Last Test was for Blue Belt Red Tab

Isaiah is a little worried about what was coming next...I love the expression on his face. Relax...They are actually in the same class at school and are friends.

Mary actually took Dr. Carpenter down to the ground....but she is trainined to finish the move. Her techniques are good. This past weekend she actually took an adult down in an outdoor seminar and he was NOT expecting it. I definetly want her next to me in parking lots.

Papa with Mary after testing.

Belt Test for Blue Belt Red Tab. She did awesome. New the pattern and meanings Great. Fighting and self defense awesome. Board break...were are still trying and getting closer.

Check out the video from last night 11/23/2010.

CyCreek Swimming - JV Team

Delynn is swimming for Cy-Creek HS and loves it. She is on the JV team and is doing well! 95 students are on the team. She's a little "Fishy" Freshman.

She is sporting her team t-shirt below.

First race of the season for her she took 1st in her heat everytime. GO Dee!

Change is Good. right??? Of course.

I begin a new job on Monday and have already been welcomed by this company. What an answer to my prayers. My job was getting really slow and unchallenged so it was time to Step it Up a notch. I was presented with an opportunity and I met with the key people and gathered information and figured if I was the one ...it would come with prayer. and it did.

I couldn't be happier...Mary is testing for her red tab (2 more after this and we test for black belt Sept. 2011) this weekend. She is prepared and excited. She has really really improved. and overcome some bullying this year. She is so tender hearted.

Red Tab on Blue Belt - Oct. 16th
Red Belt - November or Dec.
Black Tab on Red Belt - March 2011 You can only test for this at a black belt testing! It's intense!!!
Black Belt - September 2011


Delynn is swimming for the high school and her first invitational is Oct. 23rd. More pictures to follow.

My kitchen floor is finished. Now we have some finishing touches to do but it's all good.

Changes....changes everywhere !!

After 8 1/2 years I am leaving Landmark Graphics / Halliburton for a new offer I couldn't pass up. I am excited for the opportunity to return to Customer Service and to work with the people that I am going to be working with. YEAH me and No it wasn't just about the money !!!

Delynn wants to start driving with her learners permit....Not looking forward to that yet. She took a radical approach to her classes and had a medicine / weight issue and now is struggling in two classes but she has handled it maturely and is rethinking her schedule. She is also SWIMMING every day but thursday's and sunday's. GO CY-Creek !

Mary is training and still on the road for her Black tab testing in March of 2011. She went this past weekend to cheer on her friends. Haley testing for black belt, one 4" board didn't break...so gave her probation till march 2011. Morgan tested for black tab and got it !!! Eleana was testing for 2nd degree black belt and didn't get it...she had trouble with her power break. all 3 girls did great and Mary knows what is expected of her in march. I sat with her for 4 1/2 hours watching her friends. We love our Taekwondo Family !!!

Webb is working for coke and trying to decide what should be our next home improvement. I told him NOTHING for a while.

I can't handle it. I need the kitchen done by the end of October.

That's it for now.

It's Monday....

Mary is preparing for next belt test in Taekwondo...Sat. Sept.18

De'lynn is working REALLY hard swimming on the swim team for Cy-Creek High School.

Webb & I are the Dad & Mom Taxi Service....I use to laugh at my sisters for never being at home...Now I know ...WHY I am always in the car.

If I am going to live in my car...It needs to be bigger! Just kidding....not yet! I am shopping though for something better...Delynn doesn't really fit in back seat ...she is taller than me. She gets to drive next year...YAHOO....If we let her.

August 23rd...It's a DAY of firsts...

De'Lynn's first day of early morning Seminary & Freshman year at High School. She was so excited to go... I hope that lasts.
Mary Ashley's first day of 5th Grade at Matzke Elementary. She has gone there since Kindergarten.
I am a blessed mom...Both of my girls love LOVE to learn something new. They love to have dinner together as a family and both love their individual time with me and dad.
They are well liked and have many friends, church friends, GS friends, Taekwondo friends, swimming friends, etc...
They have separate interests that make them both very different !!

I love them so much for taking the next first step in their lives.

Diet Coke FREE !!! For a WHOLE month.

This has been very very difficult...I know it's better for me but it is hard to break any addiction. I feel a whole lot better without it.
I do have to admit it was difficult to get up and going in the morning...some mornings.

