Election 2008

Ya all know about Ethan & his interest in politics, but I am here to tell ya that I may have 2 upcoming female politicians!!!!! Annie & Charlee voted yesterday at school, they were so excited. Annie said "I voted for that John McCain... you know the one who looks like a papaw and Kennedy voted for that brown one, you know "Jessie".....hello??....did I miss someone or something along the way????who is Jessie????...... come to find out she meant Obama but not quite sure where she got Jessie from. So bright and early Annie was up, with the TV on, I told her to get in the shower & she said "wait I gotta see who is gonna be our president" I explained the process. Then Charlee woke up & said "this is sure an important day for our country isn't it mom?" .......more that she can possibly understand!). So while I am getting ready, I heard my daughter, the one who does not like to do read sight words, appears to struggle with basic reading...etc (Charlee) reading a collection of campaign mail to her sister. All I could hear was ..."this is my view on foreign exchange" ...."McCain wants to continue to cut taxes to small business owner"...."national jobs moved to foreign lands" ......"Obama supports the right "to...." ..."gas prices continue" ......this went on for about 10-15minutes while Annie listened attentively (not sure if because of interest *doubtful* or in awe of Charlee reading skills) I am thinking we don't need tutoring afterall!........Don't forget to vote unless you plan to vote for Jessie!!!!!haha!!!

Quiz Bowl 2008

This is Ethan's 3rd year on the Quiz Bowl, he loves doing this but probably not as much as I enjoy watching it. They have had 2 competitions at 2 schools thus far & won all of them. I am really proud of the fact that the last meet they were matched up against a group & were asked some questions from the Bible & Minford answered their question, the other schools & the lightening round, kinda hit me funny because this school has "religion classes", I am sure mine did not get his knowledge about the Bible from school though, I credit his great Sunday School teacher & youth group leaders. He often had a number of questions ready for Jennifer & Scott, I remember one occassion he had to call Scott on the way to school to ask him who wrote a particular book in the Bible, couldn't wait til after school!!!! Thanks to the many great spritual leaders he has had & what you all have taught him!

Here is a pic of his "other mother" he would probably move out to live with her. This is who he goes to when he has a problem. She is responsible for this trip to DC and the last one, she nominated him for the events. She has had a major impact on his education and is also his quiz bowl instructor......Awesome teacher, thanks Mrs. Havens!

Haloween "Trick or Treating & School Parade"

Boy was Thursday busy..so much so the kids had to have Friday off!!!! Really the school did something different this year & at noon started a parade at the track and ended with each class setting up stations for face painting, games & snacks as well as everyone got to play on inflatables!!!! They had so much fun, it was a great idea!
Then there was trick or treat & we went with Levi & Luke(my nephews) & we met up with man friends along the way. Charlee was a rockstar diva, Annie(although it looks like a witch, I convinced her it was a spider princess, cause we don't like witches!) and Ethan had to remove his big football mask after it sent Luke into a traumatic fit. Luke was a scarecrow & Levi was "Larry the Cable Guy" funny thing he is a comedian! Check out the pic of those brother walking together is it not precious! Much fun had by all!!

Party girl or Social Butterfly?

Here is some cute pic's of Charlee getting ready for a birthday/Halloween party for her friend Molly. She decided to be a rockstar and was asking Ethan to teach her some moves. She loves to doll up only now what used to be princesses has became rockstars! YIKES!!!! She actually looked a little like Cyndi Lauper (remember her? 1980's) but Charlee is much cuter!!! FYI- she is doing so good in school, she got all check marks on her report card!!!YEAH!!!! she has really kicked into gear, she is excited about shwoing me what she's learned versus whining about doing homework. Thanks so much to Lana Hauth (her tutor angel) Charlee loves her, so do I she has really helped to build the confidence that Charlee needs. Who knows college may not be out of the picture, I may get her talked into that someday! I am not so sure Mary Kay will meet her income needs that well LOL!!!

