Briana Leaves Us!

So this is what I see this morning when I'm trying to get ready for work.

It wouldn't go away.

I kept hoping it would dissapear and it wouldn't.

I walked passed it a few times and it was still there.

Darn it!

My sweet Briana left me this morning to go have some

fun with her best friend in Tampa, Florida.

Remember the story?

She saved her money so she could buy a plane ticket?

Yep, so today was the day she left.

Ho Hum!

Wo is me!

She's SOOO happy

and I cried!

(no picture of that- that would be too scary!)

Have fun for 10 whole days!!
I already miss her!!

The Night Sky

I took these pictures a few weeks ago when it was raining

outside at about 10:00 PM! Amazing, isn't it?

What's so amazing about living in Michigan is that in July the

sky is still sooo bright at 10:00 at night. Two nights ago

I went outside at 10:15 and could see down the road in the

neighborhood still. If I remember tonight, I'm going to take

a picture to let you see what I'm talking about! :)

Our "Sweet" Friends

Two weeks ago our friends, Bob and Catherine Sweet called us to say they were "passing through" Michigan (Yeah, right! Who passes through Michigan?) and they wanted to stop in and see us. I was thrilled! These are our friends from our short stay in Virginia. We love the Sweets!! Actually, they live in Texas now. They moved about a year after we left. I guess they couldn't stand it without us. Just kidding.

Anyway, I invited them over for dinner and we had alot of fun. Their very grown up and tall children came over and played Wii with Brandi and Brooke all afternoon. That was fun! (Briana missed out on seeing them because she was at Girls Camp that week) They have an older son who is on a mission who is not pictured with them. But aren't they a great looking family?

Come back and see us!!

Jonathan trying to get away with NOT smiling for me! I'm sorry, that doesn't work in my house!! I know it's cool not to smile, but come on!

Much better!

Random SC pictures

My Dad and brother have 3 firework stands throughout

the Columbia area. Here they are one night

setting up and pricing before the holidays.

Show me the $$$!! :)

(my cute little mommy dear)

Me and my baby brother, Jeff and my older sister, Lisa. The men on Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to some of the men that I love!!
(nice shirt, dad) :)

Lisa, me and Mom

Cousins on the Joyner side

Cousins on the Gantt side

Myrtle Beach for the day

Getting into the ocean...

These girls haven't been to the beach in many many years!

Our last beach trip was when we lived in Virginia and we

went to Virginia Beach- that was over 6 years ago!

Yikes! Where does the time go?

They had so much fun!!

Mermaid #1

Mermaid #2

The Flower Girls

The two flower girls. So cute, aren't they? Little poser...
Side view of the hair...

Back view of the hair.

Jimmy's Wedding

We had a fun trip going down to SC two days after school ended for Jimmy's wedding. It was a little unique in the fact that my dad married Jimmy and Elsa, Ronnie translated the ceremony from English to Spanish for Elsa's family who is from Mexico. And Brooke was a flower girl. So it was a total family affair. :) Here are a few pictures from that.

This is Ronnie's mom and dad. My cute little nephews, Caleb and Dylan. So handsome!!
The girls before the wedding.

Jimmy and Elsa at the rehersal.

I am so glad these two are happy!

Dancin fool--

Briana's dance recital was on Mother's Day this year. (I know... that was crazy!) But it was fun to watch her dance and all the other great dancers that day. So here's Briana in curlers. I'm sure she'll thank me later for posting this picture. :) And then in her costume. Their theme was an Egyptian theme.

This was taken on the day of the rehersal.

Some pictures..

Briana's hair BEFORE...

Briana's hair AFTER... I just love her new haircut!! Very cute!!

Mother's Day- Ronnie and me

Me and the girls

Briana's Birthday cake

(silly Brooke in the background) :0

Briana and her friends

(another silly look from Brooke)

Much Needed Updates

I can hardly believe that I haven't posted anything new in two whole months. The end of the school year was sooooo busy between church related activities, school awards programs, band concerts, dance recitals, and end of the year field trips, and other extra curricular activities that I could barely keep my own head screwed on straight. So I was gently reminded by Ronnie's mom during our recent trip to South Carolina that I need to keep this updated!! I know I have family stalkers out there who like to look at our pictures and what we've been up to! :) So here's for you, Grandma Cooley and the rest of the family!
I'll briefly summarize what we've been doing then I'll just post pictures.

