She said go

Amanda suggests (exhorts?) us to go to church.  Yes, let's.

See ya' tomorrow.  We'll be at the early service.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,  not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near

Hebrews 10:25

1st Day of school and Homeschool Hooky!

Our local public schools got back in the swing of things Monday.  We follow the public school schedule, more or less.  In the past it has worked out well to be off when they are off - play days! - and on when they are on.  But on the first day of school, we play hooky! 

 We have friends who like playing hooky, too.

Why do we play hooky?  Just because we can!

So Tuesday was our first real day of school. 

During our breaks, we often take time to pet our mascot.

We were hoping to avoid this...

...but at least we are still smiling!

We'll see those pearly whites again in about 10 months. 

Read the directions

A couple of weeks ago while we were in Orlando, we visited IKEA.  Earthgirl and I had fun roaming among the IKEA-designed showrooms upstairs, and then grabbing office and kitchen goodies downstairs.  We never have really spent as long as we want in IKEA.  We've been twice to the store in Atlanta and twice to the one here in central Florida, but always there is a schedule to keep.  It's probably just as well - I'd probably try to redo the whole house if I had more time.

We picked up 3-slot document organizers; one in steel for me, and one painted white for her.  It seemed like a good tool project for her, so we grabbed screwdrivers and sat in the middle of the floor reading directions.  I use the term, "reading" lightly, because the directions were all pictures.  They made me think of Science Geek's recent post.  I wonder if she can interpret this one?

This was such a simple project - 6 screws, screw them part-way in, then come back when all are in place and tighten. Great practice.

Here are the finished products. 

Golden Week

Make new friends but keep the old;

one is silver, the other gold.

We love living here.  We are blessed with a comfortable house, a loving, happy, spiritual church, a supportive homeschool community, and less traffic than our everyday experience living in the Orlando area, and before that, the Atlanta area.  We've been here six years now.  It's silver. 

Last week we spent some time with  friends with whom we share a bit more history. Earthgirl and I went to our old church in the Orlando area, and spent a week with their Super Summer Singin' Funner music daycamp.  I had a blast reconnecting with friends, many I've know for almost 20 years.  Earthgirl endured grown-up after grown-up remembering her babyhood. 

My old friends there are beyond special to me.

These friends surrounded us with love and support through YEARS of barrreness.  These friends REJOICED when we learned we were expecting.  Grown men cried with joy on our behalf.  Then when we lost that first baby through miscarriage, these friends didn't just feel sorry for us; they MOURNED with us.  They wrapped themselves around us and helped us carry a heavy burden of grief. 

Then when we learned Earthgirl was coming, they rejoiced again, but like we did - carefully, praying every step of the way.  And when she was born, they rejoiced and thanked God for His grace to us.  Grown men cried. Again.  And even now, they call her their Miracle Baby, born in the 15th year of our marriage, when we were both 40 years old.  I hope will never forget the intense years we spent there, and how God gave us friends, just ordinary folks, who cared for us in an extraordinary way.

It's gold.

Proverbs 27: 10 tells us that "better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away."  Our family was all a state or more away from us while we waited for Earthgirl.  Our neighbors who were near stood in for them, and became our family.   

Tying up Summer

This has been the Summer of Tie Dye over here.  I've posted 3 times about it on my Sm'Arties blog.  Come over and see what we have been up to!