Invitation...

The parents of BSA Troop 137 Eagle Scouts

REID BARBER
GIB COOMBS
REED COTHRON
RYAN IRBY
MARIO KUNZ

invite you to their sons' Eagle Court of Honor

Friday, August 9, 2013
7:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
Wilson Hall
101 Legends Club Lane, Franklin, TN 37069
7:00 pm

Light snacks served

SO Much!

A long overdue blog post happens today to tell y'all that there's just SO MUCH going on.... like you didn't already know that is the typical m.o. around here.

We are in our final week of having Romane from Paris stay with us. Every day we have places to go, people to see, things to do.  The last couple of days we've seen a return to normal teenage sleeping patterns now that Romane has adjusted to our time zone - up late, sleep late. Mariah is glad that she doesn't have to be getting up at 7am anymore.  Mariah has been enjoying all the social events with friends and making a bunch of new friends too. We have an amazing week planned ahead and then it's time to get ready for back to school. Clothing shopping is done, however, a pair of shoes and a bold colored blazer are still on her wish list. Back to School supplies will come next. On August 2nd we get her class schedule at registration. School starts in a couple weeks. The lazy (hah) days of summer are quickly coming to an end!

Gib had a fabulous time backpacking at Philmont and they accomplished all they wanted - Mt. Phillips, Comanche, Baldy Mountain, and even Tooth of Time (2nd time for Gib!).  It rained every day and there were some pretty big storms. Gib was amazed at how hungry he was when they got off the trail. I laughed when I got this text from him: "We went to cracker barrel and I swear I have never devoured so much food so quickly. I had Uncle Hershals bfast and ate it all, even the grits which I don't really like that much, haha".  When things calm down just a tad, we will be outfitting Gib for his new dorm room. The difference between getting him ready and what we went through for Indie and Taryn is ASTRONOMICAL!!!  Either I'm much, much more relaxed about it OR it's a guy thing. All I have done so far is a comforter set & a shower caddy. Sure I have an amazing list, but really all a dude needs is towels and a month's supply of boxers and he's set. Haha, not exactly, but close. His dorm room makes things easier than it was with the girls, but the challenge will be that there is only 1 outlet on his side of the room, and one joint outlet they share under the window. And by the way, his roomie is a dude from Memphis. I don't think they have communicated with each other yet. Dudes don't worry much about color schemes and who is bringing what to decorate with. I polled our college girls to make sure my list was topped with the most essential items they couldn't have lived without: 1) power strip - the best ever made; 2) fan/air purifier; 3) over the door closet hooks for hoodies; 4) school stuff; 5) toiletries. That list is ordered according to a dude's needs - it would be a whole 'nother list for a girl.

Taryn continues to plug along with her summer classes in Rolla. I think she is really enjoying being the apartment RA this summer.  The guys helped move her and left her with the Volvo for the summer and possibly until she returns home after next semester. With Gib going off to college we are plus one on cars needed until Mariah begins driving when she turns 16 in February. So Taryn will most likely get to enjoy some extra freedom for awhile. We are looking forward to Taryn dropping in briefly for a visit and family photo - we will all be wearing Birmingham Southern college apparel. She'll probably only be here for a week or so, and needless to say, every day that week will have an appointment of some sort or another.

Indie is packing up her Macon apartment as I type. She is really ready to leave Macon and come home, and we are really ready to have her live here for awhile until she gets set up in a new place. The guys are driving there now and will pick up a Uhaul trailer to hitch to the truck. This evening everything will be lined up in the living room for loading in the morning.  Some GREAT news - Indie interviewed for a great internship at Prevent Child Abuse in Tennessee (PCAT) and was accepted! They interviewed several people for 2 positions. She is beyond excited and grateful she got in. Actually, we all are. It's a great starting point for her, the hours are flexible, and Indie has a lot in common with people who work there. The lady who interviewed her also went to the same masters program and has been to Africa several times as has another employee. Indie was concerned because the interviewer talked 75% of the time, but then I pointed out that it was probably on purpose to gauge her listening skills, and to see how/if Indie was able to ask probing questions, show interest and make the speaker open up to her. Which, of course, Indie does very well!  A big part of this position will be working the phone hotline, so that skillset is essential. So I'm not at all surprised they hired her and I am excited to see where this takes her. Also, my preschool will put her on the sub list for the one day she is available so every now and then I will get to see her at work and she'll pick up a few extra bucks to make ends meet.