Right after Briana stapled her thumb (yes, she's all better now!) She had a birthday! My not so little girl turned 13! ... she's an official teenager now. Heaven help us! :) Cause we need it. She had a small party with some friends from school and had a great time celebrating.

Ronnie is still plugging along at his job. He is a commissioned salesman for his company and has done quite well in the last few years. But this year his sales are in the tank, and it's really effected (affected?) our income. So we are thankful that he has a job and isn't doing as badly as some other salesmen at his company are doing. But we are very blessed to still be able to survive it all. We had to cut out everything that the girls love doing... tennis, swimming, gymnastics, dance. We decided that we'd rather pay our mortgage and buy food than pay for those other things. :) So with many of our expenses cut, we are doing okay. I also started looking for a job at the end of March. Which was very scary, because I haven't worked outside our home in NINE years! I can hardly believe it's been that long since I left the Governor's Office. Anyway, it has been- and I was so nervous. But I had several interviews within the two month period of April and May. (I think about 6 or 7- which was surprising for this economy!) I knew the girls were getting out of school for the summer, so I really didn't pursue it aggressively during June. However, one of the companies that I had interviewed with at the beginning of April called me back a few weeks ago and hired me. So right now I am working part time helping our family make ends meet. This past week they talked to me about going full time within the next few weeks. (because they like me, maybe?) ;0 I still don't know why or how I got this job exactly, I just know that when you keep God's commandments, He blesses you for it. It is a direct answer to our family's prayers. And we feel like God has always had his hand in our lives. For that we are so grateful.

We were just in South Carolina a few weeks ago for Ronnie's brother's wedding. We were able to stay for about 10 days. It was great to see all of the family! We also went to Myrtle Beach one day during our trip and we had a blast. Briana, Brandi and Brooke just loved it. Although they had to get used to the ocean water- salty, big waves. It's not like swimming in Lake Michigan!! No waves to knock ya down and no salt to get in your eyes!! And no chapped thighs!! :) Anyway, I will post some pictures now. I think that's it in a nutshell. We love ya'll! And I'll try to be better!! :)

A Trip to the E.R.

So I'm folding clothes today in the middle of my living room floor around 2:30... the phone rings. It's the school. "Hello, Mrs. Gantt? I have your daughter here. She has a staple in her thumb." My first reaction is "Ooooh-kay." "I think you need to come get her and take her to the doctor right away."

I honestly wasn't thinking it would be too bad. I get to the school and see Briana she's got a big smile on her face. (maybe shock?) So I look at her thumb- and the staple is ALL THE WAY THROUGH HER THUMB! I actually saw the staple on the top of her thumb and then end of the staple on the other side of her thumb. Yowsa!

Panic set in for one second. So now I'm just trying to get out of there as fast as possible with her! Luckily enough the hospital is just right up the road. So into the ER we go. They plucked it out, gave her a tetina shot and a scrip for some antibiotics and we were out of there in 40 minutes! Amazing for an ER, isn't it? :) Anyway, Briana was such a trooper. She never whined, complained or cried! She did yell out when they plucked it out, but hello... wouldn't you yell too? :) I told her if she felt like yelling, then yell, dangit!

So that was our excitement for the day.

Brandi's Birthday party- She's 9!!

So I realize that I never posted pictures of Brandi's 9th Birthday Party! She had some friends over for an UN-sleepover. That party ended at 10:30 pm. We had her party a month late because we have been so busy. She wanted a sleepover, but we could not find time for a Friday night into a Saturday morning, so we just compromised and had an UN-sleepover. I'm pretty sure the girls had a blast!! And I was glad when 10:30 rolled around and all the giggling, laughing, silly girls all went home! Whew! What a night!

