Blursday Chronicles–North Carolina hike

July 26, 2021 | Stacy

I made a friend online last summer from my Disney message board.

After we realized we’d be moving to Greenville, she and I calculated that we’d only be about 90 minutes from one another.

My girls and I were able to meet up with her and her girls in Saluda, North Carolina for a hike and lunch.

Her oldest daughter was an expert salamander catcher, and she made Katriel’s day.

It was so awesome to meet Michelle. God links lives if we let Him. A sister in the LORD in the midst of Disney talk is a special treat.

THE BUSIEST WEEK OF THE DECADE–Day one

July 12, 2021 | Stacy

The calendar says our days are growing short here in NY. With lots of packing and planning in the days to come, what is a mom to do?
Set up play dates.
Lots of them.
At 10AM I met my dear friend Nadine at Perinton Park so Katriel and her buddy Asher could have some fun play time together.

It got even more fun when Nadine told them she could take them to the museum for the day.

Drop off got a little tense when they realized it could be a LONG time til they saw one another again. We tried to keep the conversation chipper.

It’s going to be a hard week.

We love Asher to the moon and back.

OUTINGS–breakfast with Tiffany

July 9, 2021 | Stacy

(I couldn’t resist…)

Though I’ve known Tiffany since spring 2008 (I think that is when we officially met), it’s been the last 4-5 years that I’ve gotten to know her better. And I love her.

I must confess a huge part of me would like to pretend I wasn’t moving and straight out avoid these goodbye gatherings. But how would that be better, really? Instead, I picked her up and we went to BXCR Donuts for some amazing donuts and coffee. She’s brilliant, by the way. She spoke wisdom as we picked a few to try and cut them into quarters. Genius.

I think we both decided the Raspberry Crunch was the best.

But friends are much better.

Outings–to encourage Mama.

June 24, 2021 | Stacy

When one of your closest friends from work is besties with one of your oldest friends from church worlds COLLIDE in THE best possible way.

My world is reeling with John in SC and us trying to find a house and get other ducks in a row. All day long the Enemy chided me that I did NOT have time for this gathering. Being down a car and staying up on all the kids’ schedules and appointments has had me running like Ricochet Rabbit.

What a JoY to SloW dOWn and enjoy the fellowship.

And food. So much amazing food.

And prayer. Praise the LORD – \o/ the PRAYER.

God is so faithful.

I do not deserve these women. But God has been so generous.

Outings–with the Nowaks

June 22, 2021 | Stacy

After the soccer season ends, the plan is always to “get together soon.”
But it doesn’t happen enough.

How special when Lauren and Jocelyn reached out to hang with the girls.
The plan to swim was thwarted by the weather. Instead they went to FunHouse in Henrietta, and made a quick stop at Lollipop Farm.

Matchy–Matchy II

June 21, 2021 | Stacy

A few years ago, Madeline provided dresses for Matchy-Matchy (as their family calls it). This year we were able to do so.

I hope they think of the other one whenever they wear their dresses after we’ve gone.

July 2020 – Matchy- Matchy

MUSIC MAN!–one year later!

June 13, 2021 | Stacy

It was over a year ago Johanna found out she was cast as Eulalie Shinn for the Home School Christian Theater Club production of the Music Man.

Then – blah – blah – blah – Zoom – Mask – toilet paper – time to go back.

Or something like that.

We had fun with the 1920’s hair.

She had fun being the campy mayor’s wife.

We LOVED being around our friends. Our people. Our like-minded peers.

(whom we are moving away from? – ouch.)

SO SPECIAL.

She had to wear a mask, but these kids were more than able to emote.
There was MUCH less parental involvement this time, and that kind of worked at this stage of life.

We also had a FANTASTABULOUS time at the after show party Sunday.

And we cried all the way home.

Outings… Katriel and Asher

June 5, 2021 | Stacy

our clock is ticking
the days are flying by
we are reaching out to friends to make the most of the moments

Today, Katriel and I were delighted to pick up Asher and head to Canal Days.
It was hot. It was hard to find a parking space. There was sugar.

And there was a train.
A very long train.
They were mesmerized.

Silly setting and faith-filled friends.

May 22, 2021 | Stacy

We were up at 5AM and had kids up shortly after. We hit the house hard, loading garbage cans and hampers and bedroom fans and suitcases and Stewart’s computer and a few boxes into the cars.

And by 7:40AM we were out the door. Stewart headed to Nan’s for some sleep; he’d been up all night after working FedEx til 2:30AM.

Nigel went in to work early. The first showing for the house was 8:30 AM.

There was Dunkin’ and a playground. We took Marie to work at 9AM and then John, Tabitha, Johanna, Katriel and I went to visit Ba and Poppy.

We had lunch at Wendy’s and checked into our hotel by 3:30PM.

Some Property Brothers and rest.

(REST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Then we went to Rebecca and Dana’s house for a picnic. Here we thought it was a big family gathering and we were joining in. Turns out it was essentially our family and their Grandma Helena. Later Rebecca’s sister, BIL, and niece came by.

The boys got to see Jonathan for the first time in almost a year.

It was so deeply life-giving to spend time with our friends. Not only did Johanna and Katriel very much enjoy playing with Levi and Caleb, but the grown ups got to spend time catching up, and we ended the night in prayer.