Friday, October 30, 2020

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! 

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RPEmNt0skHd0bBjecsapAAxLNsW_G6EK

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18bsx0qKACxaTYUz5hTjJnxUyM1liDszthttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1QTIratKWS6NujAhvt-qD9UdVsWTzV-Nt
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: 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1reYN9MB0_ZF58Mal1mXbUfZsyEufPbGe

Sunday, October 18, 2020

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!

Sunday, October 11, 2020

Celebrating Isaiah

Isaiah’s birthday party wasn’t fancy, but most of his favorite people were able to enjoy a lovely afternoon with him. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11eplcaqkLYeI2zhS0BodPIx3Tp6eStDz
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!
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1jTBxLxsaASDShVuHyas1nLxDo1jijeiv
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. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1gxDjlaB34OqrUTNkoJh08BVhZZerS8Ejhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1W4yET2rEcLWZ1goBSkfh3kW6AqJyiH96
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! 

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

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 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IbKcGQCaNG25bVYrG_j0xa_p0DcSP-Ks
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 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SQ6VnEp4nDOLs6DftplNnSTxh6tuFrhy
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
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CU1KE1cMdlMxEHw6LkWBmFIAX90jvBoM
7487. Decades of music
7488. One more morning swim
7489. New favorite trail mix
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=106FswGVwxJmS6cvKOPbWOAZHNhnfz6y_
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
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1U4Q3pCUD1mh3x98rE7LQi2Wq-AZX0Hnt
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
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PQBZO6S1CCfwDpYz8-7tp0wWhV5G2-fV
7525. Aliza spending the afternoon with friends
7526. Josiah staying home alone for the first time
7527. Making myself go to bed earlier 

Sunday, October 4, 2020



                             Happy 6th Birthday Isaiah!