What a Week!

Saturday. Mom, Aliza and I left bright and early for a grand adventure. Our destination was Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. Mom and Dad met at EMU. I went to EMU for two years. And Jeremy's mom went to EMU. Our first adventures though, were letting Aliza drive over the Bay Bridge for the first time and having an Autumn Spice milkshake at Chick Fil A.

We arrived at EMU with just enough time for Aliza and I to take a quick walk around campus. The highlight was going up on the hill behind campus to see the mountains. The sky was really pretty that day too. And then I was very surprised to see a friend from long ago whose son is not attending EMU.

Our reason for going to EMU was to attend the Girl Named Tom concert. This sibling trio grew up in the tiny town my mom grew up in. They graduated from the high school my mom graduated from and to top it all off, my mom is 2nd cousins with their dad.

 It was a chilly afternoon for an outdoor concert! I enjoyed the relaxed, simple, down home feeling they brought to the stage.

Sunday morning started with Mom having breakfast with a friend and Aliza and I meeting Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn joined us for the next leg of our adventure--driving to Greenville, South Carolina. Kaitlyn and Aliza will be joining a group of Juniors from the Academy of Home Education for a class trip this week. Aliza and Kaitlyn had a couple hours to get to know each other in person before I met my friend from college for lunch. After lunch we got on the road with the GPS set for Greenville. It was a longer-than-anticipated drive with several traffic slow downs for construction. 

Monday. At home, Josiah and Isaiah spent Monday fishing with Grandad. They spent the night at Grandad's house and got up before dawn to meet the boat in Ocean City. This was Isaiah's first time on the ocean and I was trying really hard not to be nervous. I didn't need to be--having a big brother with him all the time makes Isaiah very brave.

They had a great catch and all of them had a fabulous time! I got to hear lots of stories when I got home. One of the mates was Isaiah's buddy which let Grandad get a lot of fishing time in too.

Meanwhile, we slept in and then went to a thrift store. Aliza had never gone thrifting and Kaitlyn LOVES thrifting. Everyone left with some good finds.

After that we walked around downtown Greenville for a little while.

A river with falls and a suspension bridge and areas with lots of green space and sidewalks gave us plenty to explore.

We ate lunch at a local bistro right by the falls.

At 3:00 we met the rest of the Juniors at Bob Jones University (BJU) for a campus tour. It was more emotional than I thought it would be taking a college campus tour as a parent! We got the girls settled in to the dorm room for the night and then it was time for Mom and I to head back north.

Aliza spent 24 hours on the BJU campus. They played a neat game Monday night and Tuesday morning they toured the facilities where the high school curriculum is written and published and where the distance learning videos are created. They got to meet their teachers which Aliza loved. The rest of the week Aliza was at The Wilds. 

The Wilds is a church camp. There were other school groups at the camp for Spiritual Emphasis Week. This part of the week is Aliza's story to tell. My part of the story is that the kids had to turn their phones in so I did not hear from her from Tuesday to Friday. 

Tuesday. Mom and I drove the rest of the way home. Apparently we were quite anxious to get home. We drove through the last area of restaurants and gas stations before the bay bridge tunnel without stopping and then realized that the gas light was on. It was probably the longest trip over the bridge that either of us has ever had. Mom was praying and I was imagining us running out of gas in the middle of the tunnel. But we did make it across and to the nearest gas station where I put 17.79 gallons of gas in an 18 gallon tank.

I got home at 3:00 on Tuesday, was home all day on Wednesday and Jeremy and I headed back to Greenville at 1:00 on Thursday. 

Thursday. Josiah, Anna and Isaiah stayed with Grandma and Grandad. Jeremy and I are in the season of life where even a really long road trip alone together counts as something to look forward to. We had a construction detour that added to our arrival time and we pulled in to the hotel at 11:00pm.

Friday. Pickup time wasn't until 1:00 so we got to go back to downtown Greenville for a little bit. This time there was a huge festival getting ready to start so parking was harder to find. We walked through blocks of local food tents and ended up at Starbucks for a lunch of egg bites and drinks. We are real fancy like that. lol.

