It's Happening

Welp, we leave for Texas tomorrow. It's been a long and stressful week, which I will elaborate on when I actually get to Texas. Just wanted to let everyone know what's up, and that by Saturday night, I'll be a Texan! Yee Haw!!

Cora was on TV!

Ok, this was seriously cool. Jason Fielder, a sports reporter from CBS Channel 5 came to the bow club to learn how to shoot and challenge Cora. It was a hoot! You can see the video here:

Video

If that doesn't work, go to WNEM Sports
then click on "Fielder's Choice: Jason tries archery"

That's all the news I have this week. Here's Sarah lazin' around watching "Space Cow" (???)

I'm a Slacker

Yup, that's me. Been pretty busy around her the past couple weeks. The house is finally for sale. So now we do is wait for it to sell. My house has never been so clean for so long! Maybe I can pretend that my house is always for sale and keep it this clean all the time in Texas? HA!

Yesterday we spent the day in Farmington Hills with Andrew's brother. They were working on our truck to make sure it will be able to tow a trailer full of our crap to Texas. Looks like it will now. We think we're going to buy a 12 foot enclosed trailer and move to Texas that way instead of paying 1400 bucks to rent a UHaul. YES, it costs that much to move from Michigan to Texas. But if you look to move from Texas to Michigan, it's only 400 bucks. Nice, eh? EVERYONE is leaving Michigan, so UHaul loses their trucks on one-way moves. Guess they have to recover their money somehow. So we decided to buy a trailer and then sell it when we get to Texas. Take THAT, UHaul! *giggle*

Cora now has to wear glasses full time. Looks like she inherited her dad's eyesight. Which sucks, because Andrew's eyes are horrible. Maybe since we caught it early it will be better for her. They changed considerably since last year. Last year she was far-sighted and needed glasses only for reading. Now she's near-sighted and needs them all the time. Sigh.

Anyhoo...here she is:



I think she's gorgeous!

Check out this cool website. It's like Locks of Love, but you only need 8 inches instead of 10.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths

Dude, It's Hot

And I love it! I'm SO gettin' psyched for Texas.

Last weekend we traveled to Oklahoma City, OK for JOAD Nationals. Cora was certain she wanted to shoot. The only thing we didn't expect was her getting sick. She had been sick with a virus the week before, but was feeling better. We left on Wed., July 9. She started feeling bad on the way to St. Louis. We stopped there to visit Andrew's aunt and uncle. She woke up on Thursday feeling ok, but as we got close to OKC, she felt crappy again. We went to the archery field to get her checked in and have her take a few practice shots. We could definitely tell she wasn't feeling well, but she shot her practice shots. Then we go to the hotel, and she promptly hurls. Poor kid. No sleep Thursday night. She gets up Friday morning for the start of the tournament and finishes out Day 1. Friday night she gets no sleep again. She actually started crying about 15 minutes before the alarm was set to go off because she knew she needed to get up and shoot. She makes it through the tournament, and even manages to shoot a personal best despite being sick as a dog. We're SO proud of her. She was easily the smallest kid on the field.




The fact that it was in the 90s and HUMID as all get out didn't help. Poor kid. She was SUCH a tough kid. She came in 6th. Keep in mind that all her competitors were 11 and 12 years old. She's 8.

The Flint Bowmen Posse: Bad-asses, the lot of them.





This is Danielle (AKA: NUGGET)

Here's Cora on Sunday morning. She felt GREAT, and of course she didn't have to shoot.


Andrew helps the "Bowmen" tally up their scorecards.




We got home without sickness. Somehow I became hooked on the Twilight series. Excellent book. Not quite as good as Harry Potter, but definitely good enough.

We're winding down our time in Michigan. Within the next couple months, we'll be Texans. At the tournament, we met some of the people from our potential future JOAD club. VERY nice folks. Cora will be in good hands.

"I'm not from Texas, but I got here as fast as I could."

SSD's New Designer!

Go Libby! Libby made her digi designer debut tonight at Sweet Shoppe Designs! Check out her stuff; it rocks!

Congrats, girlie!!








Check out her store!

No Snappy Title Here...

