Highlights! (Not the Hair Kind!) And Travis’s Eyes

Exodus 20:11a “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.”

That was Emma’s Bible verse last week, and since she’s only in kindergarten that means that Mom gets to review them with her every night. By the end of the week, we both know them (or at least I know it, and I hope she knows it!) We’ve also been learning the Creation Story in our preschool classes, and last week we got to see a butterfly come out of it’s cocoon! I have never seen that, and it was fascinating to all of us!

Travis had/has some problems with his eyes this past week. On Wednesday, his teacher came to me and said that Travis’s eyes were really red and maybe he had pink eye! None of our kids have ever had pink eye, but to be honest, I hadn’t even noticed that Travis’s eyes were red!! Thankfully, Roger had off of work on Wednesday and he was able to come get Travis from school. Travis was not at all heartbroken to be leaving school at 8:30 in the morning! He went with Roger to run some errands, they brought me coffee, and Roger took Travis to the pediatrician. The pediatrician confirmed that it was not pink eye, but something was not right with Travis’s eyes. So Roger had to take him over to the eye doctor. The eye doctor said that Travis has some type of allergy to something, but his eyes should be improving. Well, I’ve washed everything under the sun and Travis has been getting plenty of sleep and rest and his eyes are still red, itchy and slightly swollen! Please pray we can figure out what will help his eyes heal!

Also this week, Garett and Wyatt started back to piano lessons. We are just not able to afford for all of the kids to take lessons as piano lessons are expensive out here! I talked with someone in a different part of the country and she said that her daughter takes lessons for $12.00 for one-half hour. It’s about three times that much here! We were able to apply for a discount, and that has helped    significantly. When we were talking to the boys about piano lessons, both Garett and Wyatt specifically asked if they could take lessons. Chandler came to us later on and said, “I’m just not that interested in taking piano lessons. And I don’t know if spending money on me to take lessons would be a good idea!” We tried not to laugh as he was so serious and intentionally in talking with us. However, after much prayer and discussion we did decided to enroll Garett and Wyatt for piano lessons this fall. They are very excited, and Wyatt has been especially diligent in practicing.

Last week was a week filled with beautiful weather-truly an Indian Summer type of weather! It’s always enjoyable to get outside with the students as that is good for both teachers and students! Renee (our preschool head teacher) and I were able to enjoy staff devotions on both Tuesday and Thursday. It was so encouraging to come together with these dear ladies and pour out our requests and praises to our Heavenly Father. Renee and I have both definitely be experiencing a learning curve  and some times we are just “living and learning”. Last week our “color” that we studied was yellow.  We put cornmeal in our sensory bin...and we had cornmeal dust about everywhere! BUT it was  yellow! ( and so fun to play in!)

I feel like the preschool staff and the elementary staff as well as the staff as a whole school are better united this year than they have in past years. I’m definitely not claiming the credit for that, but I do think that God has used me as in instrument to bring two different programs a little closer together. I remember talking to one of our staff ladies this summer, and explaining the hard decision between giving up the school board and going on a staff position. She had given me a hug, and then looked me
 right in the eyes and said, “Sarah, I have no doubt that wherever you serve, God will use you for His honor and glory.” I do enjoy being at school with our children, and I certainly pray that God will continue to use me.

The boys (and Emma) had a field trip Friday to a corn maze. It was a fun field trip and they came home with lots of experiences to tell. It was hard for me to miss the field trip, but my friend (Claire)  did send me several pictures from the event. After the students field trip, we had music classes. I’m  looking forward to moving to Mondays for music classes as I don’t feel like either the students or the teacher are  as productive at the end of the week! So, we will be having music classes again on Monday as we move to transition to Music on Mondays! I’m so thrilled with the progress the students have made in the three weeks of classes....and a bit intimidated by how far we need to go in just ten weeks! But God gives grace for every moment, and it’s not given for me to store up!

On Friday night, we had two extra little boys for a few hours. These boys go to our school, and I  wanted to try to be a blessing to their mama, so I offered to watch her boys for a few hours on Friday night. She was able to enjoy some time with a friend, and our boys (and Emma) enjoyed having a few friends over for a bit. It was such a delight to my heart to watch my older boys with these young kids. Chandler patiently went on the trampoline, and Garett and Wyatt played nerf guns and airplanes for as long as the boys were interested. My boys helped the little ones with their supper and cut up their food, played with them, and entertained them. It was truly a blessing to my heart!

