home again, home again jiggity jog

we've dusted off the 'ol schoolbooks around here

for one more year of home schooling for Quinn.

5th grade.

oh my!

needless to day, he was thrilled

to start attending a co-op this year,

so he gets an official

"first day of school, 

not in pajamas

sitting @ the kitchen table 

with my sister" picture.

what is he looking forward to the most?

dissecting animals with his science teacher.

this mama would never attempt that

at home....Ne-vuh!

"you mean I get mommy all to
myself one day a week?!"

Gracie also started up again with 

speech therapy one morning a week.

we'll be heading into a season of dental work

for this little one soon...

prayer would be greatly appreciated,
as well as any spare starbucks gift cards
or dark chocolate in any form you
may have lying around...
Gracie needs a well fortified
mama after all, right-o?!

happy weekend!

the first one to fly

the weekend I've dreaded has come and gone...

Ali moved into her dorm this weekend.

it truly was a great experience, but

YUCK!

i don't like the way this feels!

goodbye Sarge!

Erin = not. happy.

the face we got when we told Gracie Ali was leaving...

my thoughts exactly

the new roomies!

how can she leave moi?!!!

beautiful & quite a bit taller

than her mama

every freshman class walks under the
main univeristy archway as families
line the way to the front lawn.
when they graduate, they will symbolically
walk out of the campus under the same archway.

sniff*sniff

"i don't want to share my sissy with anyone!"

church service for freshman

& their families

this building will practically be Ali's  

home two years from now!

home away from home!

 free snacks!

the first thing you see on Ali's hall -

love it!

ugh

so, OK,  as i'm processing

my feelings, i think it's not so much

the fact that she's moved away.

in reality we'll see her often as her campus 

is about an hour away.

it's the significance of the change it stands for.

the dynamic around here will never be quite the same,

and this feeling of letting go just isn't

a natural one for my heart.

we couldn't be more thrilled for where she is,

for the provision from the Father - down to the last

penny- for her tuition,

and for the amazing experiences the will have

 over the next 4 years.

we're so proud, and we can't wait

to see the blessings God has 

in store for her!

Ephesians 3:14-21

 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

*sigh*

today we took Ecko to her new 

university home to help her settle in.

the emotions I felt today are a bad sign...

if i felt the way I did today leaving Ecko,

how will I survive this coming weekend

when we take Ali to settle in her dorm?!

wont.

be. 

pretty.

so proud of this sweet girl!

she worked through a lot of fear

and uncertainty today, and we know God's

got her back, and she will do great!

wherefore art thou, summer?

summer flew by...literally.

what does a bed made neatly @ 7am mean???

little Erin Rae was up & ready for

her first day of school.

a sophomore? really?!!

go carry His light boldly wherever
your sweet feet step,
and remember we're proud of you!!!

a beautiful reunion

last night a precious girl

flew back into our lives.

Ecko was Ali's dear friend 2 years ago while

 she was an exchange student @ the same high school.

not only did she return to China 2 summers ago

with a new "family" here in SC, but also with 

a new heart after receiving the Father's love and

welcoming Jesus into her life.

she's back in the states

to attend a local university for the next 4 years.

the most wonderful part of it all??

she'll be living with us as one of our own

when she's not at school!

we are beyond excited and feel so blessed

to share our lives & love with her!

Psalm 105:1-3

"Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His Name;
make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
tell of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy Name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!"