Marie’s birthday…. in the midst of a VERY BUSY WEEK.

July 13, 2021 | Stacy

Nothing says, “Happy birthday,” like a giant truck backing into the driveway.

We met Mike, Anthony, and . These three men would spent the next 3-4 days with us packing up all of our belongings.

It got a little weird, to be honest.
Marie asked for a yummy treat of pineapple cherry upside down cake and lemon bars for her birthday.

As the men started working in the house we quickly realized that the kitchen would not be a reasonable place for me to be doing much work. We also realized we had NO IDEA just what we were in for.

Thankfully, we have the kind of friends who love Jesus. I was supposed to take Johanna to Alli’s, but Alli’s mom graciously offered to come for Johanna. She also offered to make the lemon bars.

Christine picked up Katriel.

Before dinner time, our house looked like this:

Once they left, we had birthday dinner and a quiet celebration.

We gave Marie some gift monies for Box Lunch to pick up some Loki gear.

And they were the best tasting lemon squares I have ever had.

Happy birthday, Marie.

OUTINGS–movie theater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 10, 2021 | Stacy

I went to a movie theater! A real, live, in person event.

It was remarkable.

And the movie was great, too.

LET US NEVER TAKE NORMAL FOR GRANTED!

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.

Scarlet Knight Prom (? Soccer Ball?)

May 29, 2021 | Stacy

As if the soccer coordinators didn’t already rate as some of the coolest people we’ve ever met, they offered up their barn as a prom setting for the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams.

Tab’s friend Lauren also attended.

I’m frustrated I can’t find the rest of the photos.

It was a gorgeous night. The girls changed out of their dresses after a few hours and there was a big bonfire.

Marie’s new job.

March 30, 2021 | Stacy

This is Marie heading in for her first day at Hobby Lobby.

She is helping them set up the store. Like she is physically setting up a store from nothing. They are assembling shelves and hanging tags and establishing spinning kiosks and stocking goods. What an incredible experience!

Mexican lunch with Marie

March 13, 2021 | Stacy

Mama picked Marie up from her SATs and off we went for a surprise at a little Mexican restaurant in Bushnell’s Basin.

It was exquisite. I may have teared up a little. It felt so normal, minus the masking to and from the table. The music and the new experience made it feel like we were traveling.

We recognized the melody of the Spanish language music overhead as a contemporary Christian song, and the server confirmed it was a Christian radio station from the Dominican Republic.

Food PLUS atmosphere – oooooo – it was awesome.

Found treasures

February 18, 2021 | Stacy

While I was cleaning in the pantry, I found an old folder of art that the oldest three kids had done a long time ago.

I wish I could get art classes for the younger kids.

I wish we could get any classes for the younger kids.

Is this nonsense over YET?

Women of the Bible

January 3, 2021 | Stacy

Some beautiful shirts for some beautiful girls.

So over it… all of it (and a soccer banquet).

November 6, 2020 | Stacy

The election. Coronavirus. 2020.

For months, my nightly bedtime prayer has been for God to just pour Himself out over our nation and create in people an absolute distaste for lies. That no one would have the stomach for deceit and that His light would just penetrate the darkness and reveal sin and lies. I know God hears me. I know I am not the only one praying for it.

And yet I feel like each day we are just swimming through the falsehoods. The abject UGLY that is being thrown at us.

Why are we going back under lockdown? We can’t have groups larger than 10 assemble, but riots are allowed?

Marie and Tabitha’s soccer banquet was scheduled for Sunday evening at a park pavilion. It was already pared down from the wonderful gatherings that had taken place in churches (our church the last two years) to an indoor/outdoor park experience. It had also been just for Varsity players, meaning the three teams of Modified players were going to be denied their night of celebration and fellowship.

And then Governor Clownshoe says after 10PM this evening no groups greater than 10 can assemble.

So – our wonderful coordinator quickly moved the party to HER barn for tonight from 6-9PM. I had to work, but John was able to take Tab and Marie over.

Marie led worship.

Thankfully, other parents sent me some photos.

And they got to spend a little more time with their friends. Only about 40% of them were able to attend on short notice.