, Jake and Brea had to help Virginia Tech kick off their football season in Blacksburg. These are just a few of things keeping this busy family spread out all over the globe this holiday!

That left us with a few less people, but all the same fun.  We enjoyed our time with Carol, Matt, Marni, Carla, Reilly and Cole. We had beautiful weather, great food and even slept in late. It means so much to us to be able to have so many people we love in our home and the chance to share our Georgia life with them. We are thankful for anyone we can get to come down and we look forward to next year-whoever that might be!

Just a few examples of the love our family has for one another.