The Acceptance Letter

 As soon as the calendar turned to June, it was time for me to prepare to work at two homeschool conventions back to back weekends and send Aliza to work at camp. 

The first homeschool convention was in Richmond. This is a long convention. I drive to Richmond on Wednesday night. We set up Thursday morning, have team lunch, participate in a focus group for BJU and then the vendor hall is open 6-8pm. Friday the vendor hall is open 9am-8pm and Saturday it is open 9am-6pm and then we tear down the display. This year I drove home on Sunday after I went to the early service at Taylor's church. 

This year it was especially hard to be away since I missed a lot of things going on at home. Josiah's best friend had his graduation and party, my sister was here from Indiana and my whole family got together and Aliza left to work at camp again this summer. 

Aliza had made a list of romantic comedy movies that I had watched in high school that she we wanted to watch together. We watched three the week before she left and the night before she left, she called me and we talked for over an hour. I cried when we hung up. Last summer Aliza missed her Dad and wasn't at all concerned about being away from me. This summer she misses me and wants to stay connected to me in a different way.  

I went to work in the booth Saturday morning. Jeremy and Anna were planning to take Aliza to meet her team that afternoon. Aliza and I had decided we would not talk on Saturday because I was still weepy. At lunchtime, Aliza told me she changed her mind. She wanted to call. And so I called her on my lunch break a little while later. 

Thankfully, I had waited to call until I had finished eating. Aliza had checked the mail and her acceptance letter waiting for her. She called to tell me that she was accepted into the dental hygiene program that she has been working towards the last 2 years! This program accepts 20 students each fall based solely on GPA. Any tiebreakers are determined by time of application. I knew that Aliza had applied as early as possible and she had a 4.0 GPA. My mom instinct was that she would be accepted so I wasn't really shocked by her news. Aliza, on the other hand, was not convinced she had done enough and was surprised and relieved that she was accepted. 

That being said, when I hung up the phone, the tears came quickly and wouldn't stop. I knew it would hit hard when that acceptance letter came and it was official. Of course I was very proud of Aliza's accomplishment and very happy for her that she can pursue the career that she wants to! The Mom ache in my heart for the changes it brings to our family is very real too. (That ache continues to creep up unexpectedly and brings tears to my eyes at odd times.)

And then my lunch break was over and I needed to head back to work. I had a 5 minute walk back to the booth to get myself together. It didn't work. The ladies took one look at me and thought something horrible happened. I assured them something very GOOD had happened!

Joy Dare::May

 13,333. Flowers ready to plant
13,334. A long to do list getting crossed off
13,335. Busy birdfeeders
13,336. Friends that are comfortable in my house
13,337. The Saturday at home I needed
13,338. Planning adventures
13,339. Watching a Brandon Lake concert on livestream

13,340. The attentive men in Sunday School to assist John
13,341. Anna had a really good evening
13,342. Aliza falling asleep on me
13,343. Lunch conversation
13,344. Helping Mom
13,345. Going to bed and listening to the kids playing games together
13,346. Josiah is finished with high school!
13,347. Flowerbeds mulched
13,348. 15th year of homeschooling finished
13,349. Family adventure
13,350. Watching Anna and Isaiah experience their first plane take off
13,351. Seeing Hannah and her boys
13,352. The first look at Grand Canyon
13,353. Sunset at Grand Canyon
13,354. Anna overcame her fear and was able to hike
13,355. Lunch overlooking Grand Canyon
13,356. Our time with Jay and LeeAnne
13,357. Ping-pong in the garage
13,358. Our first look at Zion National Park
13,359. Kids old enough to make this trip
13,360. Cold river water after a hot hike
13,361. A no-screens Mother's Day
13,362. Dole Whip
13,363. One last desert drive
13,364. Las Vegas was not a hit (totally OK with me!)
13,365. Smooth trip home
13,366. All the experiences we had together
13,367. Getting 6 seats together for the flight home
13,368. Meeting with a homeschool Mom
13,369. A very quiet day in our house
13,370. My siblings
13,371. A time to be sad
13,372. My dear friends
13,373. Letting my kids sleep all morning
13,374. Grad party shopping
13,375. Talking to Mom
13,376. Sorting vacation pictures
13,377. Willing helpers for cleaning
13,378. Girls evening with Grandma Karen
13,379. Jeremy got to golf and have a men's evening that included his Dad
13,380. Celebrating Josiah's graduation
13,381. An afternoon and evening with family and friends
13,382. Games and laughing
13,383. Singing our dinner prayer
13,384. Isaiah got some extra time with Ezra
13,385. Tillamook ice cream
13,386. Worn spots in the grass means so much fun was had

