Some Family Time

It is nearing the end of October and I am comfortably sitting on the porch, with the laptop power cord threaded through the window, to write. It's lovely! I could handle this along with some variations of warmer all year!

Last weekend we were tourists in Lancaster, PA. We stayed in a hotel which the children think is the absolute best. It got even better when we found that there was a Friendly's restaurant across the street. There was no question that we had to eat there Friday evening moments after we arrived. Aliza was SO excited to get the wrap that she used to always get when there was a Friendly's in Pocomoke.

Saturday was a beautiful day. We went to the Amish Village and did the guided house tour. Our tour guide had Amish neighbors and her husband drives for them rather frequently so she had some interesting first hand experience with the Amish culture. I decided that I need an Amish neighbor because I find the the intersection of their faith and lifestyle fascinating. 

There were lots of animals on the grounds along with an Amish one room schoolhouse and a playground.

Our afternoon activity was a buggy ride. I chose this particular one because they had a "Cookie Run" ride. It was fairly short and went to a farm where the Amish girls were selling homemade chocolate chip cookies and I will always go for homemade cookies!

Our driver said he was Amish, but we had our questions about the actual validity of that.

It was a nice little ride regardless. The other families with us were from Manhattan. Soybean and corn fields aren't quite as novel for us as. lol.

The plan for Sunday was to ride the Strasburg train. It was so very rainy, but enjoyable nonetheless.

At the end of the line, the steam engine uncouples and drives to the other end of the train to go back.

While we were on the train I realized that on the back of one of our tickets was a coupon for a free whoopie pie and the Track Side Cafe. That sealed the deal--we were going to eat lunch there! It was one of those tourist trap cafes where a family like ours does not buy a meal for everyone but splits meals because the cost of ridiculous. So we were discussing this and at the register the couple behind us gave us their coupon for a whoopie pie. We each got a third of a whoopie pie which was plenty!

I had my eye on the Old Navy outlet all weekend so we made a stop there on the way home. I wanted to look for jeans. I didn't get any jeans and everyone got something. Hmmm. Outlet sales were good though...except for the minecraft shirt that Isaiah HAD to have. Jeremy drove the whole way home in pouring rain.

On Neighboring

Hey Kids,
When you have neighbors of your own, here is your Mom's story of how to get along. Jesus taught us that the second most important thing after loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength is to love your neighbor as yourself.

Here's the thing--the first step is to know your neighbor. Don't live beside someone and not know their name. When they are outside, talk to them. When they invite you to their kids' birthday parties, go! When you see their posts on social media, write a comment. Get their phone number and send a text once in a while. Because those little acts of creating relationship will go a long way when something happens that could cause conflict.

But if there is something that just isn't going to work for you, don't sit quietly by stewing. Talk to them! They might just be willing to change to accommodate your wishes even though it only effects their property. At that moment all of those small relationship efforts will pay off exponentially.

You see, one weekend, I looked out the living room window and this very nice shed was being parked right outside our living room window. I did not want to look at the back of even a very nice looking shed every time I looked out the living room window. I was upset actually! At this point you have 2 choices, you can speak up or you can leave well enough alone. I decided to speak up. There is nothing wrong with speaking up! I walked right over and talked to my neighbor's dad and after the conversation with him, I texted my neighbor. Yes, they knew I was unhappy, even very annoyed! But I was not unkind, threatening or disrespectful. After all, it is their property and the shed was off the trailer. 

You know what? A few minutes later, that shed was back on the trailer and being moved parallel to the old shed.

And then the dad came over to make sure I was ok with the new location (of course I was more than happy) and we chatted and introduced ourselves officially. You see, we had seen each other at birthday parties. We weren't complete strangers. And next time I see him, I won't have to hang my head or avoid him over how I acted.

So, kids, love your neighbor and don't be afraid to speak to people. It might just make your world a better place in more than one way.

Love,
Mom

Aliza's First Tea

I promised Aliza that when she was 13 I would take her to the Main Street Enchanted Tea Room in Berlin. She and I decided that it would be most fun if both of Aliza's Grandmas would join us. With both Grandmas working weekends it became quite a puzzle to figure out. My Mom still ended up taking the day off work, but we made it happen last weekend before Isaiah's birthday party.

Aliza loved it. I had no doubt about that. She loves trying all kinds of food and she loved everything she tried this time.

Part of the charm of this tea room is the owner who shares all of kinds of information with her customers. This time we learned about Nippon china. We also had a detailed description of three female Hindu goddesses. The funny story is that this week my Mom pulled out a piece of china from Gramma and happened to turn it over and it was Nippon china. She was planning to put a candle on the plate. After she saw that it was Nippon, she put parchment paper under the candle. 

One special girls who has two very special Grandmas.

After tea we walked around and browsed in a couple of my favorite shops. When I saw this picture I was reminded again how grown up Aliza is.

We got home with an hour to get ready for Isaiah's birthday party. Thankfully Janell arrived at the same time and helped me because Isaiah's cake wasn't even decorated.

