Mark is finally home from Ireland - Question is how long?

Mark left on Monday for Cork, Ireland and came back Thursday around 11:35 PM. 

IT IS SO NICE TO
HAVE HIM BACK!

He had to go there for work and didn't have much time to sight see but he said they had the wonderful weather for Ireland while he was there.  Ironic, while it usually is 60-70 degrees in Kentucky at this time of the year we were going from 35-50, and while in Ireland it is usually 35-50 degree it was 70.

North Oldham High School track meet

Jessica in the 1600 m

Jessica and Devon are running tonight at the North Oldham High School Track meet.  It is the first time our school is hosting a meet.  It started at 5:15 p.m.

Jessica is running the 4x800 (1st event of the night), the 1600m (or mile), the 800 m run, and she is donig high jump.  That's a lot of running for track!

Devon is running the 1600m (or mile) and the 3200m (two mile).  

Hannah, Jessica, Sarah and Ali

The first event is so exciting:  Hannah Gray runs first, she starts out really strong taking the lead but then tires out on the second lap and gets passed by two runners; one just at the exchange spot, Jessica runs second for the team.  SOHS takes the lead, and Jessica and a girl from KCD are constant with each other until Jessica takes the lead and lengthens the gap on third, and shortens the gap on first.  She gets them in a solid second place.  Third to run for NOHS is Sarah Redel.  She runs a great two laps and gets even closer to the first place runner.  Ali Hall is our 4th runner.  She finishes only 10 seconds behind the first place.  It was a very exciting race.

Next up is High Jump - Jessica will have to come and go from this event.  She has to cool down from the 4x800 and then get a few jumps in before warming up for the 1600m.  Jessica ran the mile in 5:45 - that is a new PR for her.  She is doing great!

Devon also ran the mile.  He is suffering from shin-splints.   He did great 5:14, but he was unhappy with his time.  He was in a lot of pain so we scratched him from running the 2 mile.  

NOMS Soccer game against Oldham County Middle School

What an exciting night!  The North Oldham Varsity and JV teams play against rival, Oldham County at the OCYSA Buckner fields.  The Varsity team wins, now it's time for JV.

Robert's team scores the first goal.  Robert has an assist! 
Robert's team scores another goal.  YEAH!
Half time
OCMS scores on us for the first time - 2-1.
Final Score 2-1~
It was scary there at the last minute as the ball bobbled and bounced around inside our goal box, but luckily we were able to clear the ball as the game ended!  It was a great game!  The boys play so well together.

I was so sad that I didn't get to see it, but it was very important for me to see Jessica and Devon run at the NOHS track meet (going on from 5:15 - 8:30).  I had hoped to leave the track meet in order to see the second half of Robert's game, but it went slower than expected.

Terrifying Storm

Last night a terrifyingly dangerous and huge storm came through the "Louisville and beyond" area.  It was a massive wall of intense severe thunderstorms with tornado conditions.  Around 11:00 pm I started watching the new.

From the time I got home from Robert's game - after prayers and cleaning up, I cleared off the deck of chairs, the umbrella and the grill.  Then I prepared the windows and the front door with support, and towels.  I got all the lanterns out in case there was power loss.  I cleaned up any loose papers, books, etc in the family room in case the wind broke the windows… and then I waited for the storm to come.

The storm came in from St. Louis - due West.  It was taking down trees, roofs, power lines, etc.  I wanted to be prepared if it came through our area and did the same.

At 12:20 the storms hit Louisville with TORNADO WARNINGS, at 12:30 I moved the kids to the basement.  Winds from the storm were recorded at 65 mph - Robert, of course, was already there since his room is in the basement.  Devon was the first to go down.  He camped out on the large couch, Marissa was the second to decent - she took the little couch, Jessica was tough to rouse but she eventually went down and slept on the top bunk in Robert's room.  After the TORNADO WARNING had passed at 1:15 am, I woke each asking if they wanted to go back to their real bed.   Jessica, "no" (very groggy), Marissa "no,no,no", and Devon "no"!  It unanimous.  They slept the rest of the night in the basement.

