Save A Place For Me!

Yesterday morning was a very busy morning for John John and I. It was the 3rd annual "Summer Cruise" (that is what the radio station calls it anyway) It is a morning the Christian Radio Station comes to a local restaurant (Dee's Place, which is one of our favorite places to go and if you haven't been you should try it sometime.) and they bring a Christian Artist with them to meet and greet and sing a few songs. So, John has a record of being the first one there every year and not to be beat we showed up at 5:30 again this year. (This year he even planned a little sleepover with a couple of his friends so they could get up early with him and join in on the fun.) It is kind of neat because they remember John and they make a big deal of it and let him talk on the radio and he thinks that is awesome. So the singer this year was Matthew West, and for those of you who know of him and his music you will know that we were so excited. He was absolutely amazing and he took request so of course I had to have him sing Save a Place For Me. This song came out soon after mom died and it is so perfect. So I got to hear my wonderful song and John and his friends got to have some good food and meet an awesome singer and we all got to enjoy time together. Have a "Joy"ful Day!

SOCCER CAMP!!!!!

Many of you know that I coached Alex's 4-5 year old soccer team this year and had a blast. John John has played soccer since he was 4 and they both love it. So we got a flyer about a British Soccer Camp coming to Sebring, it sounded like fun so I signed John up. You had to sign up online and while I was there I noticed a blurb that said "Interested in hosting a British Soccer Coach Click Here", so I clicked and figured what the heck. Since mom passed away I have an empty Guest house so it would be perfect. John John was so excited but, we never got a phone call so I figured they had lots of choices and we weren't picked. The camp was scheduled to begin on Monday, the 23rd and on Wed. the 19th I finally got the call that made John John the happiest camper in the group. The coaches were coming on Sunday and they were staying with us. So everything had to get moving (including a good cleaning of Nana's House) but we got it done and Sunday at 5:30 we met them at the Local YMCA and brought them back to our house for a week of fun and laughter and a little soccer on the side. They have been absolutely wonderful and of course John John has felt like the big cheese at camp. They have been teaching us about English culture and we have been teaching them about American culture (They are most mesmerized by the idea of a "Spanking Spoon" and both swear that when the day comes they will "Americanize" their children by using one. They will be leaving Saturday to go to their next destination and we will miss them, but we are so grateful to have had the time together. Above are some pictures of them (Scott and Rob) with John John and also with a group of our friends that came over to hang out with us.

We love you Mason!

I haven't done much blogging this past week. I have been very upset at the loss of a dear friend of mine. I am sure many of you all know Mason and for those of you who did not it was definitely your loss. I am not going to go on and on about how wonderful he was (but I could), I will just say that his family is in my prayers today and always. Mason left behind a wonderful wife, Tracee, an 8 year old son, Gabe, a 5 year old son, Landon and a daughter named Ellie who is 16 months. He was only 33 and died while piloting his small aircraft. For those of you who know the Smoaks please continue to pray for them and for those of you who don't please pray anyway. If this year has taught me anything it is definitely that God is in control of our lives and we will follow where he leads but it may not always be the path we would choose for ourselves. God bless you all and Have a "Joy"ful day!

Just where did that come from?

I got a phone call from a good friend of mine from Indiana Wednesday night and she was telling me a story to which I replied "She better watch out, God Don't like Ugly!" She laughed and told me that she had used the phrase in response to someone the other day and they asked her where she had heard it. Of course she gave me credit but I need to go ahead and admit that although I use the phrase many times daily I stole it from a dear friend of mine a long time ago. I was in my first year of teaching at Fred Wild Elementary and I was going through a divorce and I was miserable. My ex was putting me through things that no one should have to go through and we were talking about it one day and she looked at me and said "God don't like ugly!" I loved the phrase and I have used it ever since, not just to remind others but I play it in my mind constantly! They really are good words to live by! Think about it, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY! When you put this phrase to life choices it makes it really hard to do the wrong thing. (Notice I didn't say impossible) When a cashier makes you mad and you want to be rude, think, God don't like ugly! When you are cut off in traffic and you want to cuss, remember, God don't like ugly! Anytime someone wrongs you instead of getting angry just remember, God don't like ugly! And I don't know about you but I definitely want God to like me so I am going to do my best to not be UGLY!!! So go ahead and steal the phrase, we have a rule in the Conner house that something cannot be stolen twice so since I already stole the phrase you can have it and while you are at it Have a Joyful Day!

