He is there...sitting in the Driver's Ed car...

 and I am sitting in our vehicle getting all teary!  My last baby...is now to this phase of life!  Where has the time gone?

Lately...all my time is being spent in a van...driving here and there and everywhere...taking our chair fillers to work and appointments and to classes.  I have found two new coffee places and a fun treat place to go while I wait...so when people come for a visit...I have some new places to visit!  That is...if I will be able to have the keys to our vehicles!  Ha ha ha

Staying home...and it is driving the kiddos crazy!

I feel like "just a  mom" again!  It has taken me all week to unwind and just rest.  We see all the fun pictures of everyone on spring break trips...and here we are...in the cold, snowy Michigan.  Attitudes around me have struggled.  But I needed this!  My mental state depended on just stopping and resting.  I have cooked and baked.  I have taxied kiddos around to various places.  I have netflix  binged.  I have played hostess. I have cleaned, a little.  I have read 2 1/2 books that have nothing to do with personal growth and education.  I have sat and stared out the window.

 I keep hearing "we should have done this" or "we could have done that".  Call me the dream squasher...no, we could not!  You see, Dad is traveling for his job again and the teenagers have now all acquired jobs that have training dates and schedules.  "You wanted a job...now welcome to adulthood!  You can't just call off to go off here or there, that is not dependable nor responsible."

 Yep, for some reason, I am the "bad guy" as I remind them the choices we have made as a family.  But then...yesterday...we all ended up around the table eating lunch at a reasonable and respectable time for lunch...chatting and laughing.  I think we are so used to going and doing and going...that we have forgotten how to just be still and rest!  I know it is hard as a teenager...but we did have plans Tuesday and Wednesday that included fun and other people.

 There are many options to occupy our time...some involving school prep and work, some chores, and some leisure activities!  Notice the craft supplies that I purchased still sitting in the same spot...grrr!

 So here is to staying home this spring break!  The weather hasn't been totally nice for outside fun...well...Velle has loved it!  "Everyone else" is having fun.  We have so much to be thankful for...and we have been given the opportunity to practice that this week.  When we go back to school next week, life picks up speed as we finish the school year and start jobs in earnest.  I, for one, am starting to have panic attacks when I think about all that has to happen in six weeks (I shouldn't have done lesson plans quite yet...now all I can think of is school stuff.).  We longed for spring break just two weeks ago.

We have it right now...and it is almost gone.  I will do all I can to savor the last few hours of rest at home...in the peace, quiet, and calm...with my hot cup of coffee and a little dog curled up on my lap.

Sports Award Banquet of 2018

 Soccer team awards and memories with Coach Nestor.

 Basketball team and memories with Coach Stille.

 The Senior players...we are going to miss these 7!  I have enjoyed getting to know them a little more as I have be subbing for the English classes.

Easter and spring break 2018

 What a blessing Easter services were again this year!  It is always hard to get up early for the 7am service.

 The only picture I took of our family Easter...our dessert of individual lemon pound cake with fresh strawberries.

 A Monday visit with Uncle Sean...the big D airport was busy on Monday with different family members headed to various parts.

 Our spring break is being spent at home...catching up on sleep, household duties, girls starting new jobs, and time with friends.

 And while various family members enjoy warmer temps...we are getting snow today!  It looks to be short lived...the skies are clearing and the sun is trying to shine.  I am watching the robins hop around the yard.  If you listen carefully through the howling wind bursts...you can hear the birds singing!  Spring is coming!

Big kids and little kids...

 they have kept me busy this week!

 they have made me proud this week!

they have made me laugh this week!  Yeah for sleeping in for a little while on Saturday!!!

Well...that is just...nice!

Ted got home from Atlanta on Friday morning.  We were so glad to have him home.  Ted and I had a school gathering, so the kiddos were hanging out at home with cousin and friend.  Ted went to pick up pizza...turns out...it was an expensive pizza!

Crazy person in a full size van side-swiped him as he was in the center line getting ready to head home.  The driver hit the van and kept going.  He pulled over to assess the damage and since the driver left he came home.  No internal damage was done.  No person was injured.  And for that we will be grateful!  As for the other nonsense...that was a bitter pill to swallow.  Our friends at Maaco are taking care of things this week for us.  God knows the confusion and frustration of this situation.  We are thankful for protection and provision.  We are thankful for a teachable moment for our soon to be new drivers.  The girls are getting their courage up to take the road test.  And now Teddy will be starting Driver's Ed mid-April!  How. is this. even. possible?

