5.31.22 Snake visit

In the bedtime part of our da,y I received a text asking if it was ok to stop by? I said sure wondering what my friend needed or if she was having a hard time. When she and her teenage daughter arrived they also came with their new pet. Odin, the python snake. 

 Some were braver and more curious than others. I for one did not touch the snake and was fine with it across the room but not right next to Andrea. The kids took turns holding and petting it. Odin liked our warm house he was very active writing and slithering all over hands and bodies. We had a grand visit and education about snakes. I appreciate little occasions that break up the monotony of living. This friend is spontaneous and generous. She's obviously idiosyncratic but she embraces that and the world is better for her big heart and distinct personality. I'm thankful she would stop by and share. Another way we are blessed is by good friends. Life is good. 

5.30.22 Aliza Graduation

Aliza dawned her cap, gown and emblems of belonging and accomplishment a few Sundays ago. She looked regal and relieved. She put so much time into these past four years. She experienced pre COVID good ol' times. The trials of COVID, and mish mash senior year of masks, online college courses, and mask less yet strained final quarter of high school. Much was said of the poor class of 2020, more was offered about the class of 2021 who really missed out, and then we arrive at the class of 2022. They experienced the whole gammet. They adjusted by the semester and many like Aliza made a new path that more tailored their needs and wants. The missed out on a lot of social opportunities. This will just be part of their story. I'm glad this step is over and excited for where she is headed. .

She is a unique big sister. Sometimes telling stories, sometimes singing songs, but always bringing comfort and love to her siblings. She is a pillar in the fortress of older kids that surround and raise the younger ones. 

Aliza walks with purpose and confidence. She knows where she's going and what she wants to accomplish. 

Although a lot of their experience was spent apart these smart ladies supported and enjoyed high school and FFA contests together. Good friends are the most important part of high school they help make the hardness bearable. They make you laugh, suffer the intolerable, and mostly just share that time of so many changes and expectations together. These are the best most worthwhile part of high school, the people you learn to count on and navigate the many opportunities, responsibilities, and maturing that happens in 4 years. 

And the Dad. The man with the vision and determination to also guide the growing up years. Oh how these two understand each other. 

The sweet sister watching every move and making sure she walks a similar path. She may always be the little sister here, but man we look forward to what Addie's 4 year journey holds. 

Her grandparent support is priceless. She benefits from their reputations being asked often are you related to? There lessons of integrity, charitable interactions with others, learning, and leadership impact her aspirations. 

Great grandma Lasley who never forgets a birthday or occasion. She is a powerful constant. We are thankful she is so healthy. 

Grandma and Grandpa Saunders have taught Aliza hard work, love and loyalty to family, how to manage groups, and have helped make her growing up smoother. They love her singing ability and are powerful proud of her patriotic endeavors. 

Aunt Gwen definitely shaped our reading journey. Her special skill and gift to us is beautiful, thoughtful, fresh literature. She brings books and reads to us. She reads in an interesting engaging voice. We look forward to what new delight she will share. She literally use to bring a suitcase of books to share. I'm not sure what she does now but she taught me how to read aloud better, she taught me how to interact with children and books, and she shared stories that taught, entertained, and explained parts of life. 

Aunt Alena has been the go to for every special occasion. She curls Aliza's hair and makes her feel beautiful. She also is the most positive happy person that we constantly associate with. We are thankful she lives close.

Aliza's lab partner Taleigha. These two have similar life views and helped each other through a challenging course of Chemistry. 

Another milestone achieved and past. I realized too late but as a first that the lack of celebrating we have done to date has shortened the personal satisfaction and mental reward of doing hard things. Celebration isn't just pan handling for presents but rather celebrating hard work, endurance, and growth. Life is short. We work hard. We should enjoy some of the efforts we put in. We were delighted with the grad parties where we re-connected with friends from different stages of our lives. We enjoyed taking time to relax, catch-up, laugh, and become aware of others. 

We've allowed our family to become self-absorbed in our personal day to day not reaching out and looking out for others. We need to change this. There is still a lot to be done but we are going to work on taking some social time and being with friends this summer. We are blessed and need to not only count the blessings but take time to be in the blessings not just observing them. Life is good. 
 

5.28.22 Addie 8th Grade

Addie is finished with middle school. I can hardly believe she will be in high school. A rite of passage is performing in the 7/8th grade play. This was pivotal for Aliza. Likewise, Addie looked forward to what her part would be and what costume would be required. 