Mary goes for Gold...just kidding BLUE !!

Mary is testing saturday am for her Blue Belt in Taekwondo...she has done so well ! She loves it and it has been really really good for her. I totally recommend this studio DOJO. Eldridge and Louetta. Mr. Howard is amazing with his students...right now I think he is teaching her PATIENCE !!! She has one move out of 38 movements that hasn't been right but he is teaching her persistence too.
Keep your fingers crossed !

Love Mary's #1 Fan,

MOM

Update and Video to follow after Saturday....

4th Day without Diet Coke ! UGH...

I have decided that Diet Coke was making me feel ICK! and I was tired of it. I had my last Diet Coke Saturday July 17th at the movies with my family. I feel better drinking water but I would be lying if I said that the lack of caffenie is killing me. It doesn't help that work this week is slow. But I have coupons to cut, grocery lists to create, and blogging to do. So I am coping but realized the extra stomach issues weren't worth it.

Mary Ashley has been helping me count the hours since ...which is good for her math skills...almost 96 hours! The headaches have been mild...probably allergy related too. I will live longer with out the dependency on me for the caffeine.

4th of July Celebration

Well the weekend ended with a few fireworks by Mary...Mom it's the 4th, what is the 4th without sparklers? And an added SURPRISE from Mary Ashley & Papa.

Mary Ashley spent the week with Papa & Mimi while De'lynn was in Huntsville @ EFY. She asked Papa if she could make me and webb a 4th of July present. This is my new Bird Condo in my front yard...It is red,white & blue with two license plates. You will probably be jealous...Mimi said if I didn't like it she would keep it .. I LOVE IT !!


Next weekend ....Jared & Lydia's Wedding in Irving Texas.

More Pics from Red,White & Blue Tournament June 25th & 27th.

Once competitors...now Friends..Emily Stackhouse.

And of course a victory carry from Papa after her 50 Breastroke 39.63...man that is fast.

De'Lynn being told by Coach Morgan that she just broke 30 seconds on the 50 Freestyle !

Are you serious ???? WOW !!!

She came to win !!!

It's Over ....and I am sad...Swim Team Season 2010 is complete.

Here is the 50 freestyle winning pictures....The finish..

The middle..

The start..

VICTORY !!! She did it...she broke 30 seconds in the 50 Free style. It was sweet. And like a good mom ..We have the pictures to prove it.

The one to watch is the video of the Breastroke...Amazing...39.63 1st in the heat and seventh overall. Her happiness is infectious.

9/11 Memorial in Grapevine Texas

This memorial to the airline pilots, flight attendants and passengers is just breathtaking. It is located directly behind the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Grapevine Texas. The girls enjoyed reading the names of the people who won't be forgotten.

Just Amazing !!

This shot took my breath away with the American Flag behind the statue.

Taekwondo Bliss....Sweet Break Mary Ashley !!

Probation is OVER! Mary broke her board last night at Taekwondo class. Her next testing will be for blue belt in July. She loves it so much.

Swim Team Divisionals

Delynn swimming Breastroke ...Which is her best.


Ahhh...She is tired...wonder why???!!!

Delynn swimming Freestyle.

Mary & Mimi ...Mary swam her fastest it...Papa thinks it's for the Bucee's t-shirt in has hands. But either was she was impressed with her swim.

Norchester ended their season in 4th place and all the team did well. Delynn is swimming in Red,White & Blue competition this weekend and Mary is glad it's over for her.

New Swimmers had a blast and made alot of practiced.

Girl Scout Weekend ...To Great Wolf Resort

Mary had a blast with her friends in the Wave Pool.

This is the indoor waterpark. Slides are in the back. The wave pool is to the right.

They look like they are having a BLAST.

This is the Great Wold Resort in Grapevine Texas. It is an indoor/outdoor waterpark hotel. It was a Girl Scout Cookie Bonus Trip and it was FUN !!! The waterslides are fast, the wave pool is relaxing, the rooms are comfortable and the best part NO SAND !!! Our room had a balcony which we saw fireworks from.

Is it still Monday?...It feels like it.

Busy, Busy, busy...School done, Girl Scouts done, Swim Team almost done ! Looking forward to summertime fun. Movies, Weddings, Stay-cations (Vacations from home), Pool parties, Library trips and getting things completed that during the school year where too time consuming to finish.

