Remembering my mother on her birthday!

My dad has asked me about the photo above several times over the past few weeks. He loved the photo of my mother especially and described it as "the photo that Uncle Wayne took with you standing between us, your arms in the air." I found the photo today -- on what would have been my mother's 84th birthday!

It hardly seems possible that she has been gone 2-1/2 years. I was driving down the road today and thought, "I'll give my mom a call" but, of course, caught myself before making the actual call. However, there was another reminder from one of the on-line card companies which sent me a reminder of her birthday!

Little Ava June was named after my mother whose name was Naomi June. For some reason, a lot of us seem to call her "Ava June" rather than just "Ava". I'm not sure if it's a name that seems to just run together or whether it is a reminder of my mother.

On a humorous note, it was my mother who called all the kids to remind them to call one of the others on their birthdays. We tried to beat her to the punch by making the call early so we could tell her, "Mom, we already did it!" (I actually sent a birthday text to Shonna at 12:04am on her birthday -- Mother would be soooo proud!)

And while I miss talking to her, I'm sure that most of us would say that we miss her prayer support most of all. To be able to pick up a phone and say, "Mom, Grandma, we need your prayers today" ... was such a treasure. From major decisions to prayer for a test in school, we all knew that whatever she was doing, she would set aside time to pray for that situation immediately. And early in the morning, you would find her in her 'chair' with her Bible and prayer list in front of her -- and while she might doze off somewhere during that time, she didn't leave until all of her brood had been prayed for that day!

So, Mother, we sure hope you are having an awesome birthday in heaven! And we make a promise that one day, we will be there to join you in an even bigger celebration.

Graduated!!!

Graduation day for Kasi!! We headed to Brighthouse Field and arrived to about a zillion others (okay, that's an exageration) trying to find a parking place. And, of course, they charge you for parking at a baseball stadium! I guess it was $10 at Tropicana Field last year so we couldn't complain at the $5 fee. At least we got to park within walking distance -- relatively speaking!!

Kasi's name was in 'lights' ... as every other graduating senior's name was. The names scrolled on the scoreboard through the graduation ceremonies. Kasi is in Headliners, Osceola High School's show choir, so she was going between her seat with the graduates to the risers where the choir was to sing. She as well as about 10 other seniors. Some didn't seem to be paying too much attention so the director had to patiently wait for the stragglers to get into place.

They did okay in singing -- however, when you are outside and cannot hear the person next to you, you don't necessarily hear the person next to you. That made for a song in about three keys! The national anthem was one of those. "My Wish" was done well but I think they may have pre-taped it. They were on key and sounded like they typically do.

I do understand why Kasi was voted "Class Clown" by the senior class. Oh, my!! She doesn't mind making a fool out of herself although it wasn't anything too foolish. She's just very demonstrative and not afraid to throw her hands in the air after receiving her diploma. Of course, we probably all felt like doing the same thing with a great "Hurray!"

So ... here is a photo journal of that evening. It was a neat evening and as usual, there is emotion when you hear the opening bars of "Pomp and Circumstance"!! What a sight! Kasi saw us up in the stands and waved and yelled! What an evening!

Kasi below with her arms in the air!

"Day Before Graduation Festivities"

Make a Smilebox photobook

Setting up a table at church - Clearwater Church of the Nazarene. It was the day to honor the seniors!

Mom and Dad are proud!


.. and so am I!

Now setting up for Open House at their home.

Kasi hamming it up ...

The cake was awesome ...

.. and Ava entertained everyone!

Reflecting ...

Seems like just yesterday, we were sitting in the hospital holding a little gal named Kasi Nicole. And now, she is grown up (relatively speaking) and is graduating from high school. Nostalgia took control so here is a synopsis of the past 18 years:

Grandma Boynton and Grandma Bedford

Kasi with Spencer Duhm (who was on this season of "Survivor")

Kasi with little cousin Jimmy who now stands quite a bit taller than her!

How the years have flown by!!

Date with Kamen ....

My schedule has been so crazy but I have promised Kamen for some time that we would have a date time! So, this afternoon we did and went to see "Night at the Museum 2" ... what an great movie and actually has historical events tied into the movie! Most of those Kamen picked up! He told me how much he enjoyed our time -- hangin' out with his "Nana" seemed to be a great afternoon and for that, I feel very blessed! He's just growing up too fast.

We usually have great conversation ... all I have to do is listen to learn new things in his life. He just finished fourth grade and will be playing tackle football next year! Ugh ... now we'll have something to worry about.

Graduations continue ....

It just seems like yesterday that Kasi was born ... wasn't it just yesterday when we waited for about 17 hours of labor before she made her grand entrance?! And on Monday evening, she is to graduate from high school!! I remember well when she graduated from kindergarten and we thought that was a big milestone. This year has been a big year for Kasi. Not only her senior year, but she became a mom ... and kept up her school work and for that, I am so very proud of her.

A couple weeks ago, I attended Kasi's senior choir concert. I was once again amazed that she had accomplished this since the concert was an hour long and with extensive choreography so it was obvious lots of practice time had gone into it. The choir (Headliners Show Choir) received an "excellent" at the state level.

I'm going to post a couple videos on my blog showing the diversity of the choir.

Michael's Graduation / Party

My nephew, Michael, (Tim and Susan's son) graduated from Eagles Landing Christian Academy last night and I was happy I could be here to attend! He was an honors student and the last of the Boynton boys (Tim's) to graduate from high school. He plans to attend UGA (Athens, GA) this fall -- joining Jonathan who will graduate from UGA in December.

The graduation party was actually on Saturday night but I posted some of the graduation ceremony photos first. It's so hard to believe how time flies -- in a couple weeks, Kasi will be graduating from high school and I'm sure it will hit me that my oldest grandchild is now out of high school. It seems like just yesterday she was a toddler!!!

Christopher, Susan, Michael, Jonathan, Tim

First row: Maria (Susan's sister), Michael, Tim, me
Second row: Carol (Susan's stepmom), Christopher, Jonathan, Susan, Pam (Pat's fiance), Pat (Susan's brother)

Michael played both basketball and football -- and I think some tennis, too.

Susan and the awards and the 'memories' table!

Tim, Sandi and Tyler celebrating with cousin, Michael

The boys and their momma!

Michael loves his mom!

Michael and one of his favorite teachers, Dr. David Balty