Some Little and Some Big Things

 Every time I sit down to write, I realize that it has been twice as long since I wrote than I think! The days are flying by. Here's a peek into what's been happening here.

Jeremy and Aliza have passports! They are getting ready for a very exciting missions adventure. Tickets were purchased before the passports arrived so we all were relieved when they were in our possession. The application was sent July 17 and the passports arrived September 15--actually two days before the three week window of arrival they estimated for us.

This cluster of clucks have been fun to watch. The original 3 were planted 2 years ago and now there are 12.

These kids (pictured is only part of the group)  take playing very seriously! Color Wars were memorable.

Josiah found pink/purple on him for several days.

We had another perfect beach evening for Jeremy to take senior pictures. I am still wondering how 17 years can pass so quickly. I feel like I could do monthly "Senior Updates" like I did for my babies' first years. lol

There will be MANY more to come, but for this moment here is one I really love. Not my most favorites yet!

Jeremy did pictures for Aliza's friend, Alena. There were plenty of the girls together too. Theirs is a friendship I am very grateful for.

I feel like we are getting into a better school routine. This week started a little rough with lots of gray sky. Josiah fell asleep reading Biology. He did get back on track eventually and we made it through.

 

It will continue to be full steam ahead here until next time!  

The First Week

 This week marked my 13th year educating our children at home. This one feels like a milestone year with Aliza being a Senior. I've made the whole circuit, used all the BJU Press books in the catalog.

This was also the first year that I've waited to start school until September. I still wasn't ready to start and so we planned some things to look forward to during the first week of school. After our first day of school, we went to the beach for the evening. Besides the horses being absolutely crazy and pillaging through our things multiple times, it was a beautiful evening. Jeremy was able to come with us and we just had fun together.

On Tuesday there was an appointment that went into lunch time and so I brought home Chick Fil A for lunch. 

Later in the week Island Creamery was necessary.

Somehow we all survied--some with more sanity than others! Aliza has a lighter course load this year. Josiah has Geometry which has already caused him and I to have increased heart rates. Anna and Isaiah have new responsibilities appropriate to 7th and 4th grade which is an adjustment. 

The spoiler alert is--the 2nd week is going more smoothly!
 

Joy Dare::August

 10,416. Windows designed to be washed
10,417. Thanking about how I'm spending my life
10,418. A perfect evening for hosting Bible study on the porch
10,419. Watching Anna be so excited about her first guitar lesson
10,420. A car full of cousins going to youth group
10,421. Back porch with a roof
10,422. Jeremy could go to the beach with us
10,423. Sandy octopus with goggles

10,424. Anna really enjoying helping Laura with babysitting
10,425. Finishing several scrapbook layouts
10,426. When my nails match my mug

10,427. Summer greens
10,428. Cleaned up yard
10,429. A new supper recipe
10,430. Sunday routines and rhythms
10,431. A beautiful evening to walk around SU
10,432. Choosing pictures to print
10,433. Josiah survived his first Drivers Ed class
10,434. Visiting with Buzz and Donna
10,435. A Grandma outing for Anna and Isaiah
10,436. Making applesauce
10,437. Josiah making me laugh until I cry
10,438. Late summer nights
10,439. A busy afternoon and all the timing worked out
10,440. An evening with Elizabeth
10,441. Girl cousin time at its best
10,442. Encouragement for Josiah
10,443. Anna snuggles
10,444. Watching Aliza grow up
10,445. Lunch and games with friends

10,446. The halfway mark in driver's ed
10,447. Getting to watch Aliza's audition
10,448. Chipotle for supper
10,449. All the end of summer feelings
10,450. Riding with Jeremy to pick up someone for church
10,451. Touring Teackle Mansion
10,452. Isaiah decided to some 9:45pm cleaning

10,453. Walking
10,454. Laughing at myself
10,455. Pear crisp
10,456. A left handed guitar found and purchased
10,457. Everyone helped with a great attitude
10,458. The yellow dahlia

10,459. Homemade pico de gallo
10,460. All the driver's ed stories
10,461. Laughing at ourselves
10,462. Just me and Isaiah for most of the day
10,463. Jeremy came home with pie and quiche
10,464. The process of separating as a child becomes independent happens in all kinds of surprising ways
10,465. A couple of the kids enjoyed the beach today
10,466. Josiah proud of finishing driver's ed well

10,467. Loved watching Aliza do her call back audition
10,468. Playing mini golf to celebrate Lydia
10,469. Singing Hymn of Heaven in church
10,470. Aliza and Anna's concert excitement
10,471. A great hotel
10,472. An evening of worship
10,473. Vacation Relaxing

10,474. PA Dutch buffet
10,475. Pool side conversation
10,476. Watching Moses at Sight & Sound
10,477. Reading a really good book
10,478. So many good memories made
10,479. Visiting with a neighbor
10,480. Guitar lesson on the porch
10,481. Not having to cook supper
10,482. Life skills being learned

10,483. Sean's group hug and sweet prayer
10,484. Relaxing

10,485. A nice morning at the park
10,486. Chai with Mom
10,487. Hearing all of Aliza's exciting stories
10,488. Feeling sick over a weekend means I can just lay low
10,489. Lots of reading
10,490. Being able to watch church
10,491. Jeremy helping with cooking
10,492. Video calls with Texas cousins
10,493. Slept all night and woke up with some energy
10,494. Candle burning on a rainy day
10,495. Crossing off the organizing tasks
10,496. Home
10,497. School cabinet organized
10,498. Anna still has a sense of humor even with a cold
10,499. Serving together

10,500. Learning to hold the schedule with an open hand
10,501. More dahlias

10,502. Preview of the season to come
10,503. Listening to the boys carry on
10,504. Catching up on some outside tasks