Family

There was a time when I could not imagine that family pictures could go smoothly with complete cooperation. Time changes everything and now our family picture shoots are almost boring! 

This week a couple hard things landed at the same time and I’m holding on to these people and their hearts more fiercely than ever. 

This is the children’s favorite: 

This Last Week

 Thursday was the last day for Renee and Lydia joining us for school--at least for now! I think this was the best season to have extra students. Every morning they went outside and played before starting school and most afternoons they were back outside, after the highly anticipated computer time! This week these four were completely obsessed about digging a hole as deep as possible in the dirt box.

 On Thursday Renee and Lydia only had a half day of school so we headed out to Pemberton Park for a hike.

It was a gorgeous day to be out.

We had lunch at Dairy Queen. There was a table almost big enough for us to eat inside. I did move chairs off of the "closed" table so that we could all sit together.

Anna was so thrilled with her hot fudge sundae that she had to take a picture. Having big kids is pretty fun! Although a cup of soda did spill...just a reminder that the kids aren't completely grown up yet!

It was a bit of an ordeal, but I made them all take a picture together for the sole purpose of documenting this season. In the end, I'll thank Corona for giving us this opportunity to make memories and do life together.

 On the other hand, I'm wishing Renee and Lydia very happy days at school and wonderful rest of the school year with their teachers!

Celebrating Isaiah

Isaiah’s birthday party wasn’t fancy, but most of his favorite people were able to enjoy a lovely afternoon with him. 

Isaiah had no clue what to expect or how to react when we told him his gift was outside. He was pretty happy with a new bike! I really should include a picture of the bike we replaced—that week a pedal had literally broken, the seat was duct taped and the tape was falling apart, the chain was completely rusted. He has had lots of fun riding now!

The afternoon included ice cream cake and s’mores. If ice cream cake is your thing, I’ve been using a recipe I found on Pinterest for a copycat Dairy Queen ice cream cake. It’s far more cost effective than buying a cake from Dairy Queen and my family loves it. 

Isaiah had quite a list of food he wanted—all bought. We had Chuck Fil-A for supper and dounuts for breakfast. Shakes from Cook Out and McDonald’s had to be spread out over a week or so. 

I think Isaiah had fun and felt special and that’s all that matters! 

Joy Dare::September

7447. Making a cup of tea for Aliza

7448. Isaiah surprising himself with reading

7449. Keeping up the earlier bedtimes

7450. Listening to the cicadas

7451. Walking while the boys ride bikes

7452. Bodies that are made to heal

7453. Half day of school

7454. An uncrowded beach

7455. Isaiah and Ezra’s bamboo paddles 

7456. A very positive beach experience 

7457. Delivering a meal and a gift with Jeremy

7458. All 6 of us working together

7459. Isaiah roasting a marshmallow for me

7460. Devotions on the porch

7461. Cool breeze

7462. One more half day of school

7463. Ice cream with Grandad 

7464. Hamburgers, potato salad, corn on the cob and watermelon

7465. Making it my intention to enjoy the journey

7466. Anna’s after supper party that she planned

7467. Isaiah is so excited to be an RA

7468. Some days school goes really smoothly

7469. Virtual CBS

7470. Helping Anna day good bye to a friend who’s moving 

7471. The first of pumpkin—pumpkin ice cream

7472. When the humidity breaks in the middle of the day

7473. Dinner with Jeremy

7474. When we got home the supper dishes were washed

7475. Anna has washed the dishes

7476. Doing a little shopping 

7477. Visiting with Jeremy’s aunt and uncle

7478. Weekend devotions on the porch

7479. A couple days away in the Outer Banks

7480. Evening swim

7481. Grocery shopping with Dad

7482. 4th grade national park pass

7483. All the pretty shells on the beach

7484. Dad laughing

7485. Taking the children to a nice restaurant 

7486. Aliza thrilled with her California rolls

7487. Decades of music

7488. One more morning swim

7489. New favorite trail mix

7490. Technology success

7491. Opening my fall Grace Case

7492. Anna so happy to go to dance

7493. Jeremy went back to the store for the one ingredient I forgot

7494. Josiah made it through a test without angst

7495. Making supper for Great Grandad

7496. A beautiful fall day

7497. The children listening to Great Grandad’s airplane flying stories

7498. Hugging my Grandad and telling him I love him

7499. Perfect evening for a fire and s’mores

7500. Working and praying

7501. At the end of the Sabbath, I feel ready for the week ahead

7502. Day 1 with 6 students went pretty well

7503. Mom was here to help

7504. Back with my Bible study tribe

7505. Better than I thought the day could go

7506. Tea with a friend

7507. Jeremy repaired the van

7508. When the time alone with a child happens just when they need it

7509. Mom’s help

7510. Some good conversations today

7511. That feeling when school is finished for the day

7512. Just enough energy for the day

7513. The nights that Isaiah needs to snuggle to settle down

7514. Friday evening relief

7515. Watching a show

7516. When my sister in law shows up with donuts and M&Ms

7517. Morning road trip with Janell

7518. Anna and Aliza were great workers

7519. “My” spot on the couch

7520. Brunch and devotions on the porch

7521. Asking for advice

7522. Josiah found the missing reading book

7523. M&Ms on a hard day

7524. Isaiah writing his spelling words

7525. Aliza spending the afternoon with friends

7526. Josiah staying home alone for the first time

7527. Making myself go to bed earlier 

                             Happy 6th Birthday Isaiah!