Graduations, Jobs...Busy Family Life

Life has been a whirlwind lately. We shared a wonderful time together with all of our family celebrating Thanksgiving at Chelsea and Justin's. We stayed up late playing Pictionary, Justin and Jon spent an evening bonding in line at Wal-Mart waiting for the sale TV:), and Chelsea and I had a fun shopping trip on the day of the sales, and a lunch at Olive Garden. I've been busy sewing various Christmas projects--I gave the girls their Christmas Advent calenders and Christmas aprons early. It's so much fun to see my daughters creating their own welcoming homes.Katie and Tim are busy preparing for the arrival of baby Maria. We can all hardly wait.Chelsea leaves this Sunday for two weeks at Ethan Allen headquarters for job training. She's a bit apprehensive (her first trip away from Justin) but I know she'll have a great time. She's good at what she does and she's loving her new job. She graduates from FHU on Dec. 15.Jon has just accepted a job with Dell Computers in Nashville. He graduates from Harding on December 16!Two graduations, Christmas,two birthdays, a son returning from China, and a new granddaughter--all in the next month or so. And to top off all of these blessings...Lord willing, we will close on the sale of our house in Searcy in the next couple of days. They are finishing up the last of the paper work, we sign, and then it's done!!It has been five years since we moved to Greece, and since then, we have stayed there off and on, but have had it rented out most of the time-- with some bad renter stories here and there! This is such a blessing to have this burden lifted. Please join us in prayer that all will go well and it closes this next week. I'll keep you posted.Brandon called from China yesterday and is busy making plans for his new life with Kristin.We received word last week that his full-time missions support is looking good, though not official yet.The FHU board approved the new academic program in Italy, so Terry and I and the little boys will be leaving in May to spend the summer and fall in Tuscany.We're looking forward to this next adventure and are so grateful for the doors God has opened for our family. Jordan and Christian are busy little guys. They do a lot of skateboarding, bike riding, soccer, video games, etc. They are both doing well in their schoolwork, especially enjoying the Math class they do online. They really have a knack for Math. Well, I need to get started with our school day. Tonight we are going to see "Happy Feet" at our local theater.We've created some neat memories with the boys at this theater...two minutes from our house, clean movies, popcorn and drinks-$5 on family nights! Can't beat small town America!

Homeschoolers Thanksgiving Day

For the past month the boys have been meeting each Friday with two other families to study the lives of Indians, Pilgrims, and Thanksgiving Day. Today we all came together for a day of feasting, singing "We Gather Together", reading of the Scriptures, and prayer.After some wonderful food we took a hayride through the fields. It was a beautiful Fall day, and I was so grateful for the chance to share it with my friends.Julie, now a precious Mama of four, was a student of ours in Italy almost 20 years ago.I am very appreciative of the chance to see her grow into such a fine wife and mother. This evening, after everyone had left to return home, our daughter Chelsea called to tell us their dog, Afro, had died while they were gone. It is so hard to bear your child's broken heart, no matter how old they are.We will all miss that sweet, ACTIVE dog, who brought Chelsea and Justin a lot of joy.Jon's here for the night, so the boys are momentarily distracted from their sadness over Afro. Big brothers show up at just the right time.

Gabriel's First Birthday

Last night we celebrated Gabriel's birthday with cupcakes, punch, and ALL the family except for Brandon (who was greatly missed:)His favorite gift was his balloon from his Great-grandparents. He also received a shopping cart, a talking vacuum and a teddy bear made with LOTS of love from his Grandma.Even his Uncle Jon surprised us by driving from Searcy and arriving right before the party was to begin. We sat up late eating snacks, playing "Guess Who?" (by the way, it's alot of fun if you play by Justin's double question rule:). It's always fun spending time together. We all wish for Gabriel many years of good health, happiness, and years of service to God. We love you, little boy!

Two Little Indians

This afternoon, for three hours, Jordan and Christian had a special "unit study" on the Indians out at the Blackwelders place in the country. Dana had put so much work into her day. They each had a special notebook to put their papers in.We set up their tepee. They made necklaces with real bison teeth, sewed together canoes, made coup sticks with feathers, made headdresses, made small tepees, made fry bread (served with apple cider),played two Indian games, ran races, and rode horses. They were busy every second. It helped having just eight children total (Julie joined us with Ellie, Ivy, Owen and baby Oliver).It was a beautiful Fall day in which I was especially grateful for friends who are kindred spirits.Today was also extra special because Chelsea celebrated her 21st birthday AND I got to talk to Brandon in China AND my big brother, Kenny, called me from Texas and he sounded wonderful (he's been in Nigeria for over 20 years, so phone calls are far and few between.)We are blessed. Now, all I have to do is come up with an incredible two hour program on the Pilgrims for my part next Friday. Wish me luck!

A Day in the Kitchen

Today was as close to a perfect day as I've had in a long time. The boys were so helpful all day, while I spent the day getting a months worth of meals in the freezer. This was my first time to do this since Terry was diagnosed gluten-free, so I had to try a lot of new recipes. I made Chicken in Apricot Sauce, Marinated Chicken, Lasagna, Chili-Corn Casserole, Meatballs, Stuffed Green Peppers, Frozen Cranberry Salad, Gator Salad, Cranberry Nut Loaves,Taco Meat,and Ham dishes. The house smells wonderful, my kitchen is clean, and I can now step out to the freezer each morning when it's time for school and pull out the evening meal.I also got all the Halloween decorations packed away.Thanksgiving will be here soon. I'm so excited! We're celebrating at Chelsea and Justin's this year..making memories in their first home together.

Trick or Trunk

The boys had a wonderful time trick or treating this year. They really didn't even go around to all the cars for candy, but instead headed off to play with their friends. They went on the hayride, had their picture taken, swung at the pinata (though we got tickled when Christian said he almost broke the "pieta"-, a famous statue at the Vatican:), and did the cake walk. Christian won two cakes and was unhappy that they wouldn't let him try again.We decided not to do the neighborhood trick-or-treating this year since we have celebrated quite a bit already. Fortunately, the boys didn't even mention it. We're meeting with friends all this month to do a unit study on Pilgrims and Indians, so I guess they've got plenty of opportunities to hang out with friends.Thankfully, there is only a handful of candy left...so no more sugar highs!

Homecoming

We returned late Saturday night from a busy two days in Searcy. It was wonderful. We got into town around 5pm and I made a quick trip by Cato's to see if I could find a skirt to match my new jacket. I found the perfect skirt and it was cheap! That rarely happens. We ate a delicious meal at Katie's and then we all headed to see "Fiddler on the Roof". It was so much fun to see so many of our good friends, though there is never enough time to really catch up on their lives the way I'd like to.The Morans and Johnsons were there to support Craig, who needed NO support, as he was amazing.The next morning we had breakfast at the Barnes and had such a nice visit. I am so grateful for the way God has blessed our children with such wonderful extended family members (or soon-to-be:).We know where Kristin gets her kindness and generosity from!We left there to go to the Jewell's for a HUF 20 year reunion