Princess Taylor's Dance Recital!

I am a little behind on this blog! Taylor's recital was actually May 30th, but I keep forgetting to pleasure you all with the pictures! It was a bitter sweet night for us because this was Taylor's 1st recital ever and all of us knew how Nana would have loved to have been there but we held strong and enjoyed Taylor Drew who was absolutely in love with herself that night. I could go on and on about how wonderful she did and about what a great dancer she is but the story about her pushing a little girl off the "box" she was supposed to be standing on is much funnier, as is the one of how the only girl in our whole family had to settle for a single rose that Uncle Mark had to stop and buy at the gas station, (just for the record, I did bring her a bag of goodies I just figured a bouquet of flowers would not last too well on the car ride from Sebring to Naples) as is the story of how I got a phone call as I was standing at the Gas pump, just down the road from the recital spot, and I got a call from my brother Trent asking me if I had Todd and Zander! I was trying to figure out if this was for real or not when Paula beeped in asking me the same thing at this point I figured I better go back to the school where the recital was and make sure they weren't there. You have to know that the only family that lies worse than the Conners is the Shives so trying to figure out if a group of Shives and Conners is telling the truth is like trying to determine winning lottery #'s, it is absolutely impossible to know until after the fact. So I grab my credit card out of the machine and pray that when I press Cancel it actually does cancel, and I am off to check on my Zan Man. (I really wasn't worried about Todd but I figured since I was going back for Zander I would pick him up also!) I pull into the parking lot looking for my blue eyed angel, and his father, and with much fear I have to tell Paula (who I am still on the phone with) "I can't find your son!" Not to worry in about 10 seconds I had both of them knocking on my window, Zander announcing "Aunt Dree, I saw you driving and you left me." Needless to say, everyone was safe and secure and I don't think Zander was traumatized. All was not lost completely, Zander found a $20 bill while they were waiting so he bought me a diet Coke on the way home. You know it is funny how the most memorable moments aren't always the ones we are expecting them to be. Anyway, Taylor's recital was beautiful and Zander made it home safe and Todd learned to NEVER leave home without his cell phone again!

Outrigger Island, VBS 2008

VBS was this week, it started on Sunday night and concluded with a program tonight that we all got to enjoy. I always worry when I leave my children in the care of others, not because I don't trust the others but because you just never know how your children act when they are away from you. But, I got good reports from both groups of teachers so I am very proud of them. Alex's teachers let me know that his prayer brought tears to their eyes! Evidently the little boy that spends his days calling his brother stupid can think of other words when he is talking to God! I honestly don't even remember what they told me he said but they sure made me feel good. Alex can be very Godly at times this year during chapel at 1st Baptist Preschool he went up front and asked Jesus into his heart. He told the teacher that he wanted to go to heaven so he could see his Nana! I think he may be a preacher one day because he really loves Jesus although he likes "gas" also so I often times tease he is going to be a proctologist! John John went up front tonight to ask Jesus into his heart which made me proud but confused because John John asked Jesus into his heart a few years back. So when I asked him why he went up he said he just wanted to be sure! What an angel! A funny story about that, when I was in 2nd grade I went to a Church Camp for a week, I too got saved twice that week and when my mom asked me why I told her I wanted to be like the Daisy II pregnancy test, I wanted to be doubly sure! Like mother like son. Well, enjoy the pictures and Have a Joyful Day!!!!

One more before bed!

I don't know about you but there is almost nothing I love more in this world than to watch my precious angels sleep. Especially now that they are growing up and they all want to be in the same bed. (so much for thinking we needed a 4 bedroom house!) Everyday I am amazed at the beauty of God's creations and especially the beauty of these three creations. I know I am bragging but I'm allowed because I am the MOM!!! So enjoy the pictures of my angels and may God bless you and your angels as well.

From Kindergarten to Graduation!

