November is off to a Thankful Start

So, its been awhile... like, years. One of the boys has mentioned a couple times that I never should have stopped blogging. And, I have to agree. The blog, though maybe outdated, is definitley my favorite way to capture moments. The more social media explodes, the less I like it. This is my journal- one that I might "privatize" eventually but for now, I will try to capture the mundane for my kids to always be able to look back and remember. November 5th turned out to be a day for thanksgiving. I was able to go down and hang out with the parents at the beach for our long weekend. H and A were able to join as well. The weather was uncharateristically warm. They headed back home Sunday evening for H's classes and A's basketball try-outs. S and B were with an area's youth group on their way to Dollywood.

I left Nov 5 to head home. The big presidential election was definitely on my mind. On the way, I got it a pretty good little accident on the interstate. It's funny how leaving the island I prayed for God's protection over the trip. Maybe next time, I will specify that I would prefer no accidents. :) My sweet car, Toby, met his end protecting me fully. In short, 2- 18 wheelers clipped each other in front of me. This caused both of the trucks to stop in the left lane. I was behind the 2nd truck and stopped a pretty good distance behind him. A white truck stopped behind me. The other cars were able to avoid stopping by merging to the right lane. However, about 40 seconds later, I guess the 2nd white truck didn't notice that stopped cars- the stopped white truck saw him coming and tried to move out of the way. I look in my rearview mirror and notice the movement, see the 2nd white truck approaching quickly and know that I am about to get hit. And, I do. To my complete surprise, I didn't even cuss! I just braced for impact knowing that there was no place to go unless I wanted to find myself under the 18 wheeler. Somehow, a van also got caught up in the accident. It shut I26 down for aobut 90 minutes.

Chad drove the 2+ hours to get me, they towed Toby away, and we made it home safely. Three of the boys hugged me extra long when I got home. The other said he was glad was ok. The Lord is so good to provide moments of perspective. It is easy to dragged into the daily grind of it all. He further answered prayers by keeping His hands over our country. Though I know this nest 4 years will not be perfect, I am hopeful that Trump and those he surrounds himself with be able to fix some of the damage to the ol US. As my kids move into adulthood, it becomes much more real. 

My goal is post a little more frequently... with the updates that are worth remembering and maybe some of the ones that are not!   

All's Grace.

The Boys Annual Stats, Half Birthdays, and Back to School

 Yes, it is the beginning of August and we are already back at school.  Our district decided to head back early this year to allow for 1) end of first semester by Christmas 2) more breaks during the school year and 3) get out a bit earlier.  I am actually behind all of these reasons but it made for a really short summer this year.

10th, 8th, 6th, and 3rd.  Mosie is sad to be by himself during the day again.

Here we go!

We continue to do the half birthday date.  The boys and I love this time together.  The theme was car pictures this year :)  

Hunter -15 years old

Height- 6' 1" (97%)

Weight- 159 lbs (86%)

Shoe size- 12.5

Yep, he is driving me.  He officially has his restricted license and can drive by himself!

Ashton - 13 year

Height- 5' 1.25" (24%)

Weight- 76 lbs (2%)  Eek... we are trying to get him to pack on some weight!

Shoe size: 9.5

Shepherd - 11 year

Height- 5' 5" (99%)

Weight- 124 lbs (95%)

Shoe size- 10

Bennett - 8 year

Height-  52" (56%)

Weight-  54 lb (27%)

Shoe size- 2.5

that smile over the cinnamon roll :)

Boys are healthy and active.  Hunter is kicking for the varsity team this year and the all four are playing soccer.  We are quickly adjusting to the school schedule.  Everyone had a great first day.  The two homeschooled boys went back and both had really good days.  Excited to close the books of this summer as it has been a doozy... more on that later.

Bennett's Baptism

 Before Covid, Bennett came home from school and said that he prayed at Good News Club.  I talked to Aunt Joan, who helps out and she was confidant that Bennett recognized his need. 

I talked to Bennett at length and I also felt that Bennett is one of His.

Remember all this happened before Covid hit.  It was also before Bennett could swim.  He told me he didnt want to be baptized until he could swim. He was also pretty sure he would need goggles for baptism!  haha.

He learned to swim like a fish but everything was shut down so the baptism kept getting pushed back.

Well, this weekend, he took the plunge.  Because of life events, none of mine or Chad's siblings could attend but we did have Mantis, Queenie, Papa Hub, Grandma, John, Joan, Charlee, Sami, and Joey. Thankfully there was a live stream so other family could watch.

The whole group  Thank you guys for coming to show Bennett how much you love him.  

Getting ready to go under.

I am so thankful that the Lord has redeemed each of these boys.  Bennett has a sweet heart and I see the Lord working in his life.  I look forward to seeing how Bennett grows into a man after God's own heart.

