Friday, July 04, 2025

June 2025

We started June with YW camp. While the girls were away we got to spend time with Grammie and Papa. We went for a picnic at Sweetheart Circle with Dad while he was on campus and found this fun little nook under a magnolia tree.


 My understanding is that camp started a little rocky, but the Young Women and leaders pulled together and rocked it. Since Grammie and Papa were here Logan and I were able to go together for Bishops night and enjoy the activities with the girls. What a wonderful group of girls and leaders!

The Saharan dust made for some amazing and almost otherworldly sunsets for a few days.

Aunt LoAnn and Uncle Ron generously invited the Cowan kids to visit their home on Lake Keowee. It was beautiful, relaxing, fun and probably once in a lifetime. We watched the sunset, swam, kayaked, paddle boarded, wake surfed, explored and enjoyed luxury for a few days. It was a first for our family as we left the kids alone at home with Carli in charge. They did a fantastic job of it and now we are already planning our next getaway for our 20th anniversary!







A little late for Mother's Day, but I found this in Tad's backpack. I especially love the "She always says 3...2...1..."

Milo is a goal setter and a go getter. Not only did he accomplish his goal to read the entire standard works in 100 days (which he got to celebrate with Grammie and Papa), he is now working on his plan to get on the middle school cross country team in August. Usually he runs with his dad, but on this day his mom did her best to keep up. We did it!

Beach day with friends!

Milo went on his first Young Men's camp. Lucky him, he got to go with his dad. They had a great time, even though it was a very hot few days. Logan, unfortunately, passed a kidney stone while they were there, but gratefully the pain only lasted about an hour or so.

We had the missionaries over for dinner and found that one of the elders is from Shanna's stake, so we sent a picture for his mom, letting her know he's doing great here.





Tuesday, June 17, 2025

May 2025

 Working in a middle school I should learn never to be surprised. One of my students, who was very excited to be making chocolate chip cookies, bounced on the stove handle and, lo and behold, it snapped right off! You just never know what you're going to get...



Our last FCCLA meeting of the year!


Janie has been working SO hard this past year to improve her volleyball skills. She tried out for the team last year and was very disappointed she didn't make it. She managed the team and bided her time, making sure to put a hand on a volleyball everyday that she could manage it. The last couple of months she's been getting coached with a few other girls to help prepare her for tryouts this year. Man, she grew by leaps and bounds! Needless to say, she breezed through tryouts and made the team this year! Logan made her a rebounder to help her practice and had enough supplies to make one for her friend as well. What a guy!


Honors Night is always something to celebrate at our house. It was even sweeter this year as Carli and Janie both had the top ELA scores in their classes. And Janie came out with the top GPA in her class! These kids are so smart and dedicated. (They're also a bit sensitive about who is tallest, which makes for less than ideal photos... )




It was so fun to see Janie's band concert. The high school band is actually a treat to listen to and Janie got a major solo, which was quite an accomplishment!





I love working where I work and the fact that it allows me to head over to the elementary school for the boys' activities. I got to see Milo walk the halls of the school as a rising 6th grader, ready to leave elementary and head my way to the middle school. I even got to see his last day on the news there. 



And I happened to catch the rally where Tad was recognized for his accomplishment of being an AR millionaire! He worked really hard to get all of his words in before the deadline so he could go on the mystery field trip. I was so proud of his dedication to completing his goal.


The 3rd grade wax museum was a bit different this year because of the three missed weeks from major weather events. Even though it wasn't a schoolwide event like it usually is, Tad made a fantastic Albert Einstein in his classroom.


My sweet teacher bestie made these super cute book center pieces for her daughter's graduation party and gave one to Carli. I love it, but it is also a reminder that she's going to be having a graduation party next year. I'm so excited for her for all the amazing things she has in store, but it's hard to believe I only have one more year with all my birdies in the nest with me full time.


5th grade awards and picnic


3rd grade superlatives "Bookworm"


Principal's Honor Roll


So fun to have Grammie and Papa in town to celebrate so many of the end of year events!


Principal's Honor Roll


Oh, how we love Ms. Joey!



I am so grateful for the adults in my children's lives. We have been blessed to have amazing people who love, care for and watch out for our family. Nurse Sam has been a light in Milo's day since first grade and I am touched by the way she went above and beyond with him and our family.



School's out for the summer! We look forward to our Jekyll Island beach getaway every year. The family *patiently* waits for me to be done on my last day of work so we can get out of town, stop at Costco for our traditional snacks and treats and get our toes in the sand and feel the stress just drain away. This year we stayed an extra night and didn't regret it at all. We love our Jekyll time sooo much.

Milo and Tad Piano Recital