I was happy to hug my girl! Aliza made some great friends this week and it was hard to say good bye. Aliza and Kaitlyn told us stories from the week for HOURS. They watched a movie and then talked some more. I'm not sure that either one of them slept on the way home despite how utterly exhausted they were. We made only the quickest bathroom stops and ate supper in the car. At 10:30 we pulled in to Mom and Dad's to pick up the other children and got home to our house at 11:05.

Kaitlyn's mom came at 8:00 Saturday morning to pick her up. 

What a week! My parents get a big thanks! We couldn't have made it through the week with as much sanity as we did without their help. (My mom originally only signed up for the Girl Named Tom concert and then the trip was to SC was added on when we found out the dates. )
 

Celebrating Isaiah

 Candy was the centerpiece of this birthday party. Isaiah arranged the chips and candy.

Isaiah is loving his blanket that is "as soft as Grandma's".

Candy and cash is what Isaiah told everyone he wanted. He is saving for a Nintendo Switch and is getting closer to his goal!

Plain Cheerios are as good as candy. He ate so many Cheerios that I had to stop buying them so now it is a treat and he gets very excited when he can have Cheerios.

The Sheats cousins now have a space to hang out and talk in our house. There was also a soccer game. It's fun to watch these 10 grow up together.

And, of course, I'm still thrilled about all of being comfortable enough in this space that we can linger.

Next time there will be a Heslop cousin with us!

On Isaiah's actual birthday he did not have to do school and requested Domino's pizza for lunch and Cook Out for supper. I wasn't complaining about a day off from cooking! We also went to Grandma and Grandad's house in the afternoon for a quick visit.

He had a happy day. And that night I tucked my brand new 8 year old in bed and he snuggled in and fell asleep on my shoulder. I stayed there, with him sleeping on me, way too long.

 

 

Happy 8th Birthday Isaiah!

Joy Dare::Septmeber

9445. Anna conquered a fear
9446. Standing in the parking lot talking way too long
9447. Reduced price bread
9448. Leaves and bikes
9449. Family on the porch kind of evening
9450. A Friday night to stay up late and in Saturday morning
9451. A clean house
9452. A full fridge for the week
9453. Hibachi for supper
9454. Nesting
9455. Figuring out communication with Aliza
9456. Porch fans and iced tea
9457. Having Jeremy home for the day
9458. A good book
9459. Connecting really easily with a mom and daughter
9460. Waiting, watching, cheering Aliza on
9461. Watching Aliza pull out of the driveway for the first time
9462. Josiah's Legos organized and set up
9463. Remembering Gramma and Grandad
9464. Kenyan tea in the morning
9465. All the Island Creamery flavors
9466. Meeting new friends at ESL
9467. Aliza and I doing something new together
9468. Bouquet of zinnias
9469. Singing hymns

9470. Isaiah being the best pine needle picker upper with me
9471. The first drop off/pick up I didn't have to do
9472. Candles on the porch

9473. Being told how well Isaiah is doing in Sunday School
9474. Making the effort to connect with neighbors
9475. Early bedtime
9476. A very loud supper table
9477. Listening to Anna's interview with her Grandma
9478. Being able to follow Aliza home in the storm
9479. Anna sitting close to me for school
9480. Grace Case
9481. Cookie baking
9482. Mums by the back porch
9483. Club went better than Isaiah thought it would
9484. Anna's glasses help her
9485. Aliza excited about dance
9486. Having the sense to put school away
9487. The girls really enjoyed book club
9488. The boys had fun with a friend
9489. Anna sat down beside me to read
9490. The house full of friends
9491. Reading at bedtime with Isaiah
9492. Family pictures that turned into a hike
9493. Isaiah so excited to tell me that he prayed out loud in Sunday School
9494. Aliza helped lead a song
9495. Incorporating theater into our life
9496. Theater practice and Mom and Dad's house are in the same town
9497. No tears over math today
9498. Making supper for Janell and her girls
9499. Reading nook

