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

Q and M Camp- Quarantine Edition & Whitewater Center Trip

This post will cover 2 weekends...

After many child reminders that Queenie and Mantis Camp had not bee scheduled this summer,

it happened.

Displaying the signage.

The 8 cousins arrived and Q and M's house for Cousin Camp!  

Miss Esme' loves Hunter.  So sweet.

Here are some pictures from this year's camp which did not include the full itinerary of last summer's camp but the kids still had a blast.

Mantis and Queenie with the Great Eight.

The craft was creating kites out of paper and then competing

Bennett demonstrating the kite

And because I was not blogging last year, here are some pictures from Q and M Camp '19.

Q and M Camp Summer 2019

Thanks Mantis and Queenie for loving on these kiddos so well.

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This past weekend, Nolan planned for the family to go to Whitewater Center for a fun day rafting and "adventuring". Queenie stayed behind since they have the new puppy (Oh gosh!  I havent blogged about Oak... soon.)  

The group

Unfortunately, what we refer to as "the littles", couldnt participate as you have to be 8 to do most of the fun stuff.  So, Mantis and I volunteered to sit it out this time and watch Bennett, Esme, and Eva.  We stayed busy and even snuck in a surprise visit to GrandmaDeans.to get out of the heat for a bit :) 

I couldnt get pictures of the group rafting but they all had a great time with Nolan and Tarra both getting tossed from the raft.  They also ziplined and one group did a couple ropes courses.  The last activity of paddle boarding got weathered out.

Killed at least 40  minutes climbing the tree

At the end of the day, we discovered a place the "littles" could at least get wet.

Mantis, the ultimate gamer. FYI- He beat them.

It was such a fun day.  I look forward to going again with me and Bennett getting to "play."  Thanks for planning Nols.  Even though the activity was in a stricter Covid state, we were outside the whole time and it didnt feel Covidy at all.  It was gloriously refreshing.

Good Bye Swimmies and Hello Baptism

It feels slightly irreverent to be excited about getting rid of arm floaties and celebrating that Bennett can be baptized... but, that's where I am!!!

Where to begin?  Sometime last fall/ winter (this is why I should blog so I dont forget), Bennett tells me that he prayed to accept Jesus during Good News Club at school.  I will go ahead and be honest here- you can shame me later... but, I kind of wanted to have that honor as the older three all came to me about salvation.  But, pride be gone as the end result is the same!  I talked to Aunt Joan (Chad's aunt who helps during Good News Club) and she says that she thought Bennett seemed serious. 

As I have said before, I never want to over-complicate salvation but I want all my kids to know that salvation is NOT something they did or said.  Salvation is that Jesus chose them.  The "decision" as much of the church calls it, is really more of an affirmation- recognizing their inability.   You recognize that, but for the grace of God, you would be separated from God. 

I talked to Bennett that evening (again, dont know the season much less the date).  He told me that he prayed for God to forgive his sins and to save him. I gave him a hug and told him that I was proud of him. I also asked if I can pray for him and then he could close that prayer.  I told him the next step would be to tell our church and be baptized.  He said he wanted to wait a little bit on baptism because he didnt want to go under water....   you can see where this is going!

About two weeks ago, I was putting him to bed and he brought up being baptized again.  (He still would not put his head under water.)  I assured him that baptism is not what saved him and when he was ready, he could be baptized.

Well, wonders of wonders, last Thursday, July 2, he could not hold his breath underwater.  We went to the pool the next day and he literally holds his breath and starts swimming.  Six days later, he is full on diving (the only one of my kids that can dive.)  It is just the craziest thing!

I am so proud of Bennett.  He told me that is ready to be baptized.  I am proud that he recognizes that he is a sinner and that he needs a Savior.  I am proud that he conquered his fear of water. I am proud of the young man is becoming!

Thank you Jesus for instilling the Holy Spirit in each of these boys.  Please continue to speak clearly to them in a world that is full of unrest and chaos. Give Bennett clarity to stand up and do what is right, to love others, and follow You.  Amen.

Bennett, I often ask myself, "God, why did You pick me?"  And, I am sure that as you grow, you will ask similar questions.  God chose you for a purpose.  He chose you to do bring glory to Him.  He chose you "to go unto all the world."  We live in a pretty scary place.  But, you have access to God's armor!  You are ready, at the age of 7, to speak up and tell people about Jesus.  Lead by example and by words.  I love you B!  

Now, lets go toss those floaties!!!

A Hike and a Cold Swim

My middle brother and his kids invited us to go hiking/ swimming with them at a State Forest in NC.  We jumped at the chance!  

Awkward selfie group shot!  Look how big Oakley is getting!

Mantis, Queenie, and Oakley met us as well, we ate lunch, and then took a mini-hike to another waterfall.  

The adults!

It was packed!  My brother, ever chivalrous, let us unload and then had to park in "BFE".  The 8 kids (minus Ashton who just couldnt take the cold water) jumped into the water and swam/ climbed through a mini waterfall.  The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast.

Hunter and Aunt Anna having a laugh about something.

Hunt is such a good brother.  He jokingly call him "Daddy Hunter"  He made sure Bennett was safe on the rocks.

Nephews and Shep

Shep, he busted it about 10 times at this swimming hole and where they went to jump rocks.... Mr Clumsy

Ever brave, Bennett ventured where the big boys went.  I did not allow him to slide through the waterfall though!

Ashton did not even get into the water and he was cold!  Eva did get in but was just shivering!

I cant trash talk Ashton though because, as you can tell, I am dry too!  It was chilly water.

 There are many funny stories of us getting lost on the way, leaving the lunch in the car and having to hike to go get it, and mom driving around the parking lot endlessly trying to find a spot to park... but, we will pretend that it was perfect with no complications! :)

All the kiddos and a tired puppy

Thanks for the invite Z and A!  It will be smoother next time!