Coastin'

 During these weird times, we must find silver linings.  A major silver lining for me is that mom retired from her very stressful and time-consuming job.  With her retirement, she and dad decided they were LONG overdue for a vacation/ get away.  Over the summer, they booked two weeks at a big ol' ocean front beach house at the wonderfully laid back Edisto.  The house had 7 bedrooms, was dog-friendly, and was literally 30 steps from the deck steps to the water at high tide. (I will try to remember to get the group shot- it was on T's phone)

My beach boys.

This big guys about "uprooted" our plans of getting to the beach.  Fell and blocked us and neighbors for about 1/2 a day

Veiw from the deck.

It worked out where I had accumulated many hours of comp time from over the summer and one of the weeks they booked was a virtual week so S, B and I took off for a wonderful week of perfect, fall beach weather.  Both my brothers and their crew were able to come as well.  I hated having to leave half of my family but their football schedules would allow them to come.

The kids had more water time than I had expected.  It was cold but I even managed to swim for 2 days. We had ocean swimming, boogie boarding, ocean kayaking, karaoke night, bike rides, scooter rides, board games, farmer's market shopping, and so much good food.  

The Outside Activities

Our little house

Group bike/ scooter ride

Pretty clouds

Owen was so sweet helping Bennett get out with the kayak

Just Shep and Caelum kayaking in the ocean

Poor boy is freezing

Siblings

Oakley would play ball all day long

All the kids made this impressive sand maze

The babies of the family #4

Mom and I biked 8 miles around Edisto

Members of Stillwater Christian Academy

Isla giving Shep a good cleaning

Love it.Shep and Oak

Missing the oldest two cousins but these 6 got along so well this week.

The Inside Activities

Dancing

Queenie and kid dance party

Karaoke Night

Tarra and Eva dueting 

Uncle Nolan nailed it

A little sass from Anna singing "Zombie"

Nap Time with Oak

Beach Food... Sushi Night

Shep and Eva making some brownies

Zach picked the the Switch and it was like a moth to a flame

Thank you Queenie and Mantis for the best fall getaway.  

M&Q with I&O

Ashton = Teenager

 Ashton, a teenager.

Love this kid!

I think it was easier for me to process Hunter becoming a teenager than you becoming a teenager.  Maybe its because you havent really hit a growth spurt, I dont know. 

His actual birthdday

Cheesecake from Queenie

T

The past 6 months, I have watched you mature in front of my eyes. You still are fiery and stubborn, but I do see you showing restraint at times.  I see you forgiving easier.  

You have an opinion on all things.  From politics to pandemics to sports calls to justice, you tell it like you see it.  My prayer is that you "see it" through a Christ-focused lens.  That lens may not always be the easiest path, in fact, it may often be the most painful.  But, God is preparing you to stand firm.

Moses loves napping on this kid

I can't wait to see what you do with your life.  Currently, you are talking about being a pilot and perhaps the military.  I would be lying if I said that doesn't scare me a bit.  

You are enjoying playing football for the first time this year. I think you quickly realized that football is a different beast.  But, your brains and your speed have kept you in the game.  You are looking forward to basketball this winter- crossing fingers that Covid doesnt shut it down as you need the outlet of athletics.

School is a breeze for you... with your lowest grade at a 97.  You work hard but honestly, laugh harder.  

Some backyard football

You wanted a group of your closest friends to come over to hang out and watch football.  You have quite a fun group of friends.  Praying that your friends are always able to lift you up and vice versa.

Ashton's group of friends.

A little bit of cornhole

Ready for cookie brownies

Happy Birthday my little blondie!  Continue to tell me all your stories even if they are duplicates!

I love you Smash,

Mom

Homeschool Update

 As I mentioned in the last post, "we" are homeschooling Shep and Bennett this year.  And, not this virtual mess... tried and true homeschooling.  And, by "we", I mean my mom and dad. :)

We did not want Exhibit A) - mask all day long

Hunter in a mask at school...  what the heck?

or Exhibit B) the unpredictable e-learning

Ashton, at home, during an e-learning week.