Celebrating Isaiah

Celebrating Isaiah was so much fun! Isaiah has been telling me a list of things that he has been wanting and so he opened up those 3 things first thing in the morning. Thankfully his birthday weekend was warm enough for water guns!

Isaiah would love to eat McDonald's every day so it was no surprise that he REALLY wanted McDonald's for lunch. Grandad took him to McDonald's and then to Tractor Supply. Grandad was looking for work gloves for Isaiah and instead came home with a remote control truck. He was SO excited! (I was SO shocked! This isn't the normal for my Dad.) But they had the best time together. That truck was beside his bed that night. 

When he came home from his outing with Grandad, Grandma and Grandpa were at our house!

And a little later Uncle Joel arrived! Joel stayed in the girls room and Isaiah insisted on sleeping in the same room as him.

Minecraft is the game of choice these days. Jeremy has a server that the kids and Joel and other friends play together on. Honestly, they have had more fun playing Minecraft together. It's a game I can't complain about. So it was a Minecraft inspired birthday party.

The snacks were based on minecraft building supplies: sticks-pretzels, fish-goldfish, TNT-twizzlers, diamonds-hershey kisses, gold nuggets-gold wrapped candy, redstone-strawberries

Jeremy and I gave Isaiah a fold up shovel that he has had his eye on and his Grandad and Grandma gave him a pick ax. Isaiah continues to dig his huge hole in the sandbox. He could not be prouder of that pick ax.

I was so excited to be able to have a birthday gathering outside. It got a little chilly by evening, but it was a gorgeous day. These 6 cousins played soccer until it was time for everyone to leave. Isaiah joins right in.

So many happy birthday memories for one very happy 5 year old!

Happy 5th Birthday Isaiah!

We are so excited to celebrate you! It's so fun watching you grow up!

Joy Dare::September

6691. Sunday breakfast
6692. One more summer vacation day
6693. Pool time
6694. Fire pit and s'mores until it was dark
6695. A full day of school went pretty well
6696. Books that make me think
6697. Isaiah wanted to be held
6698. Josiah did pretty great with school
6699. Aliza is really applying herself
6700. Isaiah's video to Joel
6701. Caffeine
6702. Expanding our Bible study
6703. Friday.
6704. Josiah facing his fear of heights
6705. A little time on the beach
6706. Ice cream with Grandad
6707. Double teaming with Jeremy to get a bunch of stuff done this evening
6708. Planning
6709. Hard conversations
6710. First dance classes
6711. Dinner I didn't cook
6712. Persevering
6713. Pre ordered book that arrives
6714. Josiah sat down and finished his math assignment on his own without me telling him to
6715. The orthodontist could expose Aliza's tooth
6716. Kid size smoothies
6717. Aliza and her fried pickles

6718. Red Robin burgers
6719. Grandma and Grandpa's house
6720. My mother in law all out spoiling me
6721. Visiting with Brandi
6722. Adult conversation with Aliza
6723. BBQ lunch with the Smith's
6724. Homeschool Mom solidarity text
6725. Kindergarten snacks

6726. First cool morning
6727. The moment the car get silent and I realize the children are playing the quiet game
6728. Little Things t-shirt
6729. Josiah and Anna had so much fun with friends
6730. Windows open
6731. Excitement of possiibility
6732. Fall cleaning the yard
6733. Time with Jeremy
6734. An afternoon with friends

6735. And still home in time for church
6736. Anna made a batch of slime that actually worked
6737. We had internet all day
6738. Jeremy was home to help Josiah with math
6739. Josiah did some essay writing on his own
6740. Good conversation
6741. Podcasts
6742. At least Isaiah is still excited about math
6743. Even on days when I don't think it's possible, all the things get done
6744. My far away friends
6745. Anna so excited about her shorter hair

6746. Butterflies on the mexican sunflower

6747. Serving with the children
6748. Visiting Grandad
6749. Starting a weekend project
6750. Jeremy working with me
6751. Everyone picked up their food boxes early
6752. Slumber party
6753. Dining room painted!
6754. Movie with a message (I Can Only Imagine)
6755. Tea in the painted dining room
6756. The way Isaiah's eyebrow raises when he slurps tea
6757. Leftovers for lunch and supper

Dining Room Update

Painting the dining room was on my list of summer projects. That didn't happen, but I finally bought paint last week. And then that paint called my name all week and last weekend I dove into the project.

First step was to pain the trim white. I thought I was going to take this project slowly, but once I had that white paint on and realized that the bottom half of the wall looked like we had been smoking in the house for the last 18 years, I knew I wasn't going to take anything slowly!

I tried using a sponge brush to cut in without taping, but I quickly learned that I cannot paint a straight line. So I taped. Coloring in the lines is much easier for me!

I learned a new thing--color can be added to primer. Isaiah wanted so badly to help. I gave him a little brush and a blank wall and let him go. He painted for a few minutes, was thrilled, and then the was done. And he didn't ask to paint again. I'd call that a win for both of us!

Jeremy was really my hero. He did the rolling. Primer finished.

One coat of paint and then room was finished! When I started the paint I was not at all sure one coat would do it, but when it dried, it looked great.

Naturally the dining room is much brighter and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out!