Just a bit ago, I was looking out my front window watching my children play soccer in the front yard with our neighbor's kids. Five kids in all, and everyone was involved. From ages six to ten, they all managed to find a spot on the field and do their part to contribute to the game. I love this!
They've figured out how to play together, boys and girls, siblings and friends- without any coaxing from us adults. These kids are unique in that they find treasure in being outside, more than being in. On a day like today, in late November, with temperatures hovering around 60, they're relishing every minute of outdoor time.
Childhood disappears in the blink of an eye, and the thing I love about this move, is that my kids are basking in their youth with simple games of soccer, exploring the creek, and games of chase. They bounce from house to house, playing happily for hours on end, until one of us has to make a call saying "send them home!". It's a good problem to have.
Here's to many more years of cheering from the sidelines- Go kids!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thing 22
This post is long overdue, but I was waiting for the right time, and after this morning's event, I'm ready.
Thing 22 I love about this move is the kid's school. That's right, I LOVE their school. Even better, is that THEY love their school. It wasn't coincidence either. We looked at several schools out here, weighed the pros and cons of each, then we prayed about it. Where we ended up is where God led us; this beautiful small campus (100 families K-12), that takes a Christian education and combines it with a classical curriculum.
The better part of my morning was spent helping Charlie's 5th grade class make a New Jersey cake. They've been studying the counties of New Jersey and today was the celebration. Each child brought in a plain white cake, and then proceeded to cut out the shape of a county. These counties were then assembled on plexiglass, forming the state. Decorating the cake was the best part, as it had to include something "famous" in that county, forcing the kids to create with candy and goodies. You'd be impressed with their ingenuity.
This was right up Charlie's alley- he's a cartographer already, at the young age of 10. Seeing him in his element, enjoying the time with his classmates, brought pure joy to my heart. It didn't hurt that the process involved plenty of sugar!
The blank canvas, soon to be an edible New Jersey.
Can you say "sugar high"???
Charlie's addition to the map
It's almost done...
Ta-da! Aren't they amazing artists?
If you've ever moved with children, you can appreciate how important it is to see your kids adjust and thrive in their new environment. Somehow, we skipped over any "adjustment period". Our kids seamlessly entered this place, as if they'd always been there. That's not by chance, or luck. It's what God does when you obey- he blesses you!
Here are a few other things I LOVE about our school (and the students)
- It's small; Charlie has 13 kids in his class, Audrey has 11.
- It's close to our house (ok, so we planned it that way, but still...)
- Uniforms!
- They expect the children to respect authority- and they do!
- The teenage boys are quick to open doors when they see me approaching- I really really love this.
- Latin in 3rd- 8th grades.
- The way they keep my kids challenged and enthused about learning.
In short, our school is the perfect fit for our family.
Thing 22 I love about this move is the kid's school. That's right, I LOVE their school. Even better, is that THEY love their school. It wasn't coincidence either. We looked at several schools out here, weighed the pros and cons of each, then we prayed about it. Where we ended up is where God led us; this beautiful small campus (100 families K-12), that takes a Christian education and combines it with a classical curriculum.
The better part of my morning was spent helping Charlie's 5th grade class make a New Jersey cake. They've been studying the counties of New Jersey and today was the celebration. Each child brought in a plain white cake, and then proceeded to cut out the shape of a county. These counties were then assembled on plexiglass, forming the state. Decorating the cake was the best part, as it had to include something "famous" in that county, forcing the kids to create with candy and goodies. You'd be impressed with their ingenuity.
This was right up Charlie's alley- he's a cartographer already, at the young age of 10. Seeing him in his element, enjoying the time with his classmates, brought pure joy to my heart. It didn't hurt that the process involved plenty of sugar!
If you've ever moved with children, you can appreciate how important it is to see your kids adjust and thrive in their new environment. Somehow, we skipped over any "adjustment period". Our kids seamlessly entered this place, as if they'd always been there. That's not by chance, or luck. It's what God does when you obey- he blesses you!
Here are a few other things I LOVE about our school (and the students)
- It's small; Charlie has 13 kids in his class, Audrey has 11.
- It's close to our house (ok, so we planned it that way, but still...)
- Uniforms!
- They expect the children to respect authority- and they do!
- The teenage boys are quick to open doors when they see me approaching- I really really love this.
