Joshua 24:16

"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Brooks & Tucker at SkyWild

For Brooks' 11th Birthday we gave the gift of 2 tickets to SkyWild. He chose to take Tucker and they dominated the courses. So great to see you boys having so much fun together. 

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx3idRPQuig



Horse Camp 2016

You were so blessed to be able to return to Dram Catcher Stables this year to kick off your summer!  Anna Sasser went with your this year and you enjoyed every minute of working around the barn and riding. You are a natural. 

Videos of you riding:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rrY9db9hdg



Thursday, June 2, 2016

End of 3rd & 5th

I have already written a special graduation note to Brooks. How has another year flown by?  The Lord graciously and patiently has continued to guide us and show us His plan to keep you guys at GA. What an amazing school.

I have no regrets about these years. I simply want to go back and relive all of them. How amazing the opportunities have been. How rich and full of joy and fulfillment to pour into so many lives. I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for your teachers and friends. The road will be hard ahead but you are both growing into wonderful young people who know and love the Lord.

I would relive every second if I could and snuggle you up. You bring us such great joy and delight. We love being your parents. 

You both completed this year with all A's again!!! Wow!  We are so proud of you both. Your hard work and applying yourselves is so clear. 


Landry with Mrs. Finch, Mrs. Gilbride for Move Up Math and Mrs. Tripp for Move Up Reading has had a great year of growth and just loves school so much.


Brooks with his rotation of teachers has continued to develop and mature and has a gentle heart in accepting what the Lord gives him. That is beautiful. You are both growing in your maturity and showing your deep love and appreciation for each other and our family. I love you both.

I will always treasure and deeply cherish the car rides (and a few walks) to and from school. Morning devotions at the island. Praying in the car. A hug plus a cheek and then mouth kiss every day as we driving through carpool lanes. And the new addition this year of Brooks and I always exchanging our 4-finger wave good bye. Thank you both for these memories and traditions. Walking up to pick you up every afternoon- do you know I do that because I literally cannot wait to get my hands in you?  What could be better than embracing you and looking you directly in your eyes with a smile each afternoon?

I am so very thankful for the opportunity of staying at home with you so that all these treasure can be ours. That amazing hug you gently give me Brooks with that sweet smile. The fact that you hug and kiss me no matter the setting is refreshingly bold and loving. Landry smiles the worlds biggest smile and wraps me in a hug that almost knocks me down!  Thank you Jesus!  My cup overflows and I am blessed beyond measure. 

Brooks' 5th Grade Graduation

Wow!  Can you believe this day has arrived?!  Brooks, I am so proud of you.  Today has been a true celebration of the past 6 years at Greensboro Academy.  The Lord has blessed us immensely by opening the door for you and Landry to attend such a prestigious school.  And, I am very thankful that He made it clear to us earlier this year that you were to stay at Greensboro Academy rather than homeschool.  



Today was so fun.  Watching you and your classmates being recognized for your accomplishments and seeing how much you have all grown and changed over the years.  Delightful!  Today you were recognized for another year of A Honor Roll the whole year.  You were also selected to read a poem you wrote yourself.  You are a gifted writer and poet, having composed this awesome piece during a few minutes window when we had put you to bed.  You did a truly great job with delivering your creative and witty words.

Video of your Poem:





These years at GA have been precious and so fulfilling.  We have watched you grow from a small, fresh-faced little boy to a young man who is confidently ready for Independence Hall and Middle School.  You are ready.  I have seen so many loving, wise, Christian adults pour into your life and I am seeing the fruits of their labor and the work on the Holy Spirit in you.  I see your character growing stronger and more solid with the rising challenges and obstacles that you take head on.  You have the ability to "roll with it" and keep life in perspective.  When relationships ebb and flow, you are able to keep a healthy perspective.



We love that you are not in a hurry to grow up!  Oh, how I treasure that about you.  Just this afternoon, you and Landry watched Veggie Tales.  You know you have it made, love our family and being in our home and that is a great attribute to appreciate where you are now and not always be chasing the next thing.  I pray you will keep this perspective.  Gratitude and Contentment with what the Lord has blessed you with.