School Year Wrap Up

 The 2020-2021 school year proved to be a wacky one... from mixed in virtual days/ weeks to masks and "social distancing," the year went surprisingly fast.

Though we are only a week away from starting the next school year, I don't want to forget the good parts that were 20/21 because they were there.

Hunter finished 9th grade with a bang.  He maintained not only straight A's but is sitting at 13th in the class.  He works hard and prioritizes well.  He started in the back on the varsity soccer team and enjoyed playing JV football (though JV only got a few games in.) This summer has been full of football workouts as he is slated to the varsity kicker.  He has really taken to football kicking (he could take or leave the rest of it!) :)  He also got his restricted license and can now take himself to and from practices!  He is literally growing up in front of my eyes.

Hunt's Beta Induction. Takes a lot to make my  legs look short

:)

Hunter (in blue) defending.

Ashton and 7th grade got along quite well.  He maintained his friend lifestyle.  He played middle school football, middle school basketball, played rec soccer and ran JV track.  He also maintained straight A's with ease.  He is passionate about politics and speaking truth whenever he can get away with it.  He started football workouts this summer but after much thought and prayer decided he just really doesnt enjoy it at this point.  He loves soccer and basketball and felt football just wasn't what he wanted right now.  I am proud of him for making this tough decision as I know many people expected him to play because of his personality and love of all athletics.  

Our half- birthday date

Big cheesin'.. this kid!

#12 taking it in

We had this put on t-shirts for S and B's homeschool. :)

Shepherd and Bennett were homeschooled by my parents... and were they ever schooled.  They grew so much academically and spiritually.  They also were able to keep the damn masks off!  I really think my parents enjoyed them.  I know my mom treated it as her job which I appreciated.  My dad... well, he did great too but maybe more of a hobby!  It takes all types! 

Schooling with Mantis, Queenie, and Oakley (Isla not pictured.)

Shepherd read so much... from Shakespeare to the Reformation to fun novels, he read and read and read.  He also become a much better writer.  Mom used IEW with him which is what Classical Conversation homeschoolers use and it was tough but good.  He can recite all of Phillipians 1 from memory as he studied Phillipians all year.  He also memorized the Psalms that Bennett learned.  His notebook for the year is quite impressive. 

Just hanging out watching some coach pitch baseball

All his books would not fit in one shot....this is textbooks and living textbooks

These are the novel/ historical fiction, etc

 

Every unit, he would notebook.  In addition, he has a Shakespeare notebook, Science notebook and multiple ELA/ Math notebooks.

Shep played basketball and made the All-Star Team and gave baseball a try (didnt love it but was the youngest and had no experience.) 

The All-Star team.  Shep is NOT the tallest in this!

Though the youngest, he definitely was not the smallest.... on 3rd hoping to make it in.

Bennett also read a ton.  He learned cursive which he loves! He is spelling and writing so much better.  He memorized a Psalm a week and can still recall most of them.  His 2nd grade year was exactly what I wanted it to be--- he grew academically but his foundation in Christ is so much stronger.  

Taking a little hike.  He loves to be adventuring outside.

His curriculum and books.  So many good things. I dont want to get rid of any of it in fear that real history is going to be stripped from schools.  

He also had to notebook each unit.  You can see the tabs on the right for some of the other subjects.

One page of his timeline.  Each person he learned about, he would chronicle their life in the timeline

He played basketball and baseball and had a blast with both.

I didnt get any basketball pics- oops... but, he really enjoyed baseball though he didnt get with any of his friends

Chad had a busy year full of Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C with athletic schedules.  He stood his ground on many issues with appreciation to our town. He is hoping for a more mellow year.  He has been putting in 70 hour weeks this summer but seems to enjoy it... most of the time.

And me, my year felt relatively normal.  Besides not doing industry trips or college tours, I found other ways to do career development with my middle and high schools.  We implemented a new aptitude/ interest career program with great success and plan to continue next year (with adding some field trips again, hopefully.)

Last drop-off for Stillwater Christian Academy.  Mom and Dad, thank you is not enough!  

BB8

Only 6 weeks late.... 

 BB8, a nickname that one of your brother’s coined for you is now a perfect fit as you are officially 8! As a 7 year old, you experienced school shutting down for 1st grade due to a global pandemic, a summer full of no travel but a ton of pool time, you learned to swim, and ride a bike really well. 

You can certainly make me laugh...

We also made the decision for you and Shep to be homeschooled so you would be spared from the foolery of the world for at least one year. I have seen you grown much in so many areas. You have memorized over 22 Proverbs, you have read tons of books, and as your brothers, are proving to be quite the math whiz. You have a contagious laugh and always look like you are up to no good. You and Shepherd are quite tight right now… probably because you are classmates! 

