A Few Things from February...so far

 For several years I had Valentine mailboxes that I put on the mantle each February. Those mailboxes got dented and bent and I got rid of them. But this year I saw Valentine mailboxes in the store and decided it was time to bring back the tradition. This time they are on the kitchen counter. Notes and candy were "mailed" to each other for the last couple weeks.

We watched the Superbowl and my parent's house. Most of the children watched the whole game this year. It was nice that we could spill over to a second TV. As it worked out the Eagles fans were watching separately from most of the Chiefs fans. The five teenagers in the room kept me quite entertained all evening!

Anna has guitar during "rainbow hour" when the sun is just right to hit all the prisms that her teacher has in her window. The rainbow on the neck of her guitar was perfect last week. Anna's most recent guitar accomplishment is learning to play "Plush."

More snow! This time it was wet and heavy and piled up on the tree branches. It was so pretty.

The boys made a snowman this time. This snow lasted just long enough for some evening activities to be cancelled.

I'm looking forward to using this new book for Lent devotionals. I've never had devotion reading specific for Lent and I'm looking forward to something new and walking through the book of John to Easter.

A friend sent me this last week and it sums up my teaching life right now. Except that this year it is Pre-Algebra. Anna is like me when it comes to math and so she and I are watching her math lessons together so that I can properly help her with her assignments. It's worth my time. Math has been going so much better for Anna.

 

Joy Dare: January 2025

 11,910. A day to catch up and reorganize
11,911. Isaiah decided he liked something new at supper
11,912. Aliza arrived safe and happy
11,913. Coffee talk time with Elizabeth
11,914. Josiah's good attitude
11,915. Winter evenings
11,916. Flexible doctor's office
11,917. Seeing a little snow
11,918. Anna loved her first away-from-home babysitting job
11,919. Isaiah eating pork and noodles

11,920. Cleaning
11,921. The excitement of snow coming
11,922. Hearing all about Aliza's trip over supper
11,923. Ordering photos
11,924. Waking up to a winter wonderland
11,925. Lots of wet clothes means there was lots of fun in the snow
11,926. A family that gives me freedom to do things on my own
11,927. Being OK with being with just myself
11,928. Safety traveling
11,929. Books and podcasts
11,930. Meeting new people
11,931. Someone to sit with
11,932. Facetime with Isaiah
11,933. Learning a lot about curriculum
11,934. My moment with Mrs. Walker
11,935. Having this opportunity that I didn't expect
11,936. Easy flights and home early
11,937. Jeremy completely surprised me at the airport
11,938. Snow gives permission to hibernate
11,939. "What you need more than splashy resolutions, is steady rhythms." (Ann Voskamp)
11,940. Busy birdfeeders
11,941. Moonlight reflecting off the snow
11,942. Just hanging out with Anna
11,943. A Sunday morning at home
11,944. Hearing all Aliza's stories from the weekend
11,945. A moment with Josiah
11,946. A really good day of school
11,947. Exercise
11,948. Praying
11,949. Cardinals in the snow
11,950. Anna came home from dance really happy
11,951. Bedtime reading with Isaiah
11,952. Math with Anna
11,953. Snow flurries
11,954. Friend time without a time restraint
11,955. Time capsule on a VHS tape
11,956. Josiah looking back to say "I love you Mom"
11,957. Isaiah's favorite: supper on the couch and a movie
11,958. The depth of long friendships
11,959. Everyone home safely
11,960. Hearing all the camp stories
11,961. Car time with Aliza
11,962. Isaiah getting to play his favorite games
11,963. Watching a movie just me and Isaiah
11,964. Living a country with peaceful transitions of power
11,965. Getting through a rough day of school
11,966. When my child tells me they are praying for their mom to have patience
11.967. Some talk time with Jeremy
11,968. Vidoes of Texas nieces playing in the snow
11,969. A good first day of classes for Aliza
11,970. Breakfast for supper on a cold day
11,971. A warm house
11,972. Isaiah and Anna really enjoyed a new class
11,973. Teaching a new group of students English

11,974. Opportunities opening up for Jeremy
11,975. Picking up Sean from school
11,976. An evening to unwind
11,977. Another book series Isaiah is excited about
11,978. A Sunday School hour spent visiting
11.979. End of the season football games
11,980. Laughing at myself

11,981. Weekend meal together
11,982. Anna's passion for her current career interest
11,983. Aliza comes home and wants to talk
11,984. Watching a video of Ronan too many times
11,985. A warmer day
11,986. Listening to a friend's story
11,987. Learning
11,988. Anna really excited about her dances
11,989. Wednesday night debrief with Aliza
11,990. Isaiah participating in PE without knowing anyone else in the class
11,991. A book I'm staying up too late reading
11,992. Just listening
11,993. The flame of a candle on a gray, rainy day
11,994. A thoroughly dusted bedroom
11,995. The feeling when school is finished on Friday

Winter Retreat

 One of Aliza's dreams came true! She was on staff at camp for two weekends of youth group winter retreat called Reboot. It was the first time she drove 3 hours alone and the first time she drove over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge alone--which is a milestone for moms around here. I really wasn't worried, but I was aware that my girl was on the road. The second weekend required driving home in snow. Camp closed early and she was on the road and out of the snow before much had accumulated.

