First Day of School 2018

by Steph // Tuesday, August 14, 2018 // Comments off

It’s true.

Yesterday was our first day of school!!

Since we really keep at “school” like activities all summer long, it seems a little bit wrong to say “it was the first day of school.”

There is a huge shift in our school day come August, though!

Full time school is a much bigger thing!

We started the day yesterday with tradition.

I am sure you know first day of school tradition revolves around FOOD!

We are so predictable.

We had a special breakfast yesterday, thanks to Addie Mae who made the kiddos some donuts!

Another first day of school tradition is having a photo taken in front of the pie safe.

We have been taking first day photos in front of this cabinet since 2009!

First is Eliza Claire, six years old and in the first grade.

Next is Tate Owen, seven years old and in the 1st grade.

Then there is Lane Stevan, 10 years old and in the 5th grade.

Last, but never least, is Chad Ryan, 14 years old and in the 9th grade.

I would say that is one very good looking class of students!

And, YES, I have a high schooler again!!

I spent hours upon hours last week and over the weekend getting things ready for these cute kiddos – which was a BLAST!

I might be a bit of an organization and book freak!!

We are all looking forward to this school year very much!

The kiddos excitement for it all made my heart SO FULL.

Tate came running up the stairs this morning after his Daddy woke him up saying, “I am excited about school! I am excited about hand writing! I AM READY FOR ANYTHING, MOM!!”

Well, if that doesn’t do my heart good, I don’t know what will!

School year 2018-2019, you are off to a great start!

Here’s to many more days full of fun, excitement, and lots of learning!

And That’s A Wrap

by Steph // Saturday, August 11, 2018 // Comments off

School starts on Monday here at Twin Oaks, even though it still feels very much like summer.

It makes it seem that summer ended today though!

I don’t think the kiddos were inside at all today unless they were hungry or thirsty.

It was a GREAT summer day!

It also was HOT!

I asked Chad to gather his team and wash the van!

They had fun, got wet, AND got the van clean!

It also gave me a great reason to get out my camera!!

Cuties.

I love them so much!

I can hardly believe it is August, let alone the beginning of our school year!

I am very excited about this year ahead!!

Chad is in a play and has been practicing for weeks now.

We also will have some kiddos spending the day with us every Thursday!

Life is full and blessed!!

Summer 2018, we enjoyed you!!

But I am sure THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!

Happy 7th Birthday, Tate Owen!!

by Steph // Tuesday, August 7, 2018 // Comments off

Friday, August 3rd, was Tate’s seventh birthday!

HOW is that possible?!

Time is a thief, I tell ya!

We made a plan to celebrate this sweet boy on Sunday evening!

Sunday was a VERY full day!

Tate asked for Chop Chae for the meal of his choice.

No one was arguing with that!

We all love Chop Chae!

After cooking and then eating, it was time for presents!

Tate was slightly excited.

Just slightly!

Let this photo speak!

This was by far Tate’s FAVORITE gift!

He LOVES, loves, loves to sing.

And was singing with that microphone non-stop all day yesterday!!

Good job, Hannah!

They had quite the time with the hand bells Addie Mae gave Tate!

Time for some grasshopper pie!

Does the fact that I call mint chocolate chip ice cream cake grasshopper pie tell you how old I am?!

We, of course, sang a squeaky off key rendition of Happy Birthday to Tate first!

We spent the rest of the evening just being.

And enjoying the sweetest of times!

Seven.

I have to keep saying it.

It hasn’t sunk in.

Cause I want to keep them little forever.

And I want them to get big too.

Such conflict!!

Tate Owen, what a joy to celebrate your birthday!!

We are SO privileged to call you our son!!

Happy, happy birthday to our cheerful young warrior!!

A Public Declaration

by Steph // Monday, August 6, 2018 // Comments off

Several weeks ago our church announced their plan to have a baptism service yesterday, and right away Chad expressed interest in being baptized.

Blake and Chad spent time walking through a booklet from our Pastor, and then Chad was sure he wanted to share his testimony and be baptized.

What a joyous day!!!

There was a picnic after church at one park, and then everyone headed to Jersey Lake for the baptisms!

Chad was one of six that were baptized, and they gave their testimonies under the shelter before we all headed down to the water for the baptisms.

On Chad’s 4th birthday, while Blake was giving him a bath, Chad asked Blake questions about Jesus and His saving grace. Chad then prayed with Blake and I, asking Jesus into his heart – to put off his old self and become new – which is exactly what we have witnessed in Chad’s life – growth and fruit. We gathered all the kiddos together that special night and had extra ice cream to celebrate Chad’s salvation!!