My Rose Bush

We've had some rain this week. I mean the kind of heavy spring rain that comes suddenly in huge drops, pounds down and is gone as suddenly as it came, leaving towering white clouds and blue skies behind it. One of those particularly heavy rains overflowed our gutters and beat down onto my

rose bush.

 

 

 

You need to understand that several years ago, we had significant problems with flooding in our finished basement that required us to have the drains surrounding our home replaced. That meant ripping out all- yep, all- landscaping around our house. My poor home looked like a kid with a buzz cut- just sitting there with nothing growing around it. And then, my friend Kelli, perceiving my need as good friends do, bought me a rose bush which I planted near our front door. That was years ago and we haven't undertaken the major project of re-landscaping an entire yard. (Do you know how expensive landscaping is? Sheesh!)

Anyway, the rose bush is my singular blooming object in a sea of nothingness. It's the source of my attention in the summer, because it blooms for a long time and and at any time I can cut a dark pink blossom and have it near me, which I love. So this week, I was really bummed to come home and see that a summer storm had nearly beaten my rose bush to death. Like a old woman, it was leaning painfully forward, unable to stand anymore. I wasn't sure what to do. Last year, a storm similarly beat it over, but not this badly. I knew I couldn't leave it as it was. It was 4 feet tall and full with foliage and blooms, so it was very heavy. If I left it alone, it would never stand again, and be at risk to die altogether. I thought about simply staking it to help it stand, but knew from articles I've read and advice I've gotten that staking it wouldn't be enough. I had to remove some weight from the bush.

 

Today, I picked up my handheld pruners, and started cutting away at my beloved rose bush. It hurt my heart a little to toss limbs full of fragrant blooms onto the sidewalk. But I knew it was absolutely necessary to cut the bush back for it to thrive. I was struck by the spiritual parallel. Time and again in scripture, the image of pruning is used to teach us that sometimes, things need to be cut off and removed from our lives for our good. There have been so, so many times when I've felt as though things I thought were beautiful and good (and even necessary) in my life- like the roses- were being denied me, removed or simply torn away by the Lord and I did not see the rationale. But... to His great glory, He did. And it only needs to make sense to Him. After all, He knows me better than me.

So as I finished my cutting, with my heap of limbs on the sidewalk, I couldn't help but grin as I realized something. I was all bummed about having to hack up my precious bush- even though I had confidence the action may save it. And in the end, I not only had hope that the rose bush would survive, I stood there surrounded by a blanket of rose petals- that hasn't happened since my wedding day almost 22 years ago- and with two vases full of beautiful flowers. Hmmm. God really is being loving when He carefully clips away at those things in my life that have to go- even if they look beautiful to me. And He most likely even feels a twinge of pain if I feel pain because of His tenderness toward those He loves. But... He also is so terribly kind. At those times when I've felt the most cut apart, He has made sure that I notice the petals. He's kindly surrounded me with a thousand tiny reminders through His Spirit that He loves me... He loves me... He loves me... with every petal.


Romans 5:1-5
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

A Spiritual Family Legacy



This Christmas, like every Christmas, our family of five spends time visiting with Louie's extended family at his parent's house. It never fails as we head toward Charleston, Louie gives a disclaimer... "I have no idea who will be here today". And he's sincere.  We know there will be grandparents, and Louie's sister with her husband and kids. But- there could also be any number of other relatives as well. My mother-in-law is the youngest of six children, all of whom have children and grandchildren. And then there are the 'family' who are of absolutely no blood relation at all who come to Gaunch family gatherings- neighbors with kids  whose family lives far away, a single mom and her kids who live on Charleston's West Side near their church, a family friend who is single, etc, etc. Christmas Eve, like many holidays at their home, is a revolving door of people who in one way or another have touched the lives of my in-laws and are embraced like family.

