This month: we re-filled the house, watered the grass, directed a play, watched our son graduate kindergarten, went to Iowa, watered the grass, put in a pond, traveled through 9 states, attended two weddings, had two sick kids, and low and behold one of the students is already back from Saudi Arabia! I mean, really, what is this world coming to when someone can travel – literally – half way around the world before I can organize ONE closet? I was. I really was going to organize my closets this summer – and paint the trim on my house – but apparently I am having way too much fun for any of that. So much fun I'll just have to show you the blur of the month in photos, pay someone to paint my trim, and still not have time to blog or organize my closets next month.
This is Nancy who lived with us for only 2 weeks. She was a sweety - but poor thing what crazy two weeks with an American family. Can't you tell by my children?
The Awesome cast of "the mirror" - our last play at High Plains Christian school. These guys - couldn't have done better. I have loved this special hang out time with middle schoolers that last few years.
Jude's Kindergarten class with blue frosting teeth. I can't believe that next year these five will all go to different schools. - they have gotten so close. Maybe I'll start a school in my basement just for them... yeah... that's a great idea. I REALLY need to be going to bed now.
Ok so this is Kingsen, Nancy, and Julia (all from china - all living in our house for a while) all attending Jude's kindergarten program. Yeah people, that's the kinda entertainment we provide at 703 Fort. Beat that.
This is the only picture I took during our 3 days in Iowa (Toni took some great ones I guess - just ask my mom - they are on facebook). But we had an awesome time with grandma Mary as usual - and this is Jarod in front of the 1919 Model T his grandfather built. Also i found out that he built a boat when he and Mary had two little girls and baby - so I am thinking Jarod's love for a good time consuming hobby obsession came to him honestly. Also, the motto from Mary that will never leave me is: "save it, anyhow." Actually, yesterday in the mail we received a small plastic tupper-wear that I had left there by accident. I would have never missed it. So I guess her second montra could be "mail it, anyhow." I love that lady. And her grandson. And their quirks.
Lucy's first haircut - we took Maysyn for bravery. Totally unnecessary. She wanted pink highlights and to cut it "by myself" toward the end.
On the way to NC we stopped at the "Creation Museum" and met up with some friends from college. Their son Nathaniel - is the quite studious type and asked his parents when they would be returning. Better them than me since they only live 1 hour away.
The creation museum tuckered them all out.
3 cousins with water guns in the setting sun. 12, 6, and 3... there is something about "cousinness" that breaks down the age barrier. "Well, these adults don't seem to be leaving each other's side so whose here to pass the time?" Generation after generation. Right Nic and Gabe?
This is my Lucy and Jude with the Mcann Lucy and Ellie. Our wonderful friends who were missionaries in Honduras are now pastoring in Charlotte. And just like they graciously housed and fed us there - they did it again - and just like my kids overwhelmed theirs' there - they did it again here. I guess there is something about "sisters in Christ" that require our children to learn to tolerate bizarre friends from across the world too.
Ok - I have a whole blog to write about this photo (I don't know if it will happen) but this is my beautiful, wonderful friend Lindsey Mcann and I... and though my thoughts here run deep - all I can say is - My son is an amazing photographer (even noticing backlighting) but he is vertically challenged and that is a real bummer when photographing our figures and faces. Right Linds?
This is my Aunt Teresa and Uncle Bill on the day of their son's wedding. They are amazing. After 40 years of marriage - and more difficulties than one would think can fit into 40 short years - they are still in love. Actually their marriage is kinda non-stellar right now, but I think a season like that is to be expected now and again. I am still not sure why Uncle Bill brought Aunt Teresa these Krispy Kremes before the perfect storm of preparing her and their grandson for an outdoor wedding where it was 100 degrees with thunderstorm warnings. But he did. She didn't know why he brought them either - but they were yummy. They even put on the bakers hats and had a good laugh. So, that's how I know they are going to be ok. Eventually. Again. Like always.
This is Gabe's wedding - where it didn't rain. it should have - but didn't it - just cooled down real nice - added some intensity to the moment and was absolutely perfect
These are three of my favorite people at the reception. They hate this picture but I think it is absolutely perfect as well.
This is Lucy licking her wedding cupcake frosting like an ice cream cone. She licked it perfectly clean - did not touch the cake - and I laughed so hard I cried.
These are my amazing aunts and uncles, parents, and bride and groom. I love them. They are amazing... so different but amazing.
These are my children, the day after the wedding at a Children's museum Star Wars exhibit. And this is why our children never will want to travel alone with their parents. Because the day after a wedding, with all the comings and goings and yadda, yadda, yadda, who cares about a Star Wars exhibit? Grandparents - thats who - not parents - only grandparents.
Home at last! Our summer students are AMAZING! And totally chipped in to implement the dry river bed I have been dreaming of for months. They put up with such insanity. The day I get home from a 10 day trip and I have a daughter with a 102 fever I decide just the project we need for the evening is moving a literal ton of rock. That's stupid. Thanks for helping the stupid lady students. I was in a mess. Ok - so the students are Kingsen and Julia from China, Alsi from Turkey and Saad and Salah from Saudi Arabia. I love them. I want three more rooms so they can stay in the fall!!
Here is my wonderful husband and his wonderful - almost clear - almost non-scumy pond. This man can work miracles out of gatorade bottles, storage tubs, floor buffing pads, PVC and a pool pump. As long as his wife is gone for a week leaving him time to "work." Oh - and until we get the energy bill - then I think we might go back to a pumpless pond.
This is my son - in our green grass. I love this picture. I love that boy. I love the fact that while all this month was happening a dirt slide on the side of our house became a lawn. Who says miracles don't happen anymore?
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