Summer!

We jumped headlong in to summer. Last week was a whirlwind of swimming and hanging out with friends. I over scheduled us really and by the end of the week we were all exhausted (and maybe a bit irritable, ahem). This morning some rain and storms rolled in so it seems like a perfect opportunity to hunker down and relax here at home for a bit. 

 

And then we were done...for now...

Y'all. We are calling today the official last day of our 2013-2014 school year. We are heading out of town for a family vacation this weekend so I am in packing/cleaning mode. The pool will be open when we return. Aaron is finishing up his last week with students and is about to start his final round of classes for graduate school (he is working on his Education Specialist degree). The weather is warming (after a very strangely cold snap, which I will not complain about) and we want to be outside. So it just seems like this is good time to put away the school books for a little while and enjoy our summer activities.

Last week was our final week with Jude, ever. He starts Kindergarten in the Fall. He has been a big part of our lives the past few years and definitely felt like a member of the family. We will miss him.

This has been a good year. It has been really fun to study early American history with Sonlight Core D. We have taken lots of fun field trips and read lots of great books. Next year we will officially be doing two separate Cores (B for Nathaniel and E for Jeremiah) and that will be a new experience for us. But for right now we are shelving the books (except for the basket of fun read alouds we do all summer!) and are going to enjoy our two months of summer!

Science Fair - What are Pterosaurs?

We are slowly winding down our school year here. Math and Language Arts were finished a few weeks ago and our goal is to finish our Core reading this week. Jeremiah had his science fair for Hilger Higher Learning yesterday. His class studied "Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day" this year and since he has a slight obsession with dinosaurs he decided to do his project on flying dinosaurs. Again, he did all the research himself and came up with his display himself, with only minimal help from us. We think he did great!

This science class has been such a blessing to us! It is so great for Jeremiah to have a classroom experience with a great teacher. He is learning so much! This was his 2nd year in the 3rd & 4th grade class. Next year he will be in the same class again, studying Botany, and his friend Eli will be joining him. We are also going to add a Creative Writing & Grammar class, so he will be taking two classes at Hilger. But for now we are ready for a break.

Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day this year was quiet and normal and full of all the ordinary things that are the best things. We spent the morning in the church nursery surrounded by the children of some of the people we love the most. Small group gathered at our house after church and we ate and prayed and dreamed about ways to love our community. I took an amazing afternoon nap while Aaron and Jeremiah worked on Jeremiah's science fair project. I woke up to little crafted love notes scattered on my nightstand by Nathaniel. We ended the day with leftovers for dinner and introducing the boys to "The Princess Bride." They were enthralled.
It was a great day.

Easter - with music

 Sunrise service at the park a block from our house. 

"Where you there when he rose up from the grave? Sometimes I feel like shouting Glory!"

The band warming up.

I was part of a small choir which sang this song, beautiful and haunting and hopeful. The picture of worshiping God in heavenly Jerusalem with angels and saints and elders...chills...

After the service we all went out and released balloons. Just a a visual reminder and celebration. 

During our service we also sang this song, "Death In His Grave" and I cry every time we sing it. 

Here we are in our Easter finery. 

After church we had a number of friends over for a cookout and the kids hunted eggs. I love having our yard full of people.

Even though we were tired after everyone left I really wanted to go on a hike. Dovie had spent the better part of two days in the house or in her crate and she deserved a good long walk. Plus, I knew the flowers were blooming at The Pocket and I wanted to get out and enjoy them.

Easter is my favorite day. I can't get through it without crying. I especially think of Mary, who was forgiven so much and loved Jesus so much, going to the tomb in the early morning only to find it empty. I think of her weeping with sorrow because Jesus is gone and she wanted to do a final act of love and service by anointing his body. I think of her arguing desperately with the man who she believes is the gardener. I am undone when I think of Jesus tenderly speaking her name, "Mary" and how she must have thrilled in that moment, at the sound of his voice!How I wish I could have been there with her! Then I remember that the promise of the resurrection means that one day I will stand before Jesus, he will say my name, and I can't even imagine the joy I will feel at seeing and knowing him!

This final song pretty much sums up my thoughts and emotions. We sang it on Sunday morning as well. Please take a moment to listen.

See the Conqueror mounts in triumph

See the King in royal state

Riding on the clouds His chariot

To his heavenly palace gate

Hark the choirs of angel voices

Joyful alleluias sing

And the portals high are lifted

to receive their heavenly King.

Who is this that comes in glory

with the trump of jubilee?

Lord of battles, God of armies,

He has gained the victory!

He who on the cross did suffer!

He who from the grave arose!

He has vanquished sin and satan!

He by death has spoiled his foes!

They raced to the tomb, angels stood by

Mary was weeping for the empty inside

For the sins of the world, for the sake of His bride

He went to His death, and behold, He’s alive!

He's alive! O He's alive!

Thou hast raised our human nature

In the clouds to God’s right hand

There we sit in heavenly places

There with Thee in glory stand

Jesus reigns adorned by angels

Man with God is on the throne

Mighty Lord in Thine ascension

We by faith behold our own

We by faith behold our own

See the Conqueror - Jenny & Tyler - Open Your Doors - Copyright 2011 One Eyed Cat Music (BMI)                         

Verse Lyrics by Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885), 1862.

Bridge Lyrics by Jennifer Somers (BMI), Tyler Somers (BMI), and Mitch Dane (ASCAP)

Music by Jennifer Somers (BMI), Tyler Somers (BMI), and Mitch Dane (ASCAP)      

Egg Smashing

 What is it about eating outside that makes food taste better?

 Lilly was all about the egg smashing.

 Nathaniel said he couldn't reach anyone's head so he just smashed eggs on their backs. 

 Our friend Gama was a very good sport and let many of the kids get him. 

Jeremiah took complete advantage of this.

 

 Pastor Tom is a good sport too. 

 

Nathaniel is plotting something. 

 My wild boy.

 

 Organized weapon play. It looks worse than it is...

 These girls...I love them...

 Aaron and Pastor Tom practice some bow and arrow shooting.

 Nathaniel takes a turn.

It is always the best kind of day. Sunshine. Good food enjoyed outside. The company of people that we have shared life with for many years. Room for the kids to roam. Laughter and fun. Interesting conversations as a lazy afternoon unfolds. Games and general tom-foolery. 

Easter Egg smashing at Linda's is one of the highlights of our year. It was good. 

Spring Fun

We had a fun day at our town's egg hunt. Immediately after the egg hunt our church hosted a puppet show, face painting, and free food. It was a fun day. We brought Dovie who did excellently and was quite a hit with the kids. I feel beyond thankful to be living in the community and serving with these people.