Our First Driver

 What an experience to take my girl to take her driving test. I was probably as nervous and excited as Aliza was. I knew she was ready and would have been shocked if she didn't pass, but watching her drive out to do that first parking task, I was holding my breath. I knew if she got the parking successfully, she would have no problem. I was right. When she came back from the road part of the test, she was grinning big! I remember what it felt like to get my license and I was so excited for Aliza to feel that feeling of independence and responsibility.

It was POURING rain as we drove to the MVA. Probably the heaviest rain Aliza had ever driven in. We had time to practice parking and then enough time to drive the test route. By the time we pulled in to the MVA, the rain had pretty well stopped and it wasn't raining when she took the test.

Right after lunch Aliza had the moment she was hoping for. She took her brothers and sister to Cook Out to get shakes. I wanted to cry, but I was too busy smiling. A friend who was a few weeks ahead of me told me it's a proud and sad feeling when you watch them drive away. That's what it was! I'm so proud and excited for Aliza and sad about the passing of time and the letting go. I did sit on the porch the whole time they were gone. 

 

Josiah wasn't sure about going with Aliza for her first drive alone. Anna had was all in. No hesitation. Isaiah was super excited for Cook Out, but as he was walking out the door, he said it felt strange to be leaving without me. He turned around and said, "Don't worry Mom. I'll be back with my shake and then we will snuggle." Being the wonderful children they are, they had a Starbucks Chai for me when they got home. (Starbucks is right beside Cook Out.)

 

Completely unrelated to driving... Anna likes to look at old photos and zoom in and crop out a funny face or herself when she was little. I found this one of Josiah and it make me laugh out loud. I'm pretty sure this was a family photo from the Sunday Aliza was baptized.

 

Joy Dare::August

9361. Visiting with Lynette and meeting her little guy
9362. Aliza and Anna made a new friend

9363. New customers
9364. The last heater removed
9365. Anna busy with projects
9366. Isaiah so excited to have "Aliza and Isaiah time."
9367. Spoons in the glove compartment
9368. Watching the sunset

9369. Josiah walking around the yard with Sean
9370. A really productive morning with Josiah's help
9371. An unexpected opportunity for hospitality yielded a lovely visit
9372. Blackberries and cream
9373. Hearing my niece talk about youth group
9374. Girls shopping time--and successful!
9375. Tea with Maria
9376. Free books
9377. Josiah's new skill of caulking
9378. A Sunday evening to scrapbook
9379. The kids and Dad having their time
9380. New-to-us couch and chair
9381. Pretty beach time

9382. Isaiah taking an interest in Legos
9383. Sweet affirmations
9384. Morning with friends
9385. Evening at the beach
9386. Island Creamery to end the night
9387. Aliza and Anna SO excited
9388. Memories
9389. My brother's family around our table
9390. Painting and podcasts
9391. Watching Superbook with Isaiah
9392. All of Aliza and Anna's stories from their adventure
9393. Learning something new with Aliza
9394. Supper given to us
9395. A most beautiful evening to weed some flowerbeds
9396. Looking at pictures with Anna
9397. A friends sent me the word that I didn't know I needed
9398. Feeling my energy returning after a day of rest
9399. A healthy body that can work all day
9400. Carrying paint can out of the house
9401. The feeling of accomplishment
9402. Mom to help me scrub the floor
9403. Unpacking my boxes
9404. Feeling really happy and excited
9405. Feeling encouraged at the end of the first day of school
9406. Clean floors
9407. Sitting at my desk
9408. Josiah had the best attitude and work ethic
9409. Isaiah finding a job to do while I waited for me
9410. Adjusting tears
9411. 5 days of morning walks
9412. Pitching balls for Isaiah to hit
9413. Tea time
9414. Family time
9415. Anna having a lot of Grandma time
9416. Sunday dinner
9417. Groceries for the week
9418. New opportunity for Aliza
9419. Isaiah reading on his own
9420. Dahlias to cut

9421. All the Minecraft scavenger hunt excitement
9422. Josiah so surprised with a new computer mouse
9423. Good test scores
9424. Chai with Mom
9425. Time to catch up with Janell
9426. Their first Bible class with Grandad
9427. The first taste of pumpkin spice for the season
9428. Isaiah running in to tell Grandad that he is ready to go fishing
9429. A full week of school without tears
9430. Cleaning for company
9431. A fun evening hosting the youth group
9432. Pokemon family time
9433. The way Aliza pushes herself out of her comfort zone
9434. After church the children scatter to talk to friends
9435. Sunday afternoon nap
9436. Scrapbooking for me, movie for them kind of evening
9437. Aliza is sick before all of her activities start
9438. Walking with the boys
9339. When my big girl still needs her Mom
9340. Opening curtains in the morning
9341. Summer rain
9342. A bag of snacks that make our day
9343. Sitting on the porch feeling the hind of a season change in the air
9344. The sparkle back in Aliza's eyes