Little Things Making Me Smile

 Gifts are wrapped, a couple batches of cookies have been made and I'm trying to enjoy these days before all the festivities start. I'm very much looking forward to a break from school--one more day to go!

Our mantle is in a room where I don't get to enjoy it as much as I'd like to, but I'm happy with how it turned out this year.

I've never had a yard decoration for Christmas, but a few years ago this one caught my eye. I put it on my Amazon list just to watch the price--to see if it might go on sale at any point. Instead it showed up at my house. Jeremy had bought it for me and I was completely surprised. JOY is one of my words to live by and with the nativity inside the O, it encompasses the season well for me.

Anna's sweet friend, Tabitha, did this painting for Anna's birthday. It's one of my favorite of hers that I've seen. I can just sit and stare at it. It's breathtaking.

A 2 year old opening a small Christmas gift is just the best.

This weekend will be all about holiday music and cookie making!
 

Jumping

Jeremy and I had been considering the purchase of a trampoline for a couple months. In November we decided to watch Black Friday deals. There was a deal that was just ok and we had it in our Amazon cart. We were just about to make the purchase and then decided to wait a couple days longer just because we weren't really convinced whether it was a wise purchase for us. 

The day before Thanksgiving Janell sent me a text that one of her coworkers had posted on facebook that they had a trampoline they were ready to get rid of--for free to whoever would pick it up. A couple messages later and it was ours. I would have left right then to pick it up, but the family kindly agreed to let us pick it up the following Monday after we returned from our Thanksgiving visit with Jeremy's family. 

Given that it's dark by the time Jeremy gets home from work, I figured it was my responsibility to pick it up. My plan was that Josiah would go with me and we would take it apart and bring it home. I was a little nervous about that plan. 

As it worked out Jeremy was home when it was time to leave and he agreed to go with me. Actually I went with him. When we arrived the family had already taken the trampoline down so all we had to do was load it up and bring it home!

Saturday the guys put it together. It has been well used, but there is a bit of jumping left in it.

Then they got to jump!

So far the temperatures have allowed them to be out every day. Today I let Anna and Isaiah go out before they started school. I'm pretty sure they would have stayed out most of the morning. I learned my lesson the trampoline will be reward to finishing segments of school.

 

Joy Dare::November

 11,735. Hanging out with Josiah
11,736. Josiah is not allergic to Motrin
11,737. High school football game experience
11,738. Daddy/Daughter date for Anna
11,739. Meeting Aliza and Kaylene to watch a movie
11,740. Soup supper
11,741. Talking to Janell
11,742. Late night girl laughter
11,743. An "extra" hour
11,744. Watching a flock of blackbirds overtake our yard
11,745. Isaiah randomly telling me how thankful he is for everything I do for him
11,746. Prayer
11,747. Voting
11,748. Afternoon fire and being outside together
11,749. All 6 of us home for the evening
11,750. A connection with one of my aunts
11,751. Listening to Marybeth's story
11,752. Taking the opportunity to ask more questions
11,753, Being able to teach on short notice
11,754. Hospitality
11,755. Safety in heavy traffic
11,756. Children showing great patience
11,757. Brilliant sun and blue sky
11,758. Just spending time together
11,759. Josiah gave me a hug
11,760. Laughter
11,761. No traffic slowdowns on the way home
11,762. Meeting Taylor's mom
11,763. Friends and fellowship over supper
11,764. Anna and I laughing together
11,765. Jeremy close by today
11,766. Thinking about gift giving
11,767. Doing errands alone
11,768. A plan that feels a little crazy
11,769. An opportunity Aliza is really excited about
11,770. Wednesday means I don't have to make supper
11,771. Coffee and conversation
11,772. Anna had the best unexpected evening
11,773. Other adults who speak into my children's lives
11,774. Laughing so hard we are crying
11,775. Shopping with Anna
11,776. Cheering Aliza on in her productive day
11,777. The sweetest picture of Aliza and Kaylene

