More adventures in Cooking!

In the past several months we've had more international cooking around here. My budding chef checked out a book about Indian cooking and Greek cooking. We're all enjoying her adventures!

Greek fish, orzo and Greek salad

Indian lamb kebobs, lentils, rice and Naan (I cheated and bought the Naan for her :)

And some plain stir fry but a few paper umbrellas and a fancy glass spruce up any meal

Purely 7!

She's so Seven!

Within the last month she's lost the top two teeth, and another on the bottom.  My sweet second grader.

She did it!

On July 17th, my Mama officially graduated from college with her LPN nursing degree - 44 years after she took her first college class. I am so proud of her hardwork, tenacity to stick out the program with the rest of life swirling about, in a room full of those less experienced with the prickliness of life (and it's deep joys) and proving in the process that you can teach "mature" dogs new tricks. (Yes, inserting foleys in certain cavities, deciphering labwork levels and reading 26 chapters a week qualify as "tricks")

I was so honored she chose me to pin her at the nurse pinning ceremony while her family looked on - all the grandkids got to cheer Grandma and see a glimpse of a strong (though sometimes tired and a little covered with the mud of life) woman who has always worked hard at trying new things, trying to improve and always wanting to help others even when kicking back on the porch with a cup of coffee would be preferable.

She really is an amazing woman!  She loves her family - her sisters, her brother, her Daddy, her husband, her children and she loves her grandchildren well (limitless popsicle night at Grandma camp - need I say more?).  She teaches Sunday school to little ones, reads bedtime stories to sleepy grandkids, sweeps crumbs off the floor, divides pills each week, makes phone calls, keeps appointments, and keeps the important Promises of life that have shaped her - especially the one that she said 40 years ago with a little "I do".  She can repair a toilet, shoot an armadillo at night with a flashlight in one hand, wrangle cattle, doctor dogs, grow violets and can order a Grande Latte at any Starbucks between Atlanta and home.  In all these things it's the heart behind that is precious - not just the service.  I'm better able to appreciate that heart as I grow - as I can see behind the chaos.  She's amazing!

I didn't say perfect - she's made plenty of mistakes and will make plenty more - she has been known to burn a batch of cookies, forget a couple heads of lettuce in the fridge a few weeks past their usefulness, run late by about 2 hours to many events, hot glue her fingers together maybe more than once or speak harshly to those she loves BUT she keeps on...in all these things trying to improve and all the while learning to embrace who she is - learning what to let go of and what to hold to tightly.  I know in some ways she's still trying to figure it out and in some ways she's embraced who she is - her limits, her challenges and they are still shaping her.  They'll now shape her as she steps into the role of a nurse to those in her community who are hurting. I know she will be a blessing and hopefully enjoy the rewarding work of nursing.

I'm learning too as I journey in the "prickliness of life" from this amazing woman and from the LORD that holds all things together for us.  No excuses. Repent. Love. Change.  Move on.  Life is messier than we hope it would be, but in the hurt and the hard we can change for the better or sit in the mud and wallow.  We've done it both.  I'm messy from life but there's no reset button to our circumstances - they're still there but our perspective, heart and strength are changed and renewed by repentance and an eternal LOVE that NEVER FAILS.  The sun still rises on the same cow patties at the farm and the crumbs on my floor and the tensions of life but the HOPE that is given by keeping on with one foot in front of the other...and trusting - that's a HOPE that can change your day.

I love you MOM!


 Mama's nurse pinning ceremony and Florence Nightingale lamp lighting ceremony

Nurse grandma with her Nurse hat and my kiddos

The sisters - lifetime friends through the chaos and the mess and lots of laughter!

Two nurses - always growing, always learning, always loving

First Day 2014-2015

2014-2015 School year!  It's here.  Deep breaths.... They're ready for 4th grade, 2nd grade and a year full of juniors and seniors in the trailer at highschool.  Glad they get to share this fun and excitement.  I can't process this all but I'm trying to seer it all in my mind and soak it all up.