- Latin in 3rd- 8th grades.
- The way they keep my kids challenged and enthused about learning.
In short, our school is the perfect fit for our family.
Monday, October 31, 2011
No electricity part 2
You'd think after enduring a hurricane and no electricity back in August, we'd be good for the rest of the year. NOT.
The Nor'Easter came blowing in on Saturday and dropped six inches of snow- in OCTOBER- taking our power with it. Thank God we had plenty of firewood outside.
One day turned into two, then into three and finally, our power was restored tonight. The town actually recommended Halloween be postponed until Saturday (out of safety), since most people didn't have power yet. Crazy, isn't it?
Sure it was cold and uncomfortable, but I have to say- there's plenty worse we could have been forced to endure. For all it's frustration, we enjoyed our time as a family in the confines of our home, passing the time away without electricity.
Charlie honed his fire starting skills (under parental supervision, of course).
The kids played chess multiple times, and took me to the cleaners once.
Books were read and finished.
We learned to "cook" over an open fire and even pulled out the smore fixins for dessert.
I'm done getting in touch with my inner Colonial self. No more living in the dark. No more cooking over open fires. No more going without warm water and modern appliances. Six days of it in two months time ought to earn me a pass on the next storm. And please, for the love of Pete, don't ever invite me to go camping.
Toodles!
The Nor'Easter came blowing in on Saturday and dropped six inches of snow- in OCTOBER- taking our power with it. Thank God we had plenty of firewood outside.
One day turned into two, then into three and finally, our power was restored tonight. The town actually recommended Halloween be postponed until Saturday (out of safety), since most people didn't have power yet. Crazy, isn't it?
Sure it was cold and uncomfortable, but I have to say- there's plenty worse we could have been forced to endure. For all it's frustration, we enjoyed our time as a family in the confines of our home, passing the time away without electricity.
Charlie honed his fire starting skills (under parental supervision, of course).
The kids played chess multiple times, and took me to the cleaners once.
Books were read and finished.
We learned to "cook" over an open fire and even pulled out the smore fixins for dessert.
I'm done getting in touch with my inner Colonial self. No more living in the dark. No more cooking over open fires. No more going without warm water and modern appliances. Six days of it in two months time ought to earn me a pass on the next storm. And please, for the love of Pete, don't ever invite me to go camping.
Toodles!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thing 21
Anyone who has moved will tell you it takes about a year to feel "settled". Since I'm nowhere near the year mark, I'll have to get back to you on that.
One thing I love about moving- and this is thing 21- is it forces you to make friends. Or not, if you're good with being a recluse and talking to only yourself all day. Me? I need friends. They make my world all the sweeter, and it gets me focused on something other than house duties (which is all I seem to be doing these days).
In the last week, I have been blessed to see my social calendar filled. Coffee dates, lunches, book club, and exercise class, have all allowed me to get out and meet with friends. It's beginning to feel more "normal" that way now...
Granted, it will take time for those friendships to grow and mature into the deep lasting kind, I treasure. For now, it's perfectly alright that they aren't. Time with friends remind me of how blessed I am, and I love that.
Toodles!
One thing I love about moving- and this is thing 21- is it forces you to make friends. Or not, if you're good with being a recluse and talking to only yourself all day. Me? I need friends. They make my world all the sweeter, and it gets me focused on something other than house duties (which is all I seem to be doing these days).
In the last week, I have been blessed to see my social calendar filled. Coffee dates, lunches, book club, and exercise class, have all allowed me to get out and meet with friends. It's beginning to feel more "normal" that way now...
Granted, it will take time for those friendships to grow and mature into the deep lasting kind, I treasure. For now, it's perfectly alright that they aren't. Time with friends remind me of how blessed I am, and I love that.
Toodles!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Thing 20
On this day, my 14th wedding anniversary, it seems only fitting to have this post dedicated to my husband. Do you know the 20th thing I love about this move?
That out of all the people in this world, I get to go through it with the man I love.
Life is crazy, and moves are even crazier. Marriages can surely be tested through such circumstances. Ours is no different.
Every laugh, tear, and frustration of this move, is made all the more memorable because I have the pleasure of sharing it with my husband. And I wouldn't trade that for anything.
I love you Nelson!
