Kidapalooza and Beyond

Two weeks ago we had Kidapalooza.  It was a wonderful and exhausting week.  I keep looking back and forgetting what we did all that week.  It was a whirlwind.

Shane and Silas were in the other building with the older kids so we split up the first four nights.  And I obviously did not get any pictures on the last evening when we were all together.

The very next day Shane flew out with a team of high school students on mission to New York City.  He is back home now with stories galore!

I had a birthday

So my 40th birthday was at the end of last month.  What a milestone.  I was exceedingly thoughtful about it that week with a conglomeration of feelings.  But now that it has passed, I simply feel grateful.  I feel hopeful for the year ahead and the opportunities that the Lord is handing me.  And honestly, how can a year go bad when you start it out flying?!

My parents were also sweet to plan a party for a couple days later...

She Danced

Lieren's dance recital was last weekend.  It was absolutely darling!  I took Lieren early to get her checked in.  Both sets of grandparents got to be there this year, and we loved sharing the event with them. Toward the end, as the recital ran reeeeaaaaallllly long, Shane took one for the team and left to relieve our babysitter.  But overall, it was a wonderful morning.

When Grandparents Visit

School ended in the Drury house a couple days after Blaise's graduation.  The next day, Shane's parents came for a nice long visit.  The kids sure love all the extra attention!

Siesta Key...our new favorite!

 Dinner out and about...

 Birthday shopping...

Dinosaur World...

What's not pictured are all the games played, the stories read, and the crafts completed.  Such a full week!

Another Chapter

Three years ago I sat in Silas' end-of-year preschool program with a lump in my throat.  I can't recall if the tears held back till the drive home or not.  

He was 5 and I distinctly remember feeling like the weight of the responsibility of his education was being flung in my lap.  I had no idea how it would really look to homeschool.  I couldn't picture what lay ahead of us.  Simeon and Lieren were 3 and Blaise had just turned 2.  And while we were completely committed and excited to homeschool, it all felt overwhelming and daunting.

Fast forward 3 years.  This week we all sat together in Blaise's preschool graduation.  I felt teary this time too.  But not for any of the same reasons as when Silas completed preschool.  Oh sure, there's the reminders that the babies are growing up and how quickly time passes and when did I blink because I think they were all just crawling underfoot in diapers.  

But this time I sat in that audience and felt more grace and thankfulness than I had in a long time.  We have 3 homeschooling years under our collective belt.  And while we certainly don't have it all figured out, I have a bundle of confidence that I didn't have before.  We have community.  We have resources.  We have loads of friends walking this journey with us.

And we can't wait for Blaise to join us!

AWANA

We have been so blessed by the Awana program at church this year.  Last Wednesday was their awards program...

 Simeon and Lieren finished the first book and received extra awards for reviewing.  Silas completed all three Sparks books this year!

So Like Her

Took this quick photo on Mother's Day last week.  People do say I am so like her.  

Love you much, Mom.  Thankful for time together.