The Freshman

There are a LOT of things running through my mind.  It's 4:44am.  No, I did not just get up for the day.  I have not gone to sleep yet.  :(  It's been a long week.  

The biggest thing on my mind at this moment is that I now have a freshman in college.  That's right, college.  The emotions that go along with that last sentence are hard for me.  It makes me feel old.  It makes me sad that our oldest will be leaving the nest soon.  This mama's heart is NOT ready for that.  Maybe it's because Bryn is a great kid.  I know lots of parents say that about their kids (or maybe the don't).  But honestly, in the world of parenting she has been a fairly easy kid.  The teenage years had some drama, but nothing too over the top.  She is so even-keeled (most days).  She has a great group of friends.  She doesn't drink (no I am not being naive).  She's honest.  She's responsible.  She's funny and loud.  She has a very old soul.  She is MUCH more grounded at 17 than I was at 30.  She has a good head on her shoulders and does not conform just because everyone else is doing it.

I really just want more time with her.  More full-time time with her at home with us.  More time for her at home with her youngest siblings.  More time to teach her things about the world.  Maybe in my heart of hearts some more time to do some things over with her. We were so young when we had her.  I feel like I failed her on some levels.  Not that I have it all figured out in the parenting world now, but I do feel a little wiser.

It has been fun watching her grow up.  Sometimes I just miss the days when she was little.  I asked her today if she was ready to go to college.  She replied with, 'I'm not sure how I feel about that yet'.  

I know parenting does not end just because they go off to college.  It's just a different stage of parenting.  

I know God has great plans for her!  Love you, baby girl!

Prom and Chuck E Cheese!

Sorry for the length of this post!  Lots of pics to share this week!

A couple of our kids have behavior charts.  I am not a huge fan of charts.  That means I have to another thing to try and remember.  Well, Ella earned her 'big reward' last week.  We have small rewards along the way.  But we try to give them a 'big goal' to earn also.  Much T\to my chagrin, her 'big reward' was to go play at Chuck E Cheese.  Notice I said play.  I refuse to eat there.  :) We don't take the kids to Chuck E Cheese very often.  The last time we were there was probably 2-3 years ago.  The good news:  when you homeschool you can go in the afternoon during the week so you don't have to deal with the craziness!    The kids were extra excited because we went on an afternoon that Daddy was off so he got to come play too!

This was their favorite thing to do!  It was a machine that showed a 'movie' type scene (i.e roller coaster, haunted house, etc).  You lay back in this chair and it's like a 3-D ride!  Look at those faces!

Big brother playing a game!

 Nora wanted to play Skee-ball too!

Daddy and Graysen playing a game

 Carly riding in the teacup!

 And riding the horse!

 Quality sibling time!

 We were excited because we got to go out to eat after Chuck E Cheese (and have some GOOD pizza) at Old Chicago!  Sissy (Bryn) was done with school by then so she joined us!

The 'best' toy Carly got with her Chuck E Cheese tickets was a Best Friends necklace that she shared with Ella.  If only they could be 'best friends' all of the time!  :)

Our happy baby!  Love those big blue eyes!

SENIOR PROM

Last weekend was Brynna's senior prom.  She went with her friend Matt.  There were about 10 couples that all went together.  The wanted the parents to make them dinner.  So we did!  It was very economical (I love that she is frugal!)  

Nails and hair are VERY important!  Bryn's friend McKenzie did her nails!  The purple matched her dress!

 She got her hair down at a local salon.  Jessie did a great job with all of her hair.  The final count on bobby pins......see the picture at the end.

Final do!

Bryn and Sarah had to wear 'hats' because it was raining when it was time to leave.

Little sisters LOVE to watch Sissy get ready for special events!

Sparkly TOMS!

Jewelry!

Almost ready!

 Grandma helped put flowers in her hair.

Dad helping Matt tie his bowtie (thank goodness for YouTube)

The cute couple!

It was a rainy day, but they wanted the top down in the convertible (even it was just for a few minutes)!

The whole gang!

Funny pics

Weirdos! 

The purple group!

The next morning!

Bobby pins and rubber bands!  Oh my!

They had a wonderful time and made another lasting memory for their senior year!

Newest member of our family

No, I am NOT pregnant!  No, we are not getting any new four-legged friends! 

 It's something much cooler than that!

This is Rose-Kattie.  She turned 1 a couple of weeks ago.  She is a precious baby that is at an orphanage in Haiti.  We sponsor her through the Hands and Feet project (http://www.handsandfeetproject.org/jacmel).  I would LOVE to meet and hold this dear little one someday.  I would love for her and Nora to get to play together.  So precious!  We heard of Hands and Feet through our church.  The couple that runs this orphanage used to attend our church before they moved their young family to Haiti.  

Brian and I have always talked about doing mission trips.  He would love to do medical mission trips.  I would love to do mission trips to orphanages.  I know it would be extremely difficult for me.  I know I am truly clueless and naive to the conditions that some children (many children) live in. 

I know it would break my heart. 

 To hold, love, rock and remind these precious children that Jesus loves them would be a gift to me.

We've talked about taking our older kids.  To give them a different worldview.  To teach them compassion.

We also sponsor another girl named Nandhini.  We sponsor her through Compassion International (www.compassion.com) .  She is close to Ethan's age.  It has been wonderful writing to her over the years and hearing about her schooling, family and her love for Jesus!  She lives in India with her parents.

 What blessings all of our 'kids' are!