Fire Pevention 2008

Charlee was so excited that they had submitted a fire poster & she said "mom you might get a call that I won a ribbon in the contest!" trying to explain that not everyone could win but she was a good artist, I soon forgot about it, until I received the happy yet somewhat disheartening call that Annie placed....what would I say to Charlee, she was the one who wanted to win, Annie had no idea what it was about. I remembered that Charlee had been chosen to have her drawing of a horse be put in the "Big Red Phone Book" (please look it up if you haven't seen it, it is great! Anyway I explained that now it was Annie's turn & I would be at the ceremony but only for Annie not her. I should have remembered what a kind good little heart Charlle has, she immediately got excited & said "Oh mom, I can't wait, I don't even care if I win... I am so happy for Annie!!!" she sheaked and squealed but kept a great secret. Annie won 3rd place and was so excited to see mommy & mamaw there and she had the most proud sister of any kid out there in the audience! They love each other sooo much!

Presidential Inauguration Speech 2009 #4

Presidential Inauguration Speech 2009 #3

Presidential Inauguration Speech 2009 #2

Presidential Inauguration Speech 2009

I have probably told you all that Ethan was invited to the Presidential Inauguration 2009 through the Jr National Young Presidential Inaugural Conference (JrNYPIC ) through his past involvement at Jr NYLC. He also had the opportunity to participate in a contest that will chose winners from speeches submitted by 12/19/2008, should he be fortunate enough to win, he will have the chance to introduce a keynote speaker at the conference (Lance Armstrong was going to be there but had to cancel) but there is John Edwards, Al Gore, a gentleman who climbed Mt Everest blind to name a few. Pray for him in this effort, if he does not win we pray that his speeches may be honoring to God, first & foremost we pray for his safety at this conference, that God will have the opportunity to teach him as well as use him for His benefit. Pray for the election and the future of our country, I uploaded the speechs below, me being the procrastinator I tend to be waited til today & realized I could not upload from the SD card, thanks to Holly for using her laptop & camera to save the day!!!!Thanks sooo much Holly if not for your help he could not have made the submission-all appears successful!!. ..............Can you believe this is my kid......God gave him to me...........to Him be all the glory for the wonderful little guy he is .....and man he is becoming...............I am so proud of him.



Lawson for Congress 2022 oh by the way he got his first future endorsement tonight!!!!!!

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Rest Peacefully Gracie

We all have grieved the passing of Gracie but the wonderful thing is she has only left this temporary life, to enter her everlasting life with Jesus. He performed soooo many miracles in her life and I thought that after the surgery this was the perfect time for Him to "prove" how powerful He is. Then I thought He does not have to prove anything to anybody. He has shown His hand in the 7months she was here, and as a nurse I know looking over the timeline that typically those things do not happen over and over to a healthy person and they survive. God carried her weak little body allowing her to stay another day, then when she got too weak He "proved" how powerful He is and took her to a new home to give her a new body and heart, to wait shortly for the day that she will be able to run with Haddon and give hugs and kisses to her mommy & daddy, all the hurt here will be forgotten. It is so amazing that we have this to look forward to. I can't wait for that day!
The morning that Gracie passed away about 8am the girls were getting ready to go to school and we checked her journal to see if there was anything new and I read the last entry around 1am, the girls were asking about her pic that showed her incision, and wanting to know why that was there, we talked about it and prayed that Jesus would know what she needed and take care of her and her family. That evening Annie asked something she never asks "Mommy when is Gracie going to get to go home?" I then got to tell her that did today and it was with Jesus andthe wonderful thing was He healed her today and gave her a new body and heart, and I am sure she feels no more pain. Later Annie said out of the clear blue ....."ya know it is exciting there!" when I asked where she meant (not thinking) she said "HEAVEN... it is exciting there!" ....."and God is a special.......God" He truely is, Praise Him for the ultimate miracle in Gracie's new life!

