Family Photos Taken in July

Trying to think back to when we last hired a professional photographer to take our family pictures, (Sears photo studio doesn't count ;)...  it was our wedding!

So before Sarah headed off to college, I wanted a family photo done right!

It was so stinkin' hot that night.  We had sweat dripping down our backs and faces. Oh my gosh!  It was so bad.  At one point, I wiped my face on the back of David's shirt because no one was going to see it anyway. Right!?

They were complaining but knew better then to not smile, because if mama ain't happy, nobody is happy.  ;)

So here's a few from our album ::

And yes! I'm thrilled.  I am thrilled to pieces to have up-to-date photos of my loves!!  (Insert loud beating heart)

Patty

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

A Farewell Cook-out

I just LOVE looking back on these photos!  This day was so special.

It was our family's last hurrah at the lake - as a family - for awhile.  We wanted to go someplace that is near and dear to our hearts since we were planning to send our oldest off to college, (someone who is always in my heart).

The day and location did not disappoint.

The evening before, we celebrated with the Sacrament of Confession, Mass, and a blessing for Sarah from Father (with a healthy dose of holy water splashed in the face ;)  That Sunday, we packed up our beach gear and headed for a day of swimming, fishing, and cooking out.

This girl!  She has ALWAYS loved to swim.  That day, she swam across the cove to sit on the other side.

I miss seeing her smiling face, knowing what she is wearing, what food she is eating, hearing the funny stories from work...

And these two!  They are outdoors men for sure.  So grateful that my husband has taught all of us to enjoy nature!!

"Joy spills out onto a forest floor, exultant with gladness. God wants us here, here in His created world, entering into His joy." ~Elizabeth Foss

And the middle two enjoyed swimming across the cove by themselves as well - for the first time!   I could hear their voices echoing across, and I just sat their watching and taking it all in.  My heart was full.

Miss Clementine.  What can I say?  She went from NOT wanting to get in "with the fish" to flipping head over heels in enjoyment!  Ha ha!

"Let's flip the other way now!"

"Nature nurtures my soul; the gentle restoration of my Creator softens the hard edges and fills the hollows and pits through the ministry of water, and sunshine, and flowers." ~ Elizabeth Foss

It was such a memory-filled day.  

And we get to see Sarah again in exactly 29 days when we head south for family weekend :)

Patty 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

College Bound Daughter

My first born has spread her wings this past week.

This is what they are meant to do.  But dang! It hurts.

We made a lot of memories leading up to the big day, however I'll have to save that for another time.  It is still hard to put into words what I feel.

I tried to take photos with my crappy old iPhone.  So bare with me ;)

We left the other three girls at home and brought Stan the man with us.

During Mass, I couldn't help think of how comforting and blessed one is to celebrate Mass the day you arrive in college town, and on such a beautiful feast day!  I LOVE being Catholic!

We were with her until 4:30-ish, helping her unpack, grocery shop, etc.  Then it was time to say good-bye.  :(

Her dorm room decor is darling; she did such an amazing job shopping and pulling it together over the summer.  She is HAPPY!  David and I are ADJUSTING.

In 48 hours she landed a lifeguard job at the university pool, joined the Pro-Life group on campus, and signed up for the Catholic Mass carpool, (she doesn't have a car and the church is too far to walk to).  She has met a slew of new friends, all nursing students, and many in the same dorm that she is in.  Welcome Week is keeping her very busy, enjoying her new life, and classes begin on Monday.

As for me...

Blessed Virgin Mary, Pray for her and all college students!

Patty 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

First Day of School 2017

This week we officially kicked off our new school year.  But dang! I have staggered start times for the first time and I'm feeling really discombobulated.

Left to right::

Stan the man, who is in 6th grade now, has dabbled with reading and math all summer, but went full time on Monday, still enrolled with Seton.

