Lydia's 7th Birthday Interview

Favorite color - Blue
Favorite book - Fancy Nancy
Favorite movie - Coco
Favorite thing I did with my family this year - Camping
Favorite foods - fruits - mango, watermelon, cantelope
Favorite number - 10
Who is your best friend? - Joselyn, Charlie, Haylee, Aicelan, Nora Grace, Madison
Favorite game - I Found It
Favorite thing to play or do in free time - Go outside
Favorite person to play with - Friends
  What do you want to be when you grow up? - a mom
Where in the world do you want to visit? - Hawaii
What are you most grateful for?  the world
What is your favorite holiday?  my birthday and Christmas
  What is your favorite type of flower?  rose
  What have you enjoyed learning about this year? Opinions
  What kind of car do you want when you grow up?  a van that has automatic doors
  What is your favorite dance move or type?  the hokey pokey, macarena
What is your favorite song?  Bulletproof
  What is one thing you want to do this year?  go to Hawaii, go to a place with rocks to climb on a hammocks to get in.
  What do you want to learn how to do better?  Write
If you could tell your 25 year old self something what would you say?  I'm getting old
If you were to perform in a talent contest - what would you do?  dance
What is your favorite thing to wear? short sleeve and leggings - a shirt dress that has bird on it
What have you accomplished this year that is new? Jump roping 3rd place in class, bike riding

2018

I had to let go of some things in 2017 - Lay down desires, preferences, wants, ideas - choose to shake my picture of what is looks like to be a mom of 4 wonderfully amazingly unique active children, full-time ER nurse, wife to one, daughter to two dearly loved parents who live far away, friend to those spread around and near, inhabitant of this weary, wearing-out body (its been in good use for the last 40 years :).  I thought I would be more intentional to spend time with friends, with mama, with books.  I thought I would let go of some "unnecessary for this stage of life" things and pick up some necessary things.  It didn't look as I planned.

When I say I really wanted to spend more time having coffee with friends, talking on the phone, walking and talking - I really wanted to.  I needed to be encouraged and wanted to be intentional, it was worth the investment and I was committed.  As with many of my plans - I can count on my hand the times this year this happened.

What I needed I got but not in the way I planned.  Though not as planned what I got were glimpses into the lives of friends who are making it, living life, walking with the LORD, trying hard to be who they have been called to be, walking through hard things, rejoicing in bumps and bruises, grieving difficult circumstances.  I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in years while visiting a church with my neice - encouraged that she is still walking with the LORD despite the horrible trials I knew she has walked through, I got to spend a weekend with friends who know and love me and my family, I had dinner with three women who encourage my heart with their laughter and friendship, a text from a long time friend, a glimspe into a friend's heart through an email,  a picture of another.  Just knowing they were still walking with the LORD in their circumstances gave me HOPE and strength to continue in my life - hoping, praying, leaning on the truths that give me strength for another day.

I still want that cup of coffee, that long meandering conversation but a glimpse may be all I get at this stage...and God turns it into just what I need for the moment.

Kindergarten Kid

Y'all she's our third and she is by far the most excited kindergartener I've EVER, in the history of EVER, met.  She loves school and can't wait to go every morning and see what new adventures await.  Do you remember how exciting it is to get to take your lunch box to school?  or to get to buy lunch and a carton of milk? or to get to play in the gym for PE?  what about recess?  new friends?  and Oh. My. Stars. getting to go to the bathroom by yourself?  Whoa!  Can hardly contain the excitement in this little curly headed, blue-eyed bundle of expressive wonder.  Everything is "the best thing EVER!!!"

I will say, we all enjoyed her enthusiasm in the first fire drill of the year.  Lydia was so excited to come home and tell us that she was going to have a fire drill the next day.  As in, SUPER EXCITED! not just super excited. 

She told us that she would have a fire drill but she was a little nervous about the fire.  When we explained there would NOT be any actual fire, she was a little surprised and couldn't wait to get back to tell her friends her new found information.  She asked if we thought there would atleast be smoke.  I assured her there would be no fire or smoke but that there would be a loud bell.  She seemed perplexed but ready for whatever this firedrill thing would bring her way. 

