Over the Hill

It's been quite a journey to get up this hill and I feel so blessed to have survived the trip!  And for every regret that I have to what my achy, cushioned body is at this stage, I have an even more prominent feeling of blessing.  To have lived 40 years with the richness and blessedness that I have is truly a gift I would never want to trade.  I have friends that love, encourage, challenge and gift me. I have children that surprise, refine, cherish and love me. And I have a husband who stretches, dotes, invests in and pours into me with a love that I rarely deserve. 

My day began quiet, with the kids at my sister's and the morning with Steve. We sipped coffee, talked children, dreamed dreams.  Later in the day I met my sister and kids for lunch and enjoyed a really yummy chocolate chip cookie dessert.

We celebrated with Steve in the evening and I ended my day as I always do, in bed by 11:11.

Saturday came and I had plans with one of my besties for a day of fun.  She had all sorts of great plans and it was truly a day, one never forgets.

We headed to dinner where she said we would see a farming demonstration. 

As I entered the barn, out popped my sweet Paige...

and then my Dad...

and then a dear friend from high school...

and then my best buds from my working days...

and then more treasured friends...

And after a great cowgirl meal, 

we had ourselves some square dancing fun!!

Three of my most favorite people!!

My dear friends Dave & Laura Shanley.

Our treasured party-lovin' friends, Josh & Lisa!

 My crazy, Godly friend, Jeanie & Rick, 

who also catered our delicious meal.

Lisa, Steve, Joy and my Mom!

My Dad with old youth group friends, 

Trudy & Steve Nelson.

And the instigator of it all, my precious friend Trixie 

who loves to give a party even more than I do!

Christina & Dee

Honestly, the love between Josh & Steve should make Lisa & me jealous!

We had such an amazing and fun night! I could have felt more blessed, 

nor could I have received a better work out!  

Look out 41...I'm a dancing girl now! :)

Valentine's Day 2013

There are just a few things that we who have been in traditional school miss in our homeschooling world and one of them is the fun of a friends Valentine's exchange.  Don't get me wrong, we're all about a good family love fest on Valentine's Day and we enjoying making and mailing Valentine's to our cousins and grandparents, but it's the whole- "make a box and exchange with your friends fun" that just isn't the same when you have a class of 3!  :)

So when Valentine's Day rolled around and our house was up for sale and keeping it pristine clean and being "kicked out" most afternoons was our new normal, the idea of 15+ in the house didn't seem like the best idea I'd ever had (at least not to certain household members).  But, I prayed (yes! I really did!) and waited.  

And just as God would have it, we had an offer on our house, signed the papers and took it off the market for showings, so I sent out the invitation to our Valentine friends!  four days later the couple backed out of the purchase, but that was okay, because I already had our party secured! (Hee, hee!)

The kids each made their Valentine's with creativity and love!

Jake made a "school" of fish. Using the school pun in various ways for each friend.

Connor gave everyone an A&W, stating that he was "rooting" for them!

And Paige made some cheese  & mice out of Hershey Kisses and stated 

that it was "Mice" to know you!

Party day came and we had a wonderful time decorating cookies.

Passing out Valentine's...

And sewing some purses, pillows and pockets...

Con supervised from the couch. Still in a great deal of pain from his previous nights adventure...

Jake with one of his best buddies, Ella Jane!

 Brooke modeling her beautiful, handmade flower!

Drew with his "Message in  a Bottle"

Alyvia and her homemade heart pillow.

I found this on my bed on Valentine's Day. 

Connor is gave me a beautiful heart necklace in a heart shaped box!

(the boy is going to make a great husband one day!)

After the party, Paige wrote a note in an ESV Bible she picked up at church 

sharing the love Jesus has for us.  She took the Bible, together with a Valentine and a Subway sandwich and gave it to Bruce our homeless Lake Orion friend.

It was a special day and we were so grateful the Lord allowed us 

the opportunity to share it with friends.

The Day Every Gymnast Dreads

 Everyday as we drive to the gym, we take a few moments to stop and pray for Connor's safety and testimony while he does gymnastics. But, this day was the day that every gymnast (and parent) dreads.  At the tail end of practice, when "free play" means children run around like crazy people, a teammate stepped on Connor's foot and slipped, fracturing his big toe. Connor was in horrible pain and with one look at the toe, we knew a trip to emergency was in order.

Paige was the hero that night as Daddy lay upstairs, with an excruciating headache, sleeping and Jake was fighting a stomach bug that had him throwing up.  What I thought was a ten minute trip to pick-up Connor, turned into an hour & a half adventure away from home.  Sweet Paige called me several times:

Call #1:  "Um, Mommy, Jake is throwing up, what should I do?"

"Just rub his back and tell him, 'it's okay.'"

Call #2:  "Um, Mommy, what do you want me to do with the throw-up?"

(God bless her!)

"Do you mind just dumping it down the toilet and putting the bucket in the laundry room sink?  I'll take care of the rest when I get home."

Call #3:  "Mommy, Jake fell asleep and I'm all alone here."

She was a trooper. I came home to a clean bucket.  She had loved on her brother while he was sick and cleaned it all up.  She welcomed Connor with questions and excitement!  She was beside herself with wanting to tell Daddy all that had happened while he was sleeping!  She lovingly made Con a make-shift bed on the couch for the night and then dutifully crawled up next to him and fell asleep.  She's going to make a GREAT Mommy one day!

The next morning excitement brewed as we were off to Medical Supply to get some crutches.

I don't know who was more excited to have the crutches Connor ....or Paige! :)

Con must spend three weeks off of his foot before a re-x-ray to see how it's healed. 

It's not going to be easy to keep this energetic boy down, but we'll try our best!