Volleyball Ups and Downs

As you know from the news, our city was hit on October 10 by twin bombs which killed close to 100. It was the largest terrorist act upon this country in history. It affected several events in our lives, and put us all on closer alert. The kids had a volleyball tournament scheduled for the following weekend, and two of the teams are against US military kids. The military made the decision to cancel the tournament. This is not the first time this has happened to our kids, and it was disappointing. They practice for a couple of months 3X per week in anticipation of this one all-weekend tournament (no weekly games leading up to it). The real tragedy were the lives lost, but it also had a ripple effect for all of us. Still, the coaches were able to quickly plan some matches with the teams, but it had to be hosted in the military base for security purposes. The day of the game, we all got to wear jeans and school colors.

And spiked hair, if desired.

Our teams played hard. It was fun to support them in the bleachers. I lost my voice, I always do. That's my contribution.

The girls won their games. They've worked so hard, it was fun to win!

The 2015 Oasis Boys Team

And the lovely Girls Team. I love them all, but especially 9, 13, and 1!

Like, Gag Me With a Spoon

One of the girls' teachers was turning 30. In order to celebrate her birthday and birth decade, the kids decided to dress in 80's theme for youth group. They came to me. They came to the right place. I loaned them tips and clothes, and I was in charge of the 4 heads of hair. The "I don't care" looks on their faces were all their own.

And I am just going to say this....the one on the far left looks EXACTLY like how I wore my hair from 1986-well in to the 90's. And she looks good. I'd still wear it like that if I could pull it off.

They nailed the attitude!

Staff Olympics 2015

Each Fall we have a fun afternoon event for all the staff and staff kids, Staff Olympics!

CC loses his scholarly persona and becomes a competitive, tug-o-war winning, frisbee domineering athlete!

See? Look at him. He' yelling, "HEAVE, HO!"

It's a time when teachers get to be aunts and uncles for a day. Our kids need that, so far from their biological ones!

We ended with a giant kickball tournament. This was pretty much my childhood summed up. I behaved in class so I would not have to miss kickball at recess!

And the winning team gets this cone-broken PE equipment trophy to store in a classroom until next year. Oh yea, and since the first shall be last, they go last getting ice cream sundaes. It's tradition.

Firstborn and I were on the third place team.

Back to school for sundaes.

Piled high. She didn't finish it all. I knew she wouldn't.

These are a few of the things that make this place special for my kids. I'm thankful for these people!

Big Ben's Big #7

Just after we arrived back home, Big Ben celebrated his 7th birthday. We usually do a family party on the big day, then let them do something with friends on another day. He wanted to go to Pepper Jam, a pizza place that is really good. He was a little full of himself, but the sisters let him get away with it on his birthday.

I can't tell you how much I love this picture. I mentioned to CC one day that I thought he might look a little like me and even act a little like me (after he got his progress report which said, "....he is a delight in class, but does get a little overly enthusiastic at times...") CC replied without hesitation, "You think I haven't realized that since he was 2 years old?!"

 This little boy, who God surprised us with when we were starting to get some grays, has completed our family. We don't know what we'd do without him. And I am determined to enjoy every single day that he is still 7 years old!

On to Antalya: Part V

We didn't have a lot of time left, so we took them to one of our favorites: Phaselis. (Hence, the name of our kitty, who wandered out from under this very aqueduct to find his new family.) A few of my pictures that day were blurry; I must have had it on a weird setting.

The pictures aren't clear, but the water was. So beautiful! I love this place.

Blurry...and buggy! There was a "dot" on my camera lens, I guess.

We are going with the dot theory, rather than the bug with legs theory.

She asked me to take this. She said it was tradition. So sweet.

And this one is definitely tradition!

 All too soon it was time to say goodbye to these dear folks who love us and are behind us in so many ways. We had a great time together!