Thanks to an 18th birthday and an engaging
AP Government teacher this semester Brynne has been
very interested/involved/knowledgeable
about the upcoming election. She has spent two
Saturdays working the local chapter's campaign office
by making phone calls and after week one was declared
a natural by the gals in the office. Today she came home
with a pink Palin sticker that we are told is a hot commodity.
Second only to the shirts that are gone!
While I was not quite going along with the yardsign
idea Brynne was giving her sticker prominent
window placement. And did I mention that today
Brynne placed her VOTE?

Will the real Pocohantas please stand up?
From Crayons in '06 to 80's-ish sweatshirt/leg warmer girls in '07
to Indians in '08 this fab five have spent
countless hours planning and executing their costumes.
Last night it was our turn to host the team here
for costumes and snacks and scavenger hunt and
let's just say the whole night went swimmingly.

If you haven't heard Kari sing before you need to. She performed Revelation Song last night by request and it is awesome!

Last night was the first Students Standing Strong
rally of the year. We had a phenomenal crowd of kids
who were able to hear a powerful student testimony,
an impacting talk by Joe White of Kanakuk Kamps and
amazing worship music led by Kari Jobe.
Kari posed with our officers before the event began.
Check out the new officer shirts!
They were designed by Brynne and
sport the condensed version of
1 Corinthians 15:58
The SSS verse.

5 Swimmers and a Soccer Player off to the
Homecoming Game!

Foreshadowing? Kind of!
When the girls were little we had about 4-5 summers
of fun mother/daughter road trips with another family.
Two moms and 4 girls.
Most trips were to San Antonio with
a Galveston trip thrown in.
There was some serious matching in the
clothing department. One year they all
sported Minnie Mouse and the photo is still crystal clear
in my mind. Who would have thought that some years
later Lindsey would be under contract with Disney!
Brynne's favorite middle schoolers know Lindsey as
Lexi from As the Bell Rings. Imagine their surprise
when she came over to greet them and encourage them
and take pictures with them!
They were literally speechless!

Is this not the most pathetic little face ever?
Payton hung close to the float making activity.

Take a group of (dry) swimmers...
Add a few sheets of plywood...
Some power tools...
Yellow paint and gobs of tissue paper squares...
A long weekend and an awesome resident floatmaster and
TaDaaaaaaa!
A Homecoming float John, Paul, Ringo and George would approve!

Homecoming Garters Texas Style -
That means a trip to your local craft store where
you purchase a ridiculous
amount of ribbons, streamers, stickers, trinkets,
and other assorted decor...
Add a few small snacks and some of your very best friends...
Liberally apply all of said purchases to plain paper mum...
Allowing a minimum of 3 hours...
Which must include evaluations and opinions of said friends...
Never, ever settle for done unless you have reached said time limit...
And then finally...VOILA...a Texas Homecoming
MASTERPIECE!!!

NCL Seniors!
National Charity League
Brynne, Lacey and I have been a part of this
organization for nearly 6 years.
It is a great opportunity to serve your community
as moms and daughters while also including cultural
opportunities, personal development, etiquette and safety.
Next spring we will conclude this membership with a
Senior Presentation and this photo was done for the invitation.
I don't have a 7th grade photo handy, but you can see how
much the girls have changed in the past 4 years.

And they are off! The swim season has officially started!
The first meet had heat winners receiving little duckies
with numbers on the bottom for prize drawings.