Garett and Travis are both experiencing a few school struggles, but they have wonderful teachers, and we are working through small problems before they are big problems! Garett is definitely entering into those preteen years where he is stinky all the time, a bit clumsy at times, sometimes easily
irritated (usually at siblings) but he still wants to talk to me! Oh, my hearts desire is for my children to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and mind!


On Saturday we had the opportunity to play soccer at the church field for a bit! It was an unusually warm September day, but we all had a good time. I played too, and Roger was able to leave work for a bit to play also. Emma had no desire to play, but she was a good sport on the sidelines, and she enjoyed holding the baby that was there!

 

 

Beautiful Flowers from my friend, Claire.

 I also tried Walmart Grocery Pickup on Saturday. I was impressed by the convenience of using the online order form. I’m definitely not crazy about the fact that using coupons is not an option right now, but I’m happy to use the service as long as they keep giving me $10.00 off my order coupons! It certainly helped us save time on a busy day. After the grocery pickup we went home to drop off groceries. Wyatt and Travis picked out a present for the birthday party that they were going to in the afternoon. They wrapped it with packing tape, but they did it themselves! I took the two younger boys to the birthday party which was at the YMCA. The boys had the opportunity to swim in the pool at the party, and Travis was thrilled to pass the swim test. Wyatt had already passed it at a pervious party. Watching Travis take the swim test was one thing that I didn’t really do. I have a hard time watching when I’m not 100% sure that my child will succeed. I did watch some of the test, and he was doing okay. Then the instructor said that Travis did not pass the test because he had touched the wall before treading water. Claire (the other mom siting with me) and I were both surprised as we hadn’t heard the instructor tell Travis not to do that. Claire asked (she’s outspoken like that :) ) the instructor if Travis had know about that. Travis said he did not know that was the rule and he offered to take the test again. The instructor decided to allow Travis to pass which totally made his day...and mine. Then Claire’s son took the swim test, and she was the one facing away! It surprised me that we both had the same response to watching our children do something that we were not 100% sure they would succeed at, but her son passed as well! The younger boys had a good time at the party, and they definitely enjoy  swimming!

I had two friends surprise me last week with coupons for coffee at Dunkin Donuts. Allison and Claire both gave me coupon booklets...somehow they must know that I enjoy coffee and I definitely like coupons!

I’ve been a bit surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed working in the preschool. It is definitely not roses every day, but I enjoy going to work with these little ones. I know I partially enjoy the job because of the person I get to work with in that program. Every day one of these little ones surprises me with either a funny comment or action, or just how fun life is to them! I told Renee recently that “We don’t even need the Holy Spirit in here lately as we have so many that are telling us about everyone else’s problems!” I’m joking, of course! We surely need God to work in their lives, but laughter certainly makes the day more enjoyable!

Week #2- Challenges and Blessings!

 

Week two is now behind us! For all of you that are on weeks four, five or greater...we don’t want to hear it! (Just kidding- we are happy for you!)  We are happy to have completed two weeks of school! I’m happy to write that this week seemed to go much smoother than last week. We made it to the end of the week before feeling really tired, and it was a full week! Gym, art, and music classes all started this week, and that always makes the days a little bit more fun (probably for both the teacher and the students!).

The preschoolers are adjusting to school which is making things both easier and more interesting! It’s great that all the students are starting to remember each other’s names and understand how the  schedule works. As each school day passes, they each become a bit more comfortable at school
revealing their personalities! We have been teaching them Genesis 1:1 as well as a few songs to go with the days of Creation. God blessed our school with a wonderful preschool teacher, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to work alongside of her. It takes a special gift to work with preschoolers, and God gave her that gift. We seem to work really well together, and I’m excited to “live and learn” with her. As we work through the school year, we are keeping files on what we do with the preschoolers as it will make consecutive years a bit easier for whomever teaches. We are also learning what doesn’t work well or what not to try again!

Another great change in the preschool program is the joining together of preschool and elementary staff prayer meetings. This week I suggested that perhaps we could meet together at least one morning a week to all pray together. The elementary staff does their devotions and prayer time together every day, but the preschool staff has not joined in the past, due in part to just preparing for a different schedule on the preschool side. However, this year we are excited  to have staff devotions  together to pray. Oh, how we all need it! I’m looking forward to praying alongside these wonderful, dear teachers at our school.


My phone has been broken since last Saturday, so I’ve been without a phone all week. It’s been weird as I don’t consider myself especially attached to my phone, but not having one has been a weird experience. I do wonder how many messages Ive missed in the last week, but I figure if it was a real emergency, someone would have called Roger! Lord willing, we will be able to get a replacement phone soon. My phone slid off the counter, and the screen is not turning on. I remember all during my growing up years only having a land line phone, but in the culture we live in, it’s a totally unusual thing to not have a cell phone. To be honest, it’s been kinda nice...except for all the meetings and important things I’ve probably forgotten!