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor and privilege to attend the graduation of two very special girls! My friend Bonnie has twin daughters and they graduated this year. It was very emotional to say the least. You must understand, I went with Bonnie to take the girls to the 1st day of Kindergarten at Lake Country Elem. She took me for emotional support and of course I cried and she did not. Through the years there have been many sleep overs, dance recitals, proms, homecomings, and even a couple of beauty pageants. But most of all there has been love and I can tell you that I truly do love these girls. Bonnie is a part of my family and I a part of hers. We spent many nights up way too late talking and laughing and crying. If my mom were here today Bonnie could make her cry by telling the story of the girls birth. (Beth was born dead, but obviously everything turned out OK!) Nana knew the outcome well but she always cried when Bonnie told the story and of course we would laugh at my poor mom who happen to pass on her crying gene to me because as you can guess I was once again the one who cried! Anyway, Congratulations Katie and Beth and May God Bless you in whatever path you choose! I know you will choose well.

More Vacation Pictures!

Cousins and Water and Vacation Oh My!!!

We are still in Kissimmee but I had a free minute so I decided to post a few pictures of all the fun we have been having! Thank you again Aula and Uncle Todd for the awesome gift! We have had a blast and it has been very relaxing. We are at the Clarion Resort and Water Park and for anyone that has little kids it is awesome. They have three water slides that are for kids 44 in. and up as well as for moms and dads! And they also have a kiddie area with 4 little slides that keep the little ones more than entertained. I can tell you that we only left to eat dinner and the kids were not bored once. It has been awesome. All the fun of the Nick hotel at about 1/3 the price. Anyway, I will tell you all about it when I get home or you can Google them and check out their web site. Have a Joyful Day!

Chonda!

Ok, so last night I got to get away with no kids (amazing) and I headed to the Chonda Pierce show in Lakeland. I rode with a good friend of mine which probably turned out to be a bad thing since we got lost! You know what happens when you get two women in a car together and they start talking? 1. They blow right past 60 and head for Orlando, and 2. They can't even find the way to the Lakeland Sqauare Mall (which by the way they have both been to many times! Anyway, we made it to Lakeland in time to get in a quick Target trip and then a wonderful dinner at Smokeybones! (which for the record has got awesome cornbread!) So we walked into the restaurant and all of sudden we knew their was a women event in town. There was a table of about 15 women right next to us, the booth behind us had 4 women from Sebring (which kept our gossiping to a minimum) and while we were sitting there another group from Sebring walked in. They waiter asked the table next to us what was going on because of all the women! So after an awesome dinner (Thanks Tracy) we headed to Victory Chuch. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the size of the inside of the church! If I heard the preacher right he said it holds 3000 people. How amazing. There were women everywhere! So we found a seat in the balcony (and we were 45 minutes early!) but it was fine and when Chonda came out I remembered how awesome she was! She is funny and serious and crazy and spunky all in one! I won't give you all the details but I will tell you that if you ever get a chance to go and see her I highly recommend it. She will truly bless you. Anyway, we made it home without getting lost and I returned to a house of sleeping boys! (for a minute anyway, Cass felt the need to wake up and welcome me home) It was an amazing night and as much as I hate to leave my children at home it is refreshing to get out every couple of years at least!

I cannot believe I am doing this......

OK! So I love blogs, reading them at least! I love to check in on everyone and find out what is going on in their lives. Partly because I am interested and partly just because I am so nosey!!! But I never actually thought I would be a blogger and then I figured if I liked to check on the ones I love then maybe, just maybe they might be interested in my life also. So today was the last day of school and I cannot believe what a year it has been. I was looking at pictures on my sister's myspace the other night and saw a picture of my mom with my neice Taylor on her 1st day of Kindergarten this year and Oh how I cried wishing she could be in a picture of Taylor on her last day of Kindergarten. If I had only known what this year was going to hold I know I would have done things different! I would have hugged a little longer, I would have not minded her annoying ways, and I definately would have cherished every second we had together instead of taking them for granted. Andrew, my preacher, has been talking about a sermon series that he will be doing titled "Don't Blink" and it is so true, don't you dare blink because before you know it your babies will be taking the FCAT and your mom will be in heaven and you will have no idea where the time went. Please love the ones you have here and don't for even one minute sweat the small stuff. God has given us such a short time on this Earth, let's spend it the way we were meant to spend it, serving him and loving the ones he has put in our lives. Check back often and maybe just maybe you will find something of interest to you. Love and God Bless!