9500. Josiah doing chores
9501. A full room of teenagers
9502. Getting to visit with Elizabeth
9503. Welcoming the change of season with baking
9504. Standing and talking way too long again
9505. Remembering God's provisions
9506. When school is finished for the weekend
9507. Getting to know a couple from church better
9508. Crossing off the to do list
9509. Danny Gokey concert
9510. A family evening has to include Cook Out shakes
9511. Porch sitting, book reading Sunday afternoon
9512. Aliza and Anna snuggled in our bed to watch a movie
9513. Aliza drove herself to theater practice
9514. Getting everyone through school felt like a Mom win
9515. Monday evening with Janell
9516. Anna talked the whole way home
9517. Isaiah joined to me to walk this morning
9518. Beautiful afternoons to be outside
9519. Children old enough to laugh at my shortcomings
9520. Josaih is taller than me
9521. Everyone comes home happy
9522. Candles on cloudy days
9523. Helping in ESL class
9524. Watching the ESL students learn and gain confidence
9525. Weekend company = Clean house
9526. Isaiah and Sean

9527. All of a sudden it was midnight, we were visiting and not watching the clock
 

Our First Driver

 What an experience to take my girl to take her driving test. I was probably as nervous and excited as Aliza was. I knew she was ready and would have been shocked if she didn't pass, but watching her drive out to do that first parking task, I was holding my breath. I knew if she got the parking successfully, she would have no problem. I was right. When she came back from the road part of the test, she was grinning big! I remember what it felt like to get my license and I was so excited for Aliza to feel that feeling of independence and responsibility.

It was POURING rain as we drove to the MVA. Probably the heaviest rain Aliza had ever driven in. We had time to practice parking and then enough time to drive the test route. By the time we pulled in to the MVA, the rain had pretty well stopped and it wasn't raining when she took the test.

Right after lunch Aliza had the moment she was hoping for. She took her brothers and sister to Cook Out to get shakes. I wanted to cry, but I was too busy smiling. A friend who was a few weeks ahead of me told me it's a proud and sad feeling when you watch them drive away. That's what it was! I'm so proud and excited for Aliza and sad about the passing of time and the letting go. I did sit on the porch the whole time they were gone. 

 

Josiah wasn't sure about going with Aliza for her first drive alone. Anna had was all in. No hesitation. Isaiah was super excited for Cook Out, but as he was walking out the door, he said it felt strange to be leaving without me. He turned around and said, "Don't worry Mom. I'll be back with my shake and then we will snuggle." Being the wonderful children they are, they had a Starbucks Chai for me when they got home. (Starbucks is right beside Cook Out.)

 

Completely unrelated to driving... Anna likes to look at old photos and zoom in and crop out a funny face or herself when she was little. I found this one of Josiah and it make me laugh out loud. I'm pretty sure this was a family photo from the Sunday Aliza was baptized.

 

Joy Dare::August

9361. Visiting with Lynette and meeting her little guy
9362. Aliza and Anna made a new friend

9363. New customers
9364. The last heater removed
9365. Anna busy with projects
9366. Isaiah so excited to have "Aliza and Isaiah time."
9367. Spoons in the glove compartment
9368. Watching the sunset

9369. Josiah walking around the yard with Sean
9370. A really productive morning with Josiah's help
9371. An unexpected opportunity for hospitality yielded a lovely visit
9372. Blackberries and cream
9373. Hearing my niece talk about youth group
9374. Girls shopping time--and successful!
9375. Tea with Maria
9376. Free books
9377. Josiah's new skill of caulking
9378. A Sunday evening to scrapbook
9379. The kids and Dad having their time
9380. New-to-us couch and chair
9381. Pretty beach time

9382. Isaiah taking an interest in Legos
9383. Sweet affirmations
9384. Morning with friends
9385. Evening at the beach
9386. Island Creamery to end the night
9387. Aliza and Anna SO excited
9388. Memories
9389. My brother's family around our table
9390. Painting and podcasts
9391. Watching Superbook with Isaiah
9392. All of Aliza and Anna's stories from their adventure
9393. Learning something new with Aliza
9394. Supper given to us
9395. A most beautiful evening to weed some flowerbeds
9396. Looking at pictures with Anna
9397. A friends sent me the word that I didn't know I needed
9398. Feeling my energy returning after a day of rest
9399. A healthy body that can work all day
9400. Carrying paint can out of the house
9401. The feeling of accomplishment
9402. Mom to help me scrub the floor
9403. Unpacking my boxes
9404. Feeling really happy and excited
9405. Feeling encouraged at the end of the first day of school
9406. Clean floors
9407. Sitting at my desk
9408. Josiah had the best attitude and work ethic
9409. Isaiah finding a job to do while I waited for me
9410. Adjusting tears
9411. 5 days of morning walks
9412. Pitching balls for Isaiah to hit
9413. Tea time
9414. Family time
9415. Anna having a lot of Grandma time
9416. Sunday dinner
9417. Groceries for the week
9418. New opportunity for Aliza
9419. Isaiah reading on his own
9420. Dahlias to cut

