Peter's First Day

Peter went to school for the first time this morning.

Hannah and Will cheered him on and then went out to breakfast with Dad. We will dive into homeschool lessons tomorrow. Getting Peter to school for the first time was enough for one day.

All I have to say is...
watch out Pre-K!

13 Years

Today we celebrate 13 years!

August 30, 1997

Late last night, I put photos of us all around the kitchen. So when we woke early, bracing ourselves for the first day of school, we could have a mini-celebration by the coffee maker.

A few of my favorites from long ago...

Ten years ago - on top of what is thought to be Mt. Sinai.

Apparently, ten years ago we spent a lot of time on top of mountains.
Our 3rd anniversary - hiking in New Hampshire. We still talk about that absolutely perfect day!

Five years ago.

And this past weekend we got out for a fun dinner in Georgetown...

... followed by a visit to the Lincoln Memorial (completely forgetting that the Glenn Beck Rally was just a few hours prior - there was still quite a crowd).

So, we sat there with Mr. Lincoln and enjoyed the view...

... and watched the moon rise over DC.

All attempts to get a picture of the two of us just lead to a lot of this...
(And I have to laugh that I am wearing the same dress in the photo from five years ago!)



This morning (on our actual anniversary), Hannah offered to take a photo as we were hurrying Peter to his first day of school.

Yep, that looks about right for today...
a little bit blurry, but fun.

Summer's End : 1000 Gifts

Praying for my eyes to be open to His beautiful gifts in the everyday, my gift list goes on...

0540
Cracking open new books.

0541
My very own "Teacher's Workday" - stealing away for a weekend day of planning in my husband's (very quiet) church office.

0542
New lesson plans.

0543
A morning at the Zoo with Dad.


0544
The Genius Bar at The Apple Store. Truly genius.

0545
Rainy days.


0546
My little Mr. Fix-it.


0547
Wet-vacs.

0548
Dehumidifiers.

0549
Not having a finished basement. Whew.

0550
Summer evening light.


0551
Heirloom tomatoes.

0552
Farm-fresh eggs.

0553
Salad dinners.

0554
Their summer-streaked hair.



0556
Losing a tooth excitement (in the middle of the worship service).

0557
Help in the kitchen.


0558
My ESV Study Bible.

0559
Ice cream sandwiches at the pool.

0560
A house for a dear family... in the neighborhood they wanted and the price they needed.

0561
Art camp.


0562
Early mornings along the Potomac.

0563
Running across the Key Bridge, rowers quietly passing below me.

0564
15 miles. (The farthest I have ever run!... and over halfway to 26.2)

0565
Friends who just stop by.

0566
Re-reading favorite books.

0567
My mom's encouragement.

0568
A cool, breezy evening at the Cathedral.

0569
Cartwheels in the grass.

0570
Holding hands.

0571
An extra leaf for the table.

0572
Shared family dinners.

0573
After many years, hearing a song again.

0574
And remembering my grandmother's voice.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Diving Board Triumph

It's a big day when you stand at the end of that board for the first time.


With a wide smile and zero hesitation, Peter made the biggest splash he could.


And again, and again, and again.


I'm liking my new spot by the diving board. I may even be able to bring a book to the pool...

Our School Room

It's School Room Week at the Not-Back-to-School Blog Hop. Here is where we do school... and, of course, all over the rest of the house. When we moved into the house, I wasn't really sure how we would use the space, and homeschooling wasn't something I had ever thought about seriously. Now I am so very thankful to have this room!

The school room doesn't get a lot of natural light, so we work together often at the dining room table and in our family room (below).


Hannah's desk is currently in between coats of paint, but you get the picture. The door to the right of her desk is to the garage, so this is a high-traffic area.


Will's desk... (that I pulled from a neighbor's trash!)


Buckets for toys, math manipulatives, blank paper, games, puzzles...


Books, books, books... the bottom 2-3 shelves are for school (and 2 of the cabinets beneath the shelves).



We don't use the secretary desk as a desk, just a catch-all. A tour... Left door is to the kitchen. Middle door is to the foyer. Right door is a closet.


I posted photos of our school room two years ago (before I had even officially started homeschooling). Since then, the kids have their own desks and we have accumulated a lot more books and stuff.

Thanks for visiting!