All in all, we just have SO MUCH to be thankful for. Sure we're crazy busy, but mostly it's all crazy good.

Artist At Work

This week Mariah is going to our friend Beth's for high school students art camp. 4 hours a day of artistic endeavors.  Mariah decided to paint 3 of her Swept Away fashion design dresses. I thought she would make little 5"x5" vignettes, so I was super surprised and excited to see the work in progress.

 

 

Today, finishing touches on the Waterfall dress (photo taken by Beth)

Here's a sneak peak at the final piece she'll do tomorrow....

Killing time waiting for pick up, painting a little coin box leftover from the younger kids art class. You can see two of her paintings behind Mariah - the green one is the Forrest dress. It will have some mixed media applications put on tomorrow too.

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, on the way to the ranch. The Scouts on the bus, perfecting another art form: Sleeping. When ya got it, ya got it!

They went to the Air Force Chapel and there is a great photo that I am having problems downloading. I may have to do a screen shot from my iphone....    They should be arriving at Philmont and enjoying an opening campfire tonight.

Philmont 1

Gib left this morning before the sun came up to catch a flight to Denver. From there, his Scout troop is taking a bus to Philmont, a Boy Scout ranch in the mountains of New Mexico. They had a day of sightseeing and a ropes course planned. Gib was slightly irritated that this meant he couldn't wear flip flops on the plane. It looks like he bounced back pretty quickly though.  I am so thankful for the inspiration we had to join this troop. As he finishes his Scouting career as an Eagle Scout I look back and see nothing but positive experiences and great friendships. It warms my heart and I know we've been truly blessed.

 

I am unable to save pictures from the guy who has texted these, so I had to do a screen shot. Better than nothing!  I can't see a couple guys I know are on the trip, so maybe this isn't everyone, but it's pretty close. For those who care, nearly 50 Scouts went on the 2013 Philmont trip. Gib is one of two kids, both pictured here, I think, who are on their 2nd Philmont adventure. He is hesitant to proclaim any one adventure as BEST or better than others, but if pressed, Gib says backing 75 miles when he turned 14 years old on the trail was pretty darn amazing. He and the dude pictured with him here lobbied for a super strenuous trek and they got it in #33 with 94 miles and the Triple Crown of Philmont, which I have mentioned previously. 

 

I am so excited for him that he gets a second chance to do something that meant so much to him, and this time he'll turn 18 right after he returns home.  First time in years we get to celebrate with him on his actual day.  Couldn't be happier for the dude!!

First Day of Summer

Today the kids went to Nashville Shores with a couple of friends. Mike bought them season passes which is something we've never done before. They should have a great time. It is hot & muggy but not very sunny so it should be a really nice day for it.

I'm in the middle of procrastinating a big clean-out of the office. I've completely booked our July while procrastinating! At least something got done! Romane shares all of Mariah's interests, so this should be easy: Shopping, Music, Clothes, Movies, Fashion, Photography, Shopping, Art, Cats, Swimming, Exploring (aka look for places to shop). Mariah has been babysitting and saving half her earnings to spend in July with Romane. And she'll be doing her back-to-school shopping then too. It'll be fun! 

Take a look at our itinerary, and note, last year Tebow went shopping ONE day...grudgingly.