They were so cute - Robert didn't even know there was a storm, Jessica didn't remember me waking her up 2 times (6:05, 6:25) - needless to say they were a little late to seminary, Devon and Marissa didn't remember me asking them if they wanted to go back to their own beds.  Jessica on Robert's top bunk, Devon on one coach and Marissa on the other.  After 1:15 I slept in my bed like a baby!  

Watching the storm come through on the radar it looked like Prospect was spared the worst of it.  There were burgundy spots on us but only for a short time.   The Lord was most assuredly watching out for us.

After the storm Louisville was hit with the worst flooding in a long time (longer than I've been here).  Here are some photos to show the devastating flooding in the area.

someone's front yard

the overflow of a river

more overflow:  the river is actually up at the yellow sign, all this water should be land

I drive this road to take Robert to soccer practice.
It's called River Road because it parallels the Ohio River

Houses along River Road are under at least one foot of water

Mark is the traveler - Now he's in Ireland

A month ago Mark was in Singapore for 10 day, then he was home a few before leaving for Oregon while we were in Hilton Head.  We had a week together at home before he is off again, this time in the other direction of the world - Cork, Ireland.

He left on Monday and gets back late Thursday!  I feel so bad for him.  He really had never recovered from the sleep change and travel from Singapore before he had to go to Oregon.  We had hoped it would help because it was going back in that direction of time, but when Mark came back from Oregon - he couldn't sleep at all; he was awake every hour of the night.  Now, he's sprung forward into Ireland's time zone.  I hope he's okay!

Track meet the very next morning

WOW!  Only a few hours of sleep before Jessica and Frannie have to be up at 7:00 to get ready for the CAL invitational track meet.

Okay - the weather report says its 55, but there is NO WAY it is 55, it feels like 30 degrees outside.  It was rainy and windy and cold until 9:30, then the rain stopped but the windy chill lasted all day!

Jessica ran the 4x800.  Her team placing 4th (she was in third, but the last girl on the leg got beat at the last few seconds).

Jessica ran the open 800.  She raced against the state champions from last year - again.  She came in 8th but had a great score and beat the fastest girl on the NOHS team.

This is all with only 4 hours sleep, and still feeling a bit sick and under the weather.

Jessica's Senior Prom

Jessica went to her Senior Prom with a group of friends … Maddy, Amanda, Frannie, Ataliee, Paige and Jessica were the girls, George, David, Nick, Anthony, and Johnny were the boys.

Jessica

David Hock and Jessica Lowe

Jessica's date was David Hock - they have been great friends since their Sophomore year!

Maddy, Jessica, Amanda, and Paige look gorgeous!

Frannie, Atalee, Jessica, Amanda, and Maddy

The girls got ready on their own and then met at Maddy's house for pictures.

Jessica was the first to arrive.  Then Amanda, then Paige and last were Frannie and Atalee.

Jessica and Frannie

They showed up just as everyone was getting ready to leave for the dinner reservations, but came back in for more photos.  Some of the guys opted not to take photos … silly.

Atalee and Jessica

Amanda and Jessica

Maddy and Jessica


Jessica is so happy to be going with her best friends.  She wouldn't have it any other way!

such beauties:  Amanda, Paige, Jessica and Maddie

Jessica and David:

David and Jessica

So cute! - Great friends!

Everyone (well almost everyone) together before leaving for dinner.

Most of the group:  David, Frannie, Atalee, Jessica, Amanda, Maddie & George
missing:  Johnny, Nick and Paige, Anthony.

Maddy and Jessica

Atalee, Jessica, Frannie and Amanda

Frannie and Jessica have been best friends since 6th grade when they met at NOMS!

The beautiful gowns

Maddy, George, Jessica, David and Amanda

Jessica at the piano

Jessica and Amanda have been friends since they met
at church when they were 9 years old

They group divided at this point.  Frannie, Johnny, Atalee and Anthony went to Johnny's house for a home dinner.  Jessica, David, Amanda, Maddy, George, Paige and Nick went to Vincenzo's Italian restaurant downtown on 5th street.  It is amazing cuisine.  

http://www.vincenzositalianrestaurant.com/

They left the restaurant around 9:20 - Prom started at 9:00.  Upon arriving at Prom each person had to be tested in the breath-a-lizer test (two girls went home).  Jessica said it was the best prom ever.  One because there was so much more room than last prom and second that this time she visited with lots of friends and didn't stayed with just one group of friends.  Everyone had such a great time dancing and chatting. 

