Friday Afternoon

*The guys are back and I am soooo happy!  Having everyone together is the best.
*I'm hoping that Jack will be a guest blogger soon and fill you in on their trip but so far he's not interested.  We'll see.  If he won't, I guess I will.  They got some great pictures.
*Word to the wise- never pick up your hot curling iron by the wrong end.  Ouch!  I did that yesterday- guess who's going with straight hair today?
*There's a chili cook-off tonight so you know what we've been doing all afternoon.  Kayla made our basic ground beef/pinto bean chili.  It's a favorite with (most) of our family.  I made chicken/sweet potato/black bean chili- which is a personal favorite.  I also made some corn bread and she made some brownies, both from scratch.  The house smells good.
*While we were busy in the kitchen, Lucy played and played so quietly.  She was so content.  The boys were outside running around. I think they were glad to be back together.
*Thankful for a calm afternoon and looking forward to some good food and good fellowship.
*Have a lovely weekend.

Almost Home

A picture sent by text- see what's in the background!?!?

Brian and Jack will be home tomorrow.  So glad!  We have done fine here at home but it never, ever feels right when we're not all together.  I don't know if it feels that way even more because of homeschooling- we really are all together most of the time!  Brian may be in and out with work but he's never far.

Kayla has commented that even though brothers and sisters can be annoying she still misses them when they are gone.  And trust me, they make each other crazy sometimes.  It is not always smiles and fun.

But- it has always been my hope that our kids will have strong relationships with each other, that they can learn to work through their differences, and that they will be lifelong friends. 

Almost a Teenager!

Aahhh...
This one. 
Turned 12 this week. 
I don't have words for that.  I feel like we have so little time left with him at home.  That's a scary thought.
But.
He makes me so proud.  It's a blessing to watch him grow into his own person and face challenges and begin to learn how to handle them with faith and prayer and integrity. This past year has been full for him.  Boy Scouts.  Camp.  Volunteering at the library.  Guitar.  Soccer.  And now down to the Everglades with Brian.  They are camping, canoeing, and whatever else you do down there.  Hoping they have a great time but I'll be so glad to have them back.

Jack's birthday bonanza started at Mimi and Papa's.  (Papa- this IS the picture you were hoping for, right?)

Or maybe this one?

12 candles!

He looks so old here.

Birthday with Granny and Grandpa after dinner at a Japanese steakhouse

And fishing gear for Jack, too!

A taco lunch with friends on the actual birthday

Jack has had tacos every year on his birthday since he was 3.

He wanted to make his cake- white cake with lemon icing.

This picture is right before Sam blows out the candles for Jack.

We love you Jack!

The Capitol

A couple of weeks ago, we visited my parents for a few days while Brian was at a pastor's retreat.  That's always fun.
One afternoon we drove up to Richmond to visit the Capitol.  We had to get in SOME kind of schooling, didn't we?

After this tour, I learned that there is one name to know in Richmond.  Really, in Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson.

We heard a lot about him.  Like the fact that he designed our Capitol.  The original model is still in tact and in the building.

The tour was free and really wonderful.  Such a knowledgeable guide.

Of course the ride there and back was not without some  chaos"entertainment."

Mr. Jefferson must have been too much for Sam.  Kayla was just done.

Welcome to 7, Sam!

Sammy turned 7.
How did that little one who came barreling into our lives, changing us forever, get to be 7?
He still has that same energy and enthusiasm.  The best laugh and sense of humor.  Such a delight.  In the past year, he lost his first tooth, is learning to read, played t-ball, started swimming, showed his dance moves, and brought us so much joy.
As I looked back at all these birthday pics, all I could think is- these kids are so loved.  And not just by their mom and dad.

The birthday bonanza started at Granny and Granpa's.

Fishing pole and tackle box!

 
Sam wanted Minion cupcakes.  Fun and easy.  

A few friends for pizza

Next stop, Mimi and Papa's.

 

Cake time!

 
Photo bomb!

 

 

Love.

Catching Up

Just when I was ready to lay down and wave the white flag to winter, it warmed up.  Low 60s outside, windows open.  I think we'll make it till spring.
Brian and Jack are in the Everglades for several days- a gift for Jack's 12 year birthday- more on that later.  I will say a few hours after they left, all of us were missing them.  Still are.  It might be a long week.
I am getting ready to go on a blogging blitz- there's a lot to post about and I have time now to get going on it.  Maybe I'll even catch up!

I'll leave you with one of Kayla's sewing projects- a LOVE banner.  So cute!  The "L" and "V" are there, just kind of light.

Oh- and here's one I want to remember.  Last night Sam said, "When I am Big Daddy's age (almost 91), do you know how I will remember my childhood?"  My heart skipped a beat.  He's already thinking about that?  Anyway, he pulled up his pants leg and showed me a scar.  "By looking at this."  Maybe he will.

Guest Blogger Kayla

Lucky for me!  I have a guest blogger!

Hello! I am Kayla. Today I am going to tell you the story of how I got to go to  Olive Garden with my Papa.  We (my family and I ) were at my grandparents’ house for a visit.  Somehow one night at dinner the conversation got around to my tooth, the tooth that had been loose for a very long time. It needed to come out. So my Papa made me a deal. If I got my tooth out then he would take me out to get Death by Chocolate! How could anyone resist that wonderfully tempting offer? I tried, and tried, but no luck. I was really very disappointed; I really wanted to get Death by Chocolate! I went downstairs to tell them I could not get my tooth out. Then Papa asked if he could take a look, I said yes. He put his finger on my tooth, and pushed, hard! The tooth popped right out! All at once I felt my tooth fall on to my tongue and I tasted an all too familiar taste: blood, lots of blood. But my tooth was out and that’s all that mattered! Everyone was overjoyed!  The following day Papa and I drove out to Olive Garden in Williamsburg. Once at our table, we started to examine our lunch menus. We chose quickly. I chose a peach mango smoothie, spaghetti and pasta e fagoli! Papa chose soup and coffee. We enjoyed our delicately prepared meal while we had an intriguing conversation. After our filling meal we ordered a slice of chocolate mousse with chocolate sauce zigzagging across the top! It was delicious! Over all we had a splendid time! And that is the story of how I got to go to Olive Garden with my Papa! LOVE YOU PAPA!!