Hmmm...

Yesterday was such a nice day.
The guys all went back to Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory for the day.  They saw bald eagles, falcons. Even found a rock full of fossilized worm trails.
The girls and I picked up a little then went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  Kayla did a little school work.  I planned for Thursday's Essentials class.
We made homemade bread.  The girls made brownies.
The house stayed somewhat clean.
All grace.
All undeserved by me and yet given freely. 
Today was back to normal.
School all day.
Some good parts.  Some, not so much.  Yesterday was more fun!
Latin+Jack+me=Frustration
The house is messy.  Again.  How does that happen so fast??
I feel worn out.
Is there still grace?
Absolutely.
Sometimes I look for all the pleasant, fun things in our day and say I am thankful.  As I should be.
When those "good" things are harder to find,  my attitude gets less than thankful.  Demanding maybe?  Full of self-pity?  Defeated?
Maybe the grace in the harder days is the call to look and find those gifts that are still there.  The reminder that I alone am not sufficient but His grace is.  The truth that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.  That persevering and getting over those humps and hurdles in the day is worthwhile- maybe even more worthwhile than sailing through a smooth day.
Would I say today has been "such a nice day?"  Hmmm...
But it's a good day.
Full of more grace.  Still undeserved by me but freely given.
And let me not forget- all the laughing this morning.  The silence as we finished the last chapter of Shiloh.  Brownies for snack.   A 12 year old who doesn't like Latin but enjoys geography.  A 10 year-old who loves to write and does it independently.  A 7 and 4 year-old who played for over an hour this morning without a single harsh word.  A husband who smiles and encouraged me to press on. 
Grace.

Big Daddy's Passing

Brian's granddad passed away last week, on the 10th of September, at the age of 91.
He lived nearly all his life in the small town of Damascus, Virginia, also known as the Friendliest Town on the [Appalachian] Trail. 64 of those years were with his wife, known as Nana to many.  He was the last of 12 children.

 

Describing Big Daddy is not an easy task.  At his funeral service, all four of his grandchildren paid tribute to him, each differently, all appropriately.  He loved to kiss the ladies and holler at the men.  He was generous with his grandkids and great-grandkids.  His hugs gave the term "bear hug" a new meaning.  He had his sayings, like "always tell the truth and you'll never have to remember what you said."  His devotion to his town was evident in the long list of service, not the least of which was a 44 year stint as the town Santa. 

Over the last few days, I have been struck once again not only by how the loss of such a man touches his family, but also how it changes a community.  Especially a small one.  I remember that feeling when my grandfathers passed away.  It's as if the lens is pulled back for a short time.

There is something noble, good,  and now fleeting about truly living in a place.  Doing life with a community.  Being a part of something bigger than yourself.  Knowing the longevity of building a life somewhere and sticking it out.  What richness that breeds and I fear we are losing it. 

I am thankful for Big Daddy's life and his care for our family.  

I am thankful to have watched as a man lived and died in a community he knew and loved.  He will not be soon forgotten.

And I am thankful that he is at rest after a long and full life.

His obituary is here.

Back to School

Here we are one week into the new school year- a bit modified at this point but school all the same.
If I am honest, I will say some days I love this homeschooling thing.  Other days I am pretty sure we have lost our minds.  Time will tell!

Jack is beginning Classical Conversations'  Challenge program.  A challenge it will be.  It's a lot of work and I am excited for him.  I think it will be a year of great growth for him.
The rest of us get back to CC in two weeks.  I am tutoring Essentials this year, which is the grammar and writing program.  I am super excited about this.  We have benefited so much from our three years in Essentials, and I am looking forward to helping other families along the way.

We are not completely out of summer mode yet, though.  I just can't do it.  We have hit the pool in the afternoons when the weather cooperates.  We went to a VT pre-season soccer game one evening- Go Hokies!  There has still been time to play with friends and read on the porch. 

For this particular evening, it's blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream for dessert.  A little reading and then off to bed.
Have a good night!

Linking up to Read Aloud Thursday

I think I have a good one for you.

I can't remember where I saw this title but I put Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord on hold at our library.  While we didn't read it aloud, three of us finished it in less than a week.

 

From my 12 year old boy: "Mom, you have to read this.  It's a touching story."  

From my 10 year old girl: "I want my own copy and I really hope there will be a sequel."

The jacket summary begins like this:

"Lucy's family has just moved to an old house on a New Hampshire lake, and her dad, a famous photographer, is already leaving on another business trip....  As she seeks out the perfect subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy living in the cottage next door.  He's been coming to the lake to stay with his grandmother every summer since he was a baby."

There's lots to love about this story and it all works so well together.

        Kids working out friendships.  Family (and neighbors) caring for a grandmother.  Working hard at a hobby and using it for good.  Thoughtful decisions.  Learning about birds on a lake.  Summer!

And so, from me:  "Two thumbs up.  It is well worth your time."

Linking up to Read Aloud Thursday.  Take a look!

Welcome, Ethan!

Our newest nephew was born on the night of the 28th.  10 pounds 7 ounces!!  He brought a little excitement with him and was taken to UNC- Chapel Hill by ambulance but is doing fine now and going home to his brothers and sister today.  Let's hope things are calm for a while for his Mom and Dad's sake! 
Congratulations Jeff and Catrina, Jonathan, Grace, and Elijah!  We love you all!

Ethan Ennis

OBX 2014- The Place

I like to divide our beach pictures into two groups: one of the people, one of the place.  I'm starting with the place because there aren't quite as many and I clearly am slow at blogging this summer...

Waaayyy back in early June we set out for Southern Shores on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  I am convinced (or at least hopeful!)  there will be beautiful beaches when God makes the new heavens and new earth and I will be allowed to enjoy them forever! 

Starting with two of my favorites.

If I'm remembering right, there had been a few storms blow through on our last night.  Then the clouds began to clear and voila!  Beautiful!

The sun sets over the sound near Jockey's Ridge State Park.

 
Brian's dad has a four-wheel drive so one afternoon we took it north to Corolla where you can drive on the beach.  We saw a few wild horses.

Can you tell how smooth and flat the sand is?  

The sky darkened and I loved how it looked.

On the way back up the beach it started raining and those of us in the back of the truck got a little wet.  Just adds to the experience, right?

Here's our view from the back of the beach house.  These are our steps off the deck/porch/whatever you call it.

And a few more:

Keeping It Real

Tonight-
"Lord, help me sleep good tonight.  And....I pray for everything else I would have said after that.  Amen."
That's Sam, keeping it real.

Yesterday-
"Mom, do I have a twin?  Sammy says I have a twin."  No, Lucy, I am sure you do not have a twin.