Thanksgiving Feast Day

 Our little pilgrim and indian blessings...practicing our songs for the Christmas program.

 Talking about the first Thanksgiving...then reading a silly book.  "Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving" that had Miss K laughing and wondering if it was too scary.

 I looked up and laughed at the pictures.

 Singing "10 Little Indian Boys...and Girls" and quoting the little poem about "5 Little Turkeys...and then there were none".

 Between 250 to 300 people came for the annual Thanksgiving Feast...

 daycare and elementary students could dress up as pilgrims and indians.  The older students dressed up fancy.  Alisa won her grade's coloring contest.

 The choir sang a melody of Thanksgiving songs.

 A meal...and a quick turn around of our classroom to December and out of town we went.

We took 90 through Chicago and rolled merrily along with the rush hour traffic...we only lost about 45 minutes total with traffic slow downs!  Not bad...I was prepared for worse.  The clouds were rolling in with lake effect snow...but we were thankful only a few flakes were floating around...and we made it to Papa and Grandmas in 6 1/2 hours!  Now...just enjoying the chance to sit around, lay around, and rest.  Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends!

A short week...in pictures

 Oh. my. word!  I told Little C to stop for a minute so I could help clean off his face...he put up his hand and started singing..."Stop.  In the name of love befowe you bweak my hawt."  I snapped a picture of him and asked "Where did you learn that song?"  Not many 3 year olds sing songs from the 50s and 60s!  "Oh, my tousins taught me."

 Blizzard like conditions on Saturday for a half hour.  Within a 3 mile stretch I went from no snow at our house to white out conditions.

 Sweet treats made on Sunday afternoon...getting ready for our trip to Papa and Grandma's.

 A beautiful sunrise on Monday on the way to school.

 A quick trip to the post office during naptime and a swing through DD...a treat for the two Miss Ks...for surviving a Monday with 16 children.

Crashing on the couch...it is nice when the homework load is light!

I can't help it...

sometimes I laugh out loud and Miss K and I have to take a moment to collect ourselves!
"What month is it, boys and girls?"  It's Ectember!!!"
"What day is it today?"  "Tuesday!"  "That's right!  And tomorrow is Wednesday!"  Little J said,  "I don't like Hump Day!"
Little V asked Miss K after they finished counting to 19 (on the calendar), "Are you tired?"
"Ok, boys and girls, let's get the wiggles out...stretch...stretch up high to the sky!"  Little L said, "I can't reach that high.  I need to eat more vegetables!"
After making our way back to the classroom on our rope, Little N said, "Miss K, you are just like a horse pulling a wagon!"
"Did you have fun today at school?" Little A to her daddy, "I didn't have any fun because I didn't listen to my teacher and I lost a scoop."
Miss K to Little C, "Oh, thank you for sneezing all over my hand...again.  Miss K, can I have a wet wipe."  Little C beaming, "You're welcome, Miss K!"

I just love watching and listening to them sing!

We are working on our Christmas program song.  "Away In The Manger" is taken by the toddlers.  Miss K had talked about wanting to do a Christmas Around the World theme for one of our school weeks, so I jumped on that idea.  We picked a great song that fits our class..."Jesus Loves the Children of the World"!  We are adding two verses..."Jesus came for all the children of the world" and "Jesus died for all the children of the world".  Now...to work on costumes!

Not what we expected!

 Sunday night...the ferocious winds moved into Michigan!  The kiddos were moving to their rooms to get ready for showers and the livingroom window exploded!  Our hearts skipped a beat and we peeked around the corner to see the curtain billowing and the light crashing to the floor.  At first...we weren't sure what was happening!  I wondered which windows were next!  We feel like we live in a tin can and during storms you think about the vulnerability of mobile homes...double-wide is not even comforting!

 One of our neighbors roofs was in bad repair...and the shingles were flying through the air!  One found its mark on our livingroom window.  Actually, there are shingle (tar) marks on both windows and the screen door window!  God was good and only one shattered.  We fought with the wind to cover it up using some green insulation board, Gorilla glue duct tape, and screws.  We left the mess till morning light and basically didn't sleep a wink!  The wind died down a little but still gusted!

