17 years

 Yesterday we celebrated the life of Dylan With Chick Fil A for dinner and a “brownie fudge” cake made by Ashleigh!! Happy 17th birthday!

Trees at Christmas

 Christmas tree fun with the family!A couple weeks ago after church, Chris, the boys, and myself went to a local  place to pick out our tree. The tree is from Boone, NC and it smells perfect!  Ashleigh was away with friends when we picked out the tree, but she approved. We all decorated the family tree and the kids decorated a tree dedicated to the ornaments the kids have made over the years at school and/ or church. I love reminiscing through the memories!

Ashleigh’s Christmas tree

December Days

 Classes for Ashleigh have ended- (Most prior to Thanksgiving with exams online) with Public Speaking that she took online the full length of a “normal semester”. She  took classes related to her minor and major totaling  21 hours. Her work effort and endurance  is amazing. Giving God the Glory for all His work in and through her!! She has definitely grown in Christ through discipleship and as a nursing major. It is hard to believe that she has finished three semesters of classes and is almost half way through her college days. She was also to have some clinical time in the hospital this last semester. We are so grateful for CSU and all the opportunities and precautions during the Coronavirus times. Continue to pray for her to grow and her light shine serving Christ and sharing His love with others. She also found out that she will have the opportunity to serve families and peers at Mount Hermon this summer in California. A couple of her friends (one being her roommate)  will be serving there too! Please continue to pray for her and her friends as they make plans to road trip and work in various places throughout the camp. Austin and Dylan did well first quarter. We are half way through second quarter. Pray for Dylan and school as he has a new teacher this year and the transition with understanding has not been the same as in past years. Dylan is working with a communication device at school. Sentence structure and vocabulary are improving and communication with others outside of family is becoming less stressful for him. We can’t wait to learn more about the device at home. Austin continues to trudge along and report his progress. In the afternoons, I also tutor. These students have my heart and they struggle especially during Covid 19. Thankfully learning platforms for teachers and students are being purified to ease teaching and learning for students and teachers. While I am sad that in Jan the students that are currently in my class and have chosen to stay blended will be leaving my class because I will be teaching traditional students, I am also thankful to be able to lessen the juggle load teaching both platform. Pray for this transition and safety and health. Chris received  a promotion a couple of weeks ago so his role at work is changing. He will be a Supervisor over Project Managers in various neighborhoods. Pray for his guidance and support. Yippee !Worship during covid has been awkward but even more out of touch since summer 2019 due to other circumstances. We attended a church in downtown Charleston, but when Covid hit no longer attended as worship was moved to online. However we did continue to worship online with the church each Sunday morning during breakfast. We especially miss the connection and community of friends and other believers. Songs and worship are also important part of worship to us. We have definitely enjoyed having this part of each service online also. It quite strange, but heart- warming and glorious to hear all the members in our family sing worship songs together. When this school year began and with the lift of Covid restrictions, we decided to give Church Of Cane Bay a try once again.  We have been attending there for worship and  we are part of a chuch plant missional community. The families in this group are very amazing and supportive. Ashleigh has also been able to serve in various ministries at The Church of Cane Bay in one of the morning worship services and in the evenings she is able to lead a small group of middle school girls.  Austin  and Dylan are able to attend Student Group on Sunday evenings too! Continue to pray for us that God may continue to provide and lead us to share, serve, and worship. 

Social Disneying and Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving was untraditional this year - and it was and was not Coronavirus related. We spent Thanksgiving Break in Orlando. On Thursday, we went to Magic Kingdom. It was not crowded because of the crowd limits due to Covid. It was strange to be able to walk through Cinderella’s castle, not fighter see  the crowd while walking down Main Street USA, or see a full blown show. However, we were able to ride eaxh ride and enjoy fun milkshakes, Dolewhip, and Mickey pretzels. 

Ashleigh and I kept with our Black Friday shopping tradition and shopped in Orlando. Parking was mind boggling, nerve racking experience but managed. Starbucks helped fix that! 

We all enjoyed the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs  The hot tub and pool at the house we rented were big hits too.  

Beyond the Teen Years

 I can not believe I have a daughter that is beyond her teen years  Happy 20th birthday! We celebrated with cupcakes, food (crab legs, cervand charcuterie),yard sales, friends, family, worship

Sunflower or Pumpkin?

 Carving the pumpkin 

Mid October

 

Quarter one is half way over. Teaching virtually to 9 and 16 in class. Most days it’s quite the challenge - sounds like me teaching, “turn in your mute button”, “raise your hand and wait your turn”, looks like labs and reading and making anchors charts and technology galore - at first all things technology, but now reducing my computer grading time and making paper copies for students in class. We had a teacher workday on Friday and I was able to get paperwork complete and conference with parents. I need to remember that while I love teaching and learning with my kiddies at school that my personal kids- family- are more important.