**Stan will not have school next week since he will be coming with us to take Sarah to college.**

Miss Mabel, who is in 9th grade, has been dabbling in keyboarding all summer to complete that credit hour.  She has an exciting year ahead, and looks forward to an online Spanish class with Homeschool Connections!  The rest of her courses are through Seton.

**Miss Mabel will only toyed with classes this week to get a feel.  She goes full time next Monday.**

Miss Clementine!  Can you believe she is a Kindergartner!?  She is the MOST excited ;)  She actually was so excited for school she started back in July when her books first arrived.  And boy oh boy!  I forgot how absolutely darling those Seton, Catholic kinder books are.

Miss Ester, a big 11th grader this year, has some fun changes added to her routine.  She has joined the homeschool association's Cross Country team!  Woot!  She will be temporarily cutting way back on her work hours to handle the change.  She is also taking an online Spanish and Chemistry course this year through Homeschool Connections.  Otherwise, she is still fully enrolled in Seton.

**Miss Ester doesn't start full time until Monday.**

God-willing, we will have a successful 14th year of homeschooling!

Patty

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Utility Spool Table

My husband got the wood working itch last week...

We needed a new coffee table so he created this after seeing something similar a couple of years ago.

I LOVE how it turned out!  Now I need an end table because nothing matches.  And wouldn't that look fantastic with a leather couch!? ;)

I told him he should make and sell these when he has free time on his hands.

Patty 

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Bittersweet Week

Last week was a productive, exciting, yet bittersweet week.

Miss Clementine is 5 which means she can join the Little Flowers Girls' Club that our home school group has.  The moms in the group had a planning meeting for the year, and it is going to be a great year!  Miss Clementine is so excited.

My big girls have graduated from the Little Women's Club so it's just her and I now.  Kind of bittersweet, but I look forward to our one-on-one time. :)


********************

Last Friday, the girls and I got into the car and headed south to Belton, Texas (just north of Austin) where Miss Sarah will be attending college.

It was a jam-packed day, and a great one!

First stop ~ Sarah wanted to meet the priest at the Catholic Church she'll be attending while at school.
We had such a lovely meeting with the rock-solid Catholic priest.  So grateful that she will have him for her spiritual advisor.

This is so important since she will be attending a Baptist university in a small, Baptist town.

God is good!

Next up was a trip over to campus (about one mile from the Catholic Church) where she checked out her dorm room she's assigned to. We brought measuring tape and took notes.  Tight spaces!!  She's so excited.

The last thing on her "to do" list was to apply at the university's natatorium for a life guard position.  She's hoping to get hired there since that is her background and it will bring in more money then a work study program through financial aid.

I'm so  excited for her, trying hard to remain positive, but it is really bitter sweet.  She is ready to spread her wings!

********************

This past Sunday our home school group had its annual pool party.

Talk about a fun time!!

When it was time to wrap things up, Miss Sally was able to say some good-bye's to some of her friends before she leaves for college.

So the first round of "good-bye's" has begun...

***************

Did you know that there is National Cheesecake Day??  Monday night, a group of mom friends and I went to The Cheesecake Factory for 1/2 price cheesecake.  Awesome moms night out, right!?

I also had a table reserved for a group of sweet, young ladies; Miss Mabel and friends.

They were in a different area of the restaurant from the moms and really enjoyed their experience.  I love watching Miss Mabel grow into this beautiful, young lady.

Time marches on...

Patty

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Summer Fun - Lake Fun

This summer has gone by so uber slow, and I LOVE it especially since my first born will be leaving for college soon.

David tries to keep his Wednesdays off, so last week on a whim I suggested we head to the lake for the afternoon.

Have I mentioned how much I love spontaneity?!

We packed up right after lunch taking a jug of ice water and pretzels along.  (So 70 ish!)

We only had the younger three kiddos - oh my goodness did that seem strange -  and stayed only a couple of hours.  On the way home, we stopped for an ice cream cone.

Such a fun day making happy memories :)

Hope you enjoy your last few weeks of summer!

Patty

reade more... Résuméabuiyad