It's been a wee bit quiet around here because I've been working on two large projects lately–the Honor Flight Stamp Night and the invitations and then the programs for my son's school banquet. Every year the juniors throw the seniors a last formal before graduation and this year it was my privilege to help with their stationery needs. They wanted a Polaroid-style look with lavender and gray, but not too girly as there are only two girls in the entire senior class!
I can't believe next year Dan will be a senior!! For those of you who remember him preciously padding downstairs in his footie pajamas to give mama a kiss goodnight while I was hosting a stamp class, I know you can't believe it either! It's been a while since I did a family update.
I have to brag my kids for a minute. Last night Dan (17) was inducted into the National Christian Honor Society. You have to maintain a solid Christian testimony and crazy high grade average and he did it, even though Spanish has been kicking his backside this year. We are so proud of him for persevering even though languages obviously aren't going to be his thing (apart from speaking computer!).
He and his sister both earned the Presidential Award for academics as well. They are always the last two names called alphabetically so we had to wait and wait and wait… but it was worth it! Natalie (15) has run up against challenges this year as well, especially with her ACL injury and P.E. (her knee is fully healed now, thank you to everyone who prayed for her!) Their summer will be full with Dan's first job, beginning drivers' lessons for both of them, two weeks with their grandparents, and drama camp (Cinema track for Dan and Peter Pan for Natalie.)
photo credit: Maranatha Baptist University
My professor honey is working away at his PhD faithfully taking one class after another while teaching a full class physical load and online courses as well. He set up a special directed-study type course for this summer so he can continue even while we are in Greece and Italy on the Stampin' Up trip. He is pulling down amazing grades (unsurprisingly, I think the man never got anything below an A minus in his life! Where do you think the kids got it??) but we're all looking forward to the day he won't have homework on top of homework. He also cycles for charity and is hoping our chilly, rainy spring shapes up soon!
Mike recently became a published author with an article on incorporating local history in the classroom in an educators' journal. We're proud of him for helping others in his field by sharing his knowledge and sources!
Our biggest news right now is our house renovations. Since the Lord has not seen fit to allow us to move out of what we thought would be our "starter" house, the old gal is being sided, front porch totally rebuilt, new doors, and most importantly insulated (not sure who builds a house in WI with zero insulation). This is also why I've haven't blogged quite as much lately–it's been pretty noisy around here!
I'll be sure to share a photo of the "finished" project, although you know how fixer-uppers are… always something left to do. Our cottage is almost 100 years old, so maybe we'll have to throw her a party when it is over. It's a mess right now, but we'll be so thankful next winter when our heat bills are cut in half!
Lyle Construction, Cambridge, WI
That's about what's going on here! The Lord has been so good to us and is growing my business in the shortened amount of time and energy I have some days. I am SO thankful for my BFF and assistant Penni for being my stampin' hands on the days I can't hold a grip–and the world's most gracious hubby and kids when I'm feeling the effects of my lovely anxiety disorder. I'm being tested for a bunch of things this month (Lyme, Hashimoto's, Cushing's, celiac) and maybe I'll have a new diagnosis to whine about soon : )
This turned out to be a much bigger post than anticipated! Bottom line is, God is good and life is full and busy. If you stuck with me this far, you deserve a prize. I grant each of you one extra hour in the craft room this week! Enjoy!!!
those are gorgeous! love them 🙂
Congratulations on your children’s achievements. You should be very proud.