Soccer, Sleepovers, and Life!

 As most of the weeks in our lives, this past one was full and memorable! Our youngest two children treasured the memory of a sleepover at a friends house, while the older boys enjoyed having soccer practice after school every day last week! We were a little behind the eight ball in preparing for a soccer season because we didn’t know if we were going to be able to find a coach or be able to play. But God provided a soccer coach, and the team was diligent to practice after school every day last week. By Friday, the coaches were tired even if the students were not! 

Last Friday afternoon, I had the opportunity to have lunch with my friend, Allison. Her birthday was last week, and it’s been a long time since we’ve been able to get together with just the two of us. It was a special afternoon, and why does time fly by so quickly?! I am so thankful for her friendship, and the fact that she doesn’t mind that I wrote her birthday note on a post-it sticky note! 

My friend, Claire, invited Travis and Emma to have a sleepover at their house on Friday night. We aren’t big into sleepovers, so this was a big deal. Emma packed her own suitcase, which was mostly full of toys to play with Lucy! The younger two were able to enjoy a boat ride, collecting a few lobster traps, lots of outside play, and they came home tired but happy  from their adventure! I’m so glad that they had the opportunity to enjoy some special memories, as our youngest two endured hanging out at the school last week while their siblings had soccer practice.  

On Saturday, the three older boys made a soccer goal out of our old trampoline net and some pieces of wood. It certainly looked precarious to me, but they played outside for hours on end. I try not to interfere with their creativity, but sometimes it’s the cleaning up afterwards that needs the direction! But they had a wonderful time, and no one was fighting! 

On Sunday afternoon we had a baptism at the lake. Four people from our church family wanted to be baptized, and that is always a special time at the lake. It was a long day, but a good day. We had a missionary visiting at church who is preparing to go to South Africa. She was so sweet, and interacted very well with the children’s Sunday school class. It was a blessing to hear of the ministry to orphans in South Africa. 

Late in the afternoon, I met my friend, Ashley, to pack sack suppers for the soccer team. The soccer team had their first away game on Monday, and due to Covid, we can’t really take the kids into McDonald’s to eat supper after the games. So instead they are getting a sack supper on the evenings that we have away games. It felt like a very busy Sunday, and it was, but we were mostly ready for the week! 

On Monday soccer game was an away game, and it was a long ways away! The game was about 2 and 1/2 hours from the school, so it was a long day for the players. Roger had planned on going to the game, and I was planning on riding with him...it was going to be a date! Claire had offered to take our younger two again for the afternoon and overnight, so I was actually looking forward to some alone time with Roger. But then again, life happens! The head coach of the soccer team ended up unable to go due to a cold, so I was asked if I would be willing to coach the soccer game! Um, I guess! College was a long time ago, and running was my thing. I only played soccer intercollegiate style, but I have been coming to all the practices for the soccer team. Since we have three boys on the team, and I like exercise, I’ve been attending soccer practices too. I called Roger to let him know that I would need to leave earlier than planned to go with the team for the game. Roger said to go ahead, and he wasn’t sure if he would be able to make the game anyways. He’s had a lot of responsibilities on his plate yesterday, and not all of them have been overly fun. I finished up kindergarten at 11:30am, prepped for the next day, gathered my thoughts, and got in a vehicle to head to the soccer game. About ten minutes into the drive, I thought I was going to be sick. I hadn’t taken the time to eat lunch, and sitting in a church van was making me quite nauseous. Thankfully, I had water, and when we stopped to take a restroom break my boys shared some snacks with me. We made it to the game without anyone getting sick! 

The team we played yesterday was fairly evenly matched with our team, and it was a great first game of the season. We did lose, but the score we 3-2. Everyone had the opportunity to play some, and our young team learned a lot. So did their coach!! It was a good experience for me, and I’m thankful to do it for the team. I’m also happy to just assist the coach, attend practices, and be a support for the team! I guess now I can add coaching to my resume....kidding! It was a beautiful day, and it was a great opportunity to be thankful that we have the opportunity to play soccer! 

It was a late night yesterday, but it was a good day. Roger ended up making it to the game, so that was a pleasant surprise for the boys. After the game, we had several players that went home with their parents. Roger took our boys and Austin, and I rode with Ashley on the way home. It was just her and I in the car, so that was a sweet time of fellowship for us. It’s easy to become weary in well doing, but it was good to be reminded that we are so blessed. God has given us exceeding abundantly, and I want to be thankful! 

School! Survival of Week One!

We have some crazy ideas together, but God is good! 