Happy First Day of Spring!!!

Stretching my brain these days!

 In the morning, I am the K5 teacher.  We have lots of fun!  For the last few days, I am the junior high and high school substitute teacher.  Last week was rough...but rewarding.  This week has been easier...for the sheer fact that I am getting used to working full time again!  Ha ha ha!  I am glad that I can help out when there is a need...and I enjoy spending time with the "big kids"!

 I appreciate their attitudes as we have worked to get things back on track for them.  It is hard when "their teacher" is gone.  I have worked with them to follow things as close as possible.  I was nervous about how our chair fillers would feel about the whole idea, but they have been helpful and kind to their teacher-mom.  We are working on research papers...NOT my favorite subject...BUT I know it is an important one for them...so I am doing the extra work to be prepared to help!

I have to admit...my comfort zone is with my little friends in Kindergarten!  And I am so proud of the progress they have made this year!  We took the vowels and the special sounds and built big words again today...each time it gets easier for them.  Hooray Kinders!

More snow...lingering sickness...and teenagers

 I love the four seasons.  I really do!  And snow is pretty and quiet...and then...wet and cold and tiring!  We have had enough for the year...in my estimation, but God, evidently doesn't agree.

 The wintry mix didn't even bring us a snow day this time!  All the snow had melted.  We had a taste of spring-like weather and now... it is all covered up again!  I watched a robin hop around in one of our trees...the snow falling from above and below him...and I couldn't even get a picture.  I saw another robin sitting in the tree by where I park our van every day...but I had gloves on my hands and snow in my eyes and missed another photo opportunity of the first glimpses of the robin's return.  Then I found out that some robins stay around Michigan all winter long!  "You can tell by their size, coloring, and the fluffier looking feathers."

 We counted down the days in K5 today...13 till the official first day of spring!  We are looking forward to the change of seasons!  But first...we have to make it through the loss of the hour this weekend.  I'm already struggling with sleep...and wanting more sleep...trying to kick the cold germs out of our house and out of my body.  I think my little friends are working against me!  Actually...I know they are.  Germs. are. floating. and. landing. everywhere.  Tuesday was a day full of nasty germs, and this K5 teacher had to power through and do what needed to be done!
Sometimes...it is really hard to keep going and do what needs to be done.  But we do it...because we are trying to be good examples to our chair fillers.  Part of the tiredness comes from helping them deal with life.  We have experienced growing pains in the last couple of weeks and it makes daily life hard.  The struggle is real.  Life gets messy.  But how thankful I am for that still small voice that speaks peace and stability into our lives!  1 Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
Thankful for the help of the teenagers that live with us.  They continue to stretch our faith and dependance on God as individuals and as parents.  They continue to challenge us to stay faithful.  They keep us going when we'd rather not. They help us when they'd rather not.
We've all been sniffling and aching along through the week.  We are ready for some sun and healthy feelings to come back to Michigan!  Maybe Ted will bring sunshine from Mexico back in his suitcase!  When is spring break?

A busy month

 We have all taken our turns at being sick.  Ashlynn went down the hardest.  She did have some periods of alertness and tried to keep up with her college course...always with Velle close by her.

 Ted has been traveling A LOT.  We are always so thankful for our time when he is at home!

 We are getting ready for another year with open house and enrollment at school!

 Teddy is gearing up for a new gig...he took the class and the tests to be a soccer ref.  He has all his gear and is ready to get his first assignments!

We enjoyed Spirit Week and the ending of the basketball season.

Our kiddos are busy learning and studying.  I am overwhelmed at the thought of moving into the new phase of having a senior, junior, and sophomore...it makes it real when I have to fill out paper work for re-enrollment.

 We had fun with a Valentine party and my class encouraged me to try Faygo cotton candy pop.  "It is really good. You will like it!"  It tasted like cream soda.

 We enjoy time with cousins and the crazy that ensues around the dinner table!  "Can you just be quiet for a second so I can think!?"  6 teens with senses of humor, noise, laughter, and questions...equals 2 moms fighting insanity.

 And we found the Easter bunny!  Who knew he lives at Walmart!?!

Another big snow

 It has been Velle and I home alone for the last three days.  Ted is in Mexico...where it is warm, ok, hot.  The kiddos on a trip to BJU where it is warm.  And Velle and I are staying cozy at home in another Michigan winter wonderland of white!  Today...Saturday...we are thankful for blue skies, sun, and melting snow as the warm weather trekkers head home.

We have done just fine!  But it will be nice to have our family home...but we will have to share the ice cream!