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Monday, June 30, 2014

Matt's Graduation Celebration

 
As different as my children are, so have their graduation celebrations been.
Matthew graduated last year ~ a year early actually.  
 
His preference was to have a combined celebration with others who were also graduating, but there weren't any friends graduating last year.
So he waited until this year to have a celebration.
A combination of circumstances didn't allow us to join the group of graduates from church.  Since another friend also could not join in on that celebration, our families decided to have a BBQ and celebrate together. 
  
The two graduates Annalise and Matthew.


Amanda grilling lots of hamburgers and hot dogs!
{Bless her little servant's heart.}

Mary ~ swinging all on her own.

Rain-drenched, beautiful flowers.


Grandparents!

 
Words of Wisdom
 

Prayer

A proud Dad moment...presenting Matthew with his diploma.
 
 And a charge

A few words of thanks from Annalise.  Matthew also gave an impromptu speech, but I was too busy being proud of my son, that I completely forgot to take a picture of him.

D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. carrot cake made by Emily.
 

Volleyball.



Trampolining


I'd say that Matthew's graduation celebration was casual and fun, 
yet meaningful and memorable.
 
  He worked really hard to finish early.
He finished all his high school studies the day before his 17th birthday ~ just so that he would have the personal satisfaction of saying he finished when he was 16. 
After all that determination to reach the goal that he set, having a celebration a year later might seem anti-climactic. 
 BUT it was truly a lovely day honoring this milestone accomplishment for both graduates.

 He did it...officially!

Sunday, June 29, 2014

A job well done

Today, we will have a little celebration to recognize this achievement.
{I'll be sure to post pictures.  :-) }


Saturday, June 28, 2014

Our kick-off to summer.

The other day we were able to attend a group picnic at Eric's work.
It was a fun afternoon.
The weather was perfect - sunny and near 80!
 
 
 All-you-can-eat food and drink that was finger-lickin' good.
The kids really like Izzy's. 
I really like Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream!


Red Beard, himself.

Eric was in a dodge ball tournament.  He was on Team Awesome, but they didn't win.





There were blow up slides...
which Abbie loved.
 

but not Mary!
 

Once she got to the top, Mary was terrified. Ellie ended up pulling her down with her because she wouldn't go down the slide and was holding up the line.


A different, bigger, faster, slide. {It's blurry, but I love his face!}
 


A bouncy house, that Mary still was none too thrilled about so Ellie, the sweet big sister, held her hand while all four bounced and fell.
 
 
Meanwhile...Matt and Hannah went on a zip line.
{no photos because, well, I was here.}


There was a Lego building contest. 
 
The rules:  build on the spot from the Legos provided.
Super hero themes received extra points. 
This was Daniel's submission.... "The Bat Spaceship"
 If you've seen the Lego Movie then you'll get the "raspy voice" thing.
 

Remote control car racing. 
 




And a spinning swing thing
 
 
Doesn't Matt look thrilled?  I laugh every time I look at this photo. 
 

The hard thing about events like this is that the lines are long, so they did what they could and made the best of it.
It was late in the afternoon and this was about the last thing that hadn't closed down yet. 
He figured why not?
 
It was fun way to spend the day together {and free...can't beat that!}
 
 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Ahh, we're home

It's an interesting thing - having such a vast age range in our family.  It's a blessing to be sure.  It's a challenge as well. 

 
When the older children were young, Eric and I worked hard at starting traditions that would be unique to our family and give the kids a sense of oneness.  They were simple things really, like Friday night pizza and movie.  For a while we had some good friends that lived up the street. Our families would regularly get together on "Pizza Night".   We always had popcorn to go with the movie, but when we were at their house, the dad would sneak in something special inside ~ gummy bears or something. 
Such fun times that I know the kids remember.


Reading aloud was another thing we tried to do regularly.  There is something about gathering in a room together to listen to a good story that creates bonding.  Over the years we have collected the Happy Hollisters.  I think Eric and I enjoyed the stories as much as the children, but I know as parents, what was especially thrilling was when they would ask beg for us to read just one more chapter.


As the children get older, things morph.  Studies take longer, friendships outside the home grow deeper, they are getting to know themselves a little better and discovering what their unique interests are.  Jobs and responsibilities compete for their time.  One would think that maybe they've outgrown the childhood traditions.  It's true, some they have, and yet...


As Eric and I revisit the idea of cultivating a sense of family with the younger children and continue with these traditions, I wonder if the older children think to themselves, "I remember when we read that."  Or  "I still love Pizza Night."  I wonder if it brings a smile to their face?  I hope so.

I want our home to always be a place that brings joy and comfort.  It's not the house itself, but the place where the Word of God is central, where relationships happen, where character is built, where memories are made, where heart strings are tied.


So I am asking myself, "What makes a home?"  What memories can I create with my children that they will remember with fondness?  What can I do in my relationship with each one that will make them want to turn to home in times of joy and sorrow? 


I know God knows the desires of my heart.  He put them there.  {Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart."}  A deep and abiding love for family is second to this foremost desire that each would have an intimate relationship with the Savior. 


I must admit, I am challenged daily.  Drawing out what is hidden in their hearts, knowing them deeply, guiding them wisely, being an example that they would want to follow.

I find comfort in this,
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5

So thankful that Eric and I are in this together.  So thankful for his strength and perspective.

 ~ ~ ~
note to self
 
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalm and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."  Colossians 3:16.









Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Reading

"Oh, the beauty and mystery of words!
What richness can be conveyed by those who master them!"
 
~
 
"Every child ought to know the pleasure of words so well chosen that they awaken sensibility, great emotions, and understanding of truth."
 
~
 
"Books are no substitute for life, but a keener pleasure comes to life because of books."
 
~
 
"Facing failures and tragedies with the characters
of a story may vicariously give children the experience of courage and loyalty."
 
~
 
"Good literature teaches more than we know.  Example always speaks louder than precept, and books can do more to inspire honor and tenacity of purpose."
 
~
 
"Reading should offer the solace of hope and goodness of another world where truth and right triumph."
 
 
Reading aloud to the children is just about my favorite way to close a day.
I think its value is immeasurable!
 
Our current read aloud is Homer Price by Robert McCloskey.
Next  ~ Mrs. Piggle Wiggle by Betty MacDonald 
and
The Moffats by Eleanor Estes
 
 
They grow up so fast!
 
I'm cherishing these times with them.
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Project follow-up

Voila
 

The spiffy new aqua blue light fixture in the milk room.
 
:-)