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.