Lady Tigers Finish With a Tough Loss

The Lady Tigers finished their season with a tough loss to the Lady Seminoles, 34-18. The girls played great but were up against some tough defensive players. Gracie found a way to gun in two big shots from the outside wing area, VERY much like her mother back in the day. It was refreshing to see in contrast to the Upwards tradition of 'everyone bunch up under the basket.' Both shots were after she got the rebounds, she would dribble out away from the pack, turn, and shoot for the moon. Luckily, it worked both times. When I asked her after the game why she decided to throw up some big shots, she said "It was too crowded down there, I needed some air!" On to softball...

Gray also completed her fourth grade research paper this week on Oprah. We liked her title page - "The Rich Facts of Oprah Winfrey".

Also a picture of Gray and her good friend Dallas who came over last weekend!

It is sleeting...Denise

Ash Wednesday and Bread

For the past 5 years, I have given up something during Lent. The 'something' has always involved a vote from my team at work. In the past it has been chocolate (not fun), potty words at work (difficult), and my personal favorite of 2 years ago - caffeine, of which I am still diligently doing. This year's winner? BREAD. Ouch, this will already be hard, as most of you know I LOVE bread in all forms. So the plan for the next 40 days is to eat breadless sandwiches(huh?), spaghetti without its sidekick of garlic bread(sucks), and NO PIZZA(unAmerican). I am, however, allowed pasta and cereal - a girl's gotta live off of something. I love a good challenge, and this will certainly be one. Stay tuned...

Picture sent to Pete on his trip, how cute are they?...D

The Arkansas Traveller is Off Again

After a nice weekend with Pete home, the three of us had to send him off again this morning to South Carolina for a customer visit. He was somewhat excited, until the weather report called for 24 degrees there today. We're getting soft down here in Arkansas. Gracie and I will flip on the fireplace at the slightest wisp of a draft, except for Jack. He is hot natured and keeps turning on the ceiling fans. Anyway, please pray for safe travel for my Petie. It is back to Mommy's bed for another slumber party tonight. Gracie takes Pete's spot with Daisy tucked under her, Jack takes the middle, and I am in my usual spot. Jack is a very active sleeper, so Gracie and I always make him promise to sleep 'like a gentleman.' Guaranteed, he will ask us first thing tomorrow morning "did I kick ya'll last night?" with a little smirk on his face. We are getting quite good at our 'when daddy's gone" and "when daddy's here' routines. And Jack loves to play his "I am the man of the house while Daddy's gone" card any chance he can get. We just laugh at him when he thinks he can use that to eat cereal in the living room, or not brush his teeth before bed time. Nice try...

Pasta for dinner...D

Well, the bids are in...

On Friday, we received the bids from 3 builders for the new St. Matthew church building for Conway. Not exactly the news we wanted to hear. The highest bid was $1.6 million, the lowest was $850,ooo. Our architect, a very seasoned church builder in the Conway area, was even blown away. The plan is to negotiate with the lowest bidder and see where we can shave off and eliminate, if possible. These are certainly not prices that this congregation can afford, so spirits were a bit down this morning after the announcement. We have worked so hard for this and will continue to keep the goal in our sights. Please keep our church in your prayers as we again tackle another obstacle as we try to build God's house.

On another note, looks like Gracie and Jack will not be allowed to get dirt bikes after all, until they are 13, according to the new federal law. Pete is about to have a coronary over this one. Click the link to read the absurdity: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-02-16-motorcycleban_N.htm

Love to all...D

He's Back!

Pete got home last night from Chicago just in time to meet us at Pizza Inn before Gracie's basketball game. The Lady Tigers brought home a W last night, 18-13. Gracie scored 1 basket off of a steal. She hadn't scored the last two games, so she met her goal of at least making one basket. Her last game is next Saturday. Chicago was 14 degrees and very windy. Pete was glad to get home to sun and upper 50s today.

Gracie continues to make us proud in the 4th grade academics department. She has kept all As and Bs the entire year so far, and she did her first book log strategy writing assignment without either of us checking it or assisting - she brought home an A+ with EXCELLENT from Ms. Lawrence! So proud of her! She is on week 2 of her research paper on Oprah. Did you know that Oprah's given name is really Orpah?

Bring on the Oscars...Denise

Six Starbursts

Jackson had a terrific violin lesson last night. According to Mr. Mike, he is a week ahead in his Suzuki schedule. He was able to put 'twinkle bread' and 'cheese' all together last night and play the entire song of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star from start to finish. And for that, he earned six starbursts from his instructor! He and Pete got to go watch Mr. Mike play in the Conway Symphony Orchestra last night as well, at UCA. We are so proud of Jackson and how well he is doing with putting all of the pieces together. He will add a second group lesson to his schedule on Wednesdays starting in March.