I remember my very first visit with Louie's extended family- it was summer and they were all gathering at his grandparent's house in rural Boone County to have a 'work party' to do some home repairs and maintenance. It was loud, fun, festive, and did I say loud? It's like this at Christmas as well. At a Gaunch family gathering, there are 3 things you can count on- food, singing and stories. This Christmas, 2012, wasn't any different. I sat and listened to Louie, his mom, and his sister, tell sweet and hilarious stories (loudly) of their family's past. Louie's poor dad would simply cry, laughing so hard. This year, as I listened I was more than simply amused. I was thankful. Thankful for a God who knew that family during those years- and that one day I would be a part. Thankful to hear family members described by not only their personality and actions, but by their faithfulness. And that got me thinking.

For the last several weeks, I have been teaching in our adult Sunday school class about the lives of people mentioned in the lineage of Jesus. We looked at scripture and took note of the account of their lives, what they said, how their lives pointed to the coming of the Messiah and what about them we found inspiring or challenging in regard to our own life. I loved preparing the lessons because its in the preparation- reading scripture, commentary and meditating on it all- that God speaks to me in so many ways. Like a chorus of a song, I often hear a theme repeated over and over throughout my reading. It's one of the ways I know God has something to say to me. It seems to happen every year during the Christmas holiday.

This year, God has certainly been leading me to better understand Legacy. Heritage. The intangibles that we leave behind for our family. As we read about Rahab (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:15-24)- a woman, a prostitute, a non-Jew who in faith states, "He IS the God os heaven and earth" having no personal experience of God's faithfulness or wonders. her story blew me away with her wisdom, resolve, faith, and repentance that was evident in her new life among God's people. Ultimately she would receive high favor from God as she was a physical relative of the Messiah, who would come for all people regardless of background. Josiah (2 Chronicles 34 and 35) was also in the lineage of Jesus and I think the world of him. Named king at the age of 8, he would 'begin to seek the God of his relative David', though his own father and grandfather worshiped idols and desecrated the  Temple. Setting aside the wrong that existed in his family's background, he grew and matured in faith. Ultimately he stood before the people, reading scripture, pledging personal faithfulness to God and encouraging them to do the same. Boaz and Ruth (the book of Ruth) were a husband and wife mentioned as Jesus relatives as well. If I read scripture correctly, Boaz was the grandson of Rahab! Hearing tales of God's workings in her life must have inspired him. He was a man of integrity and compassion who took a non-Jew, but a woman who was seeking after God, to be his wife. Just about four generations later, a little boy would be born into their family named David. And as we looked at Joseph and Mary, earthly parents of Jesus, we read scriptures about how their simple but faithful lives intersected with God's redemptive plan. (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-7; 2:16-20; Matthew 2:13-15)


When I was younger, these people were characters in Bible stories. Each story was like a separate act in a play, with its own story line and characters that didn't overlap. But the older I get and more importantly, the more I read God's words, I'm better able to understand that they aren't 'characters' and each 'story' isn't separate and unto itself.

Instead, as I was reading their life accounts aloud from scripture, I felt like it was Christmas in the Gaunch house, and I was talking about a family member's life- about the crazy, terrible and wonderful things that happened in our family's past.

In Louie's family (as with all families) someone always says, 'You're just like your grandma' or 'You did that just like Aunt so and so', comparing current family members to those of the past. And soon, I began asking myself,  'Am I like any of my spiritual relatives?' I want to be! Do I show the same reckless faith as my sister, Rahab? Am I bold in what I believe and do I use the influence I have to speak truth, encouraging faith in those around me like my brother, Josiah? Do I have the every day integrity of Boaz and the courage of Ruth? Like Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, do I respond quickly and faithfully when I hear God speak? Or am I inclined to 'weigh the pros and cons' rather than trust God? Do I have the simplicity of faith like Mary to ask 'How will this happen?' instead of letting fear and doubt grip my heart.


Oh, to know my Biblical family members so well that I could say to people, 'When you took a chance on that job because you believed God was leading, you were acting so much like Rahab'. Or, 'When you stood in church that day and told your personal testimony- your own faith journey- that reminded me of when King Josiah, our brother in faith, stood in front of the Temple and shared his faith.'


