Some Little Things

It is as hard for me to believe how my calendar filled up almost overnight in June the way it emptied almost overnight in March. We have been spending time, mostly outside, with friends, going to church and Bible study, club and youth group. I have already turned down one weekly activity for the summer just because I want to quiet the schedule. A trip is in the works and a vacation is being dreamed up.

I did get Josiah's blanket pieced together.

I think the quarantine period solidified some friendships for the children and me.

We went to the cove last night with this family. When a storm rolled in, we moved the party to our porch for supper. The kids played through a couple downpours and had a great time.

Isaiah has been surprising me with his mental math skills. He asked me if 15 + 15 equals 30. I said yes and he told me that he knew that because 5 + 5 is 10 and 10 + 10 is 20. A couple nights later he asked me if 360 + 360 equals 720. I thought a minute and then told him yes. I asked Isaiah how he knew that one. He said he guessed. I told him there was no way he guessed that and then he gave me a complicated explanation that actually made sense for the most part. The funniest part is that he makes me prove that he is right on the calculator.

This is the best book I have read on relationships:

Single, dating, engaged, married--it is for everyone. This is the book I will give my young adults. It is grace filled, hopeful, honest, and Bible based.

There are also some pretty great things happening on the business front and on the home renovation front. It's nice to see some long time hopes falling into place--slowly, but steadily!

Joy Dare::May

7129. Windows open

7130. The girls had so much fun doing dance costume pictures

7131. The continual practice of contentment

7132. Planning to the end of school for Aliza

7133. After church walk on a beautiful evening

7134. Popcorn on the porch

7135. Masks for the children

7136. New BJU customers

7137. Outside time with cousins

7138. Painting helpers

7139. Completely unexpected additional discount

7140. Children played outside for a long time leaving me in a silent house

7141. Visiting Janell

7142. Baking brownies for Renee

7143. Shoes for Anna to enjoy wearing

7144. Hearing Aliza laugh during Zoom call with youth group

7145. Aliza so diligent with school

7146. Josiah conquered a fear

7147. This week’s dessert—Apple pie

7148. Freshly painted stair spindles 

7149. Getting out and walking 

7150. Seeing my Grandad

7151. Breakfast made for me and notes

7152. Jeremy did the dishes for the day

7153. All the boy cousin noise

7154. That last-week-of-school feeling

7155. Giving Isaiah his kindergarten diploma

7156. Starting yet another project

7157. Making my mother in law happy

7158. Chick-fil-a lunch

7159. An afternoon with Janell

7160. Teaching the girls to use a sewing machine

7161. Isaiah excited to have a loose tooth

7162. Enough patience

7163. I have a high schooler!

7164. On the road to WV

7165. Children who know how to be grateful

7166. Patio visiting

7167. Tea with Christie

7168. Aliza’s pure excitement over having Japanese food for supper

7169. Josiah telling the Bible story in full detail

7170. Refreshed after being away

7171. Grace from my children

7172. Sisters to keep me grounded

7173. Anna and Isaiah got to see friends

7174. Walking in silence 

7175. A homemade loaf of bread

7176. Visiting with Linda

7177. Anna walking with me

7178. An hour completely alone

7179. Janell had an extra taco seasoning packet

7180. Stories of great faith

7181. Being spontaneous

7182. Long evenings

7183. Weeded flowerbeds

7184. Ice cream run

7185. Anna helping Jeremy wash the cars

7186. Sleeping in

7187. Meeting together for church

7188. Truth for my girl

7189. Watermelon

7190. Giving the gift of work

7191. Sean’s smile at the lunch table

7192. Afternoon with Janell

7193. Aliza made me tea

7194. Standing up/Speaking up

7195. Sewing with Anna

7196. Finishing a commitment

7197. Warm days

7198. Strawberries

7199. A day away from our house

7200. Cheering Jeremy on

7201. Late afternoon beach time

7202. Strawberry shortcake

7203. Watching space shuttle launch

7204. After church s’mores 

7205. Watching the stars appear

7206. Field of yellow flowers

Road Trip

Janell and I decided to go to our cousin's bridal shower before we actually looked at how far away it was. Typical... I assumed that it was going to be closer to where she lives and it was actually closer to where her parents live. So Janell and I made it an overnight trip and visited our aunt and uncle.

We stayed up late talking around the fire and then Janell and I had a quiet Sunday morning before we needed to leave for the shower. The silence was just about the most luxurious thing I could imagine right now. Then we went to the stream and up the mountain.

And then we surprised our cousin. She was genuinely surprised.

It was a fun little trip!