Summer has officially begun for us!

Today...I'm done! The kiddos are done!  Tomorrow night...the Seniors are done!  We are getting ready to celebrate Allie Mae's graduation with Grampy and Grammy here to help too.  Amid all the partying and end of the year fun...remembering to be kind.

K5 Program Clips 2016

K5 Graduation 2016

 Ready...or not!  I am so thankful for our children!  They were a great help to me...setting up, tearing down, moving, baking, supporting, loving, and taking pictures!

 The Kinders came in so crazy and excited it took a while to get them to settle down...

 then a relative to two of my Kinders who does professional photography wanted to snap a couple pictures...but it was time to go on and the Kinders wouldn't settle down to listen...we went running down the hallway...and thankfully...Mr. Ice was still talking!  I have never heard them sing like they did...and they have done great previously!  I started to cry during one point and had to stammer through to the next point.

 In my last post, I stated that the Kinders would be scared and more serious.  OH NO!  I was wrong!  It was like they were plugged in and electricity was charging through them.  The little boy who is standing...kept jumping up to answer...just like he does every day in class...even though he knew everyone would get a turn to talk.  I walked through the group with the mic...a little  more than I planned to whisper direction to my squirrely students.  It was like they didn't see or hear me.  My Kinders who I could count on to answer my questions...clammed up...and I had to ask someone else to help them.

 They did everything they were supposed to do and then some!  I sat watching and listening thinking...I can't get their attention...I can't stop this crazy behavior...Oh. My.  Well...this is exactly how it was everyday...the only exception...was the lack of my marker chart.  Every child's personality came out in the program and during the graduation portion too.

 Verses, poems, songs, and fun with our subjects!

My heart is full of relief...blessing...relief...thankfulness...relief...parents and grandparents were thrilled with the evening!  The Gospel was shared clearly!  Nobody fell on or off the stage or got sick!  The biggest blessing to my heart...having Uncle Pastor, the leader of our ministry, sit down beside me as we waited for the class picture and tell me what a wonderful program it was...knowing what a difficult week it was for me.  God is good to His children...and when we need His help, strength, and grace...He gives freely...every. single. time!

Last week of K5 snapshots

 As each day passed...they got more excited and crazier!  This was Monday!

 I enjoyed coming home each afternoon and hanging outside with Velle...beautiful weather and quiet!

 I was told that I could bake all the cookies that I would need for our reception..."you don't need that on your plate."  Ummm...yes...I took that on as a challenge!  My husband is gone...kiddos have studying...I need to keep my hands and mind busy.  Watch me!  I had a vision for what I wanted and I knew I could do it frugally and homemade is always better.  Two double batches of my Kinders favorite kinds of cookies...chocolate chip and sugar cookies with sprinkles.  I purchased the other two favorites...Oreos and Letter/Number shaped animal crackers.  It proved to be great therapy for a stress-filled week!

 Every practice was filled with different troubles and trials and ramped up squirrelyness (a new word)!  "It is fine.  I won't worry about it too bad...they will be scared to death on Friday night and will listen and perform just fine.  It will be fine!  They know what to do...we've been working on all of these things all year!"

 Our work was done!  After practices and a couple review papers each day...time outside!  Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful week of weather so we could go outside!

 Mr. Ice pulled off our last chain link on Friday!  Oh the noise!!!

 These Kinders miss nothing!  Friday morning I added a graduation cap to Obe Careful.

 Extra time to do our fun puzzles and play games...and just enjoy playing with their friends.

 Last day of pledges...look how nice they stand!  I wish I would have snapped a first day picture!  Note to self...first day verses last day!

 Great real life picture of how I was feeling on Friday!  God gave me some wonderful people to stop and offer a helping hand and encouraging words.  Satan was working hard to steal my joy in the ministry He has given me!  The Gospel was an important part of our program...and he wanted it to not be effective!

Months and weeks of preparation...everything came out of the boxes and bags.  I know the Kinders will be excited!  God gave me the strength to finish this year strong.  I am praying the Lord will use the program to be an encouragement to the parents and families that entrusted their children to my care this year.

Saturday night blessing

The Torchmen Quartet from Ontario, Canada, came to our church for a concert Saturday night (May14).  It was a blessing to my heart as we took time out to sit and listen to words of truth!  I felt refreshed as we readied for a really busy week!

Spring Spectacular 2016

 On Thursday night, the Junior high and High school performed their MACS pieces, as well as, the band playing and choirs singing.  I forgot to snap a picture of Alisa playing the kazoo in their choir piece.  The band was super!  I was waiting for someone to pass out during their last number...Adrenaline Engines.

 The Senior high choir sang "God of Heaven" and it was beautiful!

