If you're wondering...

why there aren't any new blog posts from me, it's because I've got 80 hours of continuing education to complete before June 30th. That's right, just stamp "procrastinator" on my forehead. I've known that I would need to do this for TWO YEARS and I'm just now getting around to tackling it. Yuck. Yuck. Triple Yuck.

We've had lots of fun company lately - Grandma and Grandpa Berning & Justine stopped here for the night on their way home from Tulsa Sunday. Monday evening our friends, the Hucks, moved to Hutchinson from Syracuse. We kept their kids overnight so they could sleep in a bed - things were a bit chaotic at their new house since the moving truck didn't arrive until after 8:00 p.m. Tuesday we got to meet Marilyn Kohart at a mini-golf/go kart track/arcade/amusement park place in Wichita for a few hours. The kids had a blast until time to go, whereupon the boys proceeded to get extremely motion sick from the last ride. Oh well. Tuesday evening we met Aubrey's friend Amy at Haven and brought her home with us for a few days. Her grandma is having heart surgery today in Wichita.

Whew! It's been a fun whirlwind! Luke and Jackson are gearing up for soccer camp this weekend, and Aubrey is gearing up for a visit to the orthodontist. Guess who's going to have more fun?

I think that "procrastinator" label is getting more appropriate by the minute. Here I am typing paragraphs about nothing when I had intended to set down at the computer and start in on those 80 hours. Pray for me!

Guess what! I just looked again at my CPA renewal, and I only have to get 79 hours - one carried forward from last time :)

Everybody say Hi!

Run on over to Dan and Mary's blog site and say howdy - Lindsey, Jerry's niece, has been busy getting their blog set up. Welcome!

How to tell your boys have been on the farm...

Jackson went out back to check out Jerry's garden this morning. He came back in, scratched his chin seriously, and said, "Dad's crops sure are growing. Sure are."

Day 4 and we're home!

Our time in Tulsa is over for this year. It was so much fun; we already have the week blocked off for next year's competition. Talia did not make the top ten, but she was the Top Rookie (someone new to the pageant) Non-Finalist. About half of the 42 contestants were Rookies. We were all so proud of her and the example she set for our daughters. She did not compromise her faith or her values in order to conform to the pageant world's idea of tolerance (as you can imagine, many of the men involved in the direction and judging of pageants are homosexuals). She has a couple of preliminary pageants lined up over the next couple of months in order to qualify for Miss Oklahoma 2009. We'll keep you posted!We were able to attend a bridal shower for Melissa before we left Tulsa. Here she is along with the aunts:
What I really should have taken a picture of was Talia eating a big piece of chocolate cake at the shower!

So here we are at home, glad to be back in our own beds. The boys had a terrific time with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Ann. They both earned some money and were extremely proud of that. Luke was on cloud nine last night because he got to drive tractor and brand calves and mow and drive the pickup - lots of boy stuff. Jackson was just happy there were baby kittens to play with!

Live Blogging Day 3

Talia performed ballet en pointe to "The Mask of Zorro" last night. It was absolutely beautiful, very, very graceful.

There was a lot of terrific talent last night, much more impressive than the other two nights. Tonight we will find out who made it to the top ten. Talia has really enjoyed working with Jennifer Barry, Miss America 2006. She asked her to take a picture with the girls, and Jennifer graciously agreed. She is so nice and down to earth! Here are the starstruck girls, along with Jennifer:
Stacia's sister Lynnette and her family came, along with lots of other family. We got a few pictures of the audience before the show began last night.

We afternoon shopping and just hanging out. Mary had a party in her room after the pageant, but they wouldn't let me put any pictures up! Nothing wild, believe me :)

Live Blogging Day 2

Well. There was some excitement around here yesterday, or should I say this morning. You all are just going to wish you were here, to join in the party. As you can see, it was a pajama party. The tornado sirens blew at about midnight here in Tulsa, so all the guests of the Tulsa Southern Hills Hilton, THE official hotel of the Miss Oklahoma pageant, got to join in the ballroom until the all clear. We didn't actually have any weather except rain here, but Grant lost power at his apartment. Whew. At least we were in our jammies. Some of the guests were in the shower and came down in towels and robes!

Most importantly though, here is Talia, in the production dance number. Second from the left, or just look for the most beautiful one :)

Grant and his lovely fiancee', Melissa Smithson, along with Talia after the pageant:

Katie, Aubrey, Talia, Bethany, and Justine:

and finally, Grandpa and his harem:

Talia looked awesome in her swimsuit, absolutely amazing. Tonight is talent, and the announcement of the top ten finalists. For now, we're heading to the mall!

Live Blogging from Miss Oklahoma!

Here we are, in Tulsa! It's Thursday morning and we have some down time (okay, a lot of down time) before we need to start making ourselves beautiful for tonight's competition. Here's the scoop on the pageant so far....

First of all, this is a REAL pageant! I had no idea that it would be such a professional production. There are 42 contestants; the majority are real contenders. The emcees for the event are Jennifer Barry Gordan, Miss Oklahoma and Miss America 2006, and Lauren Nelson, Miss Oklahoma and Miss America 2007.

Primping for the pageant:

Poor Alan. He doesn't even get name recognition anymore - notice Nanette's nametag - she is Nanette BERNING once more! And here she is, Miss Okmulgee County:
Talia and her Oklahoma Star onstage:

Proud Grandparents

Stacia and Talia

and this morning, here we are making posters for tonight's competition. You can't imagine the smell in here - we're all about to pass out!

Tonight is the swimsuit portion for Talia. We watched the rehearsal this morning, and let me tell you, she is really, really fit. We think she's a shoe-in for the preliminary award tonight. Check back tomorrow!