Summer 2013 Reading List

My Summer 2013 Reading List is being compiled. After extensive research, I'm ready to begin. Well, not really extensive...I just posted a status on Facebook and got quite a few good suggestions. I'm starting with these and will see how far they take me. I'm currently simultaneously reading the bottom two books and decided to count them since I will finish them during the summer. Here are my choices in no particular order:

Feel free to leave any great suggestions here. I'm sure I'll read more than nine books by summer's end.

We Have A Graduate! - Grace Prep Class of 2013

We had an amazing weekend celebrating Becca's accomplishments and graduation from Grace Prep. I am so proud of the beautiful young lady she has become and look forward to the plans God has for her in the future. So many friends and family came out to wish her well and we are so appreciative of their love and support.

Walking in with Amanda, her friend since elementary school

GPA Class of 2013 -- all 36 of them!

Rebecca's table and senior board, representing her accomplishments

Served her favorite cupcakes at a lunch in her honor before the ceremony

Decorating with her favorite flowers

On Sunday evening our church recognized the graduating seniors. Becca did an amazing job on her speech. Yes, I am biased, but it really was the best. 

The family celebrating at dinner after the church service

Way to go, Becca! Can't wait to see you take on the world at Texas A&M Corpus Christi in the fall.

Growing, Growing, Growing

Exciting times in the Holmes Family Garden! We will be eating vegetables soon, I think. As you can see from this first photo, most everything has grown quite a bit. The spinach didn't grow very well, but I blame that on the squirrels digging in it and scattering the seeds from the beginning. The onions are doing okay, but are overshadowed by the zucchini leaves. Zucchini has a mind and growing power all its own. It's crazy! Look at the leaves in the second photo. They have overtaken the cucumber plants and the okra plants. Note for next year: Give zucchini it's own space. It's bossy!

Cherry Tomatoes - so cute!

Anyone want a salad for lunch?

Zucchini Flowers

Squash will be ready to pick by week's end

Green Beans

Green Bean Flower

At this point we might have enough for one green bean per person. Not sure how that will all turn out. I've never grown string beans before. And I'm sure you'll be on the edge of your seat to see how it all turns out! 

Before School Photo - Day "LAST!"

A bittersweet day - for me, anyway. The girls don't have a problem with it! Rebecca's last day of high school and Abigail's last day of sophomore year have arrived. It's been a year of ups and downs, as high school always is, and we are happy to be on this side of it. Graduation next week!

School Photo - Day "Next to Last!"

I don't know the day, but I do know for a certain senior there's only one more left after it! (Abigail still has two days of finals.) Becca is dressed up because her senior seminar class is having a business lunch at a local event center where they will eat and discuss "business" with local leaders in the community. Gotta get those kids ready to take on the world! 

Photos of the Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Missing Katherine, but still had two of my beautiful girls with me today.

Ta-dah!!! I have a baby yellow squash on the plant!! So excited!!

Great Gardens, Batman! Look at the Zucchini!

Yeah...sorry about that title, but I was overusing "Garden Update." So, my goodness, the growth in the past couple weeks. I do believe I can consider my garden a success. I've already learned quite a bit about what to plant and where and the things I need to do differently next year.

Spinach in the foreground and lettuce in the background

Yellow flowers and baby tomatoes are popping out everywhere. My mouth is watering just thinking of going out, picking one and putting salt on it. 

Look! A yellow flower on the squash plant!!

And not to be left out, there are tiny green peaches all over the tree. Please, no one tell the squirrels.

What in the World Have We Been Doing?

In past years I have posted about the major events in our lives, complete with several pictures. I'm not sure what's happened, except to say I am meeting myself coming and going and "ain't nobody got time for that!" So, here's a little recap starting around the end of March.

WILDWorship performed in Sunday morning services 

(I'm at the piano, just to the right of this photo.)

Grace Prep hosted the Jon Drummond Relays.

I handed out awards on the track and lost my voice for a week!

Saw Mary Poppins with Barb at Music Hall in Dallas

Celebrated "Night of the Arts" and Abigail's accomplishments in drawing

Prom

Dyed eggs with KoolAid

Spent Easter with guests Barb and Brodie

Rebecca won Girlfriend of the Year for Hudson's Minecraft Cake

Rebecca was awarded the Tillie Burgin Student Leader Award

  Scavenger Hunt for Becca's 18th Birthday

 Traveled to A&M Corpus Christi for a college visit

Grace Prep Awards Banquet at DBU

Traveled to Nacogdoches for Katherine to be awarded the Cole Dean's Award in Art

Abigail accompanied her friend, Mallory, at the Grace Prep talent show

 

 Rebecca planned and RAN the talent show!

Rebecca won gold, silver and bronze medals at the District Track Meet, qualifying for the Regional Meet in May.

  Rebecca participated in a Journalism conference at UT Austin.

There's only one conclusion to be drawn from these photos: We are super busy parents with extremely talented kids! I will post more track happenings after the regional meet in Abilene on Thursday. Or, I might wait until the end of June and give you the next few months' busy recap. Stay tuned.