13,387. A taste of summer
13,388. Listening to John
13,389. Boys having a water gun fight
13,390. Maria
13,391. Finding my own balance
13,392. Holding a baby--even if he cried the whole time!

13,393. Having a few minutes with Janell
13,394. Friends who friend me at my worst
13,395. Procrastinating my way through what needs to get done
13,396. Aliza was the voice of reason
13,397. Longer summer morning walks
13,398. My kids and their mini BFFs
13,399. Ashley didn't mine jumping into life with me
13,400. Watching a 90s rom com with Aliza
13,401. Remembering our own wedding vows
13,402. The wedding reception dance party
13,403. Our full house
13,404. Listening to the chaos
13,405. Putting the kids' needs about my own
13,406. A couple older than us to look up to 
13,407. Hanging out with Taylor
13,408. Jeremy home on a (minor) holiday
13,409. Movie night
13,410. A little rain
13,411. Readying with Isaiah
13,412. Full heart, tired body
13,413. Spending the day with Brian
13,414. Chick Fil A time with Jay, LeeAnne, Brian and my kids
13,415. Our community
13,416. Isaiah thanking me
13,417. Catching up on some things at home
13,418. Sun and blue skies
13,419. Playing with Baby Will and then holding him while he slept

13,420. Sitting with Aliza during the movie
13,421. Some time with Anna this morning
13,422. Meeting new homeschooling moms
13,423. Showing up for Renee
13,424. Isaiah had fun (and was safe) in the water
13,425. A quick hello from Grandma and Grandpa
13,426. Sunday nap
13,427. Watching Runaway Bride
 

Josiah's Graduation Party

 Josiah thought even a party might be too much attention on him. He didn't really have a choice in that because I needed to mark the milestone of his high school graduation. I did still require "graduation" pictures.

In Josiah fashion, there were not too many pictures during the day. It was a beautiful day to visit and play outside. 

When I started planning this party, the only thing I knew was that we had to have Cheezit crackers and something sweet. Josiah's go to snack is Cheezits followed by a bowl of ice cream. Salty and sweet. I landed on a make-your-own trail mix bar. I loved how it came together. Josiah never came inside for a snack!  

He was too busy playing Cross Net. The kids of all ages played this game for literally hours. At times the line was 15 people long. 

Aliza got people to bring games because we weren't sure we had enough. Turns out we only needed one game!

Mediterranean Grill is Josiah's favorite! We invited family and a couple friends to stay for supper. Josiah definitely did not miss supper! 

And then it was back to Cross Net! 

At the end of the day, Josiah was very pleased. He had a lot of fun and thanked me for planning a party for him. It is very easy to celebrate Josiah. I'm proud of him and so grateful that I have a front row seat to cheer him on every day. 
 

The Trip--Through Anna's Lens

 The unique parts of Anna's camera roll were flowers, sunsets, mini Jesus, and hearts. When she found a heart it reminded her that God was keeping her safe. Facing fear of heights and feeling unsafe was a theme for her on this trip and seeing one more heart in the city lights as we landed was an extra special sign to her of God's protection on her life. 

Jay and Anna worked together to figure out how to focus "Jesus" and the background at the same time. I think Jay was able to do with his camera. 

Anna is happiest watching a sunset. 

These two ladies from London were sitting in front of us. When they left, Anna showed them the pictures she had taken of them. They were so touched. Anna gave them the pictures via airdrop. 

This heart was at the end of our Ooh Ahh Point hike. 

Anna was our car photographer as we drove. 

Taking pictures through her sunglass lenses gave this effect...