I'm inspired yet again to look into God's word and ask Him to teach me from the lives of those who knew Him before me. And in doing so, I hope I will be included among those who have a positive story to leave behind for others to tell.

The Lady who was Not Afraid of Anything

Every week, we choose a children's book that will help the kids in our classroom meet their language goals and build a fun theme around it. Last week, in keeping with Trick or Treat, we read the book, "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything".

 

 

 

 

 It's a fun book about a little old lady who prided herself on not being afraid of anything. She went for a walk and soon realized she was being followed... by a pair of old shoes that clomped (and she wasn't afraid), then there was also a pair of pants also following her (and she wasn't afraid), then it was a shirt also following her (and she STILL wasn't afraid). But finally, it was one too many spooky items  and "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" was feeling overcome by fear. Ultimately, she conquered her fear when she stopped looking behind her and remembered that she really wasn't afraid of anything. So she put the things she feared where they belonged- out in the field, scaring crows.

 

 All week long, the kids made me smile because they kept saying that they weren't afraid of anything, either! Spiders? "No!" Snakes? "No!" Monsters? "No!" And as funny as it was to hear them brag about their bravery, it got me thinking about fear. We all have our issues, I suppose, and well, one of mine is definately fear. I don't mean fear of the dark or crawling things or being alone at night. But when I think about all the possible things that could happen... the "What Ifs" in my life, I can get VERY afraid. It's sort of a default I go to in times of trouble and it can stop me in my tracks. From doing the things I know I should. From enjoying the day to day moments of life. I would LOVE to be able to boldly say, "I'm not afraid of anything!" like the lady in our story. But is it possible? I never thought it was.  But I'm changing my mind.

 

How many times in scripture does it say, "Do not fear"? Dozens! After speaking during a simulcast event in September, the Bible teacher, Beth Moore, posted a long list of the 'Do Not Fear' scriptures online. I don't just want to read them, be encouraged for a day and set them aside. I want the truth of the scripture to change how I think, so my default in the future isn't 'fear'. It's confidence in the God who is who He says He is- and can do what He says He can do.

 

 

Here are a few of the "Do Not Fear" scriptures that mean the most to me.

 

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. PROVERBS 3:24

 

I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. PSALM 34:4

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. PSALM 56:3  
Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrifed or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your

God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. DEUTERONOMY 31:6  

You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you. 2 CHRONICLES 20:17  
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?  PSALM 27:1

 
Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God fights for you. DEUTERONOMY 3:22
 
But God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgement.             2 TIMONTHY 1:7 

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.  1 JOHN 4:18

 

Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. JOSHUA 1:7

 

SO I TOOK COURAGE because I was strengthened by Yahweh my God.   EZRA 7:28

"The leaves are falling down..."

There are certain songs that get stuck in your head. You know what I mean. Like the one we've been singing in my preschool class the last few weeks. "The leaves are falling down... the leaves are falling down... hi-ho it's fall I know... the leaves are falling down." Then, with the other verses, we sing "The leaves are turning red... "etc, etc with every verse another fall color. You get the picture. They LOVE it and I hear it in my sleep. (they sound so sweet singing it, though!) The leaves are halfway gone from the trees around our house! Fall swept in while I was busy.

Rebecca has kept us busy. Play practices, middle school volleyball practices and games, praise band practice (she plays bass guitar), her middle school Bible study group meets at our house (we just provide the snacks and a family room), and, oh yeah, school... homework... projects.

Here are some signs of our Fall...

Barboursville Fall Fest... An empty field turns into a crazy carnival and two tiny blocks turn into booths of crafts and food.

 



 

Covenant School (at Christ Temple Church) got a seriously nice playground makeover!

 

A few last hydrangea blooms before the frost. I LOVE hydrangea. Its such an old fashioned flower.

 

 

Middle school Bible study at our house... I'm sure the duct tape thing had a spiritual message. (?!) And the 'Zombie Finger' cookie was Louie's snack idea. Um... some of the kids ate several... and some of the kids gagged.