Cool kid

 Bennett, though I know you are growing up, I still consider you to be my baby... which, I know you like. You still climb up in any lap, big or small, that will hold you. You brush my hair every night while I read to you. It is my favorite time with you. 

Our one snow day this year

 You have started asking such good questions about what you read and about life in general. You are a thinker and in this world, we need more of that! Baseball season is about to start up and you are so excited. Mantis has been practicing with you and Shep. 

Love ya kid

 Bennett, I can't tell you what this world is going to look like as you continue to grow but I know you are His so you can rest in that. Continue to question things. Continue to be tender hearted. Continue to create and pretend. Continue to trust in Jesus every day. 

 I love you sweet boy!

~Musha  (I hate this name but the minute I mentioned I didnt like, it stuck like glue.)

Driving? Hunt is 1-5

 So, I am now old enough to have a driver as a child.  

Gosh, how did this happen?!?!

Hunter spent his 15th birthday in quarantine due to sitting behind someone on the Career Center bus who tested positive for Covid.  Though it wasnt the way we planned his b-day, I did leave work to run him through the Chick Fil A drive-thru for a birthday lunch.  Since he is a loner, I think he kind of enjoyed the quiet, at-home birthday.

All he wanted was brownies.  Cute kid:)

Sums it up (Ashton had practice).  He got a kicking tee, pull up bar, steering wheel cover, and clothes- so, grown up gifts.

Birthday celebration at Mantis and Queenie's

He took his learner's permit yesterday and his now officially a driver.  He drove Ashton to practice last night and did a really good job.  It is just weird to look over in the driver's seat and see your baby.  All I really want to do is put a bubble around him but that is not what Christ called us parents to do.  We are tasked with preparing them to go into the world.  The driving part just reminded me of that. It was just another thread to cut to prepare him. 

Woo-hoo and Yikes!

Hunter, you have been so easy to raise.  You are funny with a bit of quirky.  You get all mine (and my parents) inside jokes.  Though you vowed in 6th grade to never play football game; you gave it another attempt this year and really enjoyed it.  Though JV only got in 3 games... COVID.... you found you loved kicking and playing on the defensive side of the ball.   You also still love soccer and are looking forward to conditioning that starts in January- hopefully, COVID chills so you will get a season.

Last JV game as a freshmen.

Academically, you are so smart but more importantly, you love to learn.  It also helps that you remember weird little facts about most things.

Before a varsity game in "Reserved" spot.

You are longing for the movies to start back up.  With WonderWoman opening on Christmas Day, I think we are planning a trip to one of the few theatres that have opened back up.

Yep, that's my boy

You are an amazing son and brother.  I luuuvv you (said in our weird voices.)  May the Lord keep his guardian angels all around you (especially in the car!) Remember, whose you are.

Love ya,

~Mom

The Doodle is 11

 Shepherd, I will continue to say it, you are my happy spot.  You and your brothers all have different traits that I love.  Without a doubt, I love how you can always make me smile and laugh.  Your sense of humor is right up my alley.  

The awkward Shep smile.  He loved his poop moji pillow :)

Super excited (and surprised) with his main gift- a stand mixer.  Shep has become my little baker (and eater).

This year has looked different for you as you are being homeschooled by my parents.... and you are thriving.  I think homeschooling has given you the opportunity to really learn.  School has not only been easy for you but boring.  This year, you are not bored.  You are early and retaining so much information about the early church.  I know you try to trick Mantis into thinking you are not remembering, but at night, you will tell random facts about the material you are learning about. :) 

Fun project from O and C- NinjaBread

You are still laid back with all but 2 people- Ashton and Bennett.  Your birth order along with being sandwiched between those 2 big personalities must be hard but you handle it well... most of the time.  

You are an animal lover.  All dogs love you!  

Shep, you are kind to the core.  I pray that you find your voice to speak up and speak out.  Use your mind to change the world.  I know, without a doubt, that God has worked up an amazing plan for your life.  Follow the road less traveled.

Happy Birthday!

Growing up way too fast

All the boys!

Front yard football.

Pizza and brownies/ ice cream

For Shep's bday, we had our (might as well be family) friend Connor over to spend the night.  Owen and Caelum were also able to come and hang out.  (Ashton left for a bit to hang out with some friends but made it back in time for some of the fun.   Mantis, Queenie, and Uncle Nolan also came over for his actual birthday.  

The Mantis and Quennie "bag" was a box this year.  (really cool box)

Shep's first creation with his stand mixer- he wanted to make his own cake this year.  And, it was so good.

Digging in!

Shep, stay the same! I love you so much!

~Mom