 Both Ted and I took off work to clean up the mess and fix the window.  I hate broken glass...it scares me!  But with less wind, it was safer to work in front of the window!  Ted cleaned up the majority while I took the kiddos to school.

 Here is our commercial for Gorilla glue duct tape!  It held!!!  Yet...came off when we needed it to and didn't break the other window!

 Ted measured and remeasured and went to buy the glass.  After the second trip...because the glass cutter didn't measure twice!! He was off 1/16 of a inch...which was very frustrating holding the glass as the winds continued to gust...and then have to wrap it up and drive back to Mr. Grumpy Glass Man.

 The window is in.  We finally warmed up.  No more flying shingles...yet...we winced at every noise yesterday!

Today...men are fixing their roof!  I hope it isn't just a fix...they needed a whole new roof!!!  With rain and snow coming this week, I'm relieved they got someone to come today!  One family's poor choice of not fixing their trouble spots cost us one window, a couple moments of heart damage, loss of sleep, a day off work times two, duct tape, some caulk, and a little blood...Ted cut himself.  Really...just a little blip on the frustration screen when we compare it to what families lost in central Illinois and other towns!  It was a good lesson to our children...and a great reminder to us...God is still good!  He is God of the good times, the bad times, and every time in between!

Junior Convention Pieces for 2013

Lots of nerves...but they all were able to do what they worked so hard for...and lessons were learned.  I found out that I hold my breath when our children do things...hands get clammy...heart gets jittery...and then the lump in my throat comes! 

Another week is over!

 I started  my week out with a sweet treat and this neat card from my secret sister.  What a wonderful thought to contemplate all week!

 Ohhh....we so enjoy the fireplace on cold nights!

 Our first measurable snowfall on Monday night...came in at about one inch.

 A neat way to end the week...

 such pretty decorations...

 a young looking set of grandparents...

 I got to sneak in for the program because our kiddos were down for naps.  What a blessing to hear the students sing!  Several grandparents were able to join the fun for the afternoon...Papa and Grandma were able to come.  We are looking forward to Grampy and Grammy coming at Christmas time!

 The last song made me cry...by the time I walked back to class...it was more like choking back sobs!  We are blessed with dear parents who make wonderful grandparents!  So thankful for the legacy that our family is blessed with...I never want to take it for granted!

Junior Convention 2013

 Early morning check in!  We got up at 5am to leave our house shortly after 6am...because I had two girls who "forgot" their instruments at school on Thursday night.  Not one of their finer moves...so there was no more practice to be done.

 Lots of kiddos and projects and nerves and such!  We got on the road about 6:40 and drove for almost 3 hours to Evart, Michigan.

 I had the company of dear ladies who were a blessing to me.  We drank coffee and watched the clouds roll over...but it never rained or snowed.  God gave us a beautiful partly cloudy yet cool day!

 The church/school that hosted the convention was packed with nervous students, parents, teachers, and judges.  They worked so hard to make it a nice day.

 WCS small ensemble sang "Can He, Could He, Would He".

 Teddy was part of the recorder ensemble that played "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow".

The girls played their duet "Come Thou Fount".  They were very nervous and forgot to introduce themselves!  Whoops!

 Teddy preached on David and Goliath.

 Yummy lunch...homemade rolls for sandwiches, chili, and baked goods.

 Teddy participated in 3 on 3 basketball game...played outside!  A little chilly!

 This man led the day...

 and honored the lady who headed up this event with her husband for the last twenty-two years.  Her husband is now in heaven and his ministry continues in the lives of a hundred plus children.

 Alisa got medals for her tote bag and duet with her sister!

 Ashlynn got a medal for her flute solo.

Teddy got medals for preaching and playing the recorder.  It was a very long day, but it was a blessing to see so many young people using the talents God gave them.  They are still learning and being stretched...and so are their parents!