 

 

With 2 empty bedrooms, we talked about moving Becca into Hannah's basement bedroom. There are several things that need to happen first, and so we're taking steps in that direction- it's a work in progress.

During the work in the bedroom, we unearthed one of Garrett's old Legos. It was his bedroom when we moved into the house- he was in 6th grade. He LOVED Legos and always had a bucket of them, or Knex building toys. Can't believe he 'builds' things in a college science lab now!

 





 

 

 One Saturday, Becca and I had the privilege of working with some great people from 5 different churches on service projects in our very own neighborhood. I cleaned gutters along one house, painted trim, and Becca hauled a lot of shrubbery. The neighbors we helped were people who simply couldn't do all the home maintenance they needed to and needed a hand. Plus, I got to know a few people from other Churches through an organization called Christ Together for the Tri-State.

 

The Communication Disorders department at MU where I work, in Smith Hall, got a new sign and for the first time, my name is listed among the 'professional staff'. I'm feeling so valuable!

 

 

It wouldn't be fall without going out to the Booth family farm for a tractor ride and homemade ice cream. These are moments I miss Garrett and Hannah- they aren't out there among the other kids!

 

Lou, Becca and I got to spend a few days with Hannah, visiting campus and checking up on our girl.

 

Louie and Becca had to check out her room- she is Miss Organized.

 

Just off campus, there's a BCM building with full time staff. We got to meet Hannah's small group leader and one of the BCM director's wives. They have open doors most all the time for students to hang out, study and play. It reminded me of the MU Campus Christian Center. They have a chapel, too, where they have services. She auditioned for the Praise Team and sings once a month (sometimes twice). They engage with the student body in lots of ways including playing intramural sports like volleyball.

 

This cracked me up- when she wears her boots, and doesn't have a pocket... she tucks her phone in her boot. Hey, it works.

 

That's her dorm in the background. (It'll be closed next year for renovations) I refuse to blink... if I do, Becca will be a freshman in college. Yikes!

 

 

 

She's gotten to do some cool things- a friend of her grandpa gave her and her room mate tickets to good seats for the Georgia home game. They stayed up all night in a field with BCM friends so they could be on ESPN Game Day- a show filmed live the morning of a big game.

 

Our big games were all Middle School volleyball. But- they were exciting! If you were there, you would have no doubt based on my shouting ( yes- I shout for my team!) and my daughter's looks that say it all "Mom... that was SO loud... Mom... don't say my name... Mom...pleeeease don't take another picture)

 

I've never posted video in a blog before... I hope this works!!! It was about 1 1/2 minutes of Becca serving from our last game. She served a bunch of nice overhand serves in a row!

 

Another upcoming 'event' for Becca: braces. Again. We knew she may need a second phase and it's a sure thing. Oh, well. Eighteen months can seem like absolutely forever but hopefully a beautiful straight, uncrowded smile as an adult will be worth it!

 

This is our week. Practicing for 2 months has come down to one very FUN long weekend. I haven't been 'allowed' to see it all yet and I can't wait. It's going to be SUCH a cute show!!

 

 

This is a picture of Fall on our street. It's in full swing- we'll be covered in trick-or-treaters before long. But it also means that before long it'll be Thanksgiving Break- and I can hug all 3 kids at once!

 

Meanwhile, there are some good things while we wait. Louie had a stress test recently to check on his heart and found out that his by-passes from 9 years ago are all still working great- no problems! This week he celebrates his 43rd birthday.

 

Another good thing is the growth I see in the people in my Sunday school class. I teach Sunday school to an awesome group of about 18-20 adults of all ages and stages of life. I'm humbled and just floored and can't believe every week that they show back up! I'm probably not qualified to lead, but I love the Lord and I love them... and in reality, they teach me something every week as we study scripture together and seek to know Christ.

 

One more good thing is that everyone is doing ok so far this fall. I mean, I hoped they would... but they are. Hannah is getting good grades and making friends and settling into a campus of 22,000 and figuring out how to live in a small space with a room mate. Garrett seems to have hit his stride his 2nd year of college- working his schedule better, managing studying (and there's a LOT of that), and taking a leadership role. In the parent-teacher conference last week, Becca's teachers described her as 'matured', she got good grades on her first report card including Algerbra which has required effort, she's got a lot of friends and her acting in this play is really good!