We did have a busy week, with school, a meeting for an upcoming fundraising dinner, making a meal  for a friend, and prepping for music classes. Our school is working on a fundraising dinner to try to  help raise money for our school. Our school offers amazing discounts for families with multiple children (1st one is full price, 2nd one is 25% off, And any additional children are free!) However, we  did not get the 90 students that we prayed for this year...instead we have about 60. It’s 60 kids that God wants us to minster to, but it also means that we need to make some money to meet budget goals. The purpose of the fundraising dinner is to help the school meet its budget! We are preparing and planning for a banquet dinner with a guest speaker, picture slide show, and then a pledge offering (It’s  where you fill out a card and either give a one time donation or you pledge to give a certain amount each month for a year). I have a very specific amount I am praying for, but I know that God has to do a mighty work. Would you pray for this banquet with us? In two short weeks, this banquet  will take place. We need your prayers. (And if you want to make a donation, just let me know and I’ll be happy to get you our school address!)

I made a meal for a friend on Thursday. She and her husband just recently welcomed their first little  baby. Since I was already making a meal for a family, I went ahead and made a meal for my family, and three of our teachers at school. If I’m making a mess, I might as well try to be a blessing in the process! I made stuffed taco shells, which is a super easy meal to make, and one of my kids favorites! Emma was thrilled that she would get to come along with me to drop off the meal. She prayed all summer for this baby, and she was delighted to get to see the baby! Thursday is Emma’s short day as she is done with school at 11:30am. We left school and took a meal over to them, and we were able to have a wonderful visit together. I’m thankful for these opportunities to love on new mammas and their families.

Friday marked the first day of music classes. I didn’t feel as prepared as I have in years past, but maybe that has something to do with how little time I’ve had to get everything done. Because I am teaching in the afternoon, the music classes are a little shorter than when I was able to teach in the morning. Half an hour flies by! We have much to do to get ready for a Christmas program in 12  weeks, and I’m thankful that we serve a big, big God who can help me organize, prepare, plan and teach these students. I was given some small melody harps that I am going to try to teach the oldest class to use for a Christmas song. Today was pretty rough, but I’m sure they will get better!

The boys have adjusted quite easily to this week of school. Travis told me that even enjoyed some of school this week! We’ve been back to studying our Bible verses, spelling lists, etc.  Chandler and I have been working on how to discern types of sentences! I’m so proud of how the children have been getting up early, getting ready for school, and we’ve been even earlier than we need to be to school this week. I’ve  been getting up with Roger at 4:40 am. We enjoy a cup of coffee, a bit of quiet time and prayer, and then he goes to work. Then I have my Bible time, and usually the boys are up by 5:30am. (That’s why they are usually in bed by 7:30 pm.) I’ve been able to squeeze in a short run every morning this week -it’s not far- only two miles, but it helps me get my exercise in before school starts. We leave for school around 7:10am. The boys have been great about helping Emma get her  breakfast, and then doing their chores before leaving for school. I’m certainly praying that these habits will continue throughout the school year! We are an early rising family, but that also means  that we are an early-to-bed family!

Today (Sunday) we had the opportunity to worship with other believers at our church, and then we had a baptismal service out at the pond. Roger was working today, and he was disappointed to miss it.  This baptismal service was especially special as the man getting baptized is the dad of one of the boys that was baptized earlier this summer. How wonderful to see this father take this step in his walk
 with the Lord !

This week I was also able to find some great bargains for Christmas presents, gifts for school and back to school supplies for 90% off at Rite Aid! I enjoy giving gifts to others (that’s my love language) and I also enjoy staying on budget! It’s always so wonderful to see how God can put me in the right place at the right time, and I do enjoy finding bargains!

Roger and I were able to get a replacement phone for me yesterday. It’s a used phone, but it should last me a few years, and it’s paid for completely. I’m thankful that I was able to find a protective case for .96 at Staples! (One of the benefits of not having the newest phone is that then I was able to find a clearance phone case!) As much as we travel for school and other events, it’s nice to have a phone again.

We are so very thankful for how God has blessed us this week. It has certainly had it’s challenges and trials, but God has been so very, very faithful!

Week #1 (What a week!)

Did we make it?! I feel a bit like a barn cat that is trying to sneak in the door before his tail is slammed in the door! It felt like a marathon, a whirlwind, and a tornado all in one, but we all survived week one of school!

