Strawberry picking!

 It was a beautiful afternoon to go strawberry picking.  It was something we've never done with the kids, so off we went to Crooked Row Farm in Chillicothe.  In about 1/2 hour, we picked 10 pounds of berries.  On our way home, we stopped at Lil' Land of Candy for vanilla ice-cream.  Berries over ice-cream...so yummy!!

4-Wheeling

 Jamie, Charlie, and Greg rode their 4-wheelers to the river.  So thankful Jamie is taking this time with the boys.  I can hear Glen..."Thanks for taking care of my boy!"

Jenna-isms

From May 27, 2018

Jacob: Dad, do you want the pole saw to cut the branches?

Jenna: Cole slaw?!

Jacob: Pole saw!!

#cantmakethisup

Charlie-isms

From May 26, 2018

Charlie: Barney (Andy Griffith Show) is so funny. He keeps saying 5-10, 5-10!

Jacob: Um, Char. That’s 10-4, 10-4.

Summer 2021 Begins

Laura and her teacher, Mrs. Goard, on the last full day of 10th grade.

Logan, her classmate, shared pizzas with the class for lunch.  Laura loves pizza!

Lake Wildwood pool is open!

Jenna graduated 8th grade and we recognized at church. She's excited to be a freshman!  So proud of you, Jenna!

 

Mom-isms

From May 21, 2015

Fun part of dropping off Jacob to drivers ed class is when he walks away from the van, and we all call out the open windows, "Bye, Jacob! We love you!"

Friends!

 Brian, Barbara, Jacob, and Jenni Ervin arrived Friday evening.  They spent the weekend with us.

The main event was a trip to New Berlin, just outside Springfield, for the Highland Games.

Jacob Miller, MacDonald clan.  Jacob Ervin, Irwin clan.

Due to engine trouble, they stayed until later Sunday afternoon.  Danny, our neighbor-mechanic, fixed their vehicle.

Gus really wanted Barbara's attention!

Mountains

 From May 13, 2019

There. That mountain in front of me. It's not just a mountain actually; it's a whole stinkin' mountain range. It's as wide as I can see, so there's no going around it. It's too high and vast to attempt climbing. Too many loose rocks, caverns, and dark places. It's not safe. But I've seen it, so now I can't ignore it.

I turn around to go back to what seems safe and predictable, to what I know. But there I see more mountain ranges; mountains that I've already crossed. How on earth did I cross them and survive? Then I remember the scars. Those scars, although healed, are a gentle reminder.

Hope...in things unseen.

Faith...in a God I can trust.

Peace...knowing God is in control, always.

Patience...in His timing.

Joy...whether it's a valley, prairie, or mountain.

So I turn back and face that mountain range, because nothing is too big for God. He's got me.

Yet those who [a]wait for the Lord

Will gain new strength;

They will [b]mount up with [c]wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Mom-isms

 From May 12, 2020

Fun new family time:

Watch Super Nanny with teens (& a 20), and listen to how appalled they are at the tantrums and other "issues." Truly unbelievable behavior, they think!

Then play "remember when you...?" Ha! Who's laughing now??

#momlife

Charlie-isms

From May 11, 2018 

Charlie: Well, Mom, the girls lost the frog behind the fridge.” 

Mother's Day 2021

 Mother's Day...spoiled again!  It began with fresh berries for breakfast.  Then, off to church, home for lunch, a movie with Jenna, a walk with Jamie and Laura, morel mushroom hunting with Jenna, and chicken/shrimp kabobs prepared by Jacob and Jamie.  What a beautiful day!

She only found one morel, but it was a big one!

Chick-flick...The Girl Who Believes In Miracles.

Spoiled with gifts...this shirt, Izze drinks from Jenna, mayo for my french fries, a candle and gift card from Charlie, a hanging geranium from Laura, and a mortar & pestle from Jacob.

Being a mom to this crew is the best!  Just missing Amarin and Milo.

The Garden 2021

 At the last minute, we decided to plant our garden today.  The weather was in the 60s and partly sunny...perfect for planting!

Jamie tilled once more before planting, and Jenna dug up dandelions.

Complete for today.  Jacob still is on the search for huge pumpkins to plant!

Taking a break with Arnold Palmer.

Measuring rows for proper plant spacing and straight lines.

Dig, place plants, add water, and mound.

Adding ground cover now saves a ton of weeding later.

Laura is still the main supervisor of our project!

End-of-the-Year Party!

 After the science fair, we headed to the park for a picnic and play time.  A few teens thought it would be "boring."  Ha!  I love it when they can act like kids and have good, clean fun!  They were even complimented by a bystander parent, who had brought her young children to the park.  She complimented their good behavior!

Jenna, Ben, Clay, Jerrod, Tavi.

A long line of teens going down the twisty slide!

Football!

We moms enjoyed this time as much as the kids...just a little calmer. Marty, Rachel, Ember, Colleen, Carrie, Me, Megan.  Rachael BC took the pictures!

Girls and their crafts...Courtney, Kaitlin, Jenna, Hannah, Rebecca.