Brandi is in blue- back left under the balloons. ;)

Cool moves

Cool videos. Watch and enjoy. :)

NJHS induction

This past week Briana had her "official" induction into the National Junior Honor Society. What an honor!

Congrats, Briana!!

holding her certificate

standing below the NJHS sign at the school


Briana is the one looking down at her candle (on the right behind the boy in blue)

all the kids that were inducted

Briana Impresses Us Once Again

Briana is now a member of the National Jr. Honor Society!!

A few weeks ago, Briana was invited to be considered for National Jr. Honor Society. She had to fill out an application listing accomplishments she has had both within the community, academics, service, citzenship and character. After filling it out it would be reviewed and the committe and they would let her know if she made it.

And she made it!

It is a big honor to be selected. So Congratulations, Briana!!

Here's what it says on their website about NJHS:

The National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are the nation's premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character (and Citizenship for NJHS). These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and 1929.
Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS and NJHS. NHS and NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

'Ode to Briana

How do I love Briana?

Let me count the ways...

1. She's a great dishwasher

2. She can do the dishes

3. She's an awesome washer of the dishes.

I'm just kidding.

I have really been impressed with Briana lately. She is proving that she's growing up and that she is a responsible young lady. She is a great help around the house. She has two nights a week that she cleans the kitchen. (huge help for mom! :D ) And she 'usually' doesn't complain and she's getting so much better at it!! Yay!

She has this friend that used to live here in Michigan that was our neighbor in the townhouse in Silverbooke. Her name is Mano. Her parents moved to Tampa, Florida about 2 & 1/2 years ago and they have remained friends. They talk on the phone all the time, and they email each other all the time- even after all this time. And for 2 1/2 years they have been making plans for Briana to go to Florida to visit. The first two years I have protested this and have always told Briana, "So sorry, you are not flying to Tampa Florida to see Mano". She has persisted. And I persisted right back. And what I thought would be a faded friendship at 10 years old has just been stronger since they've been apart. Now that Briana is a 'tad' bit older, Ronnie told her that if she saved enough money to buy a plane ticket, then she could go. Well, guess what? The child has saved $280.00 in a matter of months. (And that's after she paid her tithing on it all.)

What?? Did she just save enough money to buy a plane ticket? Oh my goodness! Why did Ronnie promise her she could go? (deep breath)

So now what?

She gets to go to Tampa, Florida this summer... that's what! But the twist is... not by herself! (like she thinks) Ronnie has an account in Tampa that he will fly out to see so Briana can go with him so she gets to see her very best long lost friend.

The moral of the story is not to promise your kids something if they have the tenacity to achieve it. Because you have to deliver!!

Actually, I am very proud of Briana. She is a hard worker at everything. At school and at home. She has been babysitting ALOT (obviously). Babysitting jobs just keep falling in her lap for some reason and she's happy to do it. It really has been a blessing to her to have these babysitting jobs. She was in tears last summer wondering how she could earn any money and this year the Lord has answered her prayers. She has had alot of opportunities that she hasn't had to seek out to earn the money she needed. She is one happy girl~ and I'm happy that everything has worked out the way she wanted it to.

Love you, Briana!!

Have Fun in Florida! (with your daddy) haha

More on Gymnastics

This is for all the grandparents- (who love all these little details...)

Last Saturday, Brandi had her third gymnastics meet of the year. I am still learning how to take good pictures and I definitely haven't mastered it yet. So alot of pictures that I took were taken after the cartwheel on the beam, after the landing over the vault, etc. So I didn't post alot of them. But anyway, I'm hoping at the end of this month at her next two meets, I can get some great pictures.

Anyway, Brandi's division is the Eight Year Old Division (until later this month when she turns 9!) But anyway, at this particular meet, there were only three teams instead of the usual five teams and it just so happened that there was only one other 8 year old she had to compete against. But great for her, because she was able to get 1st place in her events! Yay! :) Brandi was happy. She got to stand on the First Place podium holding her First Place ribbons.

2nd place in the hand stand competition.