The second weekend Aliza was on staff the youth group from our church went. Aliza wasn't with our church, but she got to see Josiah and Anna and hang out with them a little bit.

The main event was a MarioCart race between the churches where each group chose a character, decorated the cart and then selected a "driver" and a "runner" to race.

Our youth group chose Bowser. Aliza got to see how different youth groups worked together and she got choked up telling me how proud she was of our church because there was no hesitation to participate, no bickering and EVERYONE had a role and participated.

To top it off, our church won! The youngest boy in youth group was the rider/driver and got to stand on the top of the podium and hold the trophy. I know everyone was invested in this win because Josiah came home with a raspy voice that he told me was from screaming during the race.

It was a very quiet weekend here at home just me, Jeremy and Isaiah. We did Isaiah's favorite--bought supper and ate it on the couch while watching a movie. Saturday afternoon he got to play Roblox games with a couple guys from church that he LOVES playing with and Saturday evening Isaiah and I watched a movie together while Jeremy watched a very exciting Washington Commanders game.
 

Snow Week

 We woke up to a winter wonderland of 5 inches of snow on Monday. Isaiah woke up at 7:30 and went straight outside. I was a bit later than him to get out to the living area and the first thing I saw was Isaiah out in the snow--in shorts. I just had to laugh. He had gloves, boots and the hood up on his coat, but didn't make the effort to change into pants. It didn't bother him a bit. He came in happy and cold and it wasn't long until he was back out there.

We had snowman Jimmy Bob in the back yard

and Sally in the front yard.

Made by Anna. I believe her brothers were also involved, but Anna took the credit.

While the children and Jeremy continued to have a snow week, on Tuesday I flew to Knowville, TN. It turned out to be extra convenient to fly out of Salisbury. There were several flight delays on Tuesday that I was able wait out at home because I was so close to the airport. I had to get a later flight out of Charlotte NC and when I landed in Knoxville I had to wait an hour and a half for another lady to arrive so that we could both take the same hour ride to our hotel in Pigeon Forge. I got to my hotel room at 10:30pm and  tired.

Why was I in Tennessee? I had the opportunity to attend the Homeworks Connection--a conference for their consultants that represent BJU Press curriculum. It was an unexpected opportunity and I was glad that I could go. There were some training sessions and the video teachers from BJU came and presented their new video classes. The Director of Content from BJU also presented on how they weave Biblical worldview through all of the courses. I knew it was there, but it was just interesting to see a little behind the scenes and how intentional the company is in writing a rigorous, research based and Biblically sound curriculum. 

There were about 50 consultants who attended. These are the ladies from the Northeast who were there. We got to have a dinner together at a restaurant called The Local Goat. Super fun place. I would go there again!

I also had a moment with this dear teacher, Mrs. Walker. She solidified reading in all of my children in first grade and I have always felt so much gratitude for her. This year 1st grade is completely updated with new videos and books (it was much needed). But Mrs. Walker and I had a moment of feeling sentimental about "her" videos being retired. When I came home and told the children that 1st grade is updated, they were sentimental too! Good memories!

On Thursday it was announced that the Friday portion of our conference was being cancelled because of incoming snow. My flight was rescheduled for early Friday morning. Those flights were all on time and made for a super easy trip. I was home by 11:30am on Friday. I drove myself to the airport and so when I was scanning the area while waiting for my suitcase and saw Jeremy standing there--with roses--I was VERY surprised and happy!

It's good to go, to learn, be independent and do something new but there is no better feeling than coming home!

 

