A Big One!

Someone turned 40 last week. A picture of what was our home town for most of the past 12 years had been requested when we moved away from there last fall. I took some then, but had never gotten around to printing and framing one, so here it is. The picture doesn't do it justice. It turned out very nicely and is now hanging in a place of prominence in our home.

Art for the guys

Geoff and Little G both went out of town the same weekend. These little cards were made to send notes with them on, tucked away in their bags various places. A page from an old book was glued down, then painted, sprayed, written on, etc. (Basically, I used the opportunity to play.)Capturing this moment of Little G packing up for his first time away from home alone. We learned at the dentist yesterday that he is about to lose his last baby tooth! Awwww.Saying goodbye to Geoff before he headed out on an out-of-country business trip a few weeks ago.

Week in the Life - Day 2

So far so good on this little project. The big highlight of today was soccer for everyone. It has been fun to see the improvements they all have made since they last played. We also used the grill for the first time since last fall. It was a beautiful day! The lilac bushes have buds. There are only a few little bits of snow left here and there.

Grateful Day 8: H

Helpful, housecleaning, home schooling husbands!

Milestone moment

The "wee one" (who is becoming less and less "wee" every day) has now accomplished the feat of riding a bike. As can be seen here, at the moment it involves quite a workout for Dad, who has to run along with her to help her stop since the bike is too big for her (and also helps her get started). She is riding her uncle's old bike. Remember banana seats?

This is how I learned to ride - on gravel without pads and helmets.

He did it! Congratulations, Geoff!!! We're proud of you!

We have had a full and wonderful weekend celebrating Geoff's graduation from Phoenix Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in Counseling and Family degree.This is the culmination of 6 years of going part time (except for the year we were in another state), while still working and maintaining family life and everything else that came along.

This is a day we had been looking forward to for some time, especially the last few months, though I hadn't really had (or taken) the time to mentally process what it all meant until the past 24 hours.

There is so much to be grateful to God for: Safety in all the traveling back and forth to Phoenix on a weekly basis over those years; Geoff's diligence in studying; not having debt; for all the family and friends who came from near and far to be with us and so many who supported us in various ways over the past 6 years.

We've been thinking about the statistics involved:

Approximately 71,000 miles of driving (about 290 miles round trip), 2100 hours in the car, 1500 hours of class time, 94 credit hours. Our first-born has tripled in age. We've added a family member, changed jobs and churches, been away for a year. And just this past month, we passed on the '93 Infiniti he drove for that whole period with 201, 000+ miles on it.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin:A word from the president: Spouses were included in the ceremony. He graduated with "highest honor."Wayne Grudem praying for the graduates:Family came from near and far:Some who made the 5 hour round trip drive to be there:More family:And a nice reception afterwards:There was a breakfast for the graduates at the seminary Friday morning at 8am. We left our home at 5:30am and met Grandma there, who took the kids and kept them busy for a few hours. After that, we met back up with them and were eventually joined by my mom and dad who flew in from Indiana that morning, for lunch. The kids went swimming for a bit, then had some quiet time (and a little nap for L) while Geoff went to the rehearsal. We all met up again at the graduation a little before 7pm and got back to the hotel at 10:15pm. As you can see, this one was wiped out.