Thank you Cher and Jo!

So thankful to Cher and Jo for getting up at the crack of dawn and giving up precious time to come see Jake play. I was so proud to introduce you all to my friends. Our assistant coach commented later how wonderful it was for you all to come see Jake play. When I think of being with you all and hearing the girls shout, "Go Mojo," I just smile. 

I didn't get many photos of Jake in play because of the high fencing - I stood on a chair to take this one. Jake and Milann won their mixed doubles - super close match that kept my heart racing. Jake lost his singles later.

 Okay, don't Jo and I look alike in this pic?

Jake has the prettiest aunts around (all four of them). 

These girls got up at 6:20 a.m. - such troopers!

Birthdays and Mexico

Our boy is 6! So hard to believe! 

 He really wanted a suitcase for his birthday.

 We went on a field trip to the ranch, and Jonathan did a great job teaching the kids all about agriculture and life on a ranch.

 This was breakfast at our hotel every morning. It was really good- breakfast tacos and fruit.

 "Friday Fun Day" at the community center. Christian Relief Fund is the organization that helps fund this community center for kids in a very poor neighborhood. A young social worker from our church (and 5 others) have started this center and hope to have it run by members of the Saltillo community by the middle of next year.

 Singing worship songs

 We took all the kids and moms to a city park on Saturday. They had so much fun! I loved seeing the moms giggle and have a great time. That is rare for them. They loved this dancing song.

 I love the way she's holding on to my chin.

 This was our room. The hotel was an old ranch made into a hotel.

 Audrey (who runs the center) is in the white shirt. The lady in the middle is 17 years old and her 4 year old twins are sitting beside her.

 We were building cubbies for the kids toothbrushes at the center. I was taking a pistachio break. They guy is the picture is Audrey's brother (and also my nurse practitioner). 

 I wish I had better pictures of their neighborhood. They live in cement houses on the side of a mountain and they are about the size of toby's room. I tried to meet the boy we've sponsored for several years, but he wasn't home. I met his mom- Audrey says the family is very odd and hard to engage.

 Mark and Audrey arranged for us to go to a nice dinner for my birthday! They had a balloon and cake- it was very sweet!

Cheri and Ryan were so sweet to make Toby and me a cake when I got home!

Nienstadt stuff

 Our 4 blondes know how to put on a great show!!!

 We also had a pet show.....

 sweet girls on a "photo shoot"

 my birthday

 field trip

 fall 2014 soccer.....

 Hannah has scored in each game- one game she did the 3 out of 4 points for her team

sweet girls!!

Finally saw Luke! Jake Keeping us Hopping!

Went WAY too long without seeing Luke! Enjoyed visiting with him during my work conference in Lubbock.

My good friend Debbie came to town (her husband is a football coach). I love these friendships that just rekindle the instant you see one another, even if it has been a full year!

Avery and Jake attended preschool together! Avery's mom texted me this pic.

So enjoying this tennis season. The tennis team has become like a family, working together on projects for one tennis family who is struggling, having lunch together (the parents) while at out-of-town tournaments, etc. I wish this year would slow down!

ACU Homecoming: Candy and I had our traditional Chinese lunch together at Harvest Moon in Abilene and then headed on over to Moody to hear the Brantlys. What an amazing story.

We laughed and laughed until our stomachs hurt at our 25-year reunion Optimist gathering at Kenneth's house. 

(I tried for a full day to upload two videos - one of the tennis team at the pep rally and a second of Satin Strings - no luck)

I love attending the Permian Pep Rallies! The first item this time around was introducing the tennis team and congratulating them on making it to the team tennis playoffs! They called each player out to the floor by name. Then, at this same pep rally, Satin Strings played. The kids all started clapping to the tune. I love the way the students encourage and cheer for all of the groups introduced and featured at these rallies (they are not just all about the football team).