Rainbow!

On Memorial Day, 30 students arrived to participate in this summer training program.  We had a BBQ to celebrate their arrival and it ended up being perfectly sandwiched between two major rain storms.  Thankfully there was a Pavillon that we stayed dry under and afterwards there was an amazing full rainbow!  We saw the whole arch, beginning to end and it was beautiful.  On the way home we ended up chasing the end of it (and saw a really cool turkey in a field too!).

Dells 2017 Week 1

Tomorrow will mark our first week in the Dells complete!  In some ways it has flown by (especially for Nate who has been working hard with the staff team to teach and make sure everything is ready) and in some ways its been slow as we figure out how to live in a basement with lots of other people and with a work schedule that isn't really set yet.  By next week, there should be a more normal rhythm to our days that will include Nate and weekends off to explore the Dells as a family.

Some Highs:

• I am really enjoying Lindsay, the wife of the director, whose family we are living with.  We had met the first year we were both married back in 2008 and she has at least been to the northeast but we haven't really seen each other since then, so we have lots to catch up on!  (and a fun face, all 3 Nav Rep couples here got married within 3 weeks of each other in June 2008- crazy!)
• The 9 kids between us are REALLY enjoying one another. 
• We haven't turned the TVs on since we got here! (for the kids that is- I did see the finale of DWTS and even watched a little late night talk shows that were DVR'r- score! yay for direct TV!)
• We have a GREAT view of the Wisconsin River.
• We have plenty of space, both for our family in the basement- 3 bedrooms, a LARGE living room and bathroom- and the shared space is just as great.
• We got a WI State park pass and went to Devil's Lake this week- just like our beloved lake Wyola- even more beautiful!
• On the way home, we scored bikes for Olivia and Isaac!  And since the driveway is flat and we brought our scooters, the kids have spent LOTS of time on the driveway.
• So far I don't think my housemates resent me, and I haven't been doing many dishes which is really nice.
• Meeting one on one for dinner last night with a team leader woman who I get to disciple this summer. I will also get to meet with a single staff woman.  
• Not one, but TWO drive thru Starbucks!

Up and coming things to look forward to:

• Date nights on Tuesdays!
• Long alone time on Wednesday afternoons
• House Dinners
• Water parks and vaca fun around the Dells- I think I've priced out and narrowed down all the things I'd like to do here this summer!

Some hard things:

• We had staff meeting at our house the first couple days and for the most part the kids did great but one of the days, I was really upset.  I ended up scooping the kids up and going for a drive, wondering why we are even here (and thinking of ways to escape- definitely my default for when things are hard.  Since I can't go home- 3 guys living in my house- I was dreaming of going to Canaan...) I came back and its worked out better since then.
• Nate really is exhausted.
• The river is too dangerous to swim in.

Overall Ive said a few times, being here reminds me of Camp.  In the actually location, rolling hill farmland where we live,  very similar to Camp Sandy Cove in West Virgina.  And in things like Walmart is really the only place to shop, is always busy, and is opened 24 hours. And living somewhere else, we are just having cereal for breakfast...  we will see if this changes as the summer goes on....

Now for some photos:

 Just after arriving in the Dells, I got coffee!  and Nate was tired...

 When we first pulled in, Sam was loving life.  He is doing better now, but it took him awhile to adjust.

 First dinner with new friends!

 Bowman Park

 Chick Fil A of course.

 After the kids were in bed last night...

Dells 2017- the beginning

I might say our summer started last Thursday when our friend Nick moved in-  the first of three guys living in our house this summer.  The beginning of community living.

Or I might say it started Friday when the kids had their last days of school celebrations a month early and we had a lovely outdoor dinner.  We also had a revolving open door of friends stop by-  a graduating senior, staff friend who is moving on, friend from church...

Saturday was definitely a pregame day-  breakfast with friends, Olivia's recital in the middle of family coming to visit.  New staff friends stopping to say hi and bye.  Packing and cleaning galore.

But we officially hit the road yesterday, Sunday.  I think I may have had a minor panic attack as we left.  The enormity and craziness of what we are doing hit me as I looked around our clean and "empty" house just before we headed out the door.

After some deep breathes we prayed and headed out!  Only to have the most awful loud noise hurt our ears.  A few months ago God provided us our very own rooftop carrier from the dump!  And Saturday Nate got it up on our roof with the help of our brothers Matt and Andy.  However, the strap under it was vibrating, LOUDLY, if we went over 30 mph.  SO we stopped at Walmart on our way out for a fix and hit the road around 830.

The kids did really well.  They watched movies. Nate really wanted to see Niagra Falls.  This whole trip has reminded me of my past-  my long ago past.  When I was 15 my parents packed up our house in DE and spent the summer on the road. Part of that summer I was an LIT at camp sandy cove and spent a week rock climbing in Canada.  On our way we stopped at Niagra Falls.  So despite the rain, we went!  I had never been to the American side and it's pretty amazing.  There was so much mist you couldn't really see the fall but you feel like you are walking right into the top of this strong and powerful fall.  Water is so powerful.

We went a bit further to spend the night in Erie PA.  The kids went swimming and we all went to bed.

