It’s September

 I can’t believe we are already through 5 weeks of school. The boys are doing well and making progress according to their Progress Reports. Dylan is able to tell us all about his daily activities at school and is adjusting well to his new teacher. Austin’s school had to be online/virtual learning this week due to staff absences. Some of these related to Covid and some not. Despite this hiccup, he seems to be adjusting to seventh grade and doing well. He got his choir pants, shirt, and tie and is so excited!  Ashleigh is settling in to her classes while taking a large load of 22 hours this semester. There is a great amount of reading, but she seemingly also has fun-filled times with worship, exercise, coffee, and outreach. She and I went plant shopping recently for her dorm. It looks so homely and welcoming. We are enjoying our time with Helen and Jim since moving here. We spent one evening  having dinner and dessert downtown, had a cookout enjoying their new sunroom and patio, and spend many Sundays at church worshiping together. Ashleigh and I went to see Shane and Shane in concert. It was amazing! We were able to see our friends- Howard, Alleyn and Sam!   This past weekend Ashleigh and I went to the Sweet Tea Festival. It is always a fun time tasting tea. This year we also enjoyed Lumpia and gyros. Of course, Ashleigh got kettle corn. Thankfully the rain stayed away! Although Chris ( nor anyone else in our family) doesn’t care for wrestling (which make me wonder about Dylan’s love and maybe recognize it’s a school thing ), he took Dylan to see WWE. Dylan had a great time. Chris says he knew every wrestler and the chant. Soon Austin will begin fall soccer. 

Shopping part 2

 Ashleigh decided to have her bed lofted as high as possible and make a comfy place to hang out under the bed. So while Chris and I are on a dinner date, we also make a Target trip for bed risers. While we are there, Chris decides she needed a chair too. I felt like Goldilocks trying out the chairs trying to decide which was most comfortable. The fairy lights and rug added a warm, comfy feel to the space. 

Back to School

 School has started for Dylan and Austin. Dylan is at the high school with a new to his school teacher and Austin is at the middle school with a myriad of teachers according to the subject area. He is also taking Choir and STEM. So far the boys are staying safe while enjoying school. They both ride with me to “school”. 

Ashleigh has also returned from California, moved in to her dorm, and has had two days of classes. She is a fourth semester nursing student and is taking the classes and two clinicals this semester as well as taking classes for her minor. 

I am teaching 3rd grade this year. This will be year 24 for me! 

Shopping/Organizing

 This is how you shop and organize from 2400 miles away. First, your daughter has organized all the items from her dorm and decided what she is not taking back BEFORE she leaves. This is definitely the biggest lifesaver.  Then, you ask her to make a list of what she needs.  She shares it and  it is practically school supplies- a notebook (that she has used in the past and therefore saved on Amazon) and other easy items. Next, I (the mom) decide she needs a smaller fan and a new back pillow because the other one has been well loved.  So during a TJ Max’s outing, me ( the mom) sees what I think she may like , snaps a picture, sends it to her and hope she is able to answer (don’t forget she is also 3 hours behind time) or answers before I just buy what I think she may want. She responds (yippee) and I get some items and a few other items too. 

She sends a layout of how she and her roommate (whom is also with her 2400 miles away) have mapped out their dorm room. Then, I notice she has also organized other places within her room. She is able to do this because she will be in the same exact room. 

Amazon makes ordering (and remembering for me) easy too!

Send pictures at times to make sure that it’s keep or not this time. 

Show her how I organized. 

Then send text messages asking which ones and thankfully getting a response. Honestly, I love helping this adult daughter of mine.  I am so grateful for her heart and the talents that God has given to her. 

I truly can’t wait to see her smiling face in person.  

Catch up

 Summer days continue! The boys and I have enjoyed some time at the beach and pool. Our little garden yielded a few nice cherry tomatoes and a couple of other tomatoes as well as some cucumbers. Dylan has been going to summer school (also known as esy or extended school year) two days a week for two hours each day. Ashleigh continues to disciple, serve, facilitate, and grow in Christ while at MH. She has also had the opportunity to have some outings to Big Sur and San Francisco. Today we took Austin to 4-H camp for the week with a couple of friends. I met with Alleyn for our final book study (chapter 34) here but not our final meeting. I am taking a Read2Succeed class this summer (two more weeks) and will have finished two of the courses that I need for now. Chris continues in his leadership classes and ger to experience online meetings instead of in person/ going out of town. 

Fourth of July

 

Times are getting back to “normal” or maybe I should say similar to more pandemic especially with more people becoming vacinnated and CDC guidelines being lifted. Also all of us minus Austin are all fully vaccinated. Dylan is so excited not to have to wear his mask except where required. Although he is/was always the first to make sure we always have our masks and to wear them properly. Today was an awesome church service surrounding the topic Multiply in Acts 8 and the story of the eunoch and Philip. The worship music was great. I really enjoyed Tremble and Lift You High. We also had  snocones after service. Later we enjoyed some time at the pool (and talked to Ashleigh in Ca), had a lovely cookout and watched amazing fireworks with Helen and Jim.

Ashleigh has been spotted!

 I was able to find a few pictures from the last couple of weeks of Ashleigh at Mount Hermon. It looks like she is having a fun time whether it be discipline, students  dancing, worshipping, listening, hanging out and building relationships, or leading. I am so glad she has had this opportunity. We are able to talk and she tells us about the families, her adventures, and shares how she is learning and growing in life with Christ at camp. Nights are sometimes late, and she is tired at times. Through it all she continues to smile and live. As the weeks have progressed from training of leads and staff, and thren to families, the Covid restrictions and masks requirements also change. Prayers for continued safety, growth, strength , and love to our girl. 

         Lumberjack dress up for Train Day!

She and a couple in a day trip to Big Sur. 

Messy day- When Dylan saw this, he said , “Mom, Ashleigh is a mess She needs a shower.” 

Looks like she is enjoying food away from camp. 

These pictures bring me joy not only to see her enjoy and exhibit joy and love but to see the kids faces and reactions. 

Carmel and wildflowers and yellow - a stop she seems to have been delighted in the little ways God speaks. 

Facetime call - She had called to wish Austin a Happy Birthday. Then, she and I talked a little more on Facetime before switching to regular call. So I snapped this picture.