Johanna is getting Katriel all dolled up. Fingers and toes.
Johanna
McLastMinute!
The kids enjoy an annual Shamrock Shake. You know – that thing McDonald’s does for St. Patrick’s Day.
We are only four days late!
But it was nice enough outside to enjoy with short sleeves!
Brace yourself–Tab’s teeth, whirlwind NY weekend.
It was finally time for Tab to get her braces off. Who doesn’t like to drive to NY in February?
It was actually an amazing drive. We left home by 5AM and by 5:30PM we were sitting around the George’s table FEASTING on Thanksgiving dinner with Jennifer and the family. I was exhausted, but it was like a gigantic hug engulfing me to walk into their loving home. The grandparents were there as well.
Tab stayed to visit with Lauren, and Johanna, Katriel and I checked in to the hotel, caught up on some HGTV (it is a staple in all our hotel visits) and had a good night’s sleep.
Sunday included church and Katriel went to Madeline’s house to play. Tab left with the Goodchild’s and Johanna and I did some local errands and collected all the girls in time to visit with Ba and Poppy. I don’t know why I don’t have any photos from that day!
Monday morning, bright and early, we took Tab to Dr. Huff’s to have her braces removed. We stayed in the van because they still need masks in their offices and we didn’t have any.
From there we ran to Wegman’s to buy some sandwiches for lunch and then headed to the Strong Museum of Play to visit with Asher and his mom.
We paid extra to do the ropes course. It was over $100 for the four of us for the day. Love inflation.
Then we hurried back to Fairport to meet Kelly and Barb for dinner at Noonan’s.
And before you knew it, our weekend was over.
Next morning, we woke early, and had the car completely loaded before the hotel served breakfast at 6AM. We were the first ones eating, and out the door by 6:45AM. We stopped outside of Buffalo to pick up NOELLE who would join us for the week before flying back.
We had another wonderfully gentle drive back. God was so generous.
Johanna started her art collection.
On the way home from church, Johanna said that her youth group leaders were in the process of remodeling the youth room. She said they were getting rid of some of the posters and she had wanted to bring one home. Her leader told her that she needed to clear it with us, first. We said that would be fine and didn’t really ask anything about it.
She brought this home tonight, frame and all.
Holiday fun with Hannah.
The unexpected text came by 8AM.
Would Johanna and Katriel be up for some early morning “gingerbread” house creating. A super quick yes and off they were to Hannah’s house!
Grateful for moms who think live like I do – last minute smiles and new memories!
Saturday sweetness
John and Tab headed to NY for the weekend to visit Ba and Poppy and to get her braces visit in.
I’m tired. I haven’t been sleeping well this week. There has just been a lot to do, nothing bad. But today, my tired self knew the Enemy was messing with me a little bit more than I felt strong enough for.
The kitchen was a huge mess and I had to run Nigel to work before heading to Anderson, SC for a gathering I’d been invited to.
I just felt the condemnation in my head. I don’t deserve to go. My house is a mess. Christmas is coming. There is so much to do. I remembered John and Marie both encouraging me the other day when they heard about the invitation. “But I want to go,” I told myself. So I went.
I uncharacteristically left the messy kitchen behind (gasp), left the little girls with lots of Christmas puzzles and let myself be blessed.
I got to meet many of Shannon’s friends and neighbors, and we shared words of encouragement and reminded each other of why we were here and how God had made a way.
Before I left Shannon’s, I looked at my phone and saw an invitation for the little girls to join a neighbor to decorate cookies this afternoon!! I joyfully joyfully accepted and called Johanna and Katriel and encouraged them to get lunch and make sure they didn’t look homeless (their normal Saturday couture). They were so happy.
We went down to Anna and Rebecca’s at 2PM. My house was still a nightmare. The pulled pork in the crock pot was spilling out juice onto the counter, but I just turned it off and left.
They had a blast being offered unrestrained access to their decorating whims. I was encouraged to hear the other mom could only make circles because she couldn’t find her cookie cutters – that was my plight yesterday, myself.
And then, I dropped Marie off at a birthday party. A fun thing for her, too.
At 5PM, I finally got around to pulling the pork, and faced the hard truth – I had NO rolls and NOTHING to serve with it. “Here’s some meat, kids.” So I went to Food Lion and bought wee packages of store-bought salads (eww? yum? you decide) and some mystery rolls. We finally ate. No one complained.
Honestly, moving has been SO HARD. 100% healthy. But truly hard.
Shannon and Anna both have done it and it was so great to hear them each share how God had provided for them.
God provided BIG TIME for me today.
I love that God cares for tired old me.
New Glasses for Johanna.
Johanna has had the same frames* since 2016.
We went a few weeks ago to get her some new specs. She went for a beautiful blue with tortoise shell arms. I love that Johanna totally relies on comfort of the glasses to make her choice. She doesn’t mess around with it.
9/21/16 she got her first pair. ◄ That link is worth clicking!
*Technically – she did not wear the exact same pair for 5+ years – in 2018 I lost her glasses at a beach in California. When we got home, however, we were able to replace them with the exact frames even though stock was almost gone.
Busy Friday? BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE BEING THIS KIND OF BUSY!
I need to write posts like this because even three weeks later I just grin from ear to ear at how much GOD has provided us. PTL!
Friday started EARLY as I drove Nigel to the airport at 6AM for a 7:30AM flight. He headed back to Rochester to get in some holiday visits. He bought his ticket himself and planned all his rides and visits himself.
As soon as I got home, Marie and I headed to Greenville to visit Bob Jones University campus for a tour. Thankfully God nudged me earlier in the week to switch days from Thursday – (we ended up needing that time to spend that time with Jasper).
As soon as she and I got back (she liked BJU a lot) I grabbed Johanna and Katriel who were ready in their AHG uniforms so we could go to the host church to work on Christmas cards for a local nursing home.
The girls and their leaders made sure there were enough for every single resident to get one.
Then we crossed the street (passing Nan who had just dropped off Marie and Tab for their event…. I’ll do another post for that) and went to The Springs in Simpsonville. The girls were invited inside to sing and the residents who wanted to come to were given their cards in person. Many cards were read aloud and the girl who made it got to personally greet the resident. There were even a few residents who came over to hug the girls.
(Meanwhile – this very day NY entered lockdown number 3,492…)
We went home for a bit and I called John and asked if we could go out to eat before the movie the girls didn’t know we were going to. The WISE MAN (I love the guy) agreed that was the best idea. I got the girls ready and as soon as Daddy got home we ate at Cracker Barrel. We did have to rush it a bit in order to be to the show on time. We ran into people from church (I just love how we run into people we know – I love that God helps us in this way!!).
And we made it into Encanto in time for a few previews.
I love this kind of fun.
Greenville Zoo.
The weather – is stinking unbelievable.
My new friend Mary and I met up at the zoo with her two little guys and Johanna and Katriel.
They have a pretty cool playground on the outside of the park.
Katriel made conversation with S. as we perused the park.
Johanna dearly enjoyed Mrs. J letting her push the stroller.
The reptiles deserved two walks through.
I can seriously get used the this in December!!!
It isn’t quite as lovely as Seneca Park Zoo, but it was nice. We upgraded our tickets to an annual pass, and I hope we can meet up with Mary and her boys again soon.
Dayspring Disciples 