HERE WE GO (AGAIN)

         

OUR LYDIA'S GRADUATION!

Last day of high school

Getting ready for her graduation party in the park

Lydia displays some of her favorite artwork at her party    

Cake No. 1 we used for the party

Cake No. 2 we used for Graduation Day at-home celebration

Our family on Graduation Day minus Stephen who is busy with his college finals up in MN

Lydia and her very best friend, Tucker

The big moment when Lydia’s name is called.  Announcer mistakenly said “Lydia France” instead of “Lydia Grace”- our Sue Heck moment 😊

My favorite show 

“The Middle”

Click HERE for funny Middle clip #1

A funny but meaningful thought about leaving a legacy

Click HERE for funny Middle clip #2

A LONG TIME AGO...

Our oldest Abigail started 5K 

in elementary school in 2003.

In a few days our youngest, Ben and Jonah, 

will finish 4th grade in elementary school in 2021.

That's 18 years of being an elementary school mom.

I guess you could say I was in it for the long haul!

Here is the letter we gave to the boys' teachers and ES staff to say goodbye.

We sure appreciate everything our elementary school has done for our guys!

Now it's time to prepare for middle school...

This morning Jonah sounded this out all by himself: Tucker (our dog) was a baby.

I'm impressed!

 

DON’T FORGET

 

Came across this on Facebook.  Well-written.  Good to remember today and everyday.

TIME TO THINK

 

THINKING ABOUT TIME TODAY...

Abigail's birthday today.  Lydia graduating high school next week.  Stephen taking the MCAT on Friday in preparation for his plans after college.  Jonah finishing up with his catheter of 9 months and hopefully staying healthy going forward.  Ben's 5 year anniversary of being in our family coming up this summer.

HOW FAST IT GOES...

As of today, I have been a stay at home mom for 23 years!  How can this be?  Did my investment of that time make a difference in my children's lives?  How many more years will I stay home with Ben and Jonah?  How long will they need me 24/7?  What is my role in my older kids' lives now as they make their own decisions and plans  

HOW MY SENSE OF TIMING IS SO VERY DIFFERENT FROM GOD'S...

What about my hopes and dreams for all five of our children?  

What are their own individual hopes and dreams?

SO VERY MUCH TO THINK ABOUT...

And now on a less serious note, 

here is one of my all-time favorite photos of our Abigail Joy.

Looks like she was busy thinking about things herself!

NO MORE?

CATHETER!  

Jonah had his catheter removed today!  After 9 months of dealing with it, we are done.  

Praise the Lord!

This means Jonah can swim this summer- relief!

This also means we are going to have to be very diligent about making sure he pees enough on his own. We don’t want this to ever happen again.

The doctor wants us to keep a strict 2 hour schedule and continuing using the Flomax med and preventative antibiotic for the next 3 months.  A renal ultrasound and follow up appointment are set for 9-7.

We are very proud of how hard Jonah has worked these past months to learn how to pee more efficiently.

Oddly enough despite how excited he was at home about the appointment, Jonah was crabby during today’s appointment so it wasn’t the most pleasant visit.  That's why he doesn't look real excited in the photo.

Oh well, he’s happy now, and the tube is out.  

Prayers answered!

OUR DAUGHTER THE DJ

 

Lydia had her senior prom this past weekend to make up for the junior prom her class missed last year due to Covid.

Lydia was the DJ.  She had so much fun!

Glad she could experience this iconic high school event!

SHAPE UP!

 

Yesterday we attended Lydia's baccalaureate service for her upcoming graduation. 

 

The speakers all had great messages for the kids as well us parents.  

This is some of what was shared:

OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST IS SHAPED BY:

Click HERE for article explaining SHAPE