Friday, March 16, 2018

Another Kindergarten Graduate

I can't believe we already have 2 kindergarten graduates.  Wyatt loved, loved, loved his kindergarten year.  I think it helped that he had big sister at school so it didn't feel quite as new as it did with Sadie but honestly he is just such a social little guy, more than I even realized.  He enjoys learning and most days he is very enthusiastic in the retelling of his day, especially if there were any big playground mishaps or adventures :)  His favorite game to play is monsters where he and Cole and whomever else they can talk into it chase the girls around the playground and the teachers all say how much they have enjoyed his sweet personality and hugs as do I each time I'm able to come in to volunteer.  We are very proud of all the hard work he has done this year learning to read and write and add and subtract and so much more.

As they introduced each of the children they read a survey they had filled out about themselves.
1. Wyatt's favorite thing about kindergarten was recess.
2. He learned not to touch electricity in kindergarten.
3. He liked that Mrs. Lute was nice to him.
4. He liked that Ms. Fields was nice to him.
5. He thought Mrs. Lute and Ms. Field would go to the beach this summer
6.  He wants to be a teacher when he grows up.
7. He wants to play Mario all summer. (and don't we know it!)








I look forward to watching this friendship grow.  They are quite the pair these two and I can only imagine what they'll put us through as high schoolers, but I'm glad they have each other and I hope they always stay good friends.


We love our family and are always so thankful for all the support and how much fun they make these special days!
Grammy

Great Grandpa


Uncle Robert

Auntie Kendy and Uncle Andy

Evie's got a thing for hats :)

Daddy might as well just give in.  Eventually she's going to get what she wants.





Friday, March 9, 2018

Herman Family Trip

We were so excited to have Melinda and her family out for a couple of days in May.  Again I didn't take nearly enough pictures but we had such a great time sharing meals, laughing, introducing them to farm life, and just watching our kids get to know each other a little bit.  I worried that my crazy bunch would be a little much for her sweet girls but they all had a great time and it was so fun to get to see all the personalities come out as everyone warmed up.  I treasure these memories and times together and hope there are many more family trips to come!









Steve would fit right in around here wrangling sheep and discharging firearms ;)



Wednesday, March 7, 2018

California

In May Brandon was sent to a training down in Ontario California and I was really excited to be able to join him.  We took Evie with us and while he was busy for a majority of the time I was able to spend a few days just relaxing and reconnecting with friends which was such a blessing. This is such a busy season of life with 5 kids 7 and under.  I love it but I often feel like I can't catch a breath and I don't even remember what it was like to sit down to lunch or coffee with another adult other than Brandon and have any kind of real conversation or connection.  My mind is always moving in a million directions thinking of who needs what and where we need to be next or who is waiting for something from me or how am I going to find time to squeeze it all in not to mention dealing with the misbehaviors for what seems like the millionth.  So to have multiple days in a row where I could make plans and spend time connecting with friends was more of a blessing than I had even imagined going into this trip.  


 I was blessed to spend one of my days with Courtney and her girls.  It was my first time getting to meet the triplets and let me just say they are even cuter than I could have imagined and I am always so encouraged and amazed by this mama.  She handles motherhood with grace and always inspires me to be intentional with not only my kids, but my husband, and the Lord, and really all the relationships I'd consider significant in my life.  She is thoughtful and purposeful and I wish I got to spend time with her more often.  I love love love this family and the friendship we formed years ago, before we had 11 kids between us, which is still strong. 




 On another day I drove down to Riverside and spent the day with Melinda and her girls and again it was so good for my soul to have time with a true friend.  No one knows me quite like Melinda, she's more like a sister than a friend, and I realize after being together that there's a place in my heart that will always ache for a friendship like ours closer to home, and I'm mostly okay with that.  Some things are just to special to replace.

Evie and Hayley


I also got to spend a day with Andrea.  Andrea is one of the most flexible and easy going friend I have and I love this about her.  She is always up for spending a day together and we usually end up outside enjoying the weather and the kids.  She reminds me to soak up childhood with all of its messiness and wonder and not to stress over the stuff that just honestly isn't going to be important someday when I look back.  


I didn't get pictures of the remainder of my trip but I was also able to spend a morning with Debbie, the wife of our pastor in Southern California, and an influential mentor in my life.  I was so thankful for the opportunity to sit and catch up with her as well as to meet her granddaughter.  She always encourages me to think deeply and reminds me that God and even our lives don't fit into the neat boxes I sometimes want them too and that that is okay.  In fact it's something to embrace.  As long as our feet our firmly planted on God's Truth we can handle whatever challenges come our way.

Finally, I called up my good teacher friend Melissa.  We taught 3rd grade together back before we had kids.  I hadn't seen her in years but she had just had a little one and I thought I'm just going to give her a call and see if I can stop by for a minute and I was so thankful that it worked out.   There are few things I love more than reconnecting with old friends and seeing what has been happening in their lives.

I don't know if I missed anything.  It was a busy few days but such a special time for me to hang out with some of my favorite women.  Once again, so thankful that Grammy was willing to watch the older kids so that I had this opportunity to get away from my everyday and catch a breath and recharge a bit.

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Wrapping Up Our School Year

Wrapping up the school year is always an exciting time.  One of our end of the year activities this year was the first grade patriotic program.  Each student memorized a speech about an important person from American History and then presented it during chapel along with the many patriotic songs they learned.  The kids and teachers put such a lot of hard work into this performance and really did a great job!



Violet and Sadie

We just love that Great Grandpa and Grammy are able to make it to these special events!

Wyatt got to go on one last Kindergarten field trip to Salem Electric.  We had a great time learning about electricity and the kids even got to take a ride in the boom lift.

 Wyatt and Cole




The boom lift was definitely a highlight!

We also enjoyed a beautiful day for our end of the year track meet.  This year we had to split up because Kindergarten stays at school while the 1st-5th graders join other Christian schools in the area for a larger track meet.  Evie and I were able to join Sadie while Grammy, Great Grandpa, Cooper, and Hazel, joined Wyatt for his.

Sadie participated in 4 events this year; hurdles, 100 meter dash, the high jump, and the javelin.
Hurdles

100 meter dash


High Jump



Javelin

Wyatt also had a blast at his track meet.  Kindergartners and their siblings rotate through a variety of track and field event stations and finish up the day with a Popsicle treat!





Last Day of school for the 2016-2017 school year.  These little ones have been troopers with all the early morning and so many trips back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth to school.  They've been awesome but we are excited to be welcoming the slower days of summer.