Minford Spirit Day! Lil Falcons in Flight

The girls were so excited for spirit day today, they geared up in their Minford attire and off they went, tonight is the BIG GAME.......Minford & Burg. I hope we beat them, I can't remember the last time that happened, we are undefeated so they are as able to win this tonight as Burg is. GO Falcons.....Go Falcons.........Oh my I want to go to this game but I am thinking how listening to it on the radio would be better in the warmth of my home??? At any rate we are behind ya RED!!!!!! and there is 2 lil Falcons out there showing there colors today!!!!!

Football Player or President?

This is some pic's of my favorite football player of all time........Ethan Lawson "48". He is sooooo cute in that equipment, he poors his heart and soul into every play and does a real good job holding that sideline up too. Nevertheless it has beena great year for both Jr Hi & especially high school.

Ethan has the opportunity to submit a 30 sec video to the Inaugural Conference he was

invited to, there are topics to choose from, (what he would like to see the new prez address 1st, what issues middle school kids are faced with etc.) should he get chosen he will get the opportunity to intrroduce one of the key note speakers at the conference (one being Lance Armstrong) he is excited, so this is a project that has to be turned in by Nov 3, the trip is getting close. Pray for his guidance in this project that God will help him to chose the right words and a good topic. Pray for his trip while you are praying for our new president, pray that he will learn from this experience but also pray that the Holy Spirit will fill him with the confidence he will need while there to express his views in a manner that gives God the glory. He came upon some tough debates when there the last time and even thought these are mostly kids that interact, they are strongly influenced in their faith, he met many jewish, catholics, muslim etc. I know that God will watch over him, because I feel He has given him these wonderful opportunities and I trust that He will use Him to his honor.

Happy Birthday to My New Teenager

Can you believe it, the day is finally here, my little boy is a teenager (weren't they gonna up the age to 18????) I am sad, this is a milestone that I am not ready for, those of you with little boys that still climb up on your lap and want to hug you & cuddle, I envy you......but enjoy these days they are too short lived. I miss that little boy, he was the best, curly headed, always telling you something he learned (well nice to know some things don't change), buddy in hand, wanting to be told a story, he loved oreos and milk. I am sitting her writing this with tears flowing, part of me wants that little boy back & part is excited to see what God has in store for him. I was the one who was given the "birthday present" 13 years ago when God picked me to be this little boys momma, I love him soooo much, only God knows the measure. I have seen him do so many things and I am so proud of him.....this boy is awesome inside & out!!!!!What in the world did I ever do to deserve Gods grace & this gift!I pray God continues to work in his life and make him into the person that will be pleasing and glorifying to Him in whatever path He leads him down. The last time I cried this much at his birthday was his 5th birthday when I realized my dad was no longer gonna be around to celebrate them with him and watch him grow..............but I know he would be proud of the young "man" he is becoming and one day Ethan can tell my dad all about the things he did. On a lighter note he asked Scot if he would wake up today & start growing facial hair...."I can't wait to shave", (for someone that is so smart he can sure ask some questions at times, and I can not see my little boy with hair on his face YIKES!!!!!! Happy Birthday Ethan I love you as deep as the ocean & as high as the sky...

"I'll love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be.............."

What I love about Sundays!