Through the years the teachers at Willowcreek have added so much time, effort, and heart into making school special, engaging, and challenging. These ladies were key players in making Addie's education unique. Mrs. Bair is the queen of motivation and creative thinking. 

Mrs. Robertson the master of covering so much information in a motivating way. She thinks big and is so persistent in her ability to get students to become more than they think possible. 

Mrs. Worley with her signature pink boots and cowgirl style challenges lackzidaisical middle school attitudes and systematically teaches thinking and writing. She has flare and pizazz and requires the students to become articulate. 

The class that shared their years at Willowcreek. Oh how thankful we are for their diverse personalities, challenges, wit, and talents. 8 years is a long time to work, play, and learn together. They have aged into competent young teenagers. The all provided a sweet evening of entertainment on the eve of their graduation. 

Addie and her school and church friend Claire

Her opposite in the play Gunnar. 

The next day Addie was awarded her reading award 6000 points. We joke Addie would have more but she was more social and put some time into running. We are still proud of her accomplishment. She also got the top writer award 4th row running. 

Reed moved up to the 1500 plaque. I am so proud of this for him he has worked hard and is completely moved past his early reading struggles. 

Graduation gift bags. 

 The kids showing their awards. I wish all teachers understood how important it is for student engagement in learning to be recognized. Who cares if the reward is a bit embellished. Students need to know their teachers notice they are there and approve of them. I think many would do so much better if they felt that affirmation from their teachers or staff. Thankfully the kids hard work merited some awards. Afton in Math and Reading, Millie in multiplication mastery, and iready passing so many lessons, Reed got a  reading and best PE student award. 

Another year in the books. The challenge to be masked for 3/4 of the terms. This end of year was so normal people together in the gym, a community potluck, games and a feeling of accomplishment and freedom. Thankfully COVID is retreating into the shadows of memory. The kids are troopers, they have learned a lot of lessons. They passed their tests with high marks. They are ok. We miss the long stretches of uninterrupted time together, we are grateful for lots to do now. Life is good. Mostly we are thankful to be living it together with so many exemplary people on our team. We are blessed

5.24.22 Younger Brothers

In very general terms I have more time in the summer than fall for teaching and spending time with my beginning learners. A good portion of this year Bruce has been watching preschool letter movies so he is familiar with the sounds and names of letters. The actual writing is a much harder skill but his new school course suggests learning to write your name. This was his first attempt. Bruce loves that the has the same name as his papa. I love it too. I was unsure about naming a child the same as my dad as I didn't know if I could use that name casually all the time. But that was the name for this boy so we have gotten use to Bruce- he's known as Bruce the Moose, Bruce the Goose, and thanks to a book Bruce the bear. I think he did superb with his first writing attempts. He loves to learn and takes time to do school with me each day. 

The cutest guy around to take a picture of, just ask. It's so hard to pare down the 100 plus pictures he leaves behind. Although he is amateur compared to John who just holds his finger on the picture button and takes about a thousand just walking from the house to a car and back. Silly boys. 

Merle is at the charming helpful stage. He loves to help. Last week he even picked up some garbage and put it in the trash without being asked. I was shocked few kids do that here. He is brilliant!

Lia being silly. She is a trooper to be sandwiched between these feisty brothers. No worries she too has picked up in aggression and creative self defense. She plays happily by herself for quite a while. She loves no one interrupting or taking her toys. 

The first watering is happening all over the farm. Reed is a busy bee and so good to share his time and skills with the younger kids. Merle is adamant he go to the farm with Reed and or Mark or Greg any time they go. 

Summer time means time to break out the hats. We are trying to preserve their ears for the rest of their lives. Thankfully we found a smaller version so he can see and be sun safe. 

Oh man boys need brothers. These two have really come into their own this year. I love the pure joy that they exhibit. They also terrorize each other Merle is getting better and better and holding his own against the stronger, faster, more mature Bruce. 

Bruce came in carrying Merle. Merle was having a ball sticking his finger in Bruce's ear. They are just cute guys. 

Switching to nibbling on his ear. 

 If Addie and Reed can do it Bruce can too. I didn't know this was happening but I'm not surprised. He is a determined guy and with those two as bosses he will be expected to pull his weight yesterday. 

Loving Andrea. 

More selfies. 

My silly little kids. How easily we could have missed this and them. How easy to not know their independent happy personalities. We have a long way to go and I'm sure it's going to be enlightening. We are fortunate to be able to have these vivacious young ones fueling the energy of our home. We are blessed.