This was a unique year for you in that you had Mr. J who is an amazing and creative teacher and yet you were separated from your 2 best buddies, Eli and Jonathan.  Eli and Jonathan were in a different class together but honestly, you really rolled with it.  You took it in stride and broadened your relationships.  When you were not with them, you recognized the opportunity to reconnect with other friends.  Also, at times this year when the opportunity has presented itself, you have shown grace to those who have intentionally hurt you.  That is very hard to do.  The days and years ahead will be woven with hurt, disappointment and sometimes loneliness.  We are promised by the Lord troubles, yet you are also promised a way of escape and His presence during those times to be stronger and more reliant on Him.  "Independence" Hall does not reflect my prayer for who you are.  Grow more dependent on Jesus.  Only Jesus.  He will not leave you hurt, disappointed or lonely.


What a ride!  6 years of Elementary School.  You are 1/2 way through school and 2/3 of the way through growing up in our home.  What joy you have brought us!  We have had so many precious  moments and memories together.  Spending time with you from the moment you were born.  Having the blessing of truly getting to know who you are has been the greatest joy of my life.  Reading, puzzles and games are how we spent so much of your early years and clearly were the first glimpse into you the strong student you would become.  You loved to read long before you ever set foot in a school.  The opportunity to volunteer so much in your classrooms as Moral Focus Coach and Chair, Classroom Mom and endless options for workshops and activities has been a blast!  Daddy enjoys volunteering and serving on the GA Board.  Being able to have a true impact on decisions and the inner workings of your school has been a wonderful opportunity to share our hearts for children and loving them well.

The days have sometimes been long for both of us.  Early mornings, long hours, homework, other activities - yikes.  We used to joke "it's Thursday" when the tears would come.  They have certainly been long for Landry when you were at school and she would eagerly await your return.  Countless hours spent in car pool, especially in the afternoons when she and I would read.  Every minute was so worth it.  I long for having that time back and yet I know it was what the Lord had planned for you and for us.  That little girl adores you more than you will ever be able to understand.  Something so special between a little sister and her big brother.  Such a unique and lovely bond, so gentle and pure.  She cannot get enough of you.  Treasure her!  She sat through so many Moral Focuses and volunteer hours I put into your classrooms before she ever got there.  She loved it!  Being with you has always been great for her.



Kindergarten with Mrs. Hicks and Helping Hands Fridays.
 1st Grade with Miss Granger.  2nd Grade with Mrs. Gray and becoming a Published Author, becoming close friends with Jonathan all while also enjoying afternoons with Mrs. Gray reading to you guys.  3rd Grade with Miss Regeis with Jonathan and beginning Move Up Math with Mrs. Gilbride.  4th Grade with Mrs. Gilbride trying to climb out of her window and throwing dry erase markers and singing "Be Good, Be Better, Be Best!  Never let it settle you to your good is better and your better is best - Go Math!."  5th Grade with Mr. J,

Move Up Reading with Miss Alberty
and Move Up Math with Mrs. Quinlan.
Wow - so fun.  Such wonderful teachers who have loved and taught you so well.  


After your graduation ceremony, cake and punch was served.  Mima, who had come to celebrate you, joined us for lunch at Phoenix Asian.  So fun.  She gave you the devotional Truth for Youth as well as the book League and Lantern.  Landry spent the majority of her 3rd Grade money that she has earned in her classroom job of Administrative Assistant and 3rd Grade Flea Market sales to buy you a miniature drone which you love.  Daddy and I gave you a Steph Curry - Active Faith tee.  "My Game.  His Glory."



I love you Brooks.  I have loved these years.  I shouldn't but I do wish them all back for all of us.  There are no regrets.  I have given so much time and energy as an investment that has returned to me more blessings than I can understand.  The Lord gave me a desire and a purpose and I am very grateful.  He is good all the time.  You have wonderful days ahead.  We are so very excited to see exactly what the Lord has in store for the man He has planned for you to be.

Congratulations Brooks!