5 months

Looking Upward

 

I have two kids who are pretty excited about playing basketball this summer. Sheridan played last year, and has played organized sports before, but Jordan and Cameron haven't. Cameron tells us once a day he's going to be playing ball this summer, in fact, he's told his Sunday School teacher, his school teacher, the principal at his school and anyone else who will listen.

Today the kids went to the church for evaluations and I had to assure Cameron he didn't have to wear a jersey, or his ball shoes, or take his own ball. Praying now for good behavior and a smooth transition as the kids get out of school and are home everyday. This should be an interesting summer.

Sheridan's Big Day

It doesn't feel like Thursday. Today was Sheridan's 11th and we celebrated from breakfast to bedtime. I like to make birthdays special and I'm having to be creative as the kids get older. How we celebrated 11 fabulous years today:

Breakfast: cinnamon toast
Opened present from Grandma and Grandpa before kids went to school.

School: limited work day. Yesterday she did extra lessons so she wouldn't have to do a lot today.
Ryan and Lauren called during the morning hours and loved on Sheridan.

Lunch: Date with Dad and surprise one-hour trail ride!

Erin called from Girls State and caught up with the birthday girl.
After school: Met 4 of her best friends and headed to Russellville for party time!
Pottery Work: Had a great time painting plates and other pottery, eating MnMs, taking pictures and laughing with friends.

 

 

Brick Oven Pizza: These girls downed some pizza and then blessed Sheridan with sweet personal gifts!

Pile High Yogurt: The girls (although certainly full) enjoyed picking from 8 flavors and 30 toppings for a fun ending to a great night.

Sheridan is a precious treasure to me. We are closer than we have ever been and I have to say publically, although she struggles with things (as we all do), she has worked through more challenges in the last 5 months than any 10 year old I know. We're still working through the kinks of adding new family members, changing rooms, and other major adjustments...and as much as it challenges me, it affects her as much as anyone. I'm so thankful for the moments she has given her struggles and anger to the Lord. She has conquered self control a hundred times this year and has to fight with it every day. I love this girl and her shiny blond hair, her huge smile and the fact that she still likes to snuggle with me.

Happy Birthday Sheridan!

Camo

 

Not sure if we have one camouflage thing in our home. When they had that dress up day at school, my kids never had things to wear. And yet, here's my son dressed and ready to be deployed to Africa. When he flew into KY on Sunday, he was told they would brief his group for their trip and they would stay at Ft Knox until the 1st of June. Flexibility is key for him. Prayer is the key for me.

Quote of the Day

You have to know that Cameron will join any conversation, from anywhere in the room or car, even if it's not his conversation. All he needs is one word. For instance, If I tell Richard I need to get milk at the grocery store. Cameron pipes up, "Mom, can I have some milk?"

So tonight...I can't even remember exactly what I said, but it was something like...
"What do you think I mean?" to Jordan.
Jordan replies, "I don't know, I can't read your mind!" 
Cameron chimes in as he's leaving the room, "I can't even read."

Great day on the lane!

Happy Memorial Day from our family on the lane...fresh mown grass, a water hose, new water toys, hamburgers, hotdogs and sweaty kids. Highlights for me: Getting squirted by the kids while mowing and listening to them laugh, weeding the garden in the cool of the morning, and finishing a book while sitting in the sun. It's not summer yet...2 more weeks of school, but today was a good sign for us all.

Two more good byes!

Sweet selfies with Ryan and Erin! I decided I'd get in their space with my camera and get pics of our last hugs before they head off to get their summer started. Ryan flew to Lousiville, KY, on Sunday, then found out he'll be at Fort Knox until the 1st. He's being briefed for his trip. Sounds official to me.

I drove Erin and a friend to Girls state, made a last minute shopping trip for a pillow, pillow case and towels...made Erin's bed, and hugged her before heading back. No text yet, but I'm absolutely positive she's made friends with everyone she's had the chance to talk to so far. LOVE my kiddos.

Stories

If this bear could talk...this morning I noticed Cameron's bear needed washed. He brought it with him...or actually, it was sent in the second load of his things, 3 weeks after he moved to our house. (insert frown) This is the most personal thing he has. He came with toys and some clothing, and his bicycle and scooter.

He sleeps with it every night. He says Jordan gave it to him, but she doesn't remember it so I asked her not to dispute it. I was afraid to put it into the washer, so I washed it by hand, but it was a lot dirtier than I thought and I had to work on it for awhile. He doesn't look the same, but he smells much better.

