Annah's home for the summer

 On Friday, I took the day off and went to Edwardsville to move Annah home for the summer!  Weird as the year has been, she does love SIUe. 

Ryan was a huge help moving her out.

And thankfully, she had packed everything up nice and neatly over the last 2 days and was ready to go when I arrived.

Goodbye Evergreen Hall!

We moved her into the guest room, since Sylvia is already collecting a lot of things for her dorm room and they will have very different schedules this summer. Caeden is very glad to have his Mario Kart buddy home.

These two made a trip to the Colfax Dollar General this evening and are having "real" Kraft Mac'n'Cheese at 8:30 pm.  It's the little things siblings can do to support each other through life's trying times. Seriously. 

Marshall and grads

This morning, the high school was finally able to hold a commencement ceremony--outside, with social distancing and plenty of protocols. 

Graduates were only allowed their parents and 5 other guests, so we weren't invited to attend. 

But we watched the livestream online 

so we could see our Sylvia serving as marshall because she is at the top of her class. 

Her job was to indicate to the parents of graduates where and when to stand and walk and which diploma was their student's so they could grab it and present it and maintain proper social distance at all times.

We thought it was a nice ceremony.  Very cool that parents got to present the diplomas! Short and sweet since it was outside!  No ridiculously overcrowded and overheated gym. Let's do it this way every year!

Sylvs and her buddy Coby, who was also a marshall, after the ceremony

We only attended one graduation party this year, for our pal Jacob.

We're so happy we will still get to see him since he will be at SIUe with Annah and Ryan!

Every weekend since mid-May, Jeremy has driven to and from our parents' places in Indiana regardless of whether or not the girls have switched places watching their cousins. He has been working in his parents' yard, mowing, killing weeds, cutting up fallen trees, and cleaning brush and such. He has bought a chain saw and enjoyed his time outside working. Here's a little before and part-way-through of one area he's been clearing.

He has also enjoyed getting to spend time with his fellow "firebeards."

We busted out the Wii Just Dance 4 one night this week and Sylvia, Caeden, Jeremy and I had a little dance party. We also laughed a lot!!! 

Annah got to help Tessa give Luna her first bath!

I can't even explain how incredibly thankful I am that Annah and Sylvia are getting to spend so much of this summer with our family in Indiana. 

Meanwhile, back at home, this kid has many "vibes..."

It's been a good week.

Sylvia got to participate in an awesome virtual drum major camp through Phantom Regiment Drum Corps. The entire DCI season has been canceled for the year, so they are running several online camps. Regardless of whether or not there ends up being a marching band season, this camp was an excellent  learning experience and wonderful opportunity for Sylvia.

Some of her conducting notes

Working on her conducting in her mirror

On Wednesday night, Sylvia and Caeden went to a special youth group talk about race reconciliation.  They both said it was really good, and they stopped to get McD's on their way home.

Gram hosted a tea party with fresh fruits, zucchini breads, and Bengal spice tea on her porch!

Caeden spends a lot of his time at his music production station these days. It is very therapeutic for him, and we really enjoy getting to hear the music he creates!

Sylvia had her dearest girlfriends over this evening. Jeremy made a fire in our backyard fire pit, and they all brought snacks and just had a wonderful time together. They talked about their fears and frustrations during this time of Coronavirus and prayed over each other. 

There are blessings in the midst of our struggles in life, all because of the grace of God and the hope of Jesus. Thank you, Lord.

AIR CONDITIONING!!!

Ohhhhhh we are enjoying our central air conditioning!!! 

I do not at all take for granted the fact that it was very hot and humid outside today...

...but I cooked dinner ON THE STOVE and IN THE OVEN!!!

I’m pretty sure this is the first time in 19 years that I’ve made meatloaf and mashed potatoes in JULY!!!!!

And while I was at it making meatloaf and mashed potatoes, I steamed some carrots and some broccoli, and browned 4 extra pounds of ground beef and turkey with onions and garlic to freeze in 1-pound packages (added taco seasoning to 2 of them) for quick meals later on.  

I'm not trying to brag about getting central air, but I really am SO GRATEFUL for the ways it makes things so much nicer and more bearable.  I love to cook, but in the summer I have hated it for years.  I am so excited to cook in the summer now!

I am also sleeping better because we didn't have to move all our things downstairs and use the guest room for months to have some cooler air.

I am also cleaning (better, anyway) and doing more projects because I feel I can move around freely in our house and not get all sweaty and gross and grouchy about it!  It is just SO nice to have central air and I'm so thankful!

It's been beautiful this first "official" week of summer.  

We are learning to enjoy central air--not too hard to do!

Caeden in his music producing spot

He is really liking the midi controller he got at Sweetwater last week!

Friday afternoon, Jeremy took Sylvia to Indiana.  He spent most of Saturday helping around his' parents' place. I tried to clean up and organize our back porch and also worked on staining and sealing the new wood pieces Shannon put in the entry way. It is looking so cool!

Erin took the girls shopping in Fort Wayne. Sylvia tried on formals that were on clearance at Von Maur just for fun and ended up finding and buying her senior prom dress for a really great price! They had so much fun, too!

Tonight Caeden and I watched Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.  He loved it.

Central Air!!!

On July 5, we will have officially lived here for 19 years. 

This week, something very exciting and momentous has happened...

We got central air conditioning installed in the house!!!

I'm sure it will feel strange for quite a while, but we are SO glad and thankful to be able to do this!!!

Krampa's and Gram's pool is getting a lot of use this summer!

 And we are LOVING all the cousin time!!!

Sylvia French braided Caeden's hair this afternoon.

Ryan and Annah made calzones for dinner tonight. They were really good!

Evening swim!

This is a real look, Annah.

Silly girls, having fun 

Chicken!!!

As always, I blog so that I can "count" and remember the many blessings God has given me in this life. It is to leave a "note to self" that even though there are always challenges, God is so good! These are the things we GET to do, to enjoy. I am thankful.