The Chocolate Festival

The Chocolate Festival Parade...

Singing at the Chocolate Festival with the RHS Chorus.

We were thrilled to have Mr. Ryder back with us for one last performance.

  Two beauties....Maci and Mia.

A Tennis Match Win

It was a great evening for a tennis game.  Especially a winning game!

Maci and DJ

Maci and her handsome Dad.

Tennis Anyone?

It's tennis time!  

I missed Maci's match, which she won, but I did get to watch Evan play.

 Oh my!  What a pair!

2012 All-State Chorus Concert

Saturday, we headed to Morgantown to listen to Maci perform in the All-State Chorus Concert.  These events are wonderful!  The kids spend three days and nights there practicing and then perform on Saturday.  They are amazing!  This will be her last time of trying out and being accepted to sing at this event.  We just sat back and enjoyed her voice.

Really!?!

A Momma's heart can only take so much in a week's worth of time!

"The Long Awaited Envelope" came in the mail.  Maci, Jim, and I gazed at it for a while, not wanting to touch it for fear of the unknown.  Finally, we stood around the envelope, held hands, and Jim prayed that whatever news the letter held, we would accept it knowing that it was God's will.  Also, knowing that wherever God placed her....that was where He wanted her and we would accept whatever His plans were.  The tears were rolling as Maci tore open the envelope......

 

  and the letter revealed....

she's headed to West Liberty University in the Fall.  

Congratulations Maci!!

Then guess what was ready to be picked up at the high school.....

Maci's graduation announcements, cap and gown, memory book (guess that means that soon Ripley High School will be just a memory), senior necklace, and senior t-shirt.  

 I felt as though my heart had ached enough for one week. 

My emotions were running wild. 

But nope, guess what walks through the front door.....

This gorgeous thang in her Marshall University cap and gown.  

What is happening to our babies? 

What a week!

But, could I be anymore blessed by God?  

No, I don't think so. 

 Our girls have grown in to wonderful, beautiful inside and out, blessed, women of God.  

What more could a Momma's heart ask for........

absolutely nothing!

Valentine's Day

On Saturday before Valentine's Day, I baked cookies to send to Morgan, to take to a dinner we were having on Sunday, for my Sunday night class, and for work.

Molli and Tyler came over later in the evening and she helped me made these cute bookmarks for my friends at work.

Jim wrapped up his "heart" to send to Morgan, and I prepared her Valentine's Day box to be mailed.

Molli and Maci also helped me prepare the "treats" for my Sunday Night class at church.

On Sunday morning, after church, we had a dinner.  The food at church dinners always taste so much better than if you had prepared it yourself.  Plus, I love the time that I get to visit with my "church family".  

On Monday evening, Tyler, Molli, and Gidget came over for a Valentine's Day Dinner. (They were busy on Tuesday evening so we celebrated on Monday night.)  Jim prepared his "famous" spaghetti. 

Gidget was all decked out for the holiday.

After the meal, it was time for gifts...

Tyler with his bag of goodies.

Molli with her gift.

Maci with her goodies.

Jim got movies from me...

and these from Molli and Tyler....his VERY FAVORITE...........

Molli and Tyler got me this very, very sweet card.  Her cards always make me cry happy tears.  She is so, so thoughtful!

They also got me some Juju hearts.  These are my favorite candy, but I can never find them.  And, they got me this Vera Bradley laptop skin.....

I. Love. It!  You will notice that I still had the protective plastic covering, that came on the computer, on the laptop since CHRISTmas.  They made such fun of me but I didn't want the laptop to get scratched.  But no worries now.....

She picked the exact one I would have picked.  She knows me!  Thank you guys so very, very much!!!!

On Tuesday, Valentine's Day, the UPS delivery man delivered a package to me at work.  Shari's Berries from Jim....

These are unbelievably delicious!!!  I got 12 chocolate covered strawberries this year.  I eat one every mid morning, and one before I go to bed every night. I have always loved strawberries, and these taste better than any strawberry I've ever eaten or ever dreamed about eating.

I am so thankful that I have people to love on and for people who love me!