The older two decided to go to school which I fully supported.  Being older, they can advocate for themselves a better.  Hunter wanted to experience high school even though it is different.  Ashton needed to go to school to be eligible for middle school sports.

Long story, short... once the mandate came down that elementary kids had to wear masks, I felt a true peace about pulling S and B. The mask mess was just part of what was weighing on my heart. But, it was the final straw.  We pulled them out and Mantis and Queenie stepped right in.

Queenie helping Shepherd.  Once a week they school at my house.

Who wouldnt want a History lesson with Mantis outsdide?

And this view!  The dog world!

From my year of homeschooling Hunter, I knew that Heart of Dakota was a solid curriculum that would take very little planning on my part.  I purchased the "Bigger Hearts for His Glory" for Bennett and "Resurrection to Reformation" for Shepherd.  It is work.  And, Queenie and Mantis work them hard but oh, they have already grown so much.... and not just academically but spiritually, I have seem growth.  Later on, I will post a picture of all the books they are reading an example of a typical day but suffice it to say, they are thriving!  They both have memorized so many Bible verses and they are just 9 weeks into this!

Independent reading often takes place with Oakley. 

Queenie insisted the Bennett needed a space, his size, to do his work.  She found this adorable desk.  

I do like the public schools in our area but it is impossible to duplicate the kind of education that you get when homeschooling is done correctly- at least for the elementary years.  

Shepherd will often make things that relate to his curriculum.  I forgot what this bread represented but Bible verses were inside.  He also made some super sweet marzipan cookies.  

This is from only two weeks into school- already so much better. Bennett is also loving cursive!

My parents simply amaze me.  With mom retiring this summer, she didnt bat an eye when I came to her with this request.  She simply replied, "we made a promise to God to do everything in our power to raise these boys.  So, we will definitely homeschool them this year."  I tear up just thinking about the faithful example that my parents show.

On a side note, we were able to celebrate mom's birthday with our annual October party at our house!  So glad the whole family could get together.

The fam on mom's bday.

Back to School and Labor Day

 We are back at it.  Though we have been back schooling it for 2 weeks, once Labor Day hits, it feels like summer is officially over.

First day of school!

This summer was different.  Plans were made then cancelled, but I wouldnt change it.  Our Carowinds passes were useless (thankfully they are good for next year now), we did not take a beach trip.  We hung out with friends, we went to the pool more times then I could count, we spent time with grandparents, cousins, and family, we went to a local waterpark.

Stood still for a moment!

Group Jump on the last pool day!  Thanks to Joan and John for keeping this place up!

Leo and Shep take a minute for a picture

Sunshine!

Crystal blue water with the mountains in the background!

Ashton being funny

Hunter almost flipping off the slide

They  loved chicken fighting... I hated it

Trip to visit the A cousins.  Hunter couldnt come (football)

The big news about going to school is that we are homeschooling Shep and Bennett.  And, when I say "we", I mean my parents stepped up to the plate.  We knew that virtual schooling and mask wearing was not something we wanted for our elementary kids.  We also are very fortunate in that mom just retired and loves to stay busy.  So, we pulled them this year.  They are on week 4 and it is going so well.  I have seen Shep and Bennett come so far in these few short weeks.  I will discuss more about our choice, curriculum, etc in a later post.

2nd, 5th, 7th, and 9th!  

My parents and the boys on a little hike

Hunter and Ashton are at school.  Being older, we decided they could are adequately prepared to "go unto all the world" even in its craziness.  Both would say that school is just not the same but they are making the best of it.  Both H and A are playing school football this fall.  They have been doing workouts throughout the summer and started "rear" practice yesterday.

Planned trip with friends turned into a surprise trip with the cousins!

"Chad technique" by Hunter

Shep posing

Oh Ashton, your ribs....

I am continuing my job as a Career Specialist.  I still love what I do or who I work with.  With such a high virtual presence, I am getting to teach a virtual middle school elective class.  I am navigating this process!

Here are some pics from Labor Day.  We got together with the brother and his family and played on the lake.  We have also had Riggs for a couple weeks as Nolan and Tarra have been in Colorado.  

When everyone wants to be like Riggs

Summer 2020, you definitely made your mark...

The crew