That out of all the people in this world, I get to go through it with the man I love.
Life is crazy, and moves are even crazier. Marriages can surely be tested through such circumstances. Ours is no different.
Every laugh, tear, and frustration of this move, is made all the more memorable because I have the pleasure of sharing it with my husband. And I wouldn't trade that for anything.
I love you Nelson!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thing 19
We've had some unusual circumstances in which to get to know our neighbors. Hurricanes and kitchen disasters make that easy, I guess. From day 1 of the move-in, people have greeted us warmly. Really, we couldn't ask for anything better. I'm just thankful it wasn't winter with snow coming down, and a baby in my tummy at week 37!
One of my sweet neighbors invited me over for a brunch to meet some of the other neighbors on the block. How thoughtful is that? I wasn't about to refuse since most days I'm left talking to myself. Three hours of chatting, and a delicious meal, left my tummy and heart in "overflow" mode.
There was one conversation that was a first: talk of the bear that roamed the block last weekend. Trying to picture that happening in our previous location is a bit awkward. But here, while it's expected because of the landscape, it's a bit frightening to endure. Welcome to the country Lori!
The ladies are down to earth and so sincere. We're planning on beginning a book club, something that I sorely miss- (shout out to the Lexington Ladies!). Trips into NYC to explore/shop are also on the docket. Looks like we found the perfect place after all. Not that I had any doubts.
Remember these photos?
One of my sweet neighbors invited me over for a brunch to meet some of the other neighbors on the block. How thoughtful is that? I wasn't about to refuse since most days I'm left talking to myself. Three hours of chatting, and a delicious meal, left my tummy and heart in "overflow" mode.
There was one conversation that was a first: talk of the bear that roamed the block last weekend. Trying to picture that happening in our previous location is a bit awkward. But here, while it's expected because of the landscape, it's a bit frightening to endure. Welcome to the country Lori!
The ladies are down to earth and so sincere. We're planning on beginning a book club, something that I sorely miss- (shout out to the Lexington Ladies!). Trips into NYC to explore/shop are also on the docket. Looks like we found the perfect place after all. Not that I had any doubts.
Remember these photos?
We were confident that we'd been blessed on Lexington Rd. We trusted that God would do the same here. And He is. It will be different, but no less important.
The 19th thing I love about this move is that my neighbors are people I'd happily choose as friends.
Monday, October 3, 2011
The good and the bad
I could complain about all the little (or sometimes not so little) glitches I've had in the last few months. But where would that get me? Besides, I repeat so often to my children, the scripture "do everything without grumbling or disputing" that I have to follow it myself or risk becoming "that" mom.
Anyhow, back to my lovely Monday morning.
Good thing- it was a lovely crisp clear morning for running.
Bad thing- the air compressor at the local gas station was "out of order". My tire would hopefully wait for air.
Good thing- we made it to school in one piece. Car parked in the lot, this mom heads out for a run.
Bad thing- run finished, I come back to a car with only 3 tires inflated.
Good thing- I'm in a safe place, in the daylight and have no where to be for awhile.
Bad thing- car jack operation- enough said.
Good thing- roadside assistance comes to my rescue.
Bad thing- creepy roadside repairman- eeewwwww.
Good thing- my running legs could have me sprinting to safety if I was feeling creeped out too much.
Good thing- tire gets fixed and I was on my way to finish out the day's list of chores. Wait- is that a good thing???
Hope your Monday is as bright and sunny! Be thankful for the little things...
Anyhow, back to my lovely Monday morning.
Good thing- it was a lovely crisp clear morning for running.
Bad thing- the air compressor at the local gas station was "out of order". My tire would hopefully wait for air.
Good thing- we made it to school in one piece. Car parked in the lot, this mom heads out for a run.
Bad thing- run finished, I come back to a car with only 3 tires inflated.
Good thing- I'm in a safe place, in the daylight and have no where to be for awhile.
Bad thing- car jack operation- enough said.
Good thing- roadside assistance comes to my rescue.
Bad thing- creepy roadside repairman- eeewwwww.
Good thing- my running legs could have me sprinting to safety if I was feeling creeped out too much.
Good thing- tire gets fixed and I was on my way to finish out the day's list of chores. Wait- is that a good thing???
Hope your Monday is as bright and sunny! Be thankful for the little things...
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