11,778. First Christmas concert of the season
11,779. Hugging a Mom who's been through a tough season
11,780. An afternoon of boys playing games around our table
11,781. Josiah taking the initiative to meet up with friends
11,782. Isaiah is a fan of pumpkin muffins
11,783. Pretty mugs
11,784. Time with Isaiah
11,785. Trying again to make healthier habits
11,786. Poinsettia on my step
11,787. Anna and Maggie busy playing

11,788. Seeing Diego at church
11,789. Jeremy completely surprised me
11,790. Night walk in the woods
11,791. Anna had so much fun
11,792. Sharing the experience with Cheryl
11,793. Celebrating Anna
11,794. Aliza inviting me to her advising appointment
11,795. Ice cream cake
11,796. Attending an opera at SU
11,797. A sick kiddo means a quiet day
11,798. Aliza's rendition of her day
11,799. Couch time with Anna
11,800. Going to a luncheon with Jeremy
11,801. A few minutes of learning for myself
11,802. Sitting with the next sick child
11,803. Pretzel treats made
11,804. Family evening
11,805. Christmas tree decorating
11,806. Christmas music for the evening
11,807. 20 years since my thyroid cancer treatment
11,808. Everyone well enough to be at Thanksgiving dinner
11,809. Just talking with my brother
11,810. Sleeping in
11,811. Helping to make Thanksgiving dinner
11,812. Watching Ronan play with cousins
11,813. Anna finally feeling better
11,814. Girls afternoon shopping
11,815. Chick fil a with the family before driving home
 

Birthday Adventure

When Cheryl told me about the Harry Potter Enchanted Forest Experience, I knew I had to figure out how to take Anna for her birthday. Last summer Anna listened to the books and after each one watched the movie with her Dad. 

On Thursday Anna, Cheryl and I drove to Leesburg, VA. The drive proved to be an adventure in itself as our map led us through Washington DC. I may have panicked just a bit when Anna pointed out the Washington Monument. Mostly I just did NOT want to miss an exit. Our scenic route let us see Congress, the Jefferson Monument, and the Pentagon. It was also rush hour.

I asked Anna where she wanted to eat supper on our way. She said "Wawa." Cheryl was like "That's perfect. I love Wawa!" And so we found the closest Wawa to Leesburg and got our supper there. Anna likes to order a hoagie and then pick out what she wants with it from the store. 

We arrived about 20 minutes after our designated entry time, but thankfully, that was not a problem. Anna was so excited.

It was a lovely trail through the forest. It was also pretty chilly that night!

Along the trail different scenes or characters from the books were set up. There were signs along the way for a bit of narration, but Anna and Cheryl could tell where we were in the books. Cheryl practically has the books memorized...she was the perfect friend to come along with us!

In some places there was narration or lights moving to create a scene or motion sensors that turned lights on and off.

I liked the field of mushrooms that changed colors. lol.

Cheryl did her level best to educate me along the way, but I'm afraid I'm still woefully clueless. I just truly enjoyed watching Anna have an experience all her own and the walk through the forest was really lovely after being in the car all afternoon!

There was a very memorable stop in the gift shop where Cheryl treated Anna to a shopping spree. (Something I would literally only let Cheryl do.) Anna really had the best time. 

And then we drove home. On the way home, Anna started not feeling great. By Friday (her actual birthday) she had a fever and was achy and tired. Five days later she is now starting to feel better. I'm just thankful that she could truly enjoy the trip before she got sick!
 

 

 Happy 14th Birthday Anna!

Anna has so many interests and hobbies. It's going to be fun to see what she gets into this year!

Heslop Invasion

 We call the weekend each year that we visit my aunt and uncle the Heslop Invasion because adding 6 people to a house that is usually occupied by 2 people does feel like an invasion! 

Our trip started very slowly. We left our house at 10am, drove 40 minutes to Cambridge, sat in stand still road work traffic outside Cambridge for 90 minutes and then ate lunch at Chick Fil A in Cambridge. I was the driver for the day and was pretty annoyed. We arrived at 7pm instead of 5:00, but Jeremy got a full day of work in from the car and we were safe so all was well. 

We spent lots of time around the table. Some playing games, some just watching and talking. Aliza and Jeremy got to tell Dan and Laurie all about their trip to India--exactly a year later from when they were in India. 