Jessica left prom at 11:20 with Frannie, Atalee and their dates to go back to Johnny's to change and get ready for Lucy Gibson's "after prom Party."  This is the first time Jessica will be attending a party like this, but she is 18 years old and we completely trust her to make very wise and moral decisions.   She and Frannie were allowed to stay until 2:20 - then they had to be back to Frannie's house by 2:45 - or their carriage would turn into a pumpkin (hee, hee).  

Jessica said she had the best prom ever!  She was so happy - I'm so glad!  She looked amazing and so grown up!

Pre Prom

Since Prom is on a Friday, all the seniors were allowed to get out of school at 1:20 (miss the last two periods of school) to get ready.  Last year a friend did Jessica's hair and I did her mani and pedi, but this year I had made appointments for her to get them done in salons.

She had a mani and pedi at 2:00 - she chose a french manicure.  From there we went to get her up-do done at 3:30.  That took almost 2 hours, but it was so worth it - her hair looks amazing.

On to the rest of the preliminaries … the make up and the dress.  When Jessica was done - she looked stunning!

See next post.

Oldham County All Comer

What a great night it was for Jessica even thought she was feeling terrible.

Last night Jessica felt terrible, soar throat and stuff so she slept in missing seminary and first period, but then went to school.  I didn't know how she'd do feeling so bad.

She ran the mile in 5.50.  That was awesome!  Her next meet is in two days, it's only 6 hours after the girls get home from PROM.  CRAZY!

Robert's school team is undefeated

On Thursday, Robert's North Oldham Middle School team played against East Olham Middle School.  Robert played an excellent game with 2 assists.  The team won 5-2.

I worked the concession stand for the varsity game (win 10-0).  Concessions for soccer is so nice because you can still see the game while serving and helping out.

Spring Break at Hilton Head - Day 3 & 4

Ah, more days at the beach - I'm loving it.  FRIDAY:
Our day starts with breakfast from Panera at the pool side while waiting for a phone call from Jessica.  Jessica's group is going back to KY today, so she is joining us for another day of the beach.  She finally arrives around 10:45 (should have been 10:00).  The sun is intense!  Marissa and I are loving the day even more with our virgin strawberry daquari's.  Cool and YUMMY!!  Marissa is wearing a shirt because she got too much sun on Tuesday.  Today, is perfect.  The pool feels wonderful, the sand is comfortable, fun waves, and everyone is together (except Mark - he's in Oregon.)

 Poolside!

Jessica finally arrives:  poolside with Robert and Marissa

the girls at the beach

At the beach!

Marissa 14, Jessica 18, Betsy (old).  I posted this picture on FB and someone said we look like sisters - yippee!  We had so much fun playing in the sand and waves.  

Jessica wanted to spend as much time as she could with everyone.  Even though she had a great time with her friends, she missed us, and we missed her.  It will be hard to not have her around next year…but we aren't thinking about that yet.

Robert and Jessica

Marissa and Jessica

 Jessica took Robert to the waves.  Then Marissa and so on.  Let the fun continue!

Jumping waves

Robert, Marissa and Jessica jumping waves:
too bad Robert was just a second behind the girls

Sisters and best friends

What happened to their feet?

Time to head back home!

Time was up - we need to head home.  We decided to leave the beach at 12:30 and hit the road by 1:00.  Everyone had already packed up in the morning so all we needed were showers and to check out.  What a long ride we have in front of us.  The mapquest on my phone says 11 hours.  YIKES!  We get off to a slow start - bathroom breaks, lunch breaks, stop after stop.  YIKES.  Then we hit the Appalachian mountains - that slows us down more.  As far behind as we seem, we get into Louisville at 12:22 am.  Only 22 minutes behind schedule.  I'm exhausted but glad to be home.