First of all, last Friday Garett turned thirteen! I think I’m still in shock over that! Secondly, we celebrated our fourteenth anniversary on Monday. Roger and I sometimes joke about the fact that Garett has never hurried for anything in his entire life...except for crashing our first anniversary! Garett’s due date was October 3rd, and he was born on August 30th! He was an unexpected addition to our first, very unromantic first anniversary! However, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for the special gift of our first born son. Every anniversary looks a bit different for Roger and I, and I don’t think we’ve ever really celebrated with an expensive dinner and a get away on our anniversary. The beginning of the school year is not a prime time to have an anniversary! (But we didn’t think about that 14 years ago!)

We had company for our anniversary (also on Labor Day this year). My sister, Hannah, her husband, Josh, along with some of our dear friends, the Faulde’s (missionaries to Haiti) and Rogers boss, (Kevin and Terry) came for dinner! It was a table full, but what a great time we had together. Roger grilled out a bunch of different types of meat (they had cleaned out the freezer at work). Terry brought an ice cream cake to celebrate Garett and Travis’s birthdays, and the table was filled with delicious things to eat! It was a good time to visit about Haiti, the mission work there, and enjoy each other’s company. I’m thankful for a home in which to be hospitable to others. I’m thankful for a spouse who graciously helps prepare food. I’m thankful for our children who enjoy having others at  
our house. I’m thankful to our, good, good Heavenly Father who bountifully bestows blessings on us!


Tuesday was our first day of school! A cool mama would’ve taken pictures of our first day of school, but maybe we will get a picture by day 20 of the school year! Garett is in 7th grade, Chandler is in 6th, Wyatt is in 4th, Travis is in 3rd grade and Emma started kindergarten. I was not emotional about Emma starting school, probably because I was nervous also about my first day of being the pre-school aide! I forgot to take a picture of Emma, and that does make me a little sad as she is our last one to go to kindergarten.


This year brought about many changes for our school schedule as we are now all going to school. I  LOVE the fact that all of our children are learning at the same school, and I am delighted to be there with them. I MISS the fact that I’m not going to be available for each of our children’s field trips, and that I am no longer able to play the piano for chapel. I appreciate the fact that I can earn a bit of  money to help with the school bills, and maybe even help our children be able to take music lessons this fall.

I’ve probably had a bigger adjustment than our children this year simply as its been quite a few years since I’ve had a job that requires tax paperwork to be filled out and actually results in a paycheck! It’s also exhausting and tired to get back into a routine! We started off with the three-year olds on Tuesday, and what an adventure that was for both the new teacher and myself! Three year olds are just discovering how independent they can be, and not one of them was interested in a  schedule or routine! Its amazing though at how quickly kids can adjust and adapt as Thursday was a much better day. I’m excited to see how God works in and through me.  

Wednesday was Emma’s long day at school (She goes full day on Mon./Wed./Fri./ and half days on Tuesday/Thursday) She has been tired for much of the week, and by Thursday she was ready for a    
nap after school! I watch a little boy from our preschool class on Wednesday afternoons, so we went  to the bank and out to see Roger. The little boy was very impressed with the stickers and sucker he got at the bank. (Oh, sometimes its the little things that provide the most joy!)  I also worked some on paperwork, music class lessons, and other things that needed to be done.

Thursday afternoon provided me with the unexpected blessing of being able to finish up working in the music room. My friend, Claire, took Emma home with her for the afternoon, which gave me several hours just to work on my music class space! I am delighted to see it come together, and now just have to work on the lesson plans for the Christmas program and how we are going to be ready for that in 12 weeks! AHH!!

And just like that Friday is here -Snap! We are thankful that God brought us safely through our first week of school. We are thankful for the weekend as we will have family staying overnight again this  weekend. I’m looking forward to making my grocery list and prepping for next week’s meals. This week we kinda flew by the seat of our pants, which resulted in popcorn and cheese for supper one night, and eggs and sausage another night, etc.

We are closing up the weekend with enjoying two days with Roger’s sister, Erin, her husband, Jason, and their five girls at our house for a few days. It was good to catch up and visit with them. We enjoyed a walk on the board walk, loud nerf gun fights at home, and just enjoying each other’s company. This morning we were all able to attend church together, and it was good to enjoy a morning with other believers. Pastor Faulde presented his ministry to our church this morning, and I am thankful that I have been able to be a part of several medical trips to Haiti. It was a good day in the Lord’s house.

Tomorrow we begin week two of school, and I would appreciate your continued prayers for both  Roger and I and our children. To God be the Glory,  

Sarah

 

Fort Building