Another Happy First Day of School

Another summer over, another school year begins.  TWO high schoolers pulled off in the Sequoia this year bright and early while the middle-schooler and 2nd grade left with their now "working" mom. We all know the challenges that lie ahead; busy schedules, football games, studying and too many meals that begin with "may I take your order" and are eaten in the car. But we also know the joys that begin with every "first day."  Reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, cool fall weekends watching football on the porch, learning new things and discovering hidden talents are all part of the experience. We are thankful for great schools and a loving community and we are ready for whatever new adventures this year brings!

This year Geof had to make the first-day-of-school-cookies because I forgot and was working. So glad he remembered our annual tradition.

This girl was a little nervous on her first morning as a student at Buford High, but she came home with a smile and was happy to report that she never got lost and was able to open her locker on the first try.  Small victories are sometimes the most important! 

SEVENTEEN

Sometimes being Jackson's mom feels very much like what you see in this picture. I sit in the stands and watch as my son zips around the track, hollering directions at him that might help him take the lead. He can't hear me and wouldn't listen anyway.  He just keeps driving-way to fast. I can barely focus on him, but can tell that he is pointing at me, which I assume is my queue to cheer him on.  I wave my hands around a bit, but it's really just to warn him of the other cart driver that is about to pass him from behind or the wall that his about to run into or to motion to him to make sure his seatbelt is properly fastened.  I'm sure if I could see his eyes through the shield on the helmet they would be rolling. But that's OK, because that's life and this is the race that we are living with our oldest.  A race that I'm watching go by and all I can do is hope and pray that he stays on the track, trust that he will make wise decisions and have faith that God is ultimately the One holding onto the steering wheel. This year, on Jackson's 17th birthday, I am claiming the promise that He has a victory ahead for Jackson. I confess I'm scared to death to have a child only one year from adulthood.  Well, if I'm being honest, I've been scared since the minute the nurses told Geof and I we could take him home from the hospital. I mean-what made so many well educated medical professionals decided we were ready to raise a child? There are days when I want to yell back in time and say, "I told you we would screw this up!" But then there are the days that I remember that love covers a multitude of sins. No matter how many mistakes we made, we have loved Jackson from the moment we knew we would have a child.  He has grown into an amazing, talented young man in spite of us. He is such a blessing to me every day and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be his mom. Happy Seventeenth Birthday Jackson-keep running that race! God has great plans for you and I believe in you!

We went go-carting on Jackson's birthday.  The kids loved it. I did not.  It hurt my back when they would slam into me. I came in dead last, but Jackson won the last race. It was a fun day and I learned that all my children are little speed demons.

We Flip For Summer

Who can be the craziest in the pool? That was the question of the week when Mary's side of the family came to visit.  We had a full house with Nana, Papa, aunts, uncles, cousins and even Uncle Mike and Aunt Pat from Illinois.  It was a great week of swimming, playing, movies and cupcake wars-but not much sleeping…

Our Little Fish

This girl can swim! Kami had another fun season on swim team. This year she started competing in the butterfly as well as the other strokes and once again proved she is part mermaid.  It is so fun to watch her work so hard to bring home the blue ribbon.  She even had the special treat of having Jake in the audience cheering for her during one meet.  One day we might be watching her from the stands of the Olympic Stadium! Great job Kamryn!

Fins Up, Voorhees!

With every 4th of July also comes the much anticipated Voorhees' Family Beach Vacation in Duck, North Carolina. This year, like the many before, brought all the usual fun in the sun, but also the unfortunate threat of sharks.  With several recent attacks off the Carolina coast, we were a little on edge about swimming too far out in the ocean.  Thankfully, we were able to enjoy the surf close to the shore without so much as a nibble. And as you can imagine-when 50+ family members get together for a week and live in close proximity, the sharks on the land can be as dangerous as the ones swimming in the ocean.  But I am happy to report that we all survived…or maybe I should say they all survived us?!?

It truly was another great week full of cousin bonding, beach games and playing in the waves. We are so thankful for our family and the effort they make to keep this trip a priority. The kids already have a count down until Beach Week 2016!

Packing is the least favorite part of this adventure…we kinda look like the Griswalds with 6 bikes strapped to the back of the Suburban!

Grandma Blair's East Coast Adventure

We aren't sure how we convinced her, but somehow we got our 81 year young Grandma to come visit all of her crazy East Coast grandchildren.  We laughed, we hugged, we traveled and we ate our way from Atlanta to Norfolk. It was a special trip for all of us!