Holiday Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow, another Holiday Season is upon us and we cannot believe how fast 2009 has gone by. It has been another good year full of fun, excitement, achievement, and good health.

Cameron is in the First Grade this year and has already been awarded Student of the Month in November! He has a wonderful teacher and classmates. Cameron played flag football in the winter and is still negotiating playing tackle football one day (if Mommy will ever let him). His baseball team, the Sand Gnats, took the Championship this Spring in their age group. What fun we had out at the ball field. Cameron had such fun that he chose to play Fall baseball this year, but our little six year olds were now up against a pitching machine instead of the coach pitch. As the season progressed, so did the Indians. We are already looking forward to Spring baseball. In the meantime, Cameron has decided to add another sport to his playing card this Winter, basketball! Stay tuned for that report. Rounding out Cameron is a love of reading and art. He recently submitted a clay sculpture to the school art contest and was a winner!

Madeline is in the Third grade this year and has another amazing teacher. She is excelling in all areas, including being a “Tween” (in between a child and a teenager). She had her ears pierced for her 9th birthday and we can hardly believe how fast she is becoming a young lady. Madeline just finished her 5th year playing soccer and cannot wait for Spring to get here so she can play again! This year Madeline is playing Academy Soccer and will start participating in travelling to tournaments. Recently, Madeline completed her very first 5k run as part of Girls on the Run, kind of like a running club. They trained for 12 weeks and touched on all areas of life for a young girl. It was really a great experience and we hope she will participate again in the Spring. Madeline also submitted a beautiful drawing for the art contest at school and was awarded a ribbon too! Debbie and Madeline both continue to enjoy their time with their Brownie Troop.

Matt continues his work as Director of Contracts and Rebates for PSS/World Medical. It has been a challenging year, but we are thankful to be part of this great company.

As you know, Debbie was laid off in February. Since then she has enjoyed (most of the time) staying home with the children. They had a fun summer full of visits to the beach, water-park, travelling to see friends and family, and more!

We are looking forward to a great Christmas at home. As I write this, the children are using the karaoke machine Santa delivered a few years ago. We are definitely enjoying all the Santa moments. . . . .

As always, we are thankful for our wonderful family and friends. We look forward to hearing your news! Stay tuned to our blog in 2010 for all the Okenica news.

With Love,
Debbie, Matt, Madeline, and Cameron

**Photos on our holiday postcard are "The Best of 2009":

-Beach family photo by Kelli Carpenter
-Valentine photo of Madeline and Cameron by Kelli Carpenter
-Spring Break Cruise to the Bahamas
-May flowers photo of Madeline and Cameron by Kelli Carpenter
-Cameron at his baseball game by Phil Capialli
-Two excited children who have a new puppy, Tucker
-Cameron graduates Kindergarten
-Madeline gets her first scallop
-Cameron is ready to go scalloping
-Matt has Madeline ready for more waterskiing
-Cameron waterskiing
-Madeline and Cameron the first day of school
-Madeline and her student of the month poster at school
-Cameron's student of the month poster at school
-2 devils, a witch, and a USA soccer player for Halloween
-Family Thanksgiving at Lake Oconee

To Christmas Card or NOT?

Wow, you would think I would be on top of all the Christmas TO DOs this year, but alas. . . I am still pondering our Christmas Cards. . . . so tell me, how do you feel about New Years cards?

Ho, Ho, Ho!

November 2009 Photos

Click the link below to see November photos. . . I am updating this album as quickly as I can, but for now you can enjoy photos from Madeline's 9th Birthday Celebration Weekend. . . . .more to come!

Enjoy! Love, Deb

November 2009

Can I "brag" for just a minute????

We have had a very exciting week with the children! They continue to amaze us each day with their strength, both in mind and body. Monday both children were awarded as WINNERS in their grade for "Reflections", a state wide art contest. The theme this year was "Beauty Is. . . ". Cameron won in Visual Arts (1st grade) for his wave sculpture. Sadly, because Mommy did not read the rules close enough and 3-D art is not allowed, he cannot go onto the County Level. However, the school judges felt his was fantastic and he won! Madeline won in Visual Arts (3rd Grade) for her drawing of a Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon. She will be allowed to go to the County Level, so stay tuned! Both were awarded ribbons AND a $25 WalMart gift card. Wow.

That same day, Cameron came in 1st for this class' 1-mile run with a time of 8:47!!!! And Tuesday, Madeline came in 3rd or 4th (we think) for her class' 1-mile run with a time of 9:04. Madeline will also participate in the Girls On The Run 5K this Saturday. What a champ!

So here, is the bragging. . . . . Mrs. Prausa and Mrs. Cody, both teachers at Neptune Beach Elementary, left the following posts to my Facebook page. . . . can you see me beaming with pride from you are today????

Nanett Prausa Congrats to both of your reflections winners!!! I cheered Cameron on to a 1st place finish in his mile run this morning. He was so serious!Mon at 7:33pm · Comment ·LikeUnlike · View Feedback (2)Hide Feedback (2) · See Wall-to-Wall

Debbie Hayes Okenica Thanks!! We are very proud of both. . . . Madeline does the mile run today!
Yesterday at 1:35pm · Delete

Sangita Reavill Cody And she ROCKED it!!! You are quite the Mother;)!!! You're kids are AWESOME!!! I can't get enough of Maddie!!! She is the type of student I have always dreamed of having when I started teaching...didn't think there were kids like that out there...then I came to NBE!!!!! I'm seriously in teacher heaven, if there is such a thing;)!!!!!!!
11 hours ago · Delete

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today would be my mother's 65th birthday! Wow. . . . she passed at the mere age of 38, which I am rapidly approaching. The year she was born, 1944, she was actually born on Thanksgiving and her father, who was a merchant seaman, was somewhere off the coast of Asia. A few years back, we found the telegram he sent to welcome his baby girl and to congratulate his wife, my Grandma, on their new addition. Joan Elizabeth Conrad.

