Unexpected Play at the Unexpected Time

Have you ever seen the movie The Perfect Game?  It is one of our family favorites about a little league team from Mexico.  Based on a true story and VERY family friendly, we have watched it many times and love to repeat a few of the lines on a pretty regular basis.

"Unexpected Play at the Unexpected Time" is one of those lines, and boy do I have one for you!

We always told this child she was a real life princess.
Now we know Riley is actually a QUEEN!

A year ago, due a crazy set of circumstances, Riley auditioned for and was hired by Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament!

A few things about Medieval Times-
This is the first castle to open in 13 years!  Yep, it is a BIG deal.
Yes, they are a dinner theatre and you eat with your hands.
They are the largest breeder of Andalusian horses in the US!
The knights' names and standards are based on the owner's Spanish heritage

While all the castles are currently closed while we wait for Corona to pass, she is super excited to be a part of the Medieval Times team.

And hey, we get to live with a QUEEN!

Blessings,

The 9 Lies Every College Student Tells - A Guest Post

Hi friends! It’s Riley. Remember me? I did a lot of Mom’s blog graphics before moving to Mississippi for college. I’m majoring in musical theatre and am in my fourth semester. It's going really well :)

However, I was recently home for a break and while I was home I discovered that I was lying to people.  Innocently, of course!

You see, someone would ask me about college and before I even thought about it I would shoot off an answer, regardless if it was true or not.

So today I’ve compiled a list of some lies I’ve told people about college and some ones that I’m sure other college students have told. Consider it a cheat sheet for talking to the college student in your life. You’re welcome!

*Disclaimer: this is mostly tongue in cheek.

*Disclaimer 2: Mostly

1. “My semester was fantastic!”

As I tweeted once, I felt like I finished last semester with three pennies, 17 bruises, and a complete lack of confidence. By the time you make it through the finals and what not you feel like you’ve gotten run over by a Mac truck. No joke.

2. “The cafeteria food is really good!”

Yes, I know it was pretty fantastic when you visited for Parents’ Weekend, but it hasn't been good since then.

3. “I’m not spending all my money on Chick-fil-A!”

See lie number 2.

4. “I never skip classes!”

This one makes me laugh. Pro tip: don’t schedule classes at 8am because if you do you’ll want to skip them. Every. Single. Morning.

5. “I’m staying up late studying!”

I’m actually staying up watching Friends on Netflix, but sometimes I study while I do that. College is all about multitasking!

6. “I haven’t cried in such a long time!”

I cried like three days ago because I thought about the Crocodile Hunter for too long.

7. “I’m making tons of friends outside my major!”

This may be because I’m majoring in theatre, but the only other department I interact with is the music department and that’s just because we share a building.

8. “I’m becoming such an adult!”

Which is why I laid on my floor in a blanket burrito and watched The Lion King and ate cereal right out of the box!

(Note, I’ve never done this but it sounds like a good idea)

9. “I’m getting enough sleep!”

Is anyone ever getting enough sleep?!

OK, OK, mom's turn here! ;)

Yes, I have heard my daughter say several of these things to people, but I can assure you she is not really trying to deceive!   It's kind of like that 'ole "How are you?" "I'm great!" response, when really you are not.  Sometimes it's just easier to give a simple answer and move on.  

Seems college kids are no different.

Except for apparently they do not eat or sleep well, go to the classes you are paying for, or study! 

Don't worry- she's coming home on Sunday for Spring Break- I will have a chat with her! ;)

Blessings, 

Happy 20th Birthday Princess

Our sweet Riley came home on Tuesday night- perfect timing so she could be with us for her 20th birthday yesterday!  Yes, my girl is 20!  My, how times flies!

We went from this-

 to this-

This girl stole out hearts 20 years ago.  Her sister thought we had her just to have a playmate and while they didn't always share their Barbies and Polly Pockets perfectly, they have been best friends forever!  Complete opposites, but perfect sisters.  The boys kind of adore her as well!

