Thankful : 1000 Gifts

We keep the family gratitude journal near the table and pull it out at meals mostly. Daily we pause and pray that our eyes would really be open. And we try to count the innumerable gifts.

It's been too long since I have counted the gifts here. Sharing a few from our family journal today.

1232
Monday's math lesson made a little sweeter by a quick trip down the street. Three Kids' Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and a Grande Latte for Mom.

1233
Friends on the sidewalk going to school.

1234
Daddy's humor. -Hannah

1245
Cheerful chores.

1246
That Gershwin (our fish) is still alive. -Will

1247
Questions like "Will there be nametags in Heaven?"

1248
Fried eggs. -Hannah

1249
The Heidelberg Catechism. 

1250
Wednesday nights at church.

1251
Big hot pretzels. -Hannah

1252
Regis and Lydia engaged!

1253
That we are not monks. -Will

1254
Third grade Sunday School. -Will

1255
Cream cheese and pumpkin butter on bagels.  -Peter

1256
Mom getting dog books at the library. (We may be getting close here) -Hannah

1257
Sleep. -Peter

1258
Right before the storm.

1260
Karen and Andrew engaged! 

1261
Books and blankets.

1262
Mousetraps. -Mom

1263
The Nationals in the Playoffs. -Will

Lately

Life lately has been full... quite honestly, a little too full for me. I'm realizing more and more that I need wide margins in my schedule. There has been no white space for many weeks and I am feeling it. This afternoon rain cancelled our plans, and I couldn't be happier for these few hours between morning and evening worship. The Redskins are on, pumpkin bread is cooling, and everyone is resting... well, everyone but my dear pastor-husband. 

A few catch-up photos. No rhyme or reason here. Just a few glimpses of the blur of our past month. 

 

Homeschool Days at the Maryland Science Center.

An accidental picture with Hannah's camera. Inner Harbor, Baltimore.

Backyard football with some creative gear.

This is just one of Peter's many "school uniforms."

Will trying out a new position.

The girls' team is undefeated so far!

Peter is loving every minute of soccer.

We took down the play set - it was falling apart and really not safe anymore. Very sad.

Sunny school days at home.

Savoring September

I love September and the buzz of activity that comes with it. These first days of fall have been spent settling into new schedules, new sports, new teams, new lessons, and new school routines... with a couple very fun weddings on the weekends! I suddenly feel tired thinking about it all.  

My husband is coaching Hannah's soccer team again this year. And they have moved up to a more competitive league. It's so fun to watch this group of girls play! But sadly I miss most of the games because I'm juggling the boys' Saturday soccer games.

My soccer-loving girl... who is looking so much older to me these days.

 Will is playing baseball for the first time and he LOVES it. 

His first game was this past weekend and he smiled the whole time. 

 His first run ever!

Peter is on a real soccer team this year... with mid-week practices, weekend games, and uniforms (he loves the gear). I didn't get a picture of him at his first game - it was a crazy day. 

Here he is our Roman Standard Bearer (just before he fell to the Barbarians). 

We're studying the Middle Ages this year.

Fifteen Years

Today we celebrate 15 years! 

I have been sitting her for too long trying to write something short and sweet
about how wonderful our marriage is.
But there are just too many words.
And all of them put together don't say enough. 

Truly, my cup overflows. 

I love being married to this man.

First Day of School

We started school today! 

Hannah - 5th grade. She's held this sign for 7 years! How can this be?

Will - 3rd grade

Peter - 1st grade

I have been making this First Day of School pencil cake for years (it's actually a brownie). This year I made a mini version. The eating of the pencil cake after the first day of lessons is a highly anticipated event around here. Do not ever make this unless you intend to make it every year. I made cupcakes one year and got a lot of "where's the pencil cake?"

Returning to Homeschooling

Hello, all! I have a bit of news...

After much prayer and thought, we have decided to return to homeschooling starting this fall.

I had considered spelling out all the reasons why, but I think it best to keep this short. Please know that our many reasons were positively and proactively motivated, not negative reactions to our school experience. We are doing what we feel is best and right for us... for educational, philosophical, and familial reasons which are our personal convictions and ones we in no way wish to impress upon others.

All this to simply say, we're back. And we're very excited!

Our summer has been full and I have let this blog sit awhile. I do hope to be back here often and with some frequency again. I've missed it (and so has my far away family).

Grace and peace to you in these last lazy days of summer.

Jennifer

July Refreshment

 The big storm that roared through DC on June 29th left us with a tree on our van, a tree on our shed, and no electricity for 4 days in 100+ degree heat. SO... we jammed the smashed van into the teeny garage and packed up the Accord. Repairs could wait. 

Refreshment was waiting for us at the lake.

Everyone's favorite activity. Especially Peter.

Hannah gave lots of boat rides.

Cruising around with cousins.

And cousin craziness.

These two loved the golf cart.

The whole gang on the Fourth. We missed Cristin and Michael!

The birthday girl. We celebrated Nana's 70th all week!

Fishing with Uncle Rob.

Kayaking with Uncle Mark.

Kayaking lessons for Will.

Love this girl! So nice to have another girl around.

Birthday sunflowers for Nana.

We celebrated big for 70 years! A nice dinner out, just the adults.