Happy Mother's Day!

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10

Spring Dance

I know...you thought I'd call this post "Last Dance", didn't ya? No way will this be that girl's last dance! Last CO-OP dance maybe, but she has many more opportunities for dancing in her future ;) I just want to say that I'm so glad for the friends she met at co-op. A high school dance is usually very different from the ones we've experienced with this group of people. For one thing, there's lots of parents floating around! I know, you'd think that's weird, but the kids are so used to having parents around that they really don't care. I love that. I asked Kristen if she wanted me to go again this year and she said yes! Really, I think her favorite part is I take lots of pictures ;) It's pretty funny to see all the parents walking around taking pictures there lol.

Also, for the most part, I trust these kids. They're a good group. When your graduating class is 34 it's easy to know everyone! I also know alot of their parents too ;)

When I was taking the pictures at home today she said, "Are you going to put this on your blog?" Duh. So here they are:
Kristen's senior class:
Um do we know him?? Yes, yes we do.
Good friends:

Last Showcase

As I posted earlier, tonight was Kristen's last showcase. It's always a great show. There's a couple of theater performances and lots of songs that the sign language classes perform which is the most beautiful thing! It was bittersweet for both of us as I, too, will miss some people. But we had a great time! There's always an "after-party" so, for tonight, one of the co-op parents had arranged for CiCi's pizza to stay open late for us!

The choir is the only thing Kristen does that performs. She's been in it since we started four years ago and has loved every minute! The teacher is magnificent and the choir is huge so getting up in front of people is less intimidating that way ;) Here's my baby:
I cropped it so you all can find her ;) She in a light blue dress with a white sweater:
With some friends waiting:
The natives were restless:
Megan is playing her "air piano". She's REALLY good ;)

After with Grandma Diana:
And with some of the rest of us:
Best friends:

Her BIGGEST fans:
We love you, Kristen!

A Month of "Lasts"

Today is Kristen's last day of co-op and tonight is her last showcase...ever. It's so hard for me to believe we've been home schooling for 8 years! The time has really flown. No tears here...I'm saving that for her graduation ceremony ;)

In the beginning, I was very hands-on with her work. She was only in the fifth grade! That's the grade Brandon is in now! But through her high school years, I've slowly been giving her the reins in preparation for college. She actually just took them lol ;) This year, all I've done is pick her curriculum (with her input), and check in with her from time to time to make sure she's on track. She's all done with school after today except her Latin II which she'll finish up next week. I'm so proud of the way she's handled her time this year! She's very independent and hard working. I know she'll do well in college. Did I just say college? ugh

She has mixed feelings about today. She's so excited about the next phase of her life, but also sad to leave some of it behind. I get that. Completely. Ok there may be a few tears today...

Snakes, Frogs, and Friends

Last Friday we went to the park with some good friends and had a wonderful time! We headed there early since it was supposed to rain that day and we got very lucky! All the critters were out loving the weather and we made it to our cars right before the first rain drop! My kids LOVE Innis Woods which at first surprised me since there isn't a playground. It took a while for me to grasp the idea that the playground isn't their favorite part. They love to explore and see what they can find! Well, there was plenty for them last Friday! Here's a few pictures:

The frog pond:

Colin almost got it! He DID catch one though.


The rock garden:
Guess what they're trying to get a good look at?
mmhmm:
There are actually two snakes there! GAH!

The Secret Garden is always a crowd pleaser. It really is so beautiful.

Some water fun in the Sister's Garden:
Jenny's kids and Brandon and Nicholas loved this bridge! Megan took one look and was like, I'll go around ;)
Jenny, thank you for braving the potentially crappy weather and inviting us along!!

Who Can You Trust?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8

Overcoming Fear

Brandon's last Bible Drill competition was today. In the state competition, the kids in the children's division need to step forward (indicating that they know the answer and they only have 10 seconds in which to do this) 20 out of 24 opportunities to become a state winner and Brandon did it! He worked so hard all year learning the material and drilling, drilling, drilling! He was so nervous today, but there was such determination about him I knew he wouldn't back down. He gets that same look that his dad gets when there's a challenge ;) It was great to watch him up there. He was so pleased with himself!

Waiting for his group's turn to go up:
I got a picture of the big grin he flashed my way, but it turned out blurry :(

There were 4 children's groups this year; two NIV groups, a King James, and a Holman, our church does King James. Here they are with the other King James version competiters:
Here's a picture of the whole group. You can't see Brandon very well though, just his head peeking up a bit:
I have to put this one in here. At the drills, Megan would take out a hymnal and "drill" too!
How cute!

We are really so lucky and blessed to have the competitions at our church. Some of these kids had to drive quite a ways this morning. Everyone did well. It was so nice to see so many kids learning and putting to memory God's word!

The other catagory in the children's division is state perfect which means you stepped forward every opportunity. That sounds like a goal for next year!