Saturday was sunny with perfectly clear, blue sky and comfortable temperatures. We took a walk. Isaiah thought it was a very long walk.

Took this priceless progression of pictures with Anna and Aliza.

Sat on a big rock overlooking a pond where I kept worrying that Isaiah was going to somehow manage to fall into the water. He didn't.

And then most of us played a round a disc golf. A highlight for Josiah!

Before we knew it, it was time to wake up early (for us) to get on the road to home Sunday morning. We wanted to get home in time to attend our youth pastor's ordination service. And we made it! Thankfully we did not have any traffic slowdowns on the way home.
 

Joy Dare::October

 11,643. Conversations over meals
11,644. Having Laura and Sean over
11,645. Friends with children making the same adjustments as mine
11,646. Pushing the swing and singing with Maggie
11,647. Just Isaiah and me in the car
11,648. Sunshine this morning
11,649. Leaves crackling
11,650. Teaching English
11,651. Isaiah figuring out math
11,652. Taking a day off from school
11,653, Isaiah having his best day
11,654. Time with Janell, Brian and Meghan
11,655. A day with Grandma and Grandpa
11,656. Biscotti and tea
11,657. Birthday supper
11,658. Anna played guitar in church
11,659. A flat tire did not ruin our day

11,660. Sunday evening and Aliza is content
11,661. Giving myself a new challenge
11,662. Candlelights on the porch

11,663. A lovely evening walk
11,664. The new school antics with just 3
11,665. A special birthday visit for Isaiah
11,666. Double digits but he still falls asleep on me

11,667. Aliza has had a smooth week
11,668. Pumpkin roll
11,669. Interesting discussion
11,670. Being able to fill in
11,671. Late evening party food shopping
11,672. Northern lights
11,673. Bonfire, hotdogs, s'mores and games
11,674. The best group of young adults
11,675. Having Ezra here
11,676. Trying to play piano more
11,677. Anna had a youth group event with no siblings with her
11,678. Aliza's sweet friendships with younger teen girls
11,679. Teaching Children's Worship
11,680. Isaiah excited about the book series we are reading
11,681. Being Anna's driver
11,682. Fall wind
11,683. Pumpkin whoopie pies
11,684. A completely unexpected invitation
11,685. Josiah feeling better
11,686. Lunch with Josiah and Anna
11,687. Introducing Sean to the Upper Ferry
11,688. The discipline of practice
11,689. A friend stayed for Bible study
11,690. Fall diffuser blends
11,691. Days that Jeremy works from home
11,692. Winning the parenting battle without losing my temper
11,693. Clean water
11,694. Making a to do list to keep me motivated
11,695. These warm fall days
11,696. Getting to see Aliza do hard things
11,697. Closet reorganized
11,698. Anna helping me fall decorate the mantle
11,699. Aliza calling to tell me all the things on her mind while she drove home
11,700. Staying up late to finish a book
11,701. Muscle memory from long ago
11,702. Colorful leaves

11,703. Baking a new dessert
11,704. Sending everyone outside "until it's dark"
11,705. Big kids that still want hugs
11,706. Beautiful afternoon for a walk
11,707. Evening with Maria
11,708. Making a plan with Josiah
11,709. Isaiah spelling words I didn't know he knew how to spell
11,710. Walking with Elizabeth
11,711. Isaiah's multiple good bye hugs
11,712. 24 hours just me, Jeremy and Aliza
11,713. Listening to Aliza study Biology
11,714. Touring campus
11,715. Seeing Aliza excited about new possibilities
11,716. Ice cream with Grandma Karen on our way home
11,717. Morning coffee with a friend
11,718. A big pile of leaves
11,719. Hard conversations
11,720. Honest answers
11,721. Good Bible conversations
11,722. My social tank is full
11,723. Really happy to be at home
11,724. Anna's spot right beside me for school
11,725. Boys making supper

11,726. Leaving falling
11,727. Listening to all of Aliza's thoughts
11,728. Taking a walk with Anna and Isaiah
11,729. The freedom to adjust our schedule
11,730. Josiah willing to play outside with Isaiah
11,731. When Isaiah is the only kid at home and wants to sit on the couch with me with a cup of chai
11,732. Candy bowl on the counter
11,733. Isaiah reading beside me
11,734. Aliza and Anna teaching together at ESL
 

 

A Few October Things

 

A leaf blower made gathering the biggest pile of leaves easy! Isaiah thought it was the best thing ever!

