The One That Was Supposed To Be The End

May 22 - 24, 2019

This was supposed to be the last "2020 Project" entry.  They turned 18 last week.  Emma was supposed to graduate last week; Lara this week.  But, instead, we are still in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, and we are on like week 1200 (ok, just 11) of a stay-at-home order we affectionately, called quarantine.  Oklahoma (and Stillwater) is in Phase 2 of the reopening, so more places are open for business, but not everything.  And we still stay home most of the time.  And still wear protective masks when we got out.  Hand washing and hand sanitizing are top priorities!  But, things are starting to come back to life.

It was also supposed to be the Stillwater High School Class of 2020 graduation ceremony this weekend.  But, it has been rescheduled for late July.  In honor of that missed occasion, here is Lara's graduation announcement and social media post about her college choice:

Since some students won't be able to be at graduation this summer, the high school celebrated the Senior Class all week on social media and with small things happening around town.  Lara missed out on it, because, well, she was on "make-up" Spring Break."  More on that later.  In the meantime, her family decided she needed to be represented at the drive-through, plus we wanted to make sure she got the gifts, gift cards, t-shirts, and other goodies being handed out.  We drove through her elementary drive through and the high school.

In the meantime, while Lara was out of town, I did get to see Emma for one night!  She had some work to do in Stillwater, so she spent one quick night with us to cut down on her driving!

And Lara, the beach bum, spent a week on the Gulf Coast of Texas with 3 of her favorite friends.  Her friend Kendall's family has a condo on the beach at Port Aransas, and they were going down for a week to get a break from and coronavirus craziness and to get away from the quarantine.  So, they told Kendall to bring friends.  Lara was among the chosen!  While I was a little nervous to let her go, her BFF Erika was going, plus I knew she was in great hands!  Their buddy Karsten rounded out the group, and the had the time of their lives!  Days on the beach, cruising around in a golf cart, fun activities, and mentoring from 2 older friends.  So glad Lara got a vacation with friends before going to college.  She came home on Sunday, and we were all so glad to have her back in the house!

On the beach at Port A!

Karsten, Kendall, Erika, Lara

At the pottery painting place

BFF's in the Golden Hour Light - singing I would assume!

So, like I said this should be the last entry.  Based on the goal I set out when I first started this in the middle of summer 2017.  But, life throws curve balls.  And I know I have at least 2 more entries with this project, as I have 2 high school graduations to attend in the next 9 weeks.  Emma moves to Campus in 8 weeks.  Lara in 11 weeks.  So, we will enjoy our summer.  The last summer of being a care-free teenager.  College starts soon.  The real work begins.  Childhood is indeed, fleeting.

CLICK HERE to see all the 2020 Project posts

The One Where Graduation Was Rescheduled

May 8 - 10, 2020

This week, both girls found out that their graduation ceremonies had been rescheduled for a later date!  We could not be happier about this!  Best Mother's Day Present EVER!

Emma's will be on June 13th at the Mulhall-Orlando School gym in Mulhall.  Lara's will be July 24th at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.  Lots of People have lots of feelings about both of these situations.  We are just glad we are going to get something close to traditional!  Even if it is still months away and it is not what we originally planned!

In the meantime, the girls have been finishing up their college courses which ended this week and working towards the last few high school class assignments - which will end Friday of next week.  It's all coming to a weird, slowly approaching end.  Not at all the hustle and bustle we expected!  In some ways, we like the slow better.  But missing the fun end of year events is also pretty sad.

Friday night, Lara went to her Best Friend Erika's little sister's 10-year-old birthday party!  That kid is pretty lucky that a bunch of 17 and 18-year-olds love her so much!

Annah, Erika, Lara, Kendall and B-day girl Alyssa

Saturday was pretty much par for the course.  Waiting out the quarantine.  Netflix, TikTok, TV, memes, the dog.  But Sunday was Mother's Day. Emma came to Stillwater to see me.  My kids gave me awesome cards and gifts.  We went to Golden Oaks to see Grandma Mary and Grandpa Jake.  Then we went to Perkins to See Nana and Grandpa.  Britt made an awesome cajun pasta in the Instantpot for dinner.  It was a GREAT Mother's Day!  So glad these two reds made me a mom almost 18 years ago!  I do miss our Sunday night family meetings, though... No need for them these days!

Cool necklace!  A pearl for each of my 4 kids

The Posse!  Jake (13), Lara (17), Finn (8), Emma (17)

Jake photo bombing Emma and I at Golden Oaks

The next 2 weeks are going to be hard.  So many events scheduled that just aren't happening.  Senior Awards assembly.  Senior Walk.  The big concern we were taking Lara to. There should have been a state baseball tournament to be at. Emma's last day of high school and graduation.  Lara's last day of school and graduation. End of year sports banquets.  Baccalaureate services.  But, the one thing that isn't changing, is Emma and Lara will be 18 years old in JUST FOUR DAYS!  Look out world, they're coming for you!

The One Where They Became Juniors

May 25-28, 2018
Memorial Day Weekend

MAN!  I cannot get over how FAST time is flying these days!  Killing me!  So, now, they are both done with sophomore years of high school.  Emma was out a week or so before Lara, and Lara finished up this past Friday.  Plus, they both started new summer jobs.  This is the second summer Emma has worked somewhere; it's the first for Lara.  Emma is living in Ponca City with her grandpa Bruce and working with him at the NAPA store in Newkirk - among other wild and totally Emma things.  Lara is working every other week in Stillwater as a summer Nanny for a family with 3 young kids.  Totally up her alley - even if she did get a pretty pink sunburn on her first day!

So, last weekend.  Again, went too fast.  Didn't see any Emma.  Tried to cram in all the things.  Ended up happy, tired, and not ready for the week to start.

Lara went to a Class of 2018 high school graduation party for her friend Jake G.  Then we went as a family to SHS graduation at Gallagher Iba Arena.  Partly to see her friends graduate, but mostly to see Dr. Bob and hear him give the commencement speech!  It was SO VERY LONG!  But a fun event.  Then, Saturday she went with us to watch Jake play basketball!

Grad Party

3 generations of PIONEERS

Basketball Trip

Emma was working and running all over North Central Oklahoma taking care of her horses, her grandma Karen, her house while her Dad and Step-Mom are out of town, and living her new life in Kay County!  WHEW!

But, we did get to see her Tuesday night.  She had to come to Orlando to take care of her horses, so she drove on in to Stillwater for free food to see us.  She and Lara both look rough after long days at work, but I made them pose for a picture!  #GoodMom

This week will go by just as quickly.  There's no stopping it, right?