She was a momma's girl for years (had a fit if I went to the bathroom without her) and slowly turned into a daddy's girl who thinks he hung the moon.  She was our best baby that slept when ever you put her down and to this day can still fall asleep about anywhere.

Riley went from dance, to ice skating, to horse back riding, and eventually to the love of all things theater.  Disney is in her blood and love in her heart.

We adore her and are so proud of her.

And honored to be her parents for 20 years!

Happy Birthday, Roo!

A Riley Fix!

It's like a Stitch Fix, but even better! ;)

 

This past weekend we got to take a quick road trip and visit our girlie in Mississippi.  I think I have mentioned it before, but it is a 13 hour drive one way.  13 hours!  In the car.  5 of us!

Salem said we spent 2/3rds of our "vacation" in the car.  We told him he needed to learn the difference between a vacation and a road trip!

Though Colby thought it was a pretty good time!  Find that boy water and he is happy!  I need a pool IN my house.  Seriously, I do!!

So here's how it played out-

Thursday- Leave at 2, stay in St. Louis for the night.
Friday- Arrive in MS at 3.  Grab the girl, check into the hotel, grab a bite to eat and have her back at the theater at 5:30 to get ready for her show.  She and her sister arrive back at the hotel way late and the rest of us are already in bed asleep.

Riley time- 2 1/2 hours.

Saturday- Eat breakfast with the boys while the girls sleep in, drag them out of bed at 10.  Take Riley to the theater again for her matinee at 12:30.

Pick her back up at 5:00, grab dinner and take her back for the night show at 6:30.  Back at hotel around 11, and chat for a few minutes and head to bed.

hair up to accommodate wig for show!

Riley time- 4 hours.

Sunday- Make everyone go to breakfast together at 10. Drop Riley off at dorm at 12:30 and head back to St. Louis.  7 hours in the pouring rain.  Fun times.

Riley time- 2 1/2 hours.

Monday- Drive home in monsoon winds.  Fun times again.

Final tally- 

Driving time- 23 plus hours in the car.

Riley time- 9 hours.

Cost- More than a Stitch Fix!!

Of course, it was absolutely worth it! But it was absolutely an exhausting whirlwind!

The show, Into the Woods, was amazing and, as always, the cast and crew did an amazing job!  It is always fun to get to see our girlie with her friends doing what she loves.  It is the only reason I allow her to be so far away! ;)  And for the record, the boys have already been told they will pick a college within a 5 or 6 hour radius of WHEREVER I am.

As a bonus, we got to visit with Ashton's oldest and dear friend of 20 years!  Yes, these two have been buddies for a long time.  Luckily she and her husband and sweet new baby live close to Riley so we get to sneak in visits occasionally and Clarke and I got to pretend to be grandparents for a few hours.  Such sweetness.

Overall, a good time.  While I wish she was closer, I know that God has Riley right where she needs to be, growing and learning.  She has dear friends, loves her major, and is doing well on her own.  So I will keep smiling, praying a lot, and counting down the weeks until Christmas!

Blessings,

Where's Riley?

No worries, I DO know where she is! ;)  NOT HERE!  Excuse me while I pout some more.

That being said, we were spoiled by having her home for an entire month over Christmas break!  Yes, an entire month.  My heart was full having all my peeps under one roof again.  A mom could get used to that kind of bliss!

His favorite person is home!

THEIR favorite human is home!

We had family dinners, played games, sang songs, had dinner out, saw plays and movies, cooked together, decorated, celebrated her 19th birthday, and just snuggled in together for the holidays.  It was glorious!

 

 

Thanks to an ice storm (which was not as bad here as expected but disrupted travel none the less), she almost got an extra day at home, but we did finally get her on her flight and back to Mississippi.  She may never want to fly again after that excitement.  Oh wait, that's me!

So she is back at school- her second semester, but technically her sophomore year thanks to online duel crediting.  She has a busy semester planned.  She is soon headed to a theatre festival for a few days and landed a part in a play which performs in late March.

