Thursday, August 31, 2017

First day of school 2017



Because preparing for back-to-back trips isn't enough, we started school 36 hours after I got home.


Since then, we've completed 3 weeks of school, 2 virtual math class orientations, the end of Sunday school's summer quarter, the beginning of the youth group year, a preschool cooking camp, 6 doctor appointments, and a book club.  


Jeddy's gotten contact lenses and braces, too.  




School is going surprisingly well.  Maybe it's the novelty, or the fact that Jed's math class hasn't actually started yet, but attitudes are pretty cheerful and most days haven't been long.  Caleb is learning to sound out words, which is thrilling; Lizzy and Ada are doing several subjects together, which is fun; and Jeddy is largely independent, which is helpful for everybody.


At the beginning of the summer I took over coordinating early childhood Sunday school classes at church, meaning 3-5 classes, about 10 teachers, and a total of about 60-ish children.  This weekend is Move-Up Sunday--a big event for children who get to "move up" to their new, big-kid classes--and a big event for those in charge of recruiting and training a new staff of teachers and setting up all the new classrooms.  That's what we'll be working on tomorrow, the first day of our 4-day Labor Day weekend.


I'm often tired and I never have enough energy to go around.  I'm the only one in the house who still takes naps these days.  But tonight I find myself thankful as I reflect on where we are in life.  I'm so thankful for a church I love and being able to serve there, growing with my children in love for the Lord.


I'm so thankful I can be together with my family every day in a house that's sturdy and warm.


I'm thankful for food on my table (it gets there one way or another, whether I cook or resort to take-out).


I'm thankful for an affectionate husband who is encouraging in my work and gentle in my weaknesses.


And I'm thankful to know that when my fuzzy start-of-the-fresh-year feelings wear off and everyone's attitude is sour, I'll still be able trust the loving hand of my Father.


Pathetically, this was the best back-to-school picture we got.





Sunday, August 13, 2017

Two trips: a baby-centric travelogue in pictures



The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in.

Psalm 121:8




I managed to squeeze in back-to-back trips right before we started school.  First was rural Pennsylvania to reunite with my side of the family.




Three out of the ten cousins






We stayed near a lake with a sandy beach.  The cousin corps of engineers spent all afternoon perfecting a river system, complete with boats and a dam.








2-year-old Micaiah took directions surprisingly well.




And the latest, newest cousin:  sweet 2-month-old Benjamin.  ♡


















Brothers.


The full brood, with Nana and Grandpa.




Uncle Kevin, superintending the eating of icy pops, and looking quite stern.


He seems bemused by Caleb's technique.










Because packing for one trip at a time just isn't enough, I only made it halfway home before hopping out at the airport and jetting to sunny Texas.




Behold, the reason I came:




Baby Wyatt, first nephew on Jason's side.  


The beautiful great-auntie Vickie Jo.


Vickie and I were there at the same time to visit Jo and help all we could.  We were a great auntie team, if I do say so myself.  We took Wyatt grocery shopping and errand running; we picked up breakfast at the bakery; we walked the dog; we left Jo home alone for naps; we packed her freezer with homemade meals; we rocked and bounced and snuggled that little guy all we could.


And Austin is beautiful.


Raven, Wyatt's elder sister.


























Very tired but still beautiful baby mama!


One last walk with the little man before I had to depart.


I stood in line at the airport curbside blinking back tears, hating to leave an exhausted new mama (and daddy) alone and far away with an adorable but relentless little person.


Plus I kind of fell in love with Wyatt and I know my love will be forgotten and unrequited when I next see him.  Snif.


I might also have been a little terrified of what the TSA might do to me at security.  I felt a lot better once I was through all that, safely at my gate, and on my way home to a hug and kiss from the arms I missed the most.









Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...