My mother died the summer after 2nd grade. . . . Madeline just entered 3rd grade and I often wonder what she would remember of me if I were to be gone tomorrow. Morbid, I know yet inspiring to make the best possible memories with my children. My mother never had her ears pierced, but somehow by age 12, I had (and my older sisters) had begged and pleaded with our father to let us do what could not be undone, pierce our ears! When Madeline had her ears pierced for her 9th birthday it was bittersweet. My little baby girl is growing up, too quickly. But I am so lucky to have been there when she got her ears pierced. For my own mother never saw me get mine pierced, did not see go to my first "formal" dance with an actual boy (bleh), graduate, get married, or hold her grandchildren.

Not a day goes by that I still do not think of her after 26 years. I barely knew my mother, but as a mother myself now, I feel we are getting to know each other more each day. So today I say "Happy Birthday Mom!!!" I truly do not remember ever celebrating her birthday, only Thanksgiving. . . . .so this year, as with each one that passes, I will give thanks for my wonderful children who bring me so much joy and for the incredible family I have, including those who have passed.

Love to my Mom and all moms out there. . . . . . Hug your babies today and Live4Today!!!

October Photos. . . . .

See our Picasa album for October. Enjoy!

10 October

2 for 2

Day 2 and I am already posting again. I know, I know . . . . I need to get Halloween pics up and such, but I had a moment of peace this morning. On Facebook, I have been posting each day something I am thankful for in honor of Thanksgiving. Lately, it has been all the pharmaceuticals that are managing my killer headache. But today, on a more sentimental note I am thankful for my family and friends, oh and Facebook! Here is why. . . .

1) FAMILY: The Debster was not feeling like a morning person this a.m. (worse than usual), so Matt made lunches, breakfast, and took the children to school! So instead of just now getting home from carpool, I am enjoying some Pumpkin Coffee (left here by my mother in law, Pat O - another family member to be thankful for). And as mentioned on FB (Facebook) earlier this week. . . . I had a great talk with my favorite guy this week, my Dad!!

2)FRIENDS: I am looking forward to seeing a fabulous friend today that I have not seen in quite a while. . . . .but this morning the stars aligned and we have a date!!! While sick this week, so many of you checked in on me. . . teachers, parents, sisters, friends. . . . you are ALL awesome!!!

3) FACEBOOK: Sounds strange and narcisistic, but the power of this social networking tool is amazing. Friend mentioned above. . . due to FB communication we now have a movie date. Last year we raised 50% more funds for the Breast Cancer Marathon than the prior year and I attribute that to the power of FB. And last but certainly not least, all the well wishes mentioned in #2, most came via FB. . . . . .thanks FB!! Sometimes you make my day!

Back to the coffee, a DVR episode of As the World Turns, and maybe trying to look cute for my move date with KB!!! Friday is looking good. . . . . .

Stay Tuned. . . . I am need a good sign off!!

Stay Tuned. . . . .

Hey everyone! In an attempt to go green, I will not be doing our annual holiday newsletter this year. I will be directing you to our blog for all the Okenica news straight from Jacksonville.

For the new year, I will strive to update the blog more frequently and even have the children post some blogs. . . . .wow. . . 2010 here we come, ready or not!!!

That being said, STAY TUNED. . . . I will be putting up some pics to catch up from my last post in September, hopefully before the crazy holiday season starts next week! Until then, take care.

Love, Debbie

Student of the Month

 
 


Once again, Madeline got the honor of Student of the Month for the very first month of school! Talk about first impressions. . . . what a great feeling when we walked into school this morning and saw her "Scorecard" on the Student of the Month bulletin board. Her teacher, Mrs. Cody, said some wonderful things about Madeline and how she is always ready, willing, and able to help the TEAM! We are VERY proud of her.

September Happenings

 
 
 
 

Soccer and Baseball!! September is here. . . .and our Fall sports are keeping us very busy. But we have so much fun at Madeline and Cameron's games. Now if it would only cool off!

BACK TO SCHOOL 2009

Well, here we go again. . . trying to get this blog updated! This year The Okenicas are going to try and go GREEN! I have been thinking already about our Holiday cards for this year and was reminded about my blog that seems to be in hibernation. The challenge to myself is to get this thing updated so that it is ready for you all in December. I keep up with alot of folks via Facebook and have been primarily posting photos/updates there, but hopefully the blog will be accessible for everyone.

So here it is. . . the children are back in school. We are starting our third week of school today, but the photo above is from Day 3 of school. Unfortunately, Madeline was ill the first 2 days so she had to miss. But here they are in front of our beloved Neptune Beach Elementary manatee very excited for another school year.

Madeline is in 3rd grade and has Mrs. Cody and Mrs. Novak. They are actually switching between teachers for different subjects. She LOVES this! Madeline is still playing soccer this year, but has moved to an Academy Travel team instead of Rec. The big difference is they practice 2 times per week and really keep score!

Cameron is in 1st grade and has Mrs. Moses. He is having lots of fun already! Cameron is back to baseball this Fall. He had so much fun last Spring that he could not wait to get back to ball field this Fall.

Games start next week. . . and so will the MADNESS!

Love to all,
Debbie