Teddy was hysterical!  He performed "Poof, No Eyebrows" and had the crowd laughing.  I tried videoing...but I kept shaking while I laughed.  I've heard and watched and critiqued him numerous times...and it was the best!  He was able to relax and just have fun with it...no one watching for missed words and such.  I was so proud of all three of our kiddos...knowing the effort and work put into these type of events.  Uncle Brad and Aunt Mari laughed...knowing full well..."Teddy, I see you and Caden doing the exact same things...and it scares me!"  A fun night with some very talented teens!  Sad to see seven Seniors leave...but there at many underclassmen that are ready to step into the open spaces.

Mother's Day 2016

 I was spoiled by all my loves!  I am so thankful for Ted and his leadership in our family.  I am thankful for our children who are growing up...so quickly...see!

 Velle decided she wanted to share my afternoon coffee...but I didn't let her.  That is the last thing she needs...more liquid and caffeine!

Friday night date with my kiddos...

 thanks to Dad!  Ted was traveling back from a week in Mexico, so missed this fun night.  We took off and found a place to eat supper...a clean, well-run Kentucky Fried Chicken...SCORE!  It was fresh and hot.

 Teddy was full of wit and wisdom.  "This is a spork!"  Ash tried to match him...and failed.

 Fast food photography...a shot down Teddy's straw.  He has a creative streak too.

 The reason for an early supper...tickets to the Tim Hawkins event in Troy!  Our kiddos really enjoy his humor...actually, we all do.

Reading the trivia questions before the performance...Teddy knew several of the answers...which surprised me.

 Our chair-fillers spent most of their time watching me for my reaction...I was laughing till I cried all my eye make-up off.  My throat, stomach, and head hurt by the time the night was over!

 He talked about things Moms say..."Enough is enough."  Oh. my. word.  He went on about Aldi and off brand foods that Moms buy.  He sang the song about yoga pants.  He talked about the Minnesota accent.  The ladies behind us laughed and would restate phrases (often mis-quoting...which was funny too) but it was their laugh that made us laugh more.

 I sure enjoyed our time together.  I am surrounded every day by three comedians...and another one was home when we came home!

Preparations for K5 graduation have been in full swing for awhile now...

 Alisa is always willing to offer a helping hand!  I am so thankful!

 My Kinders have worked diligently all year and the parts of our program are coming together.

 My favorite thing we are doing...The Twelve Months of Michigan...to the familiar Christmas tune.

 We learned about our state at the beginning of the year and then I found a book on our teacher get-a-way...and the Kinders love it!  We added props and it is funny...because they make it funny.

Graduation is NEXT week! Gulp...breathe...sigh...we made it through our year!

Quiet moments in our busy week

 It was a little chilly in the house on Tuesday night...so we had a fire.  It was the first fire we have had in a long time.  We had to remind Velle to "stay back" and "hot".

 We put together our Teacher Appreciation treats and wrote notes...and got to enjoy a smore dessert for ourselves.

Like all parents with children...

we are going through some growing pains.  I saw this posted the other day and thought, "Ouch! Yikes...what did I say today?!"  As a teacher, I use Sharpie markers all the time...and often have marks on my hands...quite noticeable and takes awhile to disappear.  I carry the object lesson around in my bag every day!
Sometimes those times of correction and instruction can get a little heated and tense...I don't want my words to be ugly.  I don't want my words to mark the hearts of our children...bruising and slashing.
At the same time, children must be reproved and rebuked and exhorted.  Teenagers don't know it all.  They don't think right...about many things.  They are still figuring out...a lot.  They make big mistakes and little ones that become big!  James 1 is a great chapter for teenagers and parents!
I think one of the hardest things to do is watch your children suffer the consequences of their choices.  I will not be their friend.  I will tell them when they are wrong.  I can't protect them.  I won't run interference for them...even though my mother's heart wants to help them not suffer.   This week...twice...I have had to stand back and "let the chips fall where they may"...and I battled the desire to prevent the falls.  On the other hand, we have reproved, rebuked, and exhorted...and it is like they are not listening...so you get what you get!
Our children have been taught right from wrong since they were little bitties.  They have a Dad that challenges them with Bible truth and real life examples.  They have a Mom who reminds them of the truth that Dad has put before us.  But truth is, we all still fall short.
Our desire is for our children to learn from their mistakes...and for Dad and Mom to use gracious words that encourage them as they grow...so that they may be mature, stable, strengthened, and settled human beings (I Peter 5:10)...who made it through the teenage years with cheerful endurance!

Spring break fun

 We enjoy the times we get to hang out with cousins!  We did quite a bit of that over spring break.  The girls kept the cousins company...on the couch...as they were recovering from having their wisdom teeth out.

 The boys kept busy outside doing all matter of boy stuff that included dirt and grease and bullets.

 Alisa took a break from movies and reading to craft...enticing the other girlies to join for a short while.

 And then...we saw them on the front sidewalk...oh. my. word.  Quite amusing to us and to all that drove by...I am sure!

 The girls took time out to do a little shopping...

 while the boys went paint balling in snow flurries!

 Mari and I got to spend a couple different days together enjoying sister fun...which always includes some sort of caffeinated beverage!  We liked the cups we got to use at a new coffee place...how did the gal know!?!