Catwalk

Lydia Joy was invited to a very fun birthday party.  There was actually a hair stylist, manicurist, and catwalk for modeling after the make-overs.  This was a pretty dreamy time for a girly 9 year old!  She is pictured above with the birthday girl in pink and below walking the catwalk.  This girl sure does love the spotlight!

The beginning of the end of our school year

The end of the school year is drawing near, and what a special year it has been!  Here is Lydia Joy by her timeline wall. Each card-most of which are not pictured-represent a history story that we learned together. Our lessons spanned from Creation to the Resurrection of Christ!  What an adventure we had together...on our sofa!

 The end-of-the-year Expo with our Cooperative was a fun time.  Lydia Joy made a history display.

 And Joshua made a science display.

Jackson was not required to make a project, but I think he benefitted most from his Biology class. He made some wonderful friends!  They all enjoyed Thursdays, as did I!
The funniest thing about this night was during the closing prayer.  I bowed my head and was wide awake one minute...and DROOLING the next!  I have been so exhausted from preparing to move to a new house that I fell sound asleep in a matter of seconds.  When the "Amen" was said, I snapped up, discovered that I was drooling and proceeded to laugh to the point of tears. My friends were then informed and they proceeded to laugh. It was really hilarious!  I need a good night's sleep. Obviously.

My resident biology expert and his sidekick

These two were the tour guides for the 2nd grade field trip to Ebenezer Swamp. Pretty amazing to have a biologist husband who can walk through any forest in the Southeast and randomly name the native plants and their uses.  He is pretty knowledgeable about animals, as well.  What an amazing gift.  According to the parents, they were a big hit!

Gymnastics Showcase

Lydia Joy seems to be pretty set on focusing on gymnastics/cheer and singing for hobbies.  She is still a beginner gymnast, but works very hard. She has beautiful lines and extension.  I sure would love to see her pursue dance with those gifts.  But this is her sweet journey, not mine! She is free to do whatever her heart desires, and I will enjoy watching her enjoy her pursuits!  We were proud parents at her Spring Showcase and look forward to seeing all the important life lessons she will learn through gymnastics!

Path of righteousness

I asked Lydia Joy to write about what she wants to be when she grows up.  I love that she ends her thoughts with, "but I am going to let God "leed" me in the path of what I need to do." Well said, love! And what an wonderful adventure you will find, right in the "shadow of His wings"!

The zoo in the spring

Her favorite- the flamingos!  Unique, soft, beautiful and pink, what's not to love?

Nothing like the excitement of a day away from the usual routine! We took the classroom to the zoo today and enjoyed every minute!

To be (sane) or not to be...

This is a first...I made a casserole for dinner earlier today and put it in the frig. At 5, I thought I put it in the oven. I turned on the timer. The timer just went off and...the oven is empty! I never got the casserole out of the frig! That will teach me to set up an appointment and grade a math test during dinner prep! Crazy mom!

Favorite school moments

The part of school where we sit together and take turns reading is my favorite! Today she starts The Rackety Packety House and then she listens to me read The Secret Garden. Then she reads aloud from her Secret Keepers Bible study on friendships and we talk a while about how to apply those concepts. Then it will be my turn to read a history lesson on the Qin dynasty, which will lead to more reading on the Great Wall of China. And about an hour or so and a cup or two of coffee later, it will be time to shed our blankets and move on to other parts of our day. My special year with her is almost over, and she will return to her school and sweet friends in the fall!  Treasuring these days with her!

Our girl, the encourager

 When your baby leaves a note on our pillow...
"To a wonderful mom and dad you guys make me feel alive you make me happy and silly and joy full thanks for doing that I know it's hard work love, Lyd"

What an encourager!

Easter weekend- He is risen!

Good Friday we enjoyed a beautiful worship time at our pastor's house. Simple scripture reading and singing together by the candlelight with our families. It was a highlight of our celebration!

We spent Saturday at Dad's property- or "Little Farm". We had lunch on the porch. The kids rode ATVs, dyed eggs, played the spoon race and egg toss, and hunted Easter eggs. It was a really fun day to be together!

And on Easter Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful service with more music and a sermon. I could never with a million words describe the gratitude and awe I have in the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. My sin is so utterly overwhelming- but his grace and love are bigger still! He lived and gave me his perfect record. He died and took on the wrath that I deserve for my sin. He arose and defeated death for me!  Hallelujah- what a Savior!

Singing at church

Puberty cliff notes

Fifteen year old Jack said after shuffling through the Bible, "You know what the Bible doesn't address? Testosterone. It would have been nice if Jesus's teenage years were recorded." Bless. He just wants cliff notes for these puberty years. Sorry, buddy. I feel your pain!

Girl time

Always new hair styles

This little one and I spend so much time together. She LONGS for a sister! But she's stuck with me! :)  I hope and pray that all of our time together will be the foundation of a lifelong friendship where God will use me to serve and bless this precious soul!  And I can't help but pray that she will have a daughter too, some day! I love these three sweet children so much- they are JOY givers!

Her sweet encouraging words

Both missing Andy desperately when he travels and sending goofy texts to him together!

Sewing class with her friends

SO MANY CRAFTS!

Learning side by side...day in and out!

Roommates when Andy travels

Those cheeks have collected more kisses....

The mall with these darling girls!

While I was gone to dinner with friends recently, Andy took the kids out shopping to spend some of their Christmas money. Lydia Joy bought these matching necklaces with her money. When she gave them to me she said, "Mommy, you're my sweetheart Mommy and my best big friend." This girl! So full of love!