Closer

We've always had such wonderful luck with our vehicles - not needing to share a car in recent memory. You can imagine - with our hectic schedules - how it might get interesting when one car went to the shop (we won't even talk numbers here, difficult numbers) and we were having to share between the 6 schedules we juggle.

 We are so blessed to live in an area where the kids' school is 2 blocks away. We've shared two days this week, but the other 2 days, I've been kinda stuck home. It's made me imagine what life would be like if we always shared a car, something quite a few people I know do. It's been kind of nice to walk the kids to school each morning, at preschool pick-up and in the afternoon (six times!). The weather now is absolutely gorgeous (I'm not sure how much I'd love it in rainy or cold weather!). Before school started I told myself that I would walk them more - then life got in the way and it was so much easier to just hop in the car on my way to wherever it is that we go - mostly. Truth is, when I walk them, I feel more connected. Closer to the warm sunny, wind in November, to the oak trees blowing their fall leaves to the ground. Closer to my kids, encouraging them to pick up bright red leaves and acorns and sticks along the way. Closer to what they did during the day, asking questions all the way home and listening to their hearts. Closer to the teachers, we can stop and talk instead of holding up a carpool lane. Closer to my neighbors who are out walking. Closer to housework because there really isn't much better to do - mostly anyway.

 I'm not much for sitting around, reading, sipping tea and napping and sewing or crafting (um, ya, I can't sew). I like to do. I like to be places. That's probably the greatest challenge I had staying home, when I did. I got so lonely. This mini-lock in has helped me to appreciate the ability that I have to get out when I want to. I'm going to enjoy it - that is - until I pay that obscene amount of money to the mechanic and then life will be back to crazy.  Happy walking!

Then and Now..

Then..

And Now

Then..

And now..

Then..

And Now.

Then..

And now.

Then..

And Now.

Then..

And now.

Wow. Time goes by so quickly.

Jane's Story

One day, Jane was in her home and it was raining. Mom said, "Jane, when is the storm going to stop?" Jane's mom said, "We do not plan when the storm is going to stop." "Look, the storm is over", said Jane. "I am going outside, bye-bye".

Tire Swing

 (unrelated picture of a tree at our favorite park)

 Daddy switched our little wood swing to a tire swing.

 It hangs from a HUGE oak tree in our yard.

 It's fun to hide in.

 This is how we spent the last precious few hours of summer. Wheeeeee!

 This swing goes really high! Scary for a mommy's heart!

Happy school year! We are having a party tonight to celebrate a good first week!

My Sweet Husband

My husband is wonderful. He is caring. He is loyal. He is wise. He is smart. He is a man of strong conviction. He is Godly. He is a dedicated teacher. He is gifted with students. He is gifted with his own children. He is gifted with his wife. I am so thankful he had to opportunity to teach in China - but I am SO much more thankful to have him home!! 

Washing the car

 We finally found daddy a car.

 So we worked hard to scrub it (throw towels at it and watch it splat).

 This one (I hear) is really good at detailing. I haven't seen it for myself (too hot today- 106 degrees).

 But I do hear it. Usually from others. If you've seen my car, you know.

 "Hey, I've got a sweet ride, too!"

 This kid loves messy fun. He is so delightful!

We love Daddy!

Plugging away...

 Impromptu Snowcones!

 Foot race with Grandpa

 Swimming with friends

Chatting with Daddy & students

Senior High Camp!

We are dutifully plugging away at our list - a few things have changed or have been put on the back burner. We've found other new things to replace old ones on the list, some we are saving for daddy. But that's okay, we are having fun and keeping very busy! Most nights I collapse into my bed. I thank the Lord for that because I could very easily get lonely at night missing daddy and our late night snacking and tv ritual we've held onto for years. 

My goal this summer, in the words of my sweet hubby, is to

 "chew up bones of life and suck the marrow out" - loose translation. :-)