Beautiful day for a teen event at the lake! 

So thankful for Christ! 

 What a week! We are exhausted and tired, but we made it through the first week! We are thankful for the grace of God that continues to strengthen, sustain, and surround us. 

We started our week of school on Tuesday with bright and shiny faces. Since I am teaching kindergarten this year, we arrive at school earlier than in years past so that I have time to finish up last minute things for my classroom. We were all ready for school on Tuesday morning, and the staff met together to pray for the school year at 7:15am. As I listened to the prayers of my fellow teachers and friends, I was overwhelmed by the goodness of God. We didn’t know if in-school learning was even going to be possibly a few months ago, but God brought it to pass in His perfect timing. We needed several positions filled this year, and even at the 11th hour, so to speak, God provided for all our needs. He’s been so very faithful! 

After school on Tuesday, the first thing Chandler said to me, “Mom, you’ve got to see my hands! They’ve never been this clean!” I got a chuckle out of his clean hands. One of the things that we are increasing this year is good hand hygiene, so everyone has lots of hand washing! Three of our five kids came home with headaches, and one of the three had a migraine. Wyatt is not usually the child who gets a migraine, but he had a very intense headache on Tuesday. Our kids were ready for bed by 7:30pm, and there were no complaints about going to bed! 

We had Landon, the boys cousin, here for a few days this past week. They all enjoyed time outside, lots of food, lots of time playing badminton, and laughter. While it was a crazy week, we are thankful for family. 

I’ve enjoyed teaching the kindergarten class this week. We learned a lot about school routines, classroom expectations, a nature walk observing colors in God’s creation, scissor practice, shapes, songs, art, gym, and our first chapel. It was a full four days of school! I’m thankful for the opportunity to teach this class, and I would appreciate your prayers for me as I teach. 

On Thursday afternoon we had our first soccer practice. I had three very excited boys! Travis is not quite old enough, but he was happy to watch the practice. I’m thankful that this opportunity has been presented for our students, as well as for the many parents that are needed to help this happen. It’s going to be a great opportunity this fall. 

We had a teen activity on Saturday to wrap up our summer weeks of teen group. Our friends, Allison and Jason, hosted the activity at their cottage on the lake. We had a bunch of teens show up to play games, fish, swim...and eat! Did I mention eating?! They surely ate a lot of food! Allison and I decided that we would grill hamburgers and hotdogs. Allison was having trouble starting the grill, but we could faintly smell propane. I don’t grill at our house as I have a bunch of boys that are always happy to grill food. So the first mistake was offering to help! However, after checking to see that the propane was on, and pushing the starter button, I used a lighter to light the grill! Boy, did it light! Wow! Thankfully, God protects us even when we don’t make the wisest choices! However, the hamburgers that Allison grilled sure did taste good! It was a fun afternoon, and probably one of our “good, bad ideas”. Allison and I often talk about our good ideas that really are great ideas, but the timing or situations sometimes make them “bad”. Having a teen activity after we were tired out from the first week of school made this one of our “good, bad ideas”. However, the teens enjoyed it, we had a great time visiting and laughing together, cooking food, and spending time with the teen group. We are happy that we did it, thankful for our pastor who drove out the church van, and for a great group of teens! 

Today was our dedication Sunday for the school year. All our teachers were invited to come to the worship service today, and we had a special time of prayer over the school, teachers, staff, students, and parents. Our children also sang special music. I don’t think that any of them were necessarily jumping for joy at the opportunity to provide special music, but they did it! I was so proud of each of them for using their voices to sing unto the Lord. I noticed that Emma sang without shoes, and Travis kept his hands in his pockets the whole time. On the way home, I asked him about why he kept his hands in his pockets. Apparently the draw string to his pants was broken, and he was worried that he was going to lose his pants! That kid has more wardrobe malfunctions than any kid I know! This is also the child that tied the knot in his wiseman costume so tight that we had to cut it off. This is the child that got his finger tied into the drawstring of his pants when he was supposed to be playing a chime for special music! Oh, the laughter! He wasn’t delighted to sing, but he did it anyways. I sure am thankful for each of our children.

The video below is from our church service. You are welcome to watch all of it, but the childrens’ music is at about thirty minutes into the video. 

 

Back to School!

 Tomorrow is our “Back to School” Day! It is with great anticipation and with much prayer that we plan to return to in-school learning tomorrow morning. I feel like we have prayed for this day since March, and while Satan has been attempting to thwart those plans at every turn, God has proven Himself to be strong and mighty once again. 

