Smiling in the DPS office:)

Last night I made the last double check of all the bazillion forms the state requires for a learner's permit. This morning was nice and pleasant. This was definitely a morning that Derek was sweet as pie! Today was the BIG day!!!

Going to the DPS office is something I dread. It drives me crazy! I was excited but wanted to be as prepared as possible. I packed up plenty of school work for JD and Georgia to stay busy. The office is always so busy and crowded. Long lines and very interesting people, and germs are the first thing to greet you. Thankfully we got there just as they opened. We were number 45. I prayed that God would allow things to go very smoothly and we wouldn't have any problems with paperwork AND that he would do well on the test. He had lots of reports that the test was easy and he did practice however, he also had a couple of kids tell him what they failed on too. In the end, after much worrying on my part, he did great! He passed the test missing 4 out of 30. After he completed the test he had to get back in line to complete the whole thing. You should have seen him trying to hid how good he felt. HELLO! He still had to look cool. So with a muffled smile, he strutted out of the office after his first personal experience with the DPS!

Of course when we walked out he looked at me and asked if he could drive. I said, "No way!". Lessons start in the parking lot! One thing at a time Buddy! I love this part of being a parent. I get to watch him grow and learn right in front of my very eyes! This was a happy day indeed!

Happy Birthday to Derek!

My oldest son turned 15 yesterday! Crazy! It feels older than last year- yes I know that is because he is older..ha. But, really I feel like it is a jump up. He started his weekend at a friend's house on Friday night and had a great time! Sunday we went to church as usual. That is the best day for your birthday to fall on. To begin the day praising the Father who made you, who knew you before you were born. Perfect.

Then we went to lunch at a restraunt of Derek's choice. Sam's Burger Joint has amazing burgers! We filled our tummies and watched the first half of the Cowboys game- which they later lost. Then we went home.

When the Cowboys game was over Aaron and I left to buy Derek's gift. If you read my earlier blogs or saw my facebook you would see we had NO time to get it sooner. Aaron and Derek had gone looking for guitars a few weeks ago and they had one picked out. It was just a matter of going and getting it. When we got home with it Derek was super excited!!

BUT, no time to hang around with it. Youth group/ CLASH was starting set up at 4:30. I don't exactly remember what CLASH stands for but it is a youth event once a month. It is brand new and that was the kick off night. The new praise band was to play. Derek played the drums. It was fun and instead of having a huge party at our house we compromised and I brought pizza to share at CLASH. It was alot of fun!

Soon he will have his permit and next year it will be his license. Only 3 years till he his 18 and gone for college. :( i'm already sad....everyone knows I don't have time to be sad. I need to pull myself together! HeeHee. I'm very proud of the son God has given me and I am continually blessed by him all the time.

Happy Birthday Derek!

Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma!

Last Wednesday was my grandma's 80th birthday! She had no idea at that time what was planned for the weekend! Secretly for months her children have been planning a great surprise. They arranged for some relatives to come in for the occasion. The first surprise was a visit from my aunt Elaine. She flew in from Indiana and just showed up on Grandma's porch. Grandma had no idea she was coming! The next surprise came from her niece Karen and her nephew and his wife Bill and Yolanda who came in town. They were revealed at a special dinner held at my aunt Cathy's house. Saturday was full of visiting with family. Tons of fun. We went to dinner at Salsalito's. That was alot of fun. To just hang out and be goofy with family is the best! The final surprise was actually a friendly joke. She has mentioned before that she doesn't not enjoy bagpipes. Of course, that was an invitation for Aaron. So when we all got back to the house after supper, he got out the pipes and surprised her on the front porch! She was shocked! BUT, she took the joke well and laughed. She did however, wonder why he didn't wear his kilt. We told her he would when she turned 90...lol.
We all ended the evening with cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

More Poteet Fun!

We went to Poteet this weekend to celebrate Daniel's 30th birthday. Jenna organized a wonderful surprise party! Good food and Daniel got some funny presents. It's hard to believe we are all growing up. It was great to hear stories.

It was opening day for dove season. With our bags packed, we headed out. It poured rain on the way out there and was still raining when we arrived. The party was fun and the kids had a blast! All the kids really have a good time when we are all together. They have all known each other since they were in diapers. Now they play in the hay, run around, pretend to be bird dogs, ride on the 4 wheeler, and play video games. The bonus this time was that Jenna and Cliff had a go cart! Staying the night is an extra treat. So a kid sleepover was definitely in order.

Jenna is the cake expert. She made Daniel's birthday cake. It was camo and had little hunters on it. She even made tiny little birds in the grass next to the hunters feet. The part of the cake that blew everyone away was the hunting belt. It was made completely out of fondant icing. It looked like a leather belt loaded with shotgun shells. That is just one of the amazing cakes that she has done. I really think she needs to run a cake business.

We stayed the night. The guys got up nice and early to hunt. I woke up to hear shots fired outside. They were a safe distance from the house but it is still loud and clear. At least I knew they were nearby! Once everyone was awake Daniel made his homemade pancakes for everyone. They are pretty yummy!

We always have a great time when we go out to Poteet! Great friends! Great fun! Great memories!