Pete just called and he is heading to airport for Chicago...Denise

Seven years later...

...see post from yesterday - these are Gracie's answers today!
Favorite Color:green
Favorite Drink:root beer
Favorite Toy:cell phone
Favorite Friends:Natalie, Madison, Karis (still!)
Favorite Place: the mall
Favorite Restaurant:New China
Favorite Activity:swimming, basketball, softball
When I grow up, I want to be:a veterinarian
I want to marry: Zac Efron or Joe Jonas
Favorite Movie:HSM3 and Pink Panther
Favorite Food:chicken spaghetti
Favorite Book:Chinese Cinderella
Favorite Song:So What, by Pink
Favorite Animal:Daisy
Favorite Outfit:PJ pants and I LOVE CANDY tshirt
Favorite Store:Justice

No school today for Gracie for President's Day, so she is hanging out at home while I work from my home office. Jackson was none too thrilled that he DOES have school today...boo hoo.

Pete is back on the road on Wednesday...Denise

A smooch for you...

The Lady Tigers took a hard loss yesterday against the Lady Yellowjackets, 34-31. Gray played well, but seemed to be a bit sluggish on the court. Could it have been the donuts and chocolate milk? Could it be the fact that she swam so hard on Thursday that she cried after practice? (a good cry for accomplishment) Two more games left...

Looking back through Gray's scrapbooks, we found this page in her 3 year old book. I am going to post her answers then, and tomorrow will post her answers today:
Favorite Color:pink
Favorite Food:ice cream
Favorite Drink:apple juice
Favorite Place:PlayWorld
Favorite Activity:dance and gymnastics
Favorite Movie:Beauty and the Beast
Favorite Book:Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick
Favorite Toys:dress up clothes and Barbies
Favorite Friends:Banyon, Breanna, Karis, Nicole
Favorite Song:God Bless America
Favorite Animal:Kruse, of course
Favorite Outfit:flower girl dress from Aunt Krista's beach wedding
Favorite Store:WalMart
Favorite Restaurant:Dairy Queen
When I Grow Up I Want to be:a lady with pierced ears
I Would Like to Marry:Banyon

Predicting that tomorrow, Banyon will not make the list...Denise

Happy Valentine's Day!

Roses from my super-sweet husband, and a chocolate milk toast from plastic champagne flutes - a good way to start your Saturday morning! We're off to Gray's b-ball game in a few, and then softball registration for both after that. We may also be swinging by the vet this afternoon. Gray's 4H group at school had a bake sale on Thursday and Gray brought home some extra cookies on a paper plate under saran wrap - 10 of them to be exact. She set down her backpack, AND the cookies, and before she knew it, Daisy had eaten them all! Daisy's is STILL carrying around a very large belly that has not been 'released' yet. Keeping an eye on it. Have any of you seen the movie "Fireproof" yet? We watched it last night, pretty good, the kids loved it.

Jack told me last night that I was his pride and joy...Denise

Random Items

1. After 11 years at the same company, Pete and I were in a meeting together for the first time yesterday. One of his bosses told me that he loved Pete almost as much as I did. (I doubt that!) 2. Jackson had 2 more cavities filled this morning, he was trooper, but got to spend the afternoon with Daddy at home. Prize from the prize drawer - silver ring. 3. Gracie turned in her final choice for 4th grade research paper today - Oprah Winfrey. (also making the short list - Anne Frank, Michael Phelps(pre bong-bust), and Mozart) 4. Pink Panther 2 was not as funny as the first one. 5. We had rain all morning, and Pete's shop is now dry as a bone, thanks to his French-drain engineering! 6. Minnesotans - we read your blog EVERY day, even though comments are rare. Keep the posts coming! 7. I am officially addicted to Sobe Life Water - favorite flavors - Calm-O-Mile, and Enlighten. 8. Thanks to Nana Hartmann for the deciphering of the bible verse from yesterday...it's an awkward way of saying "God knit you." 9. Softball signups are Saturday for city league. I will be coaching again with Toni the 10U girls, Jackson will play in the 6U coed league for the first time. He picked out a light-up mitt. 10. Swimming and violin practices tonight.

Papa Murphy's is selling heart-shaped pizza for VDay...Denise

Get Out Your Bibles...