 

Now, I don't want to give a false impression that 'everything is perfect at the Gaunch household'. There are plenty of things that could be better, things that are always in the back of my mind causing me to be afraid or worry, and ways we each need to grow up. 

And for today, I'm going to choose to Thank God for all of it- the imperfections and the good things going on.

Turn the page.

It's about time I updated the blog. SO much has happened in the past few weeks since I wrote my last entry.  Garrett moved back to Chicago for his sophomore year at Wheaton College. Becca started the eighth grade at Covenant School and for the first time is attending school without any siblings. I helped Hannah move into the dorm at University of So.Carolina for her freshman year. In a matter of days, we went from 3 kids to 1. 

I posted a picture on Facebook of Hannah hugging her daddy good-bye. My friend LeeAnne said something like, "Well, it's a new chapter". And you know- that was a pretty accurate statement. While at times it's been sad, nostalgic, and downright weird... mostly, it feels like turning a page. Our family story has had so many chapters that have involved preschool art projects, Christmas plays, school pictures, and playing in the snow. In the previous chapter, Garrett and Hannah lived in my house and Louie and I knew all their friends and were a part of their daily lives. But sometime in the last 30 days, we 'turned the page' and instead of telling me about his summer internship, Garrett texts me to tell me about Chem lab and Chicago weather. Instead of waving goodbye as she heads out the door to meet friends, Hannah is out at So Carolina BCM with 150 other college students that I don't know. Instead of being the 'baby' of the family, Becca is the only kid in the house, and captain of the MS volleyball team. I'm really trying to look at all this change- Garrett and Hannah moving away especially- as not sad but simply a new page in an ongoing story. And for some strange reason, in my mind that makes it  easier.

Here are some pictures and bits of information from our last few crazy weeks.

Becca and I snuck (or is it sneaked?) in a last trip to the pool.

We all went to a 20th Anniversary celebration for Louie's aunt and uncle. Several people sang, including my in-laws, and Garrett. Becca was the "official photographer" of the event. 

Yep, Becca took this picture. Not too bad for an old couple with 2 kids in college.

My baby boy the night before he left. We found out that evening that there's another guy named Garrett from WV- whose grandpa is a friend of my Garrett's grandpa- going to Wheaton. They ended up in the same hall.

My in-laws drove Garrett to Chicago which made for a long day. My mother-in-law has a brother there so they were able to stay and visit a while. Garrett made it campus just fine. He's a "deke" this year. Can't remember what "deke" stands for, but he's an ambassador for Wheaton College, giving campus tours and such. He gives tours on Friday afternoons. He's got a demanding schedule that includes Organic Chemistry. And like last year, he'll sing in the Men's Glee Club- who will be traveling on tour for 10 days in PARIS in May 2013! (I wonder if they need moms to chaperon? Oh yeah, this is college, not HS- doubt it)

She sure will miss her bub.

Louie's way of saying "I love you" is to 1) cook for you or 2) polish your shoes. He loves it.

A few days after Garrett left, I took Becca's very first 1st Day of School picture that only

 had her in the picture! Eighth Grade will be awesome- even Algebra.

And because she loves plays like her brother, she auditioned for 1st Stage Theater Company's "The Little Mermaid, Jr.". This was her audition picture. She was cast as one of Ursala, the Sea Witch's evil eels. It could be fun playing a 'bad' guy. The play will run the last weekend of October.

Packing again. I had my detractors... but I made every item strategically fit into that vehicle. 

Have boots, will travel- to the South, anyway.

A packet of memories that Becca put together for Hannah to open on her way to college. It was funny 

and cute! 

Another weekend, and another goodbye hug. 

Good-bye WV.

I always forget just how tiny dorm rooms are until I walk into one- I think Hannah and I both gasped slightly when we walked into her room. Then after we thought about how to "strategically store" her stuff, we were able to breathe normally again. It's hard to unpack someone else's stuff- and Hannah knew how she wanted things, so I tried to get out of the way.

