Camp Mimi-G-Daddy!

The girls are headed on their first solo plane flight to Orlando to see their Mimi and G-Daddy. They will have a grand time sailing on the Emma-Caroline II, going to the Eau Galle Yacht Club and spending time at the beach front condo in Cocoa Beach. I can't wait to hear all about their travels when they return!

School's Back In!

Life lately has been very busy in an extremely amazing and blessed way! As the days have moved along they have been filled with lots of fun and quality family moments as well as wonderful personal and spiritual moments with God.

 I truly love recording all that happens in and around our home however, at times of real busyness, my posts seem less frequent and often times sporadic. We had a wonderful summer filled with swimming and tennis and travel and fun, fun, fun. I will update our adventures soon, but today I want to focus on school.

 The girls began their new school year on August 12, 2013 in the third and first grades.

 They were so thrilled to go back to school and to see their school friends again. We were excited too with the girls' new teachers.

 Emma-Caroline got Ms. Murphy and Sophie got Mrs. McElroy. We have been pleased with how the school year has started and progressed.

Both girls are full speed ahead in their respective classrooms and have already gotten into the AR point winning quest. Emma-Caroline began her Harry Potter reading and has taken the first test on the Sorcerer's Stone. She now has earned 24 points just in one week of AR being open. She'll need 120 points to go around once. Her goal is to at least go around twice so she is off to a great start! Sophie is plugging along in first grade and getting stronger in her reading. Her teacher has the children writing constantly which I LOVE! I am going to have a huge stack of keepsake work that comes home from Sophie with all of that writing. 2013-2014 is off to a great start!

Twirling Ballerinas

The month of May has chugged in at a steady pace and is passing by as quickly as the express train from Washington DC to New York City. I feel I have blinked once and here we are at the end of school. Really? I just can't believe school only has one half day left! May is notoriously busy with recitals, end of school year projects and happenings, teacher's gifts to buy, parties to attend  . . . oh and don't forget Howie's birthday, Mother's Day and a wedding anniversary too. One of the highlights of May is definitely the dance performance the girls participate in with their dance studio at the Tennessee Theater. This year the girls each danced in a ballet piece and a modern piece during the performance. Although I feel my photos from this year's performance are not as wonderful as they could be, I am posting them for posterity's sake. Emma-Caroline danced in "Garland" for her ballet piece and "Nepali" for her modern piece. Sophie danced in "Raceway" for her modern piece and "Peasants" for her ballet piece.  We were happy that Emma-Caroline's first grade teacher, Ms. Ellison, our wonderful baby sitter Miss Ali and our friend Mary Caroline were also able to join us to watch the performance. We are very proud of our little dancers! I will be back soon to catch up on more May happenings. Happy summer!

 

The Blessing of Warm, Sunshiny Days and Friendship

As  I type this post, I am watching the rain come down in sheets outside my window. Just yesterday, I sat in my back yard soaking up the warmth of the glorious sun's rays while a gentle breeze crossed my cheeks and the birds sang their loudest hallelujah chorus that we finally had delightful weather. Thunder rolls and lightening pierces the sky as my days in the sun have become a cherished memory. My body prefers the sun and warmth. My Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mr. Rainy Cold Weather don't get along. Miss RA likes to show her displeasure with the turn of the weather by shouting loudly through each and every one of my joints. So when the coinhabitor of my body acts out, I like to recall the days prior of sunshine and warmth and fun times with the girls.

 This past weekend was filled with many hours out in the sun. The girls and their neighborhood friends decided to set up an "Art Stand" to sell their original pieces of artwork.

 Each friend contributed to the business through either providing art pieces, soliciting sales, or counting their earnings. These kiddos were quite the team as they diligently worked together on their Art Stand. All told, the crew earned $11 of which they decided to donate to charity.

 As I watched the kiddos working so hard together, I felt blessed that we live in such a wonderful neighborhood with so many friends to build memories with.

 I have always felt God chose this house and neighborhood for our family to live in.

  It is on weekends like this past one in which I am reminded of God's great love and wonderful provisions of grace and joy for our family as we enjoy the gift of friendship and building happy memories.

Spending Time with Grandma in New York City

Before school started, we are traveled to New York City to see Howie's mother Beverly and his sisters, Rhonda, Bess, and Sherri as well as our nieces Elizabeth, Diane, Lori, and Ellen. It has been a few years since we had brought the girls to the city, so they were both excited to see all of the buildings and people. One of their favorite pass times while we were in the city was spending time with their Grandma Beverly in her garden and across the street from her apartment at the playground. We will have to make another trip soon to see Grandma in New York City!

 Grandma Beverly and her little girlfriends!

 Youngest to oldest, Sophie, Emma-Caroline, Ellen, Lori, Diane, and Elizabeth!

VBS 2012

This year's VBS was centered around "Home Town Nazareth" or life during the times when Jesus was a boy. This is my fifth year of being on the core committee in planning VBS and my first to actually be an Assistant Director. After planning, recruiting volunteers, preparing and more preparing, our VBS week was finally here. The week was filled with lots of fun, energy, and learning about Jesus and his love for all of us. Although I am glad it is now finished, I look forward to next year when the fun and good times will continue with another VBS. (All photos below taken by our wonderfulVBS photographer, Vaiden Taylor)