Nigel is 18

July 3, 2020 | Stacy

Somehow – Nigel has gone from the premature baby being transferred from Park Ridge to Strong, to a strapping 18 year old.

He hadn’t been able to work at the aquatics center since the shut down. He finished his classes in May, and steadfastly worked to find a job. He filled out a ton of applications and did walk-ins carrying a resume. Nothing was happening, and we just kept praying and trusting God had a plan.

Then a friend from church spoke with a golf course manager and next thing you know, Nigel was working at the Penfield Golf Course. Morning after morning, he’s out the door by 5:30AM and works 6AM – 2:30PM. I’m so proud of his good work ethic.

He requested and received Aloha Burgers for dinner.

The top layer of the cake got so solidified I mangled the cake when I went to cut it.

Our gift to Nigel did not arrive as it was supposed to…

Year complete –

May 20, 2020 | Stacy

Nigel just finished his last class at FLCC today, which means he’s completed his 12th grade…

So to celebrate being a high school graduate – he grilled me some chicken.

Spring Semester

January 23, 2020 | Stacy

Nigel headed back for his last semester as a high school student. ENG 103, a video editing class, and a business advertising course.

Marie is taking her first college class. ENG 101 for her.

I am so grateful for the doors God has opened for them.

Colossians 2:8:
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Nigel is a senior!

September 3, 2019 | Stacy

His first day of his senior year at Dayspring Academy. He’s going to FLCC five days a week, though we only have him taking three classes (because if he takes too many he will not have enough to take NEXT year when he plans to go Full Time to FLCC before making future plans).

He is such a steadfast guy. He is a hard worker and yet as playful as a child when it’s time to engage with the little two.

Mayberry Road Trip

July 21, 2019 | Stacy

Nigel and John enjoyed a dream-come-true kind of weekend as they did a mini road trip to Mt. Airy, NC.

Nigel is 17!

July 2, 2019 | Stacy

It was a wee bit cooler today than it had been and that made it the perfect day for Seabreeze….

See!

It was Nigel’s birthday, so he and Gunnar joined us for the day.

We owned the park and were home for a great dinner.

I can’t believe my baby boy is 17 years old. He brightens our house with laughter and songs. I’m looking forward to seeing how God uses him.

Easter 2019

April 21, 2019 | Stacy

The morning started with a basket hunt, as always.
Despite the fact that John and I believed that all the good spots had been overused over the years, it still took the kids a long, long time to find their baskets. WTG Mom and Dad. The big kids didn’t want early morning photos shared of themselves.

Church had the kids join the choir for two songs. Or maybe the choir joined the kids?

We had a family photo in the church lot. I wish I’d had my good camera and not just the phone. I’d blow this up in a heartbeat.

After a scrappy lunch of leftovers we did an outside egg hunt. It was chilly, but after a cold winter it was tolerable for a little while.

Stewart and Marie have a thing going. For the last two years they’ve tried to recreate a pose from 2017.

2017

2018

2019

LOL. I think 2019 came closer.

Easter 2019

April 21, 2019May 8, 2019 | Stacy

Church had the kids join the choir for two songs. Or maybe the choir joined the kids?

We had a family photo in the church lot. I wish I’d had my good camera and not just the phone. I’d blow this up in a heartbeat.

After a scrappy lunch of leftovers we did an outside egg hunt. It was chilly, but after a cold winter it was tolerable for a little while.

Stewart and Marie have a thing going. For the last two years they’ve tried to recreate a pose from 2017.

2017

2018

2019

LOL. I think 2019 came closer.

It’s been Wonky

March 25, 2019 | Stacy

It was the fifth year that I worked on the cast party for the Finney Show, and the third year I worked with my friend Julie.
Pinterest had a kajillion ideas for the Wonka theme and it was a matter of reigning it in.

For the first time, both our husbands stayed to help decorate, and it was a very good thing that they did. It took the four of us AND another four helping adults to get the room decorated in time.

Anything super and creative is from Julie. I just bought some things from Amazon.

(Oh – I made the candy doo-dads hanging from the ceiling and the lollypops on the wall.)

willy wonka

March 24, 2019April 5, 2019 | Stacy

I’ll back track just a bit into March so that I can properly highlight the kids’ experiences with Willy Wonka at the Charles Finney school this spring.

Nigel played Mr. Salt, the father of Veruca Salt, the girl who always got what she wanted.