9421. All the Minecraft scavenger hunt excitement
9422. Josiah so surprised with a new computer mouse
9423. Good test scores
9424. Chai with Mom
9425. Time to catch up with Janell
9426. Their first Bible class with Grandad
9427. The first taste of pumpkin spice for the season
9428. Isaiah running in to tell Grandad that he is ready to go fishing
9429. A full week of school without tears
9430. Cleaning for company
9431. A fun evening hosting the youth group
9432. Pokemon family time
9433. The way Aliza pushes herself out of her comfort zone
9434. After church the children scatter to talk to friends
9435. Sunday afternoon nap
9436. Scrapbooking for me, movie for them kind of evening
9437. Aliza is sick before all of her activities start
9438. Walking with the boys
9339. When my big girl still needs her Mom
9340. Opening curtains in the morning
9341. Summer rain
9342. A bag of snacks that make our day
9343. Sitting on the porch feeling the hind of a season change in the air
9344. The sparkle back in Aliza's eyes
 

School, West Virginia, and Community Day

 We are 8 days into my 12th year of educating our children at home. It is nice to be at the point where I can see that my children are well educated, not just hoping that it will all come together. Isaiah is reading so very well. Math is coming together for Anna. Josiah is a Freshman. He is taking Alegbra 1 and Physical Science along with his other subjects this year. Aliza is a Junior. She is taking Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Spanish 2 along with her other subjects. I'm also not using video instruction for a couple classes for Anna and Josiah. This is the first year I've felt up for doing parent led instruction. 

We had some bumps during the first 3 days. By Friday afternoon I was in tears and wondering if I could actually do this and if I was doing it all wrong for a particular child. I was so discouraged. We headed to West Virginia for the weekend (more on that in a second) and I headed into our first full week of school with a bit of trepidation. For as discouraged as I was, I was equally encouraged at the end of last week. There were no tears over school all week. We finished between 1:30 and 2:00 every day (Aliza was a little later.) It was good. It also takes me being 100% present for schoolwork from 9:30-1:30.

Back to West Virginia--there was not an occasion for this trip. It was just time to visit Grandma and Grandpa and Joel and Amanda. Anna loved having fruit for breakfast.

Isaiah got the buddy treehouse cleaned up. I pitched a lot of balls for Isaiah to hit. After he hit me on the first pitch, I took it a little more seriously!

Anna spent Saturday with Grandma. They went shopping, stopped at a yard sale and then Grandma set up a painting table in the garage for Anna to paint a jewelry cabinet.

Anna had the best time painting.

Meanwhile, Jeremy, Aliza and Josiah went to Joel and Amanda's house to meet their new dog and then they went to Shepherdstown to play Pokemon.

Saturday evening I worked up the courage to sew the elastic and ribbons on Anna's pointe shoes. I only sewed one ribbon at the wrong angle and had to tear it out and redo it.

I just found this picture in my camera roll that Anna set up and took. (her pointe shoes beside her new bag) She starting a new dance class this fall and is so excited--and nervous.

Aliza planned a family outing this weekend for a Pokemon event. We went to SU for a couple hours and walked around, did some raids and got really hungry and thirsty. Isaiah and I shared a device. It was perfect. He rode his scooter when we were walking and when we stopped, he played. He LOVED being my "little Pokemon buddy." (his words) He talked his way through every step of the game, appraising each Pokemon he caught right away and deciding whether to keep it or not. He would explain to me his logic for transferring or keeping each one. This is a fun way for us to all be together. Lunch and shakes from Cookout was just the right way to end our adventure.