Aliza, Jeremy and I spent a day in Cumberland visiting a school that has a dental hygiene program.

Recently authors that I follow have been writing children's books and I find myself buying them.

Anna was beyond excited to get a pair of Nike shoes (off of Poshmark).

I pulled out music and started trying to play piano again.

Young adults from church came over one evening for bonfire and games.

I've enjoyed watching this mum grow over the last several years. This year it was just covered with blooms.

And now it's the last day of October and it is still comfortable to sit outside for a little while in the afternoons. I'm not complaining about that at all!

Genesis 39

Every once in a while, something new stands out to me in the midst of a very familiar Bible passage. This time it happened while we were studying the life of Joseph in Genesis 39. 

Over the course of this chapter, Joseph is in Egypt. He is one of Pharaoh's officials and also a slave. Joseph is having great success in his work. Everything he touches prospers and Pharaoh does not have to concern himself with anything in Joseph's care. And then Potiphar's wife accuses Joseph of mistreating her and Pharaoh throws Joseph in prison where he stays for years. 

What hit me was that in this relatively short chapter the phrase "the Lord was with Joseph" was used four times. 

Sure it's easy to agree that the Lord was with Joseph when He's put in charge of Pharaoh's household and later when he is put in charge of all those held in prison. But in those times Joseph is still a slave and he is still in prison. Yet the Scripture repeatedly tells us that the Lord was with Joseph. 

I might not feel like the Lord is with me if I find myself enslaved, betrayed and thrown in prison. The circumstances don't change whether the Lord is with me. In "bad" circumstances the Lord is with Joseph. The Lord also has a bigger plan for Joseph's life than Joseph can see.

At a time in Joseph's life where we would assume that Joseph was not "blessed", God was there with him. During times in my life when I don't feel "blessed" because of difficult circumstances, I'm challenged to remember that God is with me. Knowing the presence of God is with me is the most blessed I can be no matter the circumstances I find myself in.

Northern Lights

I had kindof seen that the Northern Lights might be visible last Thursday night, but I didn't give it much thought. The girls and I were even driving that evening and didn't notice the sky. When we got home, Jeremy showed us pictures that Joel and Amanda had sent of the Northern Lights from their house. Aliza and Josiah went outside to investigate. This was after 10:30pm. They came back in saying that the sky had pink tones. Aliza pretty quickly convinced all of us that we needed to drive over to the field down the road where we could see the North sky.

We looked at the sky. It was maybe a little brighter than usual and maybe had some pastel hues. The man and oldest boy in the car were pretty skeptical over the whole thing. And then Jeremy took this picture...

...and we were all amazed then, that there was actually colors there that we couldn't see clearly with just our eyes. 

After a few minutes, Aliza and I started watching another spot in the sky that looked like there was a faint pink column of light. Jeremy took a picture..There was a pink column.

We went home after a few more minutes and Jeremy took more pictures in the yard.

Of this I have  no doubt... "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19.1

 

Celebrating Isaiah

 Isaiah's birthday was a celebration spread out over two days.

It started with reusable water balloons and buckets of water. Thankfully October 4 was warm enough for water!

Ezra and Lydia came over to for some youngest-of-the-family cousin time. Isaiah wanted Cookout and shakes for supper. Cookout even did a good job managing my very long take out order!

That night Grandma and Grandpa came.

Joel came Saturday afternoon and Grandma and Grandad came for supper. Isaiah decided on breakfast for supper and ice cream cake for dessert.

Later in the week a friend stopped by with a customized Cheerio box for Isaiah. There was really a toy tucked in under the Cheerio bag.

The label was created by Chatgpt which is pretty cool and still blows my mind.

  

And just like that our youngest is a whole 10 years old!