 She's missing that top left tooth, wearing the clothes she picked out and ready for a adventure in 2nd grade!  She just oozes sweetness and helpfulness - my sweetie girl!

 He's in 4th grade y'all and just had to wear his new GT shirt with his cut-offs.  I fight no unnecessary battles around here :)  and we were off with lunches specially ordered (turkey and pepperoni sandwich with pretzels for him and pepperoni, cheese and crackers for her)

 This one is going to learn lots this year as she becomes a big sister - watch out world here I come - right after I learn which shoes to put on the right foot!

Friends

This past week was full of friends and "end of summer" fun. Last week Malcolm and Matthew came for an afternoon, Reid and Roman were over a couple of times, 6 or 7 youth boys from the church came and played Settlers of Catan with Jeremy and for the weekend we got to spend it with these two precious boys. We had a good visit from the Warren boys and enjoyed the last few days of summer fun - popsicles, swimming, walks at the lake and looking at turtles - collecting bird feathers, playing in the backyard hammock, throwing the ball, legos, reading, movies, silly songs and lots of giggles (especially E and L). So glad the boys could come and we could get to know them a little better while their mama and daddy enjoyed an Anniversary weekend. We love y'all!

Ice cream, popscicles, and lots of silliness

Lydia walking OREO

Time at the lake - spotting fish, turtles and collecting goose feathers

hammock swinging and playing in the wild backyard

Beach Vacation!

Happy Birthday Jeremy!

If you haven't been to the beach with a three year old who is seeing the waves for the first time - DO IT!  Talk about wonder and awe - she greeted each wave for 2 hours with a "WHEE!" "WOW!" "WAHOO!" - so much fun in the sun and sand (and LOTS of sunscreen)

St. Augustine Adventures

We ventured downtown to the main fort, walking area and old city. Beautiful city and we were glad for all of the rain showers each afternoon.

Whew it was hot!  I thought we might melt while visiting the Castillo de San Marcos but the big kids really enjoyed exploring the fort.

Lydia made a pirate friend at the Pirate and Treasure museum (the kids really loved this museum)

In the Colonial Quarters we had a great tour and there was even digging for archeological items.

We ate a little Spanish food and enjoyed time!

Fort Matanzas

We took a short trip to St.Augustine last week while visiting the farm.  Other than camping this was our first vacation with all five of us - soon to be 6.  We had a great time exploring the history of the area and the beaches.

We took a National Park Ferry across the inlet to a fort - enjoyed the free boat ride - and explored the fort.  We also enjoyed the big oak trees in the park,

9 year old interview

He's 9 - that redheaded freckle faced boy who is growing and growing.  He really does have the best laugh in the world and can get me tickled any time I hear that hearty laugh.  Here are some questions to mark the passing of time.

Favorite color - red
Favorite food - Rice and sweet and sour chicken
Friends - Matthew, Reed, Roman, Alex
Favorite thing that you did with family/friends this year - go to St. Augustine
Accomplishment you made this year- learned how to find the states and landmarks in the USA
Favorite books you've read this year - Mysterious Benedict Society, The Sharpened Sword, The Empire of the Bones
What do you want to be when you grow up - Inventor
Things you like to do in free time -ride my bike, read, play with LEGOS
If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? - Ireland, Grandma and Papa's
What is something you want do/learn how to do this year? learn how to speed read
How many teeth did you loose this year? 3
What movies or shows do you like to watch? LEGO movie, Heman, Lab Rats, Batman
What are some of your favorite songs? The Lighthouse by Nickel Creek, Happy, Elephant in the Corn
What is your favorite thing to wear? Blue exercise shorts and Blue Argentina Soccer jersey
If you could have any pet what would it be?  Hamster
What should we name your baby brother? Solomon
If you could wish for anything in the world what would it be?  To be the smartest person on the Earth

He's 9

Yep, it happened today.  My oldest turned 9 - the one who will enter 4th grade in the Fall.  I'll post more words later but the pictures from this annual event are here...

Breakfast in bed

 Cake and pool party followed by soccer and Wii with friends at home.