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! 

Bless Our House!

Update on building our house . . .

In June, our foundation was poured and they began the framing!

In July, the framing was finished and it was on to a roof and windows . . . 

The windows were put in . . . 

In August, we walked through our house and wrote our favorite bible verses on the walls before they sheet rock. 

We are getting excited for our house to be built!