Explore Downtown Nashville/Shopping
Free concert at Riverfront park/birthday dinner at Wildhorse Saloon or Hardrock Cafe
Shopping at the Factory
Third Coast Clay Pottery
Potluck party with Peyton's family and all their singer/songwriter friends
Hike to Fall Creek Falls with Peyton's family
Drive In Movies
Shopping at Green Hills Mall
Crockett Park Concert (I'm kinda meh on this)
Downtown Franklin Bike Tour & Shopping
Sky High (think trampoline park)
Church & Ice Cream Sundae Sunday (3 French girls & host teens will be the scoopers)
Country Music Hall of Fame/Opry Hotel & Shopping at Opry Mall
Nashville Shores
Youth Group House Party
Shopping at The Avenues while Mike & Gib move Indy home
A couple of Pool Days when there's not anything better going on
Creative Pursuits - photography, fashion designing, art day, etc. (rainy day plans)
Cheekwood Munro Light Sculptures/outdoor musical performances thru-out the park
Imagine Dragons Concert
Horseraces & Sushi (Mike, Taryn & Romane - maybe Indy - the rest of us will eat normal food)
Last Chance Shopping at our mall
Texas Hold 'Em Poker Night & Goodbye Party
Wait! There's time to shop before going to the airport at 3pm - so one more last, last, minute shopping :)

In a week....

Nearly 50 Scouts from Gib's troop are heading to Philmont next Wednesday. Gib's Venture Crew "Be Careful What You Wish For" got the trek that they refer to as The Philmont Triple Crown: Hiking to Mt. Phillips, Tooth of Time and Baldy Mountain in 94 miles of challenging terrain and long days of backpacking.  But what's THAT to an experienced Venture Crew of college bound boys?! 

Well FIRE might slow them down. Please keep the situation in your thoughts and prayers.
Of course we want them to be safe. But it would be sad to end up at arrow making camp in a northern valley when they were ready to take on the world!  I've been following the fire reports (link above) and am hopeful that by the week's end, the fire will be 100% contained and the boys, in their final adventure together, get all that they wished for!

BSC Summer Orientation Day

Yesterday was Gib's summer orientation at BSC. Indie joined us for the day despite our last minute decision not to exchange vehicles after all. We missed having all the family together with Taryn in Rolla for summer session.

The day was packed with informative sessions for us, Indie went with Mike to a couple, and visited with Mariah out by the fountain. Mariah got in some serious Snapchat time and played games on my iphone while enjoying a gorgeous day outside.  BSC puts together the best orientation program - chick fil-a and a bunch of other stuff for breakfast, and an open caf for lunch. Snacks, beverages, and chocolate liberally available everywhere you went. Lots of sessions to choose from for the parents from academic advising, to financial aid, to home away from home.... about 10 different sessions in all. We made it to 6 of them.

Your first test of Gib's college career is to determine what answer bests describes his favorite part of Summer Orientation:

A) getting a big hug from Indie who drove 4 hrs from Macon to be with us for the day
B) being whisked away from the parents to do his own thing with others in his group
C) sizing up future access to food - that golden ticket also known as an UNLIMITED MEAL PLAN
D) getting his schedule

If you said ALL OF THE ABOVE, you'd be right!  If you said "D" you wouldn't be wrong either. Gib had a big smile on his face when he passed by Indie at one point and gleefully shoved his schedule in her face - maybe I should rephrase that: he rubbed his schedule in her face!

Monday & Wednesday:

• Foundations of Business Thought at 9:30 a.m.
• Principles of Macroeconomics at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday & Thursday:

• The New South at 2:00 p.m.

Did you notice the FREE FRIDAY?!  Gib sure did!! Actually, in his current designated major of Economics, classes are not usually scheduled for Fridays at all.  Could there be a better motivating factor to not change your major?! 

We were told at the parent session that amongst the 300+ students in the freshman class, each schedule is determined by a group of real-life humans and professors (haha) sequestered away until they discuss each and every student - the high school transcript, interests, strengths, major designation, etc. - and come up with a rough draft schedule to hand out at summer orientation.  Well, I gotta say, they pegged Gib 100%. He is thrilled to have 2 business classes and a history class to start with.

It sounds easy, but the students work hard. And then they enjoy the weekend. And that's the way it should be! We are excited, and slightly jealous of Gib right now!