Chris is getting help in the neighborhood this coming week Austin and Dylan continue to do well at school. Not much has changed for them and their studies. Ashleigh finished one of her classes. She applied for a summer job in MH and is hoping to road trip with a couple of friends on this journey. They are contemplating on taking the “blue rocket” or another friends car. Chris and she plan to do some body work to finish up the car in three coming weeks after class She is serving and sharing the gospel in so many ways big and small, continuing to overcome some battles but building trust and loving God as her almighty father. Her mentors are also encouraging her. (Thanks if you are reading this). I love the little “gang” she is part of and their time together bond intentionally whether it be while surfing, watching movies, worshipping, downtown, coffee/tea, or whatever college kids do. I am glad she is able to also come home and feel that home when she visits and hangs out. 

This weekend went to corn maze. Ashleigh and Austin finished first. We also had fried Oreos, pet the animals, played Corn Hole, took a tractor ride around the farm, and picked out a pumpkin. The weather was perfect! The time we spent there was like pre-covid or like time had frozen - except for the tractor ride ( wear we wore mask). People were respectful snd having fun outside!

Daughter and Sons Days

 I love these kids I get to call mine. I thank God each day for these blessings as they grow physically, emotionally, relationally, and in Christ- serving, worshiping, and growing spiritually and in faith. 

School - began writing this sept 27 -

 The boys and I have been in school for 10 days today. Routines are in place for Austin and he is beginning to learn sixth grade content. He has two core teachers and two RAZ teachers- agriculture and Chorus. At dinner each night, we discuss his day. So far I know he is learning about bees and has had a quiz in SS and Science.  Dylan has a  different teacher this school year. Each day when we discuss his day, I know he has had snack, lunch, and PE. I wish I could be a fly on his wall at school to see what else goes on during his school day. I have some idea (thanks to e learning ) but not really quite sure. Chris takes Dylan each morning and he loves this part of his day. Plus he gets to sleep a little  longer. Today was his first day riding the bus home; I have been picking him up in the afternoons.  Austin rides with me and walks over from my school to his school each morning. I love this as he tells me by each morning and sometimes even gives me hugs. In the after he walks back over and this is my signal that it is time to go home. I have been teaching 25 kids - 14 face to face and 11 blended. I have had two change gateways to face to face and one blended no show. Students are managing masks, sanitizing, and we are beginning content learning this week. I am taking one day at a time. Parents have been very helpful. Students have been very patient. Ashleigh is starting week four - now that it has taken me several weeks to write this - week 6 maybe 7. She will be finished with one class this week. She and her roommate two peas in a pod. Her suite mates are awesome too. She and Anne, her dorm mate, went to CBH. On Wednesday they have been joining Mr Bennett’s church choir. What a great way to sing praises to God but also help out a local church during Covid. (You should hear the story leading to the first time she and Anne sang. Since Corona Virus has also led to closing church buildings ; it has been difficult to join in person services. We have been listening online. The church plant in our neighborhood is beginning missional communities and we hope to visit and worship. Ashleigh has been visiting various churches also. Pray for us during this journey to find a church. 

Surfboard

 Chris bought a surfboard several years ago with the intent to use as decorative attire for the station wagon...however that changed. During the time from March to now, Ashleigh and a couple of friends have been surfing. So since the surfboard was missing a nose, Ashleigh ordered one. When it arrived, it was a little too small. Therefore, she and Chris worked to attach the nose using body putty  and bindi (so much like car body work). Then, she and Chris decided that the board needed a paint. She researched and found out that her board was a Peter Pan board. She them came up with a Peter Pan design of her own. She and Chris continued to sand and sand and repair the board. She and I cut out designs with Cricut and bought paint. As time proceeded and after some glitches I’m with body work and paint (and eye surgery) the board is revealed!! It has even already been used. What a great bonding time and the board looks fabulous. 

School 2020

 The school year began this week for the boys and students returned this week. I have a classroom of 15 traditional and 11 blended. However, beginning Monday I will have 16 traditional and 9 blended. Tuesday was the first day with many unknowns and as the week progressed balancing both platforms became more manageable. The students online (and parents) have been helpful, patient, and supportive. They have learned the basics of participating and working online through class discussions. Next week, we will learn more about Google Classroom and how to navigate online as well as use school supplies, features in Class Dojo and GC, and implement curriculum.  

While I haven’t really voiced my views on returning to the classroom, however; some know that I started back to school with a complete acceptance and knowledge that God is speaking to me every day. He has given me a peace and confidence about teaching 3rd grade  face to face and virtually! I’m enjoying every day and giving God the Glory for allowing me year 23! While, I am teacher tired and I have stayed up late. I do not feel overwhelmed in the least. I teach with people who seem to be frustrated with all the requirements. I am taking one day at a time. All I can say is if you open The Word of God and let Him pour his love into your soul you will know that He is sovereign- He is in control.  God is good! He is faithful. He loves us and He guides us when we seek Him. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you! Singing hallelujah! 🎶 🎵 🎶 decide today faith over fear.  2020 has been the year that continues to grow my relationship with Christ. I’m thankful and blessed!

Smiling Glasses!

 Dylan is excited about his new glasses! He has told me several times in the past few days since we picked them up and had them fitted that he loves his glasses. We got him a strap to help keep them from falling off. Sometimes he puts them on top of his head, but he is adjusting well.