Before bed we were laying out her clothes for the next day, fire drill day, and  she said "Should I wear red for fire or black for smoke, Mama?  I guess I could wear either and then wear my fire hat."  I told her that was a great idea and she decided to settle for the black and white striped shirt (to match the smoke) with her red fire hat for the next day.  Unfortunately, she left her hat in the car when we dropped her off but she had a "fabulous" time at fire drill day despite no hat.

Each of my kiddos loves school in different ways and excels in different areas, we encourage and learn with them - I'm hoping Lydia learns to love learning this year, learns to read and continues to grow into the unique woman she was created to be...and the next time there is a fire drill, you can bet she'll wear red to match the fire this time.

Day 1 - She's off.  I had to miss her first day because I was at work but Daddy sent me this sweet pic as she headed off to new adventures.  It's been 2 weeks and she's still EXCITED!

Lucy's 9th interview

Favorite color - blue
Favorite book - Harry Potter
Favorite movie - Cinderella
Favorite thing I did with my family this year - Sarasota with friends
Favorite foods - sushi, seafood alfredo, gumbo, chicken divan
Favorite number - 12
Who is your best friend? - Anahi, Nora, Faryn, Chandler, Kira
Favorite game - chess, hide-n-go-seek
Favorite thing to play or do in free time - computer games, read
Favorite person to play with - Nathaniel, Anahi, Nora, Faryn, Chandler, Kira
 What do you want to be when you grow up? - An engineer with a PhD, architect, teacher
Where in the world do you want to visit? Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, China, Australia, New Zealand
What are you most grateful for? My wonderful family
What is your favorite holiday?  Thanksgiving and Christmas
 What is your favorite type of flower?  Hibiscus
 What have you enjoyed learning about this year? anything involving math like graphs and measuring
 What kind of car do you want when you grow up?  a Camaro and a Honda Odessey
 What is your favorite dance move or type? I just dance
What is your favorite song?  Shake it Off, Wildest Dreams, Starman by Bowie
 What is one thing you want to do this year? how to ride my bike, cross country car trip
 What do you want to learn how to do better?  swim and take pictures
If you could tell your 25 year old self something what would you say? "Persevere and don't let fear stop you or your dreams from coming true"
If you were to perform in a talent contest - what would you do?  hula hoop
What is your favorite chore? Least favorite? favorite is walking the dog and least favorite cleaning room
What is your favorite outfit to wear? my blue t-shirt with the blue and teal long sweater

Sweetness

She took a nap in big brother's bed, holding the panda bear he gave her for Valentine's Day while he was at school.  Sweet siblings

I needed some laughs today...maybe you do too

He has my heart

Look mama, no hands!!

He just stopped right in the middle of the foyer and stood up.  He was pleased with himself, he tried to reach for the dog, waved his arms in the air and did it over and over.  It won't be long and he'll take off...

TIMBER!!!!

Last year lightning literally hit this tree and our house (and everything that runs on electricity in in - everything). Today we're finally having it taken down before it falls on our neighbor's house (fyi, endless entertainment for my kiddos).  That scarred trunk died quickly and has attracted many wanting to give quotes on how much we could pay them to take it down. 

When we bought our house it had just been hit by lightning and most major things replaced. "Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice" was a hope but nothing more than an old wives tale. It struck again...literally and metaphorically in our lives in 2015.

It's just a date on a calendar but I'm hoping 2016 is a year of cleaning up and figuring out how to live in light of LIFE and the truth that shines on our scars and mess...not trying to escape from it.  Funny thing is....lightning will probably strike again, and scar and hurt and leave a mess but there is comfort that there is ONE who walks with us through it all.  He is my HOPE...not old wives tales.

Timber!

more excitement

Opening presents

Here is just a sample of the excitement around this place this morning.  I can't edit videos so only short ones will work.  This one was short because I started crying and couldn't keep it together :)  I love getting to give gifts - my best Christmas ever.