Today we drove through the Midwest-  Ohio, Indiana, and are spending the night outside of Chicago.  I was reminded that I've only been to Ohio twice-  once recruiting for camp at Cedarville and once for a mini reunion of friends from my very first summer training program at Hampton Beach in 2001.  I've been thinking a lot about this summer-  how the staff must have felt bringing kids to pour into us as students.  Knowing how much that summer meant to me on so many levels.  I am hopeful this summer will be the same for me Personally-  to grow in who I am and develop as a wife, mom and mentor.  And for the students who are attending the program.  For them to grow in practical and personal ways for a lifetime.  

Tonight the kids are asleep around us outside Chicago and we have about a 3 hour drive to the Dells.  Pray for all of us but especially Sam.  I think he is having the hardest time with the unknown of all this.  And for us as we try to help him.

And lastly-  a sweet story about Isaac.  In the middle of the afternoon Sam and Olivia and even Daniel started melting down and we hit some traffic so it was the perfect storm of loud and cranky in our car.  Through the noise Isaac says "I see a whale in the clouds Mom!" And when I looked at him he beamed a smile with his sweet dimples.

Isaac reading us a poem he wrote at his preschool goodbye with our favorite teacher Linda.

Later that day included a great leftover dinner on our back deck, just our fam, in perfect weather.

 After Olivia's dance recital.

 Most of our extended family (those busy younger sisters couldn't make it:() came over for the recital and pizza afterwards, giving our yard and deck a full workout and helping us finish all those last minute preparations so we got a really good start the next day.

 The kids were REALLY excited about backpacks I had packed full of surprises for them.

 Niagra Falls!

 Sure kids, you can have ice cream for lunch...

Olivia's Ballet Recital 2017 and Pizza Party

This year was Olivia's second ballet recital for pre-training 2 and she did great!

We aren't allowed to take pics of the actual dancing part, but here are some of the dancer after.  

And because we are leaving tomorrow for the rest of the summer, I invited all of our family to come and join us for the rectal and pizza after.  The men (minus Nate) stayed home with the little boys while all the Ladies (and our chauffeur Nate) went to the recital.  

End of School Days 2017

If you get our ministry newsletter or have seen us in real life you know that tomorrow morning we begin an adventure.  We are driving to the Wisconsin Dells for a Summer Training Program with the Navigators.  More on that in a later post.  I read that going on one for staff is like a mini-move, just for the summer and that is definitely what the preparation has felt like.  Olivia and Isaac finished school a month early and both had great celebrations with all their friends.  Olivia's class happened to go a field trip to the Zoo Thursday- hence the picture of the zebra.  She has been blessed with so many good friends at school, she had a week of playdates!  And came home Friday with a full bag of treasures from her teacher and friends.  

Friday Morning Isaac's class celebrated his preschool graduation with us a month early.  We have known Linda since Olivia started in her classroom just before Sam was born.  Please pray with us Sam and then Daniel would have the chance to continue the tradition (or we would adjust to a new situation for them.)  Isaac's many friends gave him big great hugs goodbye and the teachers told us they had discussed many emotions about his leaving early- from anger to sadness.  Hopefully we can send some emails with updates about our trip along the way.

 Then last night we had an impromptu family grilled dinner on our deck.  It was way past their bedtime, but it was perfectly lovely.  Our family of 6 gathered around what we had in the fridge and just enjoyed.  I am sad that this isn't exactly what our summer holds, but hopeful even better things in WI are ahead for us!

Mother's Day 2017

I woke up to breakfast in bed, a beautiful tray of yumminess and handmade gifts from my kids.  There were lots of not as pretty moments along the way, but breakfast and these photos were what I'd like to remember from this year.

The definition of "Too Much"

All things collided this weekend and we definitely did "too much."  Perhaps we should read the book boundaries and put it into practice...  However, what to say no to?  Work? Family? Kids?  Between 6 of us, there are a lot of commitments.  And we are grateful for a family we love and are close enough to see semi-regularly.  Ready to be exhausted?  Here ya go!

Friday - Sunday:  Our regional staff retreat at Camp Wonderland in Sharon MA: a time for us to gather with staff from around the region to connect and be developed.  The teaching we heard was great.  Nate got to help lead us in Worship on Sunday morning.  And we saw friends from around the region.

Saturday afternoon we ducked out before lunch to head to RI to celebrate Nate's cousin Andrew and his marriage to Brittany.  We saw most of Nate's immediate family and some of his extended family and cousins.  They set up an amazing kids table which all the little cousins really enjoyed.

 Sunday we left the retreat and headed back to Amherst for Olivia to perform in the Happy Valley Children's Chorus Concert.  She did an amazing job including a duet with her friend Claire.

 After the concert Olivia, Daniel and I shopped for our End of Year Navs BBQ- Olivia had my phone and snagged this shot.  Me in my "natural habitat" of Stop and Shop.  Kind of fun to have a photo where I go so often.

 And then the End of Year Navs BBQ at Mill River!  Unfortunately the weather did not fully cooperate and it was rather chilly.  BUT we still had a great time.  Two of the seniors parents came and surprised their kids and brought cake to celebrate!  We are so thankful for this bunch.

Johanna and Kristin, two graduating women Ive had the pleasure of meeting with!

Lastly, I must confess I kept dreaming about last weekend when we went to NYC to celebrate Nanny's 80th Birthday- WITHOUT our children (especially when the kids wouldn't sleep at the retreat!)