Sunday was a very busy day, I was up at sunrise fixing my dish for the dinner, off to SS (on time) , had good messages both in SS & church. Great dinner we gotta have the best cooks at Grace. We met with missionary couple from WOL and discussed some ideas for making Olympians more efficient for all involved and I am so thankful for this opportunity to meet but also to serve to Lord in this area. Our first night we had 15, Sunday we had 17. We have an exciting year planned I can't wait!!!!I am so thankful for the willingness and help of all involved, Grace, Brian, Amy, Linda, Betty & Patty also for the donation. I want to see this grow and reach out to other kids in our community through our program and to their families through them. I miss Ethan being in there he is in WOL now wow how time flies!!!My girls loved playing with the Kingbury kids but Charlee especially connected with Leah. Leah couldn't stop giving hugs & kisses to her at the before they went home. The jalopy raid was great too many of Ethan's friends came there was 8 or 9 who accepted Christ WOW!!!!!! I am so thankful for the willingness of all who participated in this event & made it possible. I was really blessed Sunday with everything but I am so thankful for how the Lord works in mysterious ways unknown to us & then when we least expect something right there it is before us and it's like "He did this, it's amazing!" I pray that all of those kids return for WOL in the weeks to come but most importantly I pray God will continue to work in their lives & I pray that this will encourage our WOLer's and they in turn will be an encouragement to these kids. The schools need soooooo much more of this!!!!!!! Praise the Lord for a great jalopy raid turnout & I pray it don't stop here.

Friday Night Lights!!!!

Friday night was the big night, the girls had attended a fundraising cheer camp for the MHS cheerleaders & were ready to perform. One did & one did not can you guess which one stood on the field with 50+ other girls and thousnads of screaming fans......and glared at me as though it was my idea she be out there or like I forced her to do it. Then as it finishes she is mad because "she did not get to do it" wow!!!! I can't win with this one, but she was cute as was Charlee who really enjoyed it. Sad thing is Annie is missing her chance if she is not a cheerleader as she has the voice for it for sure!!!!

Ethan was "ball boy" for the team, he enjoyed this and got more action that in his Jr Hi season thus far. He actually got in a tackle and had no equipment on YIKES!!!! but the Falcons won Yeah!!!!! 4 -0 Yeah!!!!!!! Ethan's team won the night before as well they beat West !!!!!!!!! this week is at Portsmouth, I gotta remember my camera. I "like" football and when Ethan is not playing I "love" it !!!!!!! sorry but that is the overprotective mother in me! Wouldn't swimming be much better?! He could be the next Michael Phelps!!!!! Hey who knows?

Labor Day Weekend

Boy it was a labor too but fun, now I need a few days of R&R. We went to the River Days Parade, Ethan walked in it doing his political obligation or rubbing shoulders with the polititians ???? EtNevertheless he enjoyed it & the girls liked watching the candidates for Miss River Days all decked out in their "Morgan Gullion" t shirts. They also got to visit with some friends there and met a little boy who kept picking candy up for both of them, I think he was flirting but not sure who with, I don't think he was either.

Sunday we went to Scot's work picnic at the wonderful "Camden Park" it hasn't changed since I was last there in 1974! It was actually a great day the kids really did enjoy it & it was just a good time for us to be together. Then we went to Red Lobster & Scot found out next time he better order 2 bowls of clam chowder. Annie loves it!

Monday we spent most of the day with Scot's family, everyone was together except the oldest granddtr (Sammi Jo). We had a cookout, swimming & cornhole. It was a nice day but after going to hospital to check on Brandy I had to go back & pick the gang back up, it was 9:30 before we got home needless to say no one wanted to get up this morning. But all in all a fun weekend of togetherness. Ethan is doing better, Annie still resisting school, Charlee is Charlee and Brandy needs a lot of prayers. I amy be taking her to OSU today for some "plasma exchange treatments" still no answer on all the tests yet. Please pray!!!!

The Lawson Clan (minus Sammi ages 5-16)

Fun weekend

What I planned to be a quiet weekend ended up being very busy but fun! Friday night we went to the HS football game against River Valley & yeah!!!! Minford won by a landslide!

Saturday we took Charlee's bestie Laken & met Annie's besties Ben & Anna Kate in South Point, we ate at McDonald's & finished lunch off with a delicious chocolate cream pie Jennifer made (yummy). Then we all went to see the 3D movie "Fly Me To The Moon" (highly recommended) at Pullmans Square in Huntington. This was a great kid/adult movie, after Jennifer, Ben & me got over initial motion sickness. Annie & Ben sat together & even held hands on the escalator (of course at their mother's persuasion, we gonna arrange their marriage yet!)