Christmas Favorites

The Noonan kids deemed this "The best Christmas EVER"  They each had a present they never thought they'd get.  A Netherland's soccer jersey, Frozen dolls, and American Girl doll...and other presents they LOVED - serious excitement.  THANKS so much for all who made this possible.  This Mama cried most of the morning at their excitement and gratitude, I'm so glad I could give my children good gifts.  I love to see them giving each other gifts they saved up to buy, love seeing them overjoyed at getting EXACTLY what they wanted and loved being able to share this day with them.  Wish you were here!

Merry Christmas Morning!

Christmas Eve fun

It was warm (and wet) for Christmas Eve - so this is what we did

 Star WARS and playing outside barefooted in the rain, leaf races in the gutter and driveway hockey

Merry Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas! 

Tidings of Comfort and Joy to you, from the Noonans

Puddinhead

what a sweet unexpected blessing!

The Weary World REJOICES

Welcome to our home and in our front door - into the mess and the joy of Christmas.  Look past the dirty dishes, the dirty floors, the left over homework, the unwanted papers, the toys, the noise, the random sock and the empty diaper boxes...we live here and work and clean and school and play...but we are a mess. 

We try really hard to make it all work but most days it doesn't look like it's supposed to.  That truth - the reality that even with my best intentions, hardest work and best laid plans I fall short - its a hard truth.  A truth that has to be dealt with by all of us.  We all fall short - even in our own expectations.  This grown-up human thing is hard (and it seemed hard at 13 and 23, too!) but there is HOPE that I cling to hard and it carries me - and I sing

"A thrill of Hope, the weary world rejoices" ...for yonder breaks a new glorious morn

The Hope that Jesus comes into our mess and madness and makes our messy hearts right again.  My circumstances may never change, my grandkids may walk into the same house, the same mess, the same thoughts that swirl and weigh heavy BUT my heart is HOPEFUL and JOY hangs around in all of the nooks and crannies - right next to the spider webs and near the dust bunnies - filling us up and over flowing with laughter and lessons and peace in the storm.  We REJOICE - weary mom, weary world - REJOICE!

Centennial Olympic Park

 All 6 Noonan's in front of the Coca-Cola museum ornaments.  Fun times with the family.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

 ESPN was broadcasting from the Park and Samuel - who loves all things football, soccer, etc thought this was pretty cool.  We didn't linger long because we wanted to beat all the SEC championship traffic out of town

The blur and whirl of the season - full of lights and laughter

100 years of Relativity

My children have been wanting to see the Albert Einstein statue at Georgia Tech since they heard about it several months ago.  They even watched a documentary about Albert Einstein last week - and I'm sure they know more about Relativity than I do (I went to bed and they stayed up late watching it).

SO - we ventured to Tech last weekend to touch and see the statue.  It really is a great statue.  Albert isn't in his fancy attire but in "thinking" clothes - sandles, sweater, with notebook in hand - sitting under a tree.  Art spurs wonder and this statue certainly brought a couple of redheads a little bit of wonder.  Happy 100th anniversary of Relativity!

St. Nicolas Day

Each year we celebrate St. Nicolas Day around December 6.  The tradition in Romania involves leaving boots out for St. Nick to leave fruit, candy and decorated sticks/pinwheels (or coal) in over night.

As a family we've adopted this tradition as our way to celebrate St. Nick/Santa Claus.  We read about the real St. Nicolas and his heart for serving others, giving generously and helping the poor.  In the past we've tried to use this day for us to serve someone in the community - cookies to the fire station, sweeping a neighbors driveway, singing at the nursing home.  We want the kids to have the opportunity to be Santa to each other or to someone and have perspective as they head into the crazy Christmas season.  It doesn't always look so wonderful but hopefully the tradition will continue to evolve as we grow.  The tradition reminds me of the faithful men and women who have gone before me faithfully following Christ (like St. Nicolas), reminds me of the dear friends I made in Romania and the JOY and wonder of the season through my children's eyes.

This year the theme has been SIMPLE - for pretty much any celebration we have so - we made pancakes, decorated them and got a little toy in their shoes left carefully by the fire.