We will head down mid March to spend Spring Break with her (Navarre Beach here we come) and then she will be home early May.  I told her this semester will fly by!  And just like that she will be a junior in college.

As a dear friend of mine says, hug your babies!  Time flies and they take off on dreams of their own.

Blessings,

Riley Update and a Birthday

The biggest news is that the girl is home!!  I imagine some people may have heard us cheering as she stepped off the plane.  Not having her home for Thanksgiving was challenging, so I was so relieved to see her step off that plane a few days ago.

 

5 weeks people.  She is home for 5 weeks.

 

Did you hear the cheering again? Even the dogs are excited!

So what's she been up to?

School.   A lot of school.  But a lot of fun too!

While I admit I do not love the fact that she is so far from home, I do love the fact that she is so happy where she is at.  She loves the school, she loves her classes, and she loves her friends!  It has been a great experience so far and although I know it will be hard to see her get on that plane in January, it makes my heart sing to know she is where she belongs with people she loves!

She is doing what God has called her to do!

We are thrilled to be able to have her home for the holidays but also spoiled to have her home for her birthday as well!

Happy 19th Birthday Riley!  You are indeed loved!

The joy you bring into our lives and others' is immeasurable.  Your humor keeps us laughing, your joy is contagious, your talent inspires us, and your love for God fills our hearts.  May the Lord continue to bless you and hold you close as you seek to follow Him!

We love you, princess!

Blessings,

And then there is Riley...

I try hard to alternate what I write about, but really, much of this space is dedicated to my family, because, well, they are my family, and I like writing about them.  It is also an easy way to keep friends and family who really are interested in updates in the loop.

If that is not you, my apologies!

1 1/2 weeks ago, we dropped this kiddo off a million miles away from home.  Ok, it is only 845 miles, but it feels like a million when you are stuck in a car for 13 hours.  Especially when you have car rides like the one we had.  Don't even get me started.  I entertained drove my FB friends crazy for THAT car trip.  All million hours.  Starting to see a theme?

Anywho...

Back to Riley!

She is doing great.  We knew she would.

This is her lovely roommate whom she adores (and we do too!).  What a blessing to come back to a safe place with someone that you love and can share life with at the end of the day.

These lovelies have become her tribe and we are thrilled that she has found people that she loves!  Makes my momma's heart so happy!

On top of that I got a text one day from her that said I WAS CALLED BACK!  Theater groupies know that is a good thing.  As a freshman, a callback alone is a great way to start your college musical theater career!  She was cast as THE female understudy.  Yep, that means for all 6 female parts.  So she will learn all the female characters' songs and dialogue and be able to go on as any part if needed.  It is an amazing way to start and learn.  There is also a rumor that she is now the assistant stage manager.

We are thrilled and so is she.

As far as the rest of college life, I think it pales in comparison to the theater side of things, but she does actually go to a few other classes (haha) and is adjusting well.

Me?  Still working on it! ;)

Blessings,

Drop Off Day

Riley is now at school.  I think this is where some epic music should play, but well, not sure how to do that so just imagine.

Drop off was amazing.  And overwhelming.  And long.  And well, a lot of things.

Praise the Lord we will see her in about 7 weeks for Fall Break.  I can do anything for 7 weeks.

So can she, although I am slightly less worried about how she will do.  Me on the other hand...I will let you know!

And just for the record, no, this does not get easier with each child.  I know "they" tell you that.

"They" lie!




I will leave you with pictures for now.  Thoughts and stories will have to wait!

On the way-

A warm welcome-

Room-

The favorite spot-

And just because-

For those of you swimming this same current- here's a quote from one of Riley's favorite musicals, Finding Nemo, The Musical:

Marlin- But what if they're not ready? I mean how do you know?

Crush- Well, you never really know, but if they're ever gonna grow

Then you gotta let 'em go, you know!?
Just go with the flow...
Crush- When you're raising sons and daughters, it's like surfing the muddy waters, oh oh oh, go with the flow!

Blessings,

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