Pastor John (aka Mr. Metaphor) of Peace Lutheran Church has posted the following phrase on their church sign that I pass every morning on my way to work. I am perplexed of its meaning, and even had Nana and Papa Beach in on the deciphering. Please help if you can!

"God knit not knots but you." Psalm 139

Home Sweet Home to NC

Amid pleas from Jack of "can't they just stay one more day?", we sadly took Nana and Papa Beach to the airport this morning. We had a super fast week full of activities. They went with the flow and got a healthy dose of Gracie's sports and Jack's antics! We are so glad they were able to come and be with us for a week! Thank you Nana and Papa - you're the best!

The Lady Tigers scored another W last night with a close victory over the Lady Yellowjackets 24-22. Gracie had several breakaways and good shots but nothing fell in her favor. She had a super game of defense and delivered her first shooting foul, so the girl got to shoot freethrows. She was pretty mad at herself for doing that. I told her it was great and that it meant she was 'in the game." Besides, I was a foul queen.

After the airport, we finally found two barstools for our kitchen - I can check that off of my 'nesting' list, and caught "Pink Panther 2" at the theater.

Just chilling tonight...Denise

Smencils Anyone?

Woodrow Cummins Elementary is suffering from a Smencils epidemic! They have started selling these 'smelly' pencils in the office for $1.00 a piece as a school fund raiser and they are all the rage, as you can imagine. Gracie saved up for 4 of them today - root beer, very berry, orange, and cotton candy. Get yours today at http://www.smencils.com/.

Slow news day...Denise

Red White and Blue

We all enjoyed Gracie's 2-4 grade choir program last night. The theme was patriotic songs, and the fourth graders all wore red shirts and khaki pants. They did a super job and sang their hearts out! We were glad that Gracie rallied and was able to make school and the program, considering she was home on Monday with a 103.1 temperature. The kids are both GREATLY enjoying their grandparents' company and are on yet another round of Old Maid. Tomorrow we have swim practice and basketball practice, and then basketball game on Friday night. The week is going fast!

Pink Panther 2 opens on Friday...Denise

Happy Birthday'S'!

Happy Birthday, Nana Beach, and John John! We are lucky enough to have Nana here in Conway for her birthday yesterday with two of her grandbabies! See also picture of Nana and Papa in their new Christmas Crocs.

Love to all...Denise

Get Ready to Laugh...

Everyone loves a good Pete story, and my disclaimer on this one is that I DO have his permission to recount the events of the last two nights. I am still laughing to myself as I am typing this. So let me set the scene...Friday night, Jackson came into our room about 1:30 am because he rolled over and banged his head on his dresser, which is also his nightstand. He proceeded to climb in our bed, in between the 2 of us, and do his usual leg kicking, arms flailing, etc. However, prior to his actual arrival in our room, Daisy, who sleeps with Pete on his side of the bed, sensed someone coming and stood bolt upright at the foot of the bed, howling like a rat-sized wolf. I must say I was impressed by her watch-dogged-ness. So that, paired with Jack's sleeping antics, made for not much sleep on Friday night, especially since the alarm was set for 5:20 am for the swim meet. Now, on to Saturday night. We were SOOOO looking forward to a good night's sleep. However, here comes Jack about 12:15, bad dream. Once again, he climbs into bed and does his usual thing. That lasted for about half an hour, until Pete finally had had enough and took him back to his bed. Here is where I have to add that the temperature yesterday was 67 degrees, and Gracie spent a couple of hours in our room watching TV and snacking. Back to Pete...he comes back in from delivering Jack to his own room, lays down, and realizes he is hot. (He is not very fond of our comforter, as he is hot-natured, and I am not.) Pete keeps a backup light quilt under the bed on his side for such occasions. Here is where it gets funny...work with me and visualize this...he is laying down, rolls over on his side, reaches down to grab the quilt under the bed, loses his balance, and falls out of bed. On his way out of bed, he hits his head on the bed table, causing it to tumble. A nearly FULL drinking glass of white grape juice (thank you Gray) spills forward from the table and empties its ENTIRE contents onto Pete's head, so it is running down his head - back and front - and down his chest and back. I heard quite a few words of the four letter nature before I was able to turn on my light to see the remains. I had to get up to pee, I was laughing so hard. And what was I most concerned about? "Did any juice get on the carpet, Pete?" "NO, it's all on my head, Denise!" My guts hurt from laughing. It's a well known fact that I have a character flaw of finding humor in others' mishaps (ie Mom falling in a hole on our walk in Conway), but he admitted this morning it was pretty funny!

Nana and Papa are here in about 3 hours...Denise