Pintrest. Need I say more? This is at the half completed stage. It ended up much cuter!

At lunch with her room mate Katherine just before I left. (sigh) As it turns out, they've had some time to bond... less than a week after school began, Hannah started feeling bad and I thought she was just run down, getting used to a new schedule. As it turns out, she ended up in the clinic- a shot, prescriptions, and strep! Not good- but a Labor Day weekend in bed helped. And... Hannah ran for and was elected to student government the first week of school, representing her dorm. She also joined the Baptist Campus Ministry group on campus and signed up for a small group study. No, she's not shy.

Oh, yeah. And today is my 42nd birthday. It was a quieter day and birthday wishes via phone call- no hugs from Garrett or Hannah.  Birthdays sure are different since we 'turned the page'. Not bad. Just different. I wonder what else will be different...

Adventures in Parenthood

When Garrett was four months old and I stared at that positive pregnancy test in complete disbelief, I wasn't sure of much. But I was sure of one thing. These two babies were going to be close- like it or not. And Baby #2 (aka Hannah Grace) would forever be following 12 months behind everything Garrett did. And though she tried to pass him up as often as possible (learning to talk, making an A in calculus, whatever!) there are some things she had to wait for- like becoming a college freshman.

So the last few weeks, it's been an adventure in parenting around here- there are 4 adults in my house and Becca is the only teenager left, God bless her. Garrett and Hannah have worked part time jobs to save money, they've sorted clothes and their 'stuff', bought some clothes (they're heading to two very different climates- Chicago and SC), spent time with dear friends and family, enjoyed a little down time, and now... it's time to go. Becca has stood alongside and watched, getting ready for her own school year- not in another state, but attending school for the first time EVER without her siblings, alone. Covenant School is K-12 and there's always been at lest one of them in the building.

The last few weeks, Lou and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary (amazing but true), the 1st anniversary of his agency opening (check out his new web site and get a quote today!http://agents.allstate.com/louis-gaunch-hurricane-wv.html ), and the 1st anniversary of being hired at MU in a job that I love working with hearing impaired preschoolers. We've tried to take advantage of the time to just hang out with the kids, listen to them sing, serve with them at church and of course, plan, plan, plan for their fall- trying not to forget a single thing they'll need.

Here are pictures of some of the highlights from the past few weeks.

Our church held a 5K Run/Walk to raise money for a Christmas outreach project. It was over 80 degrees and humid when the race started. It seemed like all the racers were curious about their time. Not me. I finished- I was happy with that. :)

We had SO many summer storms this month- it was crazy. Unfortunately, one afternoon storm, complete with wind and hail, sent Garrett into a ditch. Three weeks and several new parts later, he and Hannah were driving the truck again. We were just very thankful that he wasn't hurt. He was on his way home from his summer job- an awesome experience. He spent 4 weeks as part of a clerkship- a paid observation experience- in the Cabell Huntington Hospital NICU. He observed doctors, residents, nurses and med students as they daily cared for premature and drug addicted infants. He learned a LOT- about medicine, the human body, society and being a physician. At times, it broke his heart but I think it reinforced his decision to pursue medicine.

Ok, I have no idea why this picture turned sideways. Anyway, Hannah is now a registered voter like Garrett. They really ARE legal adults. It's just hard for a mama to wrap her mind around. As I was pouring a cup of coffee the other morning, Garrett said without looking up, "Hey mom, don't you think it's cool that all my friends are starting to turn 20?" Sure. Really cool, I thought. Garrett will be 20 in March. Birthdays really don't bother me- but my child turning 20- that might!

   

July meant Senior High Camp- and Hannah's last time at WV Baptist Camp as a camper. I love that place. I ended up driving to Cowen and back 3 times this summer, but that was ok. I got to get a little taste of camp. 