This past week we celebrated Garett’s 14th birthday!!! I can’t even believe that this boy is already 14 years old! Where has time gone?! He wants to get his work permit and start working with Roger just as soon as he can. He has loved aviation since before he could walk or talk and that has not changed! Garett is one of the most mellow teenagers I know. He has a great easy-going personality (as long as it’s not with his siblings!), and he is changing right before my eyes into a tall, gangly giant! His voice is changing, but he will still sing. I am so thankful for this first born son of ours, and we pray fervently and often for his heart to continue to be moldable to whatever God wants him to do. I asked Garett a few questions for his birthday interview. Here are his answers:

1) What is your favorite color? A; “Blue, Mom you ask me this question every year, and my answer is still the same!” :)

2) What is your favorite food? A: Mexican food (also this answer hasn’t changed in several years)

3) If someone was to give you an amount of money for your birthday, what would be the perfect amount? A: Probably like $30.00. ‘Cause it’s not too much and not too little.

4) If you had to pick a job today, what would you pick? A: I’d want to work where Dad works and fuel airplanes, deliver freight, and load and unload airplanes. 

5) Who is your best friend? A: probably Dad

That last response made me nearly cry. I don’t know very many 14 year olds that have their dad as their best friend. Garett’s life has been completely changed in 2020, but he still considers his dad his best friend. I consider that a major praise in our lives! 

Last week I spent a lot of time both at home and at school working and preparing for the school year. I think teachers could prep for practically eternity and never feel truly ready, so at some point in time, it’s time to just start! And that’s where I am- ready, prepared, probably more nervous than my students, but ready to start school! 

I’m thankful for friends in these past few weeks that have opened their homes to our children. Our children have enjoyed several play dates with friends this past week, and it’s been encouraging to both them and myself. We are blessed! 

Roger and I also celebrated 15 years of marriage this past week. I don’t feel old enough to have been married 15 years! However, here we are at the 15 year mark! All praise and glory to God- it certainly hasn’t been all roses, but God has been so faithful. Time and time again, God has proven Himself to be mightier and stronger than any problem that we’ve encountered. I am so thankful for His faithfulness. 

Thursday evening was our open house for back-to-school. We had a good turnout of parents and students. Due to our governors restrictions, we had to divide the families by last name, but it was still a good night. (Our governor has called for another state-of emergency in Maine. This is the SIXTH one! I’m not going to get sidetracked by giving you my opinion on that, but it’s certainly not what I would’ve done!)  

The kids and I spent some time at the lake on Friday afternoon, and that was a good way to wrap up the week. It was relaxing to sit and watch them swim and fish in the lake, while Allison and I visited together. 

Our parents group hosted a yard sale on Saturday. It was a HUGE yard-sale, and it looked more like a flea market on Saturday morning! We had stuff everywhere! It was a ton of work, and we worked extremely hard from six am to about 3pm on Saturday. People gave generously. We also had two people drop off their donations at our yard sale ...who does that?! They came to check out the yard sale, and then said, “Oh we have stuff in our car for Goodwill, can we just leave it here? You can sell it?” Um, okay. It provided some light hearted moments thats for sure. Travis and Chandler came with me on Saturday. Chandler got a ride home around noon, but Travis stayed for the day. He stuck with the clean up at the end. He told me on the way home that he had never packed up so many boxes of the same stuff in his life! (He helped pack up the glassware and there were boxes and boxes and boxes of that!) I am so glad that the yard sale is behind us, and I have no desire to do another one anytime soon! However, God abundantly blessed and we are thankful for the funds to help enrich the students and teachers lives this school year. 

It was a busy and full week. We closed up the week with having some of Roger’s brothers come in for a visit. Our nephew, Landon, also came along to visit. The boys have enjoyed having another boy to play with, and I know that Roger was thankful to have his brothers come for a visit too. While it’s a bit of a crazy week, God calms my heart and reminds me frequently that He is still in control. Even when the world around us seems crazy, I can rest in the fact that God has not given up control. 

Yard sale morning! Coffee in hand!

Family lunch at the airport. We do whatever we need to do to spend time as a family, so sometimes it’s lunch at the airport!

Garett’s birthday!

How did this kid get so tall?!

Travis had a good time at a friend’s house this past week.

15 years of marriage! 

Open house school night! So thankful for this sweet lady! 

Our tribe @ 13,12,11, 10 years old - Emma is 7

Yard sale treasures!

A good imagination to work with a digger without a bucket! 

Chandler was happy to hold baby Ruth at the yard sale!

Welcome to Kindergarten!