Just spent a weekend away with Girl Scout Friends...I am still tired but it's a good tired. I will post the weekend tomorrow (after I download the pictures tonight).

tbc...to be continued!

Summer Quest 2010 Invitational

All I can say is De'Lynn will be uncatchable if she ever learns to KICK THE WHOLE TIME...she is in the pool.
She did fantastic and improved on every stroke.

100 Free 1:13.09 8th place
100 IM (all four strokes) 1:23.50 11th place
50 Free 31.57 12th place
50 Breast 40.50 6th place
50 Back 39.64...This one shows as NS (not swimming) but that is because she swam before she was suppose to. (She added one second... NS no show...but I have pictures...oh well.
50 Fly 45.51 NOT her stroke this year. 13th place

....I am tired and I wasn't even in the pool.

Tonight...Taekwon-do Class...Mary will attempt her break again. This makes the 27th kick on the same break...it's not easy....To be continued...

You Go Girls !!!

2010 Swim Team Picture.

The season is going really well so far.

De'Lynn is in an invitational tonight & tomorrow....details to follow.

Mary added a few seconds ...however, her technique is improving.

I think the girls are more excited of their TANS.

And mom, dad, mimi & papa are enduring the HEAT at their meets for all the FUN! Keep up the good work girls.

Seussical the Musical...Mary as the blue fish w/tail.

4th & 5th grade Choir Musical....Dr. Seuss.

She even had a duet. She did very well and enjoyed choir all year.

She is VERY comfortable onstage...maybe a performer in the making.

Just keep swimming..swimming...what can u do??...I want to Swim!

Mary just swimming the backstroke..."Hey Mare...If you kicked your feet you would go faster babe!!!" - Love mom. Looking good though.

See that Green cap in lane 4 (center) That's my Girl !! 1st place 50 Breast Stroke 41.29 I guess 2nd was what she wanted to repeat from last week. Good Girl !

8th Grade Dance Friday Night May 21st.

New Dress $30.00

New Clutch $ 10.00

Fun time @ the Dance...Priceless.

No A/C at the dance after the first 45 minutes...smelly....lots of sweaty kids and adults.

But a great time had by all.

They are neck & neck....but who won???

If a picture speaks a thousand words then you might what to know what this one says.... Oh...Ooh Darn!! So close.

Katilyn 42.90 Yellow Cap

De'lynn 42.95 Green Cap

First and second place not bad. Great race...rematch to be at Divisionals in June. 50 yard BreastStroke.

Swim Team Season is On!

It happens from late April through July 1st...It's practice the last few weeks of school and then every saturday for 6 weeks. It's so fun to get caught up with the new swimmers and those that have been doing this for years. That is us! This is De'Lynn's 7th swim season and every year we hear...I am not doing this next year. Yeah right ...we know...she loves it!

Mary did well this weekend ...cut off lots of time. Her form is improving also.

Never Give Up..

This weekend Mary entered a Taekwondo tournament where she took Bronze place in her patterns, and 4th in Sparring. Now it is very hard to watch...picture someone hitting your child for points. It's hard to take...and for the most part she is smiling and loving it but then other times you have some students who are there to win at whatever the cost. Well Mary is all about the fun. She has a funny sense of humor ...after the first hits to the face...in which she cried out ...that was a cheap shot! She regained her compsure and continued to fight and earn points. She then decided by the 4th hit ...directly to the face ...that she was done with this and cried with tears streaming down her face looks at me and says "I want to kick him so hard" and that is what she did....he won the match though. She then had to fight again for 3rd or 4th place...against a friend of hers. They fought both through tears from previous matches and tied. Then one minute overtime...She got fourth. This must have dragged on for at least an hour...really it was a total of 5 minutes! She loves this so much that the bruised eye and nose does not bother her too much...She is calling this her war wound!

Next time Mary is Sparring (fighting)...I am sitting in the car.

Oh...The boy that threw the illegal shots...took the silver after someone fought him and won...He wasn't happy for 2nd place. He left the tournament directly after. Sweet Revenge...NOBODY messes with my GIRL !

And away we go...

I have gone and done it ... I have wanted to do this for awhile now. I thought what a better way to show family & friends the girls swim stats and Mary's road to her Taekwon-do black belt testing.