We took a big group of Senior High kids and counselors. (Hannah is in the front middle- standing on a step to look taller)

For the last several years, I've served as a counselor and small group leader at Senior High. Unfortunately, I couldn't this year. The classroom I work in has several hearing impaired preschoolers who work very hard all school year. To make sure they retain all they should, they come to school during July instead of being off for 3 months in the summer. So... I work in July and can't come to Cowen. Maybe they'll move Senior High to June ??

I wish I could show you pictures of my class- of the kids and all the fun we have. But, because I love them and want to protect their privacy I just can't post their pictures. But we had a great time in July. We 'camped' in our classroom, marched in a 4th of July parade across the MU campus, throwing candy to college students we passed, made homemade sidewalk chalk, read some amazing stories and had our very own Olympics. No kidding. Each day, there was an event... racing and breaking through crepe paper, shot put with a not-so-heavy ball, balance beam. They even wore a medal, stood on a podium and put their hand over their heart (sort-of) while the star-spangled banner rang out from the i-phone... it was a beautiful thing.

Two more things about work. One- this crazy squirrel (or one of his many cousins) would scare me to pieces about 2 times a week when I was coming into or out of my building. You'd think that they ate nuts. Apparently on campus, they prefer fast food trash. Second- I was hired as an 11 month employee. That means I'm off the entire month of August. (Hooray) The Lord really knew what He was doing in so many ways when He selected this job. Having this month off work while we prepare to move the kids is a HUGE blessing.

Becca went to her very 1st LOCK-IN at our church. Of course, a Lock-In is basically a huge overnight youth event/sleep over. They were a right of passage for Louie and I. She was bleary-eyed the next morning, but survived unscathed.

Of all my kiddos, Hannah is probably the most  'organized' one. She's had lists of things she has and needs for her dorm, a drawing of the floor plan, and an understanding of where all the 'pretty stuff' will go. And yes, everything is color coordinated.

 

  Then, the five of us got to participate in a really cool event. One Sunday morning, we all met, ate breakfast and then went out into teams to work on various projects. Instead of having regular church, we 'were' the church to other people. Louie- cooked breakfast for 100+ people, I- picked up trash along about 3 miles of road near our church, Garrett- helped paint an army tank that sits in front of the Veteran's Home, Hannah- painted and cleaned for a woman who used to run the Huntington Mall Fashion Board (that Hannah was on) but is now wheelchair-bound, and Becca- helped paint the exterior of a home. It was a fabulous day!! (The only bad part of my day was wearing that hideous shirt. Lou refused and wore a white shirt in protest.)

Then one day, Louie sent all of us a mysterious text with instructions for an 'evening out' of 'family bonding'. He got home with a big grin and drove us here- to the Riverfront for an evening aboard a paddle wheeler. With Louie starting a business, and sending two kids to college... a family vacation wasn't exactly in the cards. So- how about a 2 hour vacation on the Ohio River? It was actually pretty fun.

Another paddle wheeler (I forget its name) passed us as we were preparing to leave the dock.

It was cool seeing Huntington bridges from underneath!

She's getting so grown up and beautiful- and tall! She's officially passed me up by an inch.

My handsome men- love those smirks. It makes me think they're up to no good... and they probably aren't! The dinner was pretty good and the DJ was decent. He played swing music and Hannah and Garrett danced together. It was sort of cool being out on the water, even if it was the Ohio.

So in the next 10 days, Garrett will move back to Chicago, Becca will start the 8th grade alone and I will move Hannah to South Carolina.I think this year has been easier than last year in some ways, but still very hard in others.  It's all positive change and I can honestly say that we're all happy about these things. But- change is scary and in the last few weeks, everyone has had their 'moments' and deals with the stress differently. I can only speak about my coping. I like to stay busy- so I've been running, cleaning, ironing (a lot), I decided to pain the front door because the sun had faded it. Then, I thought I should touch up the white trim in the entryway... that led to painting three doors so far and most trim in the hall, bathroom, kitchen and dining room. I told Lou if he stood still too long, I might paint him! Whatever works! Family of five... shrinking to a family of three for our day to day living. That's big. But (I think) we're ready!