Joy Dare::December

 11,816. First Sunday of Advent
11,817. Visiting with my Mom
11,818. Dancing with the Stars finale with Aliza
11,819. Jeremy was home to drive with me
11,820. The trampoline was already disassembled
11,821. Apple pie and ice cream
11,822. "Expectancy sets our sights on God's promises rather than the empty pursuit of all that cannot     truly satisfy in this season." Ruth Chou Simons
11,823. The service of being able to pick up groceries
11,824. Thorough dental care
11,825. Isaiah's good attitude about taking medicine
11,826. Advent readings
11,827. Another piece falling into place for Aliza
11,828. Gathering all the present wrapping supplies
11,829. Making cookies
11,830. Our house full of young adults
11,831. Technology for Isaiah to play and talk to his Texas cousins
11,832. Josiah helping with supper without being asked
11,833. Trampoline put together
11,834. Anna's birthday party of all the things she likes--painting, Chinese food, movie, friends
11,835. Learning new chords
11,836. Catching up with both of our moms
11,837, Watching a Christmas concert
11,838. First Cookie Baking Championship episode
11,839. Candles burning
11,840. My circle of friends
11,841. Aliza and Anna's hearts
11,842. The coziness of rainy days
11,843. Finals week has gone smoothly for Aliza
11,844. Watching Josiah drive out to meet friends to play soccer
11,845. Singing Christmas carols until I had no voice left
11,846. Cookout shakes, Advent reading and laughing
11,847. Talking to an old friend
11,848. Janell put me on the right path to help Anna's headache
11,849. Concentrating on school
11,850. Gifts wrapped
11,851. Lunch conversations
11,852. Christmas lunch with Maria
11,853. Searching my heart
11,854. Bookstore and dessert
11,855. Thinking about dear ones as I address cards
11,856. Isaiah confidently standing up and reading Scripture
11,857. All of the coming and going activity
11,858. The moment when Aliza sees that I do understand
11,859. Josiah willing to spend his afternoon helping
11,860. Peppermint mocha on a rainy Monday afternoon
11,861. Isaiah very motivated to work ahead
11,862. Hearing all about Anna's Christmas dance class
11,863. Soaking up a little sun
11,864. Gingersnaps baking
11,865. Late night talking with Aliza
11,866. Welcoming a friend
11,867. Sitting with Mom
11,868. Dad's heart beating in rhythm
11,869. Young children singing
11,870. Getting to hug Judy
11,871. First semester of school finished and organized
11,872. Shopping with Anna
11,873. Isaiah playing with Texas cousins
11,874. Enjoying the season
11,875. Christmas tree lights on dark evenings
11,876. Aliza's Christmas concert
11,877. Santa driving by and all the laughter
11,878. Christmas Sunday worship
11,879. Isaiah singing with the children
11,880. Aliza's solo
11,881. Snuck in supper with Mom
11,882. One more Christmas music program
11,883. Being able to drop everything to be with Dad and Mom
11,884. Aliza kept the laundry going
11,885. Strength for the day
11,886. Spending the afternoon with my brother and sisters families
11,887. The timing that Dad and Mom could see all of us
11,888. Quieting for Christmas Eve church service
11,889. Christmas morning baking
11,890. A day together at home
11,891. Smiles and happy children
11,892. An actually enjoyable trip
11,893. Playing with Ronan a little bit
11,894. First Christmas with the Heslop cousins
11,895. Toddler squeals
11,896. Reading time
11,897. Christmas dinner
11,898. Jeremy was the driver for the day
11,899. Jeremy could be there for Aliza
11,900. Cousins playing new games
11,901. One more meal with the whole Heslop family
11,902. Games of pool and visiting with Matt and Chrissy
11,903. Our children thanking us when we eat out
11,904. Home
11,905. Anna having an electric guitar lesson
11,906. Supporting Jeremy
11,907. Sheats family Christmas
11,908. Overheard: "I can't wait to get home so I can pray and tell God all about my day." (Anna)
11,909. Midnight and New Years Eve with the 6 of us together.

New Year's Eve Christmas

 We did not stay with my family until midnight, but we did have our usual Christmas Eve pizza and shrimp. 

Cousins in a line.

Grandad reading Luke 2.

And a picture of each of the grandchildren opening a gift. In no particular order...

The 6 of us did stay up until midnight. We were all doing our own things and then we all gathered on the couch to watch the ball drop. We were quickly off to bed then because Aliza had to be out the door at 4:30am for her next adventure! I consider it a Mom win that I did not even hear her leave. I was sound asleep!
 

Oldest and Youngest Boy Cousins

First of all, Anna casually took this picture and it is now my favorite picture of Josiah. That natural smile melts my heart. 

Second of all, Josiah spent his weekend in WV being led around by Ronan. Even though we were at Ronan's house first, when he got to Grandma and Grandpa's house he remembered all the games he and Josiah did last time we were there.

When a 23 month old tells a 16 year old boy to put the dinosaur egg on his head too, he does it!

This game quickly led to Ronan standing on the truck and jump flying into Josiah's arms.

Isaiah was getting ready for breakfast and Ronan brought his dinosaurs over to play. Amanda apologized to Isaiah for the interruption and Isaiah responded with, "It's ok. It was the cutest interruption."

Ronan sent Josiah home with the gift of his cold. Josiah has been pretty miserable this week. Today, though, he said, "I'd like to feel better. But it's ok. Ronan was dive hugging me with snot flying out of his nose. I would never have let him fall. I love him so much." 

Josiah's sisters are convinced that he will make the best husband and dad one day!