Packing up

This morning, I told Annah she could start bringing her  things to take to college downstairs from her closet while I took a shower if she wanted, then I would help her finish.   She made a lot of trips, but she was pretty speedy and was just finishing bringing everything downstairs by herself when I got done showering!  It looks like a lot of stuff, but she's actually done really well planning carefully what to take and what not to take.  Not only does it have to fit in one of our small cars, but her dorm room that she will share with her roommate is only 10'x12'!

Jeremy took us out to Moe's--the restaurant of Annah's choice--this evening, just the 3 of us!  

(Sylvia and Caeden were at marching band practice.)

When we got back home, it was time to load up the car.  Jeremy is really good at this, a gift from his days loading semi trailers for RPS while in college at Cap.  He studies everything that has to fit in the space and kind of plays Tetris in his mind to figure out how everything needs to go in!

It didn't take long, and everything is in!

She's all ready to go to college in the morning!

"Train up a child in the way she should go,

And when she is old she will not depart from it."

- Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

I was having a grouchy, overemotional, fighting spiritual warfare, need to get out of the house kind of day.  So, when Annah got up and around, I asked her if she wanted to go into town for a little bit just to get out of the house.  We got drive-through McDonald's and hit the Dollar Tree and Meijer for a few last-minute things for her to take to school, like a surge protector, Q-tips, mesh laundry bags, cleaning sprays, etcetera.  

When we got back in the car to go home, I just burst into tears.  I told her that I'm not afraid for her to go away to college, and that I hope she knows how proud I am of her.  I told her I wish I had said a million more times how much I love her and how great I think she is.  I asked her if she feels like she had a happy childhood, and she reassured me that she does.  I told her I'm so excited for her and what she will learn and what Jesus is going to do in and through her at Greenville.  We had a good little cry, and had to get home so I could teach my after-school lessons.  

I'm so, SO grateful for the extra-special and everyday moments I've been blessed to have my Annah.

1st day of school

Sylvia and Caeden went back to school today--both of them in high school!

We did the traditional 1st day of school pictures on the front porch, and it was a little odd not to have Annah in them.  (She was still in bed.)  We also didn't have backpacks, because they actually left them at school in their lockers yesterday.  But they are ready for this day and year!

First Day of School previous years:

   2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006)

Sylvia--Junior

Caeden--Freshman

Sylvia drove, and I watched through the window screen in the front room without them knowing.  I only had a little tear.  I love them so much, and am proud of them, and know they will do great.  They just grow up SO fast; it hurts my momma-heart a little.

I got a countdown app this summer to keep track of milestones coming up.  Today it showed that tomorrow is the first day of school at Ridgeview!

The kids and I all went up to the school today.  Sylvia and Caeden took all their books and things and got their lockers set up.  

Here's the freshman!

Annah wanted to visit teachers before going off to college, but we arrived while they were eating lunch and didn't want to bother them.  

I had to pick up scripts for the fall play in the office, and felt so good when the secretaries gushed over how excited they were that I'm on the sub list now.  They gave me my first sub job next Monday.  I'll be in HS science for the morning and JH special ed in the afternoon!  Jumping in big, but it will be good.

I think all the kids are really, really ready to get back to school!  I'm so thankful they love learning!

We had a couple Screaming' Sicilian pizzas the other night, and I punched these mustaches out of the back of the box for Caeden and me.  They made us sneeze.

 We were all in the girls' room for a bit this evening, and I had to take a picture of Annah in her room while she's still here.

Both girls in the room they've shared since Caeden was born

All 3 sibs

So glad they love each other and get along well.

Summer ending

This is the last week of our summer before everyone goes back to school.  Today, I taught the last of my summer voice and piano lessons.  It's been so great having them all on one day for the summer!  Now I'm working on getting a schedule put together for fall, and it's so much less flexible with the RHS fall play coming up and subbing in there too.  

After I was done teaching, we went over to Joyce's house for a sweet send-off party for Ryan.  He leaves in the morning to move in at SIUE!  Sylvia and Caeden and I left early, and Jeremy just stopped by for a minute to wish Ryan well, but later the party moved to Ryan's dad's house and ended with one last summer fire.  

Sylvia wanted to host a sleepover, and decided to have a campout in the backyard!  Her friends Lexie, Sophia, Bailey, and Isabella were able to come.  Sylvia had games and snacks, and it was so sweet seeing their grins and hearing their giggles as they enjoyed their time together!

Our financial situation requires that I get some more work and income.  A few months ago, Jeremy suggested that I really consider substitute teaching.  It is decent pay, requires few "qualifications," and most of all it is very flexible.  So this summer, I've been working on getting my substitute teaching license and applying at 2 local school districts.  

This week, I attended a great workshop at GCMS for substitute teachers.  24 of us were able to tour all 3 buildings, meet administration, get all the paperwork we need to apply, learn how to run technology, and talk about ALICE (emergency procedures).  It was really great.  I also got my packet for Ridgeview and am officially on the "ready to sub" list there.  

Also this week, I made this Zucchini Crisp with the giant zucchinis Dad sent back with us from his garden.  Caeden and Ryan could hardly believe there were no apples in it; it looks and tastes just like apple crisp.  Yum!

Annah's last Velocity

We came back home today just in time for the kids to go to youth group--Annah's last one!  

We made one last quick visit to Indiana before the end of summer!

Annah and Wrigley

Uncle T knows how to get really relaxed.

Bryce-boo, trying to spit water into Sylvia's belly button while she played in the sun

cousin swim!!!

Annah and Tess went for a walk around the yard.

Bryce got to lick the beater!

Just a few cucumbers and squash from Dad's garden

Waiting on the homemade ice cream

Playing CLUE!

I forget what this game was called, but it was really fun!

Grayson, trying to show me his swollen hand where he got stung by a wasp

Talls and smalls 

It was such a beautiful weekend, and a wonderful time together!!!

Band Camp

This was band camp week!  

Monday morning, junior brass section leader and freshman center snare ready to go!

Mid-day sweaty hat-head hair

"Mom, I'm bored" text mid-day Thursday

Friday after-lunch water games

Attention contest

Sylvia, getting the brass section read to do their cheer

They were intense!

VIDEO:

That's some energy!

The percussion section is a bit smaller than the brass.

VIDEO: 

The brass won and percussion came in last of the cheers.

Box-drill march-off

Warming up for the preview show

Pieces of the preview show VIDEO:

Swing those hips now!

Mr. R greeted some recent grads/band alumni who came to watch the preview show

Siblings!!!

Yay for marching band!  Fun times doing hard things!