This picture is of Brandi's teammate. But I posted it because my neighbor has a picture of Brandi in the exact pose and I wanted you to be able to visualize Brandi. (I'm still trying to get her to email me Brandi's picture) But this next picture is of Brandi's landing after fliping over the vault.

I was so far away trying to zoom in on this picture. So it's fuzzy. But she's doing her routine on the balance beam.

First Place Ribbons


Huron Valley Silver Team

(Brandi is in the 2nd row, 2nd to the left)

Bring on the snow...

... because Ronnie has a new toy!!

I'm due

for a post, that is. haha

So here's the latest on our family...

1. Brooke lost her first tooth

2. Brandi being happy - almost always! :D

She's still practicing a lot for her gymnastics. She had her 2nd meet last month. She placed 5th place in each of her events. She has another meet next week and two more in March. I watched her practice tonight and WOW! She's really getting so much better. I can hardly believe she can do round-off back handsprings, back walkovers or that she can do cartwheels on a high beam. I'm so proud of her.

3. Friday the 13th Brooke's first grade class had a field trip to the bowling alley.

The bowling alley put the flourescents on for GLOW BOWL and we were all glowing!! Even Brooke's fingernails !

4. Briana had a Valentine's Dance at school-

she looked so cute, but unfortunately my camera was in the back of Ronnie's car and he wasn't home... so no pictures! But here is my cute little 12 yr old doing what she loves doing best... reading in bed.

(eeww, don't look at the pillow. It was a pillow she made at girls camp last year. Her friends signed it and the ink ran in the wash. It looks really gross in this picture. But she loves this pillow! :0 )

5. Valentine's Day

Valentine's day was nice. Ronnie bought me a new cell phone because mine was very old and falling apart. So now I'm all updated with new technology. lol Anyway, we went for Japanese food. It is one of our favorites. The girls had a good day, too. They got lots of goodies .

6. Our First Red Wings Game

It was awesome! It's so much better live than on watching it on TV!! And it just so happened to be a fantastic, high scoring game. Ronnie scored some tickets from work at the last minute, so I went with him and we invited Naoko and Corey Perriton from church and had such a fun time together! We laughed all night.

7. Just chillin'

I need to take lessons from Sparkles. She knows how to relax, man!

8. And last but not least, my new computer addiction is now

That's why I haven't posted in a few weeks. I'm certifiably addicted. If I'm on the computer messin' around, it's usually on Facebook. I've been neglecting my blog and everybody else's. I have my days of no fb, then I have days where I always want to see what everybody's doing or saying! (I might have to start a facebook anonymous support group). haha I'm just kidding. But...

It is fun.

Owl on the Mailbox

First things first: No, I haven't made the delicious looking chocolate chip cookie dough brownies yet. I'm waiting until I have someone who can help me eat them. I know that I'll be eating way too many of them- so I'm holding off until I can take them somewhere-- maybe to the Super Bowl party this Sunday or something!! :)

So, this morning Ronnie and I were at the school with Brooke. And our neighbor Kelly Feather is Brooke's 1st grade teacher and she was showing us some pictures that she took this morning of this OWL on top of our mailboxes!! (Our mailboxes are grouped together - not out by our houses by the road) Anyway- so when I came home from school, I was looking for the owl, but I must have looked in the wrong place, because I didn't see it as I drove past. Then I was talking to my other neighbor, Amy who said she just saw it. So I decided to drive back down by the mailboxes to take another look. Lo and Behold! There he was!! An Owl on our mailboxes. Look how beautiful! Actually, he was rested nice and cozy on Amy Day's mailbox. How cool!! So I snapped a few pictures. Jeff Day was driving home about that same time, so he stopped and decided to check his mail to see what would happen. The owl freaked out a little, (duh, Jeff! :) flew out onto Jeff's car, then flew back in and landed on another mailbox. So I took some of Jeff too. But I won't steal their thunder, I know they're going to post those on their blog.

Enjoy the pictures... this isn't something we see very often!!

Look at those freaky eyes!! Even when they were closed, I walked around and it followed me the whole time. His head would turn to wherever I was. I didn't know if he was going to attach or what!! But thankfully I came away unscathed.