Bag Ladies

My mom, Hannah, and I worked on a little sewing project last week. Being new to this sewing thing, it was a great beginner project for me. All of us were pleased with the final products, but mostly it was just fun to do together.

I found this shoulder bag tutorial at tiny happy several months ago and filed it away for a summer day. We did tweak with her measurements, feeling that the bag wasn't deep enough. And I have to have a bag that easy carries my moleskine planner.

Hannah's bag (she picked out the fabric)


My mom and I used the same fabric - fine wale red corduroy for fall.

Mom's... (she got a little fancy with the tucks by the button)

My bag...

And with the extra fabric, I made a slouchy sack like bag for library trips/shopping/etc. I needed the extra practice.

August Days : 1000 Gifts

Stopping to sit for a few moments and find, under this pile on my desk, my journal and the list of gifts scribbled over the past couple weeks.

In everything, giving thanks. The gift list continues...

0521
Family vacations.

0522
An afternoon at the outlet mall with my mom.

0523
My dad's dinners... All-day smoked chicken and ribs. Grilled local shrimp and herbed polenta. I could go on and on...

0524
Perfectly ripe tomatoes.

0525
Sweet iced tea.

0526
Coming home with bags full of clean, folded laundry.

0527
My mom.

0528
Ripe mangoes. Picked from a family friend's mango tree! Oh, to have one of those....

0529
No damage following a powerful storm. Big limbs falling in safe places.

0530
A gracious friend who came in and cleaned out our fridge and melted ice-cream covered freezer after a long power outage.

0531
And the fresh milk, eggs, and butter he replenished, greeting us when we arrived home.

0532
Not having to go right to the store after 12 hours in the car.

0533
A 40th birthday party.

0534
Our favorite babysitter.

0535
Adoption. Little Julianna finally at home with her family.

0536
To do lists... and the means to do the things on it.

0537
Getting up early.

0538
Time to pray and be still.

0539
Knowing He is a big God.

Florida Vacation

We're back home! We all spent two weeks in Florida with my parents. I just love vacation.

12 long hours on I-95. The kids are great on long trips. We help the day along with lots of junky snacks from gas stations. It's the kids' day to pick what they eat (except, of course, the healthy sandwiches brought from home). Let's just say... lots of Cheetos.

Right away we had some fun cousin time (my sister's kids). Peter was too grumpy to be photographed.


My little sis, Allison.


A little local touring... the St. Augustine Lighthouse.


Peter was too short to be allowed up. Maybe next time.


More local fun... The Alligator Farm.
A little freaky.


This woman has a crazy job. The kids loved this alligator feeding show.


We got to meet a new little friend, Abigail. So beautiful!


Angie and I got to spend a day together. It was so nice to have time to catch up with longtime friends. And to have them over to my parents' house... just like we are back in 7th grade, except now our kids swim together while we chat.


Certain things are must dos when I am home... I must eat fried shrimp in a place that looks like this. This is actually the spot of my parents' first date.

We took the kids to mini-golf at the beach. It was unbearably hot, but all three of them keep reporting to friends that it was a highlight of our trip.

And we went back to Sea World. Another way-too-hot day. (Did I really grow up in that heat?) The misters were a big hit. I think we spent $40 on bottled water.


We ended our day in Orlando with the Redds. It was great to be with Scott and Jenn and the girls, eat a good meal, and cool off before heading back to my parents'. I think the heat had gone to my head... I didn't even take my camera in their house.

Big news! Peter is now officially a swimmer! The kids are in and out of the pool all day when we're there. It's a big relief to have them all swimming on their own.

A day at the beach with the Faisons. Peter was less sure about the ocean.

These three never got out of it.


Mowing the lawn with Grandpa. Always big fun.


Speaking of my dad, he spend a lot of time by the grill. We eat very well down there.
My dad and I love to cook together. A new favorite recipe that we made twice is Barefoot Contessa's Grilled Panzanella. Amazing!

My mom and I worked on a sewing project (I'll post photos soon). I'm learning. It's getting easier... well, especially when my mom is right there.

We had a great time away! Lots of being together, rest, reading, catch-up time, touring around, time in the water, and playing.

Now it's time for me to finish some summer projects and do some serious school planning. Summer goes by so quickly....