Annie said "I am never gonna wash this hand again!" Nevertheless we had a great day & so thankful that they were able to join us. We miss you guys so much and treasure little chances to spend time together. Of course here are some pics taken with one of those dinosaur disposable cameras, Jennifer & I both forgot our "view the moment, delete if no good and take another" digital that we are so spoiled with. Sorry Jennifer they did not trn out very good, but I have a copy for you. Thanks again to the Duncan's for joining us, Annie is already planning another day

Today was busy but a good day, we had a great message this am & evening from a potential candidate, I really enjoyed him (reminds me of someone else's pulpit humor. Will be praying hard the Lord sends us a new pastor & also that He sends this family to the right church. And last but not least I am a grandma now to (2) Robo Hamsters they are only about as long as my little finger (all the bigger they will get) Charlee name her girl "Gracie" & Annie named her boy "Gavin" ........so if anyone wants Robo hamsters I am sure we will be having some babies soon........at least according to Charlee "they have to get married first then they will have babies".......Then lastly Ethan picked a Ferret for his birthday, it is a cute little thing, Kurt Newsome has one named Cooter (Dukes of Hazzard) so Ethan decided to name his "Roscoe" , I think the only thing we have not had is a snake, lizard, spider or llama........but I can assure you the latter will come before the first 3 do! I need a break after this weekend, but it was a good one.

Thankful for weekend after a tiring week!

Annie & Sara

Annie & Ms. Linnie

Caitlyn, Cynthia, Laken, Charlee Kelton & Zac 1 of 60+ cupcakes

Boy am I glad it is Friday! This week just got started with school on Wednesday but it has been an emotional & physically exhausting week. I am just about ready to consider home schooling myself! Ethan is facing many giants this week & it has only just begun. Charlee is doing OK just trying to keep her focused and getting her to tutoring once a week. Annie loathes school! There are 26 kids in her class with 1 teacher! It is also the mix of kids in there many do not even know how to do things that most know at 2 & 3. I am concerned that the kids that do well will even get anything out of this class. Linnie is excellent but they need another kindergarten teacher, I am so sick to death of budget cuts! Are tax $$$$'s are still the same & I expect my kids education not to suffer as a result. I am just about to consider even switching schools! Who knows we may become Valley Indians & Ethan could be on a swim team! We will see what happens the principal said he plans to ask the superintendent to get another kindergarten teacher but everyone is sure he will say no, Education & health & safety are not a concern, but now sports on the other hand! It is just frustrating. I went to pass out the cupcakes today to both girls classes & was able to help Linnie a little, I don't know how she will do it, please pray for this situation it is not good. Here is a picture of the cupcakes I made (sorry pic is sideways).

My little girl off to school!

Annie Lawson first day of Kindergarten

Friday August 22, 2008

Today is a sad day for me and Annie, she did not want to go and I actually had to give her a little or should I say a moderate push onto the bus. Of course all was going well & Charlee told he they had assigned seats & she had to sit in her section, next thing Annie went to pieces. Fortunately Annie knows Fran (bus driver) & she let them sit together. It was so hard to make her get on that bus she will be a different person now! They are not a baby anymore once they start school. & kindergarten is different than preschool she didn't have to go to that. So I sit here lonely this morning....all my babies are now in school & oh how fast the years go! Ms. Linnie said she did excellent at her assessment yesterday & I know she will do fine, but she has no desire to be there. She said to her little friend Sara yesterday as they were playing (Sara will be in her class) "well I ain't going to school I don't like it & it is boring!" There is only one class between her & Charlee's so that is also comforting, but big cousin Levi is not in there building now, he is at the Middle School so no one to run off bullies (like that's a worry where Annie is concerned haha). I reminded her that I can't be with her but her Jesus is & He will help her when she is afraid or upset, she just smiled. So as a bribe I am taking cupcakes to school this afternoon (what will the bribe be on Monday?????