The last days of summer . . .

 Thursday night before school starting was 7th grade orientation! 

The next Friday morning was oral surgery day for this girl . . . 

 She was a champ through the whole thing. I videoed her coming off anesthesia and got quite a few laughs! 

 Two teeth removed and two exposed with chains so they come in straight! 

 Madi's been driving us in Matt's truck to and from our new house most nights so we can see what they've done each day.  She's doing a great job. Especially backing out of our driveway into the narrow alley! 

 Thankfully, Madi felt good enough to go to Levelland on Saturday evening so we could enjoy a night of swimming and pizza with friends!  

 Sunday after church, Madi got her nails done with the Foley girls! 

 Madi's sweet friend Rylee brought by a get well basket since she just had surgery.  So thoughtful!  The socks have teeth on them! 

 Tuesday afternoon we tried to go to the pool but their hours had changed so shopping it was! 

We found a couple of fun things for this soon to be 7th grader! 

Serving at Lubbock Impact

 Madi and I joined Amber and Madeline at Lubbock Impact to serve for NCL.  

We cleaned their nurseries and then worked in the clothes closet. We had a little fun picking out a crazy outfit for Madi when we were done. 

Thankful for sweet friends that serve together.

Madi got Braces!

 Matt took Madi to the dentist last Monday and it was recommended that we see an orthodontist. 

Well, after the orthodontist appointment on Tuesday, we set a time to get braces the following Monday. We had to take a few before pictures to remember this sweet smile before braces. 

 Monday, August 10th - ready for braces! 

 Halfway done!

 First look!

 All done in under an hour!

 First family picture with braces!

 Thankfully, she wasn't too sore to enjoy a tomato from Grandma Mayberry's garden!

In two and a half years when she gets her braces off we'll have to do a before, during and after picture comparison! 

Graduation

 On August 8, 2020, I officially graduated with my PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Teacher Education. 

 Sadly, there was only a virtual graduation ceremony, but I'm thankful we had that to celebrate the final step! 

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I couldn't have done any of this without Doug, my chair (and boss), Matt and Madi.  It was a LONG journey but it was worth all the hard work. 

Joyland, Puppies, Volleyball & More!

 We got back from our Drive Across Texas Friday afternoon and that evening Madi was with her second family The Foleys at Joyland. 

It was family night with our children's program at church so Madi said she saw a lot of familiar faces. 

 Saturday morning, Madi and I were back at Morris Safe House to volunteer. 

 Sunday was church, pool and then dinner with the Foleys.  We wanted to try the new Harrigan's but it is closed on Sundays so we tried a new restaurant called Table 82.  Bianca's drink was awesome! 

 This week was filled with sweat camp at school each morning and volleyball clinic at night.  These two friends spent the night each night!

 We were also able to pick up Madi's 6th grade year book this week. 

 Her school picture is in the third row toward the right side. 

And she was in two other pages for the science fair. 

Only a week and half of summer left!  This year we are ready for school to start!

Drive Across Texas!

Last week, Madi and I went with Amy and her daughter Raeley on Tech Teach Drive Across Texas!  

Amy surprised us with these adorable matching shirts when we set out at 5:30am on Wednesday morning. 

We have Tech Teach sites across Texas and each summer we all fight over who gets to the technology drop for each site. Our first stop was in Grand Prairie for all the DFW sites!

 Next up, Waco-bound . . . 

 We made it to Waco, found our hotel, then checked out Union Hall.  

 The girls got adorable cookie shakes and Amy and I enjoyed a drink and split a Monte Cristo on a waffle. 

 Pool time was a must before heading to dinner. 

 We found a cute ice cream place right on Baylor's campus. 

 Up and headed to Houston bright and early Thursday morning, but first Star Bucks! 

  We made it to Houston bright and early . . . 

Then we met Jeff from Fayettville at a Buc-ee's! We bought our girls a ton of Buc-ee's merchandise:  2 shirts, stickers, Yetis, etc.!

 Then it was on to Austin!

 We checked into our hotel, swam a little, then went to a trapped room across the street. It was Amy and Raeley's first time! 

 They were so surprised there were secret doors, tunnels, etc.! 

 

 Amy made this cute collage to remember our Drive Across Texas! 

We all had so much fun that we think it should be an annual event with more stops next time!