I wonder what this bear would tell us if he could. I'm glad he lives at our house and that Cameron has him to snuggle with every night.

Off to Camp

At 7:30 this morning we all helped pack the last of Lauren's things into her XTerra and hugged her neck. She is headed to the largest Christian summer camp in the US to be in a staff of over 100 college kids. I'm pretty excited for her, I would've absolutely loved to do it when I was in college!

Good news, Erin will head to the same camp on June 14, so at least one of us will be able to see her during her 10 weeks. It's 5 hours to Falls Creek, so I'm not sure the rest of us will make it.

She had another great semester at school and has been home with us for about 3 weeks. She's played almost every afternoon with the kids, helped cook and clean, spent quality time with Erin, had lunch with a high school friend, and spent time with Arie. She's responsible and fun and I can't wait to hear how God uses her this summer.

Busy Week

This week we're all over the place, and I'm so thankful God has his eye on all of us.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

II Chronicles 16:9

TUESDAY: Richard flies to Houston for an interview.

WEDNESDAY: Richard flies from Houston to Dallas.
Lauren leaves for camp at 7:30am. (Davis, Oklahoma, 10 weeks)
Erin works 4-9pm.

THURSDAY: Ryan comes home from Flower Mound, Texas.
Richard returns from Dallas.
Erin has open house at the Aquatic Center from 4-10.

FRIDAY: I work for Mom in Mountain Home.
Ryan is home for the day.
Cameron has water day at the Kindergarten.

SATURDAY: I work for Mom in Mountain Home.
Ryan flies to Burundi, Africa, for the month.

SUNDAY: Erin is going to Girls State in Searcy for the week.

Smart as a 5th grader

We're almost done with our 5th grade year and I'd never exchange the time Sheridan and I have had at home this year. She has been a trooper with her classes. I started a couple subjects later in the semester, so she'll probably have a little bit of work to do even when the other kids are done. But, even with that, she's learned a lot this year. Her IOWA test results show her in the 99th percentile of 5th graders in math and English, I'm pretty happy with that. She wants to go to public school next year, I have mixed feelings about it, and I think it will take her a just a few weeks before she wants to come home to our relaxed schedule, field trips and lunches out.

Her thoughts on 5th grade:
FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT 5TH GRADE HOMESCHOOLING:
Learn a lot, finish work early, get to do Bible lessons, eat homecooked meals, don't have to rush

LEAST FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING:
Don't see friends, miss activities like art, music, PE, and library

FAVORITE SUBJECTS OR PROJECTS THIS YEAR AND WHY:
1) Scotland report because got to decorate poster, pick out pictures and wrote a LONG report.
2) Compare and contrast because it was fun comparing myself to my siblings and finding pictures of us together.

Boom!

Dynamite soccer is over for the season! We played a much harder portion of the U13 teams this season and had a rough time with several of them. The girls continue to gain confidence and skills and they have done a great job persevering this year. We played in two jamboree tournaments the last two Saturdays and we were 4-0-2. They're hanging up their shin-guards for a few weeks until we decide if we'll get together this summer to hone some more skills. Great kids. Great families.

Mother's Day

What I needed for Mother's Day: to see my mom. So...we packed up early Sunday morning, took our Dramamine, and headed to Mtn Home. We arranged with Dad to leave the back door open so we had the table set, lunch made and our car hidden when she returned from church.

Mom has had some heart trouble, in fact, she had an appointment on Monday to have her heart shocked as a possible fix for AFIB. Apparently, when there are people in the kitchen and you're not expecting it...it's kind of like shock...because she was a little frightened and very emotional. It was a very special day and a wonderful time for all of us there!

Freshman Finale!

Helped move Lauren home from ATU today...CANNOT believe that she's finished her first year...it was just weeks ago we moved her in! It's been quite a ride this year and of course, this semester has flown by because we've been so busy. I'm proud of this girl. She'll be an RA next year, and doesn't know who her roommate will be yet. She heads to camp in two weeks and is looking forward to an awesome time there.

This afternoon, she had all 3 kids on the driveway in their swimsuits washing her car...then she wrestled them on the floor and read some books before bedtime. We're going to enjoy her being home!

E in the Big Apple!

Times Square, Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway play (Matilda) and singing at Carnegie Hall! A LOT to pack into 5 days in NYC. And even though she was blown away by the BEST TRIP EVER...she was leading worship on Sunday morning with the same stage presence as in Carnegie Hall. I pray she has many more adventures and yet keeps her eye on what is really important.