Chloe turns 8

Chloe,

Two nights before your birthday, you couldn't sleep because you were so excited you were celebrating with donuts at school today. You took everyones orders about 2 weeks ago. Anyway you came in at midnight and started tossing and turning in our bed. Then you went back to your room and woke up Grace. Then at 1 am I came to check on you and you were just sitting staring out the window waiting for the sun to rise. I love your excitement (not at midnight) but in general. You find joy in the little things and love to celebrate life.

Today Dad and I were in your classroom, and all your classmates were quick to encourage you with something they liked about you. They said you were dependable, a servant, caring, a good friend, funny and make others laugh, and finally fast and getting taller :) All these things are true. Dad and I added your determination and your service here at home. You are quick to sacrifice things you prefer to serve your siblings. Tonight you requested IHOP (a recent discovery thanks to your grandparents) for your birthday dinner. You love breakfast for dinner at home, so having it as an eat-out option was a huge hit for you all.  It brought us much joy to celebrate the beautiful daughter and sister that you are. We love you so much Chloe!

You overheard me asking dad to pop the umbrella in and I looked out the kitchen window to find you doing it

You wanted a cooking subscription for your birthday


We celebrated Gido turning 81 too

First Day of School

The first day was was bittersweet, and the following week was a little harder saying goodbye to all of you when Grace officially started preschool. Noah and Chloe were excited to see there new friends. For Eli, it was a hard transition as his best buddy moved away, and he was nervous about making new friends and starting school.  Each time I dropped you off, you came running back for just one more hug. There were a lot of tears and hugs, but you were so brave and faced the the day courageously! And now you want to be dropped off with your older siblings at the drop off, and say "Mom, you don't have to drop me off anymore."  I'm crushed, but I'm so proud of you. 

Grace on the other hand wails her way through preschool but we hopefully will turn a corner soon. Its hard, but I believe you are enjoying it. I hear you pretending to be Ms. Ellis and sing the songs you are learning on Chloe's guitar. 

Summer summary

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace... There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.  2 Peter 3:14-18

It has been a wonderful and memorable summer.  We had lots of good days playing peacefully together and lots of not so good days where the conflicts and chaos seemed unbearable. We had happy times during our final days with the Devries, and lots of sad times after. Some days were high energy and on the go, and others needed several episodes of Little House on the Prairie. We did house chores and homework and sometimes we did nothing. We experienced a lot of ups and downs, some good news and some that was shocking and sobering. I personally ended the summer grateful, but exhausted and depleted.

The emotions I have can tempt me to drift away. Often times in seasons of prosperity I don't depend on the Lord as I should be, and in seasons of trial I can be overcome with questions and doubt. Regardless though, this season has been an eye opener. I have made a commitment to do a Bible reading challenge with some friends this year. I never liked trying to read the Bible in a year because I do prefer shorter passages and don't like being "tied"to anything. However, with 3 of you in school, I want to commit more of my time to the Lord. I want to cling to Christ all the time and make an effort to choose him over the house work and online browsing. I want you to know I have been praying for you 4- that you would not be carried away with what the world will entice you with, and for dad and I to be vigilant and keep watch on our own stability so that we can help guide you and train you. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of God, we want to be faithful to teach and and instruct you in a world that is in opposition to our Lord and Savior.  “That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake, I never, no, never, no never forsake!” We want you to stand on a firm foundation. We want you to cling to Christ. 


And I will begin with our summer highlights, beginning at Bethany. We made it there 3 times this summer :)

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You guys are slowly out growing some of the Rehoboth rides. I'm so glad Mom-mom and Grandpa can go on these rides with you without vomiting. I think theres only 2 I've been able to do with you guys:(

winding down..

I love late evenings at the beach and it's even better with a game of wiffle ball with the Averills...

Love that these boys can play Catan.

And as for the the rest of our summer....

Eli joined Noah and Chloe on the swim team

Demo-day in our basement! 

More house projects & celebrating Mom-mom's birthday 

LOTS of pool time

blueberry picking

A depressing O's game

Lots of forts...

back to school shopping

And no better way to celebrate our 11th Anniversary than with a crossword puzzle and hosting our 2nd annual neighborhood kids triathlon! The older kids swam 12 laps followed by a 3 mile bike and a mile run! We can't wait to do it again next year.

Ok, Dad did make plans for our anniversary and surprised me with a trip to New York and tickets to see Harry Potter on Broadway!! I hope to take Noah one day.