May Round-Up!

May was a packed full and BUSY month for us. We had so much going on that it seems like the beginning of May was a long time ago! I recently read somewhere that May is the new December for activities and packed schedules - and while I don't necessarily agree with that - we definitely had a lot going on in May!

So, aside from finishing school, Track & Field Nationals, travelling to Tennessee for a graduation, and taking a vacation, what was filling our time?!?

One night coming home from Bible study, I looked in the back of the van to find Brenson had set a trap. I asked him what he was trying to catch, and he replied, "A sister, of course." I'm not sure it even mattered to him which one!

A few weeks before school got out, Brecklyn's class hatched baby chicks. They had the incubator in their classroom, and all the kids loved checking on the status of the chicks each day. Once they hatched, the kids were able to hold them and care for them before their teacher took them home to her farm. 

The last week of school is a busy time, and I am thankful for all the photos the girls' teachers posted or sent. One day, a snocone van came to school and all the kids got snocones!

Brooke and her class

Brecklyn's teacher did several really neat projects with the kids, including having all the kids write and illustrate about a favorite animal and having all of it published in a book for them. Brecklyn's little article and illustration about capybaras were great, and she was SO excited for me to see her work in a book!

Field day at the end of the school year is always a favorite! 

(Brecklyn in pink in the middle)

Brecklyn (in pink) sitting by her teacher, Mrs. Wallace, during field day

Always with the water during field day!

Brooke's class being silly!

Brecklyn and her sweet friend, Gentry

I decided to try something new this year and joined the Claremore Community Band. It's been a minute since I've played, but my friend, Nicole, has been playing with this band for a few years and helped convince me to join. The first practice was really hard. I was sightreading all the music, and my brain was struggling to remember everything. It's going to take a lot of work and practice, but I'm determined to relearn how to play and enjoy this experience!

My whole section is old men, haha!

And, the guy that sits to the right of me is also an old man (Jim).

Chris and the kids planted a garden this year, and we're just starting to see some fruit of their labor. The kids were thrilled that something was actually growing!

Brianna and Brenson were invited to a birthday party at Oologah Lake for their friend, Hope, that runs with them. Of course, Brenson was more interested in climbing a tree than socializing!

And Brianna found a little one to tote around!

There were several kids there from our run team, and they all had a blast playing games!

Brianna, Hope, and Abi

They even played in the lake!

Brianna

Chris took the kids to the lake birthday party because I had already made plans for that evening to go with Tia and our girls to a Tulsa Driller's baseball game. 

Brecklyn, Brooke, Caroline, Sadie

I loved watching them watch the game.

Brecklyn and Brooke

Of course, we had to get snocones!

The best part of the evening was that it was fireworks night!

Brooke, Sadie, Tia

Brecklyn

As Brianna continues to embrace all things teenager, her schedule seems to get busier and busier. She's always up for hanging out with friends, even if they don't have solid plans.

Abi, Georgia, Brianna

Brecklyn is my girl who loves wildlife. She's funny because she has no problem picking up a small snake and holding it, but she'll scream if she sees a bug!

Grampy took Brooke and Brecklyn fishing, and they had so much fun. They didn't even care that the fish they caught were small!

Brooke

Grampy and Brecklyn

A little over a year ago, Russ resigned as our full time preacher at Oologah to take a job with OABS. While the new job requires a move to the Kansas City area, he and his elders agreed that they could wait until the summer of 2023 to physically move. They have put their house in Oologah on the market and are looking for place in the KC area, but the timeline of their move is not really set yet. Several of us at Oologah decided to go ahead and throw them a farewell party since we are all unsure of exactly when or how their move will play out. 

The farewell party was really nice and the decorations were lovely, but it was also a really difficult day for me. It's definitely going to be hard to see them go, but I am thankful for the time that we've had here together. 

Somehow, I ended up not getting a family photo or anything of them. The best I have is this photo of Chloe receiving a quilt that Ms. Sherry made for her. 

Whew! I feel like we're flying into summer and things may not slow down anytime soon. As always though, we are grateful for all the blessings this life holds!