Nothing earth-shattering happening around here. Buick Open just got done here in Grand Blanc. It's cool to have a major golf tournament happening a mile from the house. Unfortunately, Tiger isn't here this year since he's having surgery on his knee.

Anyhoo...last weekend we were in Hanover. Andrew was there on business, so the girls and I drove down there to stay with him for a few days. We got there Thursday (6/19). Friday we hung out at the mall for a while, then Andrew came to meet us at Remomo's
for lunch. Pretty good crab cakes.
Here's a photo of the girls saying good morning to Baltimore. (we saw Hairspray a couple days before)



Saturday we drove to DC. It took us a few minutes to figure out how to get to where we wanted to park, but it wasn't too bad. We decided to walk around instead of taking a tourbus. It was a LOT of walking, but we went slow, so it wasn't so bad. First thing we saw was the Roosevelt Memorial.


It was designed really beautifully. The "feel" of being in DC was really unique. Knowing that we're in a place of such historical significance was really cool.

Next was the WWII Memorial. This was really awesome.









After we got done at the WWII Memorial, we walked over to the Washington Monument. This is just spectacular. We could see it from must about anywhere around there. Very cool to see it up close.



Sarah takes a break in the shade of the Washington Monument.


We really had a blast wandering around the Natural Science Museum. Got to see the Hope Diamond, and it seemed like a really popular item, as it was very hard to get to the case to see it. The whole gem exhibit was really interesting. I used to work in a jewelry store, so seeing all these stones was so much fun for me. I love learning about them.

Here's Andrew in the Air and Space Museum next to something from one of the space projects. He helped design some of the programming on it and was pretty proud to see it on display.



Capital Building



I loved the architecture of most of the building around. Very old and just like they were a hundred years ago. Somehow, that makes me feel good. I love when things stay the same even when things around them change dramatically.

After the capital, we walked to George's House.



The White House, of course, was a very popular stop. They were apparently having some sort of party there this night, as there were people dressed up, and my absolute favorite thing was seeing snipers on the roof.

Check it...

This makes me giggle. Man, I love this photo. America rocks.

From the White House, we walked a LONG way to the Vietnam Memorial. I was blown away by this place. I'm not sure how to describe it. Very humbling to be here. To think of all the names on this wall. All these people gave their lives for their country. Wow.



There were many flags, letters, even a jacket that was left there on the wall. I was moved.

Lastly, we saw the Lincoln Memorial. I was blown away by the size of Lincoln's statue. Pictures I've seen didn't prepare me for how big he was. VERY cool.



Of course, we had to do the obligatory photos that everyone does when at the Lincoln Memorial. Sure, they're not original, but fun nonetheless.




We were SO pooped after this. We walked back to the car and drove back to the hotel. Sleep came pretty fast once we got there.

Sunday was reserved for Arlington National Cemetery. Again, we walked, but I truly think walking through this sacred place is the best way to experience it. What an experience for Andrew and me. The girls enjoyed it, but they didn't experience it the way Andrew and I did. Being former military, we were so proud to be here among soldiers and others who earned the right to be laid to rest in such a place.



Andrew and the girls walking up the amphitheater's steps



A Sentinel 'walking the mat'



The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier



The Changing Of The Guard ceremony was by far the highlight of the day. We saw two changings, and I SO could have stayed there all day. These guys were just so awesome. They are SO bad ass. I was really impressed with how precise they were. Everything was timed perfectly. Sweetness.

Thurgood Marshall's grave:



Audie Murphy, baby!



And of course, Andrew being a very naughty boy:





That's our big weekend in DC. I definitely recommend making a trip if you've never been. I loved every minute of being there. A lot of America's history, right there to see. Granted, some of our history isn't something to be proud of. But most civilizations have that to say about themselves. Our past makes us who we are. Hopefully we're able to learn from our mistakes and make the future better.

Monday we took a last-minute trip to Hershey Park. This was the girls' first trip to an amusement park. I had SO much fun watching them run around having the time of their lives. The 100 buck admission fee was totally worth it.

Good Morning, Baltimore!

Ok...the girls and I watched Hairspray Wednesday night. Great show.

We're in Hanover right now. The girls and I drove down yesterday. Andrew's here on business, so we thought we'd come for a visit. This weekend we're going to see D.C. I've always wanted to go, and once we're in San Antonio, I probably won't have a chance again. Plus, Andrew has a rental car and free hotel. Woot! Maryland is beautiful. People drive like maniacs though. I've also found that archers are the same everywhere: extremely nice, helpful, and fully willing to talk smack to a complete stranger when it comes to archery. LOVE it! We went to the range where Andrew's been shooting while he's here.

I figure today we'll hit the Arundel Hills mall while Andrew's at work. After the trip down, I'm not up to much driving.

Welp, I'm off to explore the mall. Later!

It's Tuesday!

And that means it's Page Turner Tuesday (PTT) at We Are Storytellers!
Go check it out!

School's Out!

The girls got out of school yesterday. I now have a second grader and a fourth grader. Wow. So hard to believe. They're growing too fast! Cora came home crying because she's going to miss her friends. Sarah came home and said "School's out! Yeah!"

Here's Cora receiving her certificate for getting all A/B's all year. I was pretty pleased. Sarah's teacher said she's very strong in math. My little scholars.



They are now running wild around the neighborhood enjoying their first day of freedom. I am fighting a headache. I slept funky on my neck, and now I hurt. And I get to shoot all day tomorrow. That will also hurt. Adversity is my middle name when it comes to this sport. Love...hate...love...hate...wonder which one it will be tomorrow at the tournament? I'll keep ya posted...

L O N G Day

Sarah's AYSO region began their end-of-season tournaments today. Unfortunately, it was pretty freakin' hot. These poor kids. It's been chilly for so long and they're used to playing when it's cold. They get out there today and have to play in 90 degree heat. It definitely showed. Plus, two players didn't show up for the games, so no one got to sit out like they usually do. They lost their first game, won their second, and lost the third. Their hearts just weren't in the third one. They're glad to be done though. Cora stayed at the bounce house all day having a blast.

I got my tan on today! I sat out there in my tank top and shorts and basked in the sun! I did get a little red on my neck and chest, but nothing too horrible. I was so loving the heat.

Here is Sarah, Jenna and Lizzy watching the game before theirs.





Here's Sarah (with her cool soccer ball tattoo) waiting for the second game to start.


Welp, I'm exhausted. I shall lay my butt on the couch and relax. Have a wonderful weekend!

White and Nerdy...

The Sweet Shoppe Blog challenged us to take the Nerd Quiz.




Umm...wow.

My Girls are Stars

Ok, maybe not stars. But they WERE mentioned in the newspaper, and Cora had her picture in there as well. The article about the girls going to an archery assembly at Garner Elementary was in the paper recently.



Garner Students Aim For Success

THE CLIO MESSENGER

Sunday, May 25, 2008

By Amy Mayhew

Contributing writer

CLIO - Like a growing number of schools across Michigan, Garner Elementary School in Clio is taking part in the National Archery in the Schools Program, sponsored through the state Department of Natural Resources.

Statewide, 240 schools representing 55 counties statewide have adopted the program, which introduces target archery to elementary and middle school students as part of the physical education curriculum.

Physical education teacher David Bade said third- and fourth-grade students began the program this month.

"It's a great program," Bade said. Students "are already really enjoying it."

Bade said colleague Gene Hickey deserves much of the credit for getting the program rolling at Garner.

"Gene is the one who started this program at our school," Bade said. "He got us through the meetings, got us through the training, and was instrumental in making it all happen."

Third-grade teacher Margaret Alexander put together an archery assembly for her students and others last week, enlisting the help of two sharp-shooting sisters from Grand Blanc.

Alexander spends a lot of her free time at the Flint Bowmen Archery Club in Grand Blanc Township, where her husband, Mike, currently serves as club president.

He met the sisters there.

Cora Spangler, 8, and her 6-year-old sister, Sarah, were happy to take time out of their busy day at Grand Blanc's Brendel Elementary School to make the trip to Clio and show the students of Garner what shooting is all about.

While the sisters share a passion for archery, their tastes in the sport differ slightly, with Cora preferring straight target shooting, Sarah favoring 3D targets. At the prompting of their father, both sisters began shooting at the age of 4.

After answering questions from students and faculty about everything from safety to equipment to experience, the sisters each shot three arrows at awaiting targets in the gymnasium. Garner students, wowed by the sisters' impressive skills, cheered as they each hit the target and made excellent shots.

Garner students were in for one more treat as Flushing resident Joe Bailey stopped by to share his passion for archery with the young audience. Bailey is one of eight individuals who will make up the U.S. Archery Team that will be competing in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Bailey began competitive archery approximately 18 years ago, two years after surviving a near-fatal truck accident that took his left leg.

Before shooting three solid bull's-eyes at the awaiting target, Bailey encouraged the students to chant "U.S.A."

Bade said experienced archer and volunteer Don Sparks has been greatly involved in helping the young students, as has Steven Gilkes, owner of Ed's Archery in Clio, and his friend and colleague Homer Hosner.

"We've been coming out to help over the last four years for the Fun Days event they have, teaching archery," Gilkes said. "Now they have this new program in the school that we're going to help with, too."

"It's great - it's what I live for," he said. "You know the old saying: Teach your kids how to hunt so you don't have to hunt for your kids."

For more information about the National Archery in the Schools Program, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Here's the photo of Cora. One of my mother-in-law's cousins who lives in Clio mailed it to her, and she scanned it in for me. Since I don't live in Clio, I don't get the Clio insert that comes in the Sunday paper.

Pretty neat stuff.

Sunday was Sarah's last regular soccer game. It was a nail biter; her team won 5-4 in the last seconds of the game. I was actually jumping up and down at the end! Tournaments this weekend. GO PINK ROCKETS!!

After the game we headed over to the club. Big surprise, eh? We have a tournament on the 14-15, so we're getting ready for that. It was a beautiful day to shoot. I brought the camera so we could get some shots of form.



Notice I have my iPod on. My mostest favoritest song in the world is playing. Footloose. Yeah. You know the song. If you're like me, you know how hard it is NOT to bust a move when it plays. So, here I am in all my booty-shaking glory while I'm walking to the target to get my arrows. Sometimes, cameras suck. :)




There are many more photos of this event, but I won't bore you with them here. *smirk*

Andrew and Cora built a jewelry box. Yes, that's a laptop sitting on its side with the instructions on the screen. Andrew had to email the company for the instructions.



Only 9 more days until school's out. Everyone's getting antsy. Next week is basically a fun week, as everyone has fun stuff planned. Cora's going to Ziggys and they're having a picnic one day. Sarah's going to Imax to see a movie about bugs (they've been studying about insects lately). I didn't get a picture of "Bob" before I helped Sarah take him to school, but she and I built a cockroach she named Bob. Why she named him Bob, I don't know. She originally wanted to name it "Cora Cockroach". That was quickly vetoed by the the namesake.

I thought Bob looked pretty cool until I get to Sarah's classroom and see this marvel of modern architecture that some "kid" made of a black widow (nope, not an insect). I know the kid had nothing to do with that assembly. It was cool, but not what should have been made for a first grade project. Anyhoo...

I'll end this with a couple of recent layouts I've done. I haven't scrapped much lately; gotta get back in the groove in between packing boxes.



Credits here


Credits here

Happy Tuesday!

Around Town

Sarah's class had a walking field trip around Grand Blanc today. First we went to Physician's Park to eat lunch.



Mmmm...Lunchables....



A whole gaggle of kids...



After all the kids were rounded up from the playground, we headed over to the Grand Blanc Police Station. The kids were completely fascinated with this place.



They even got to check out a cell. Judging from the smiling faces, they fail to see the gravity of the situation.





After the police station, we walked over to the post office. This is Sandy. She's been at the Post Office for 20 years.



Last but not least, we marched over to Ziggy's, a local ice cream shop. It was surprisingly quite easy to get 24 kids an ice cream cone without much crying and screaming. Nice.



Vanilla girl...



It was a great day. Nice to hang out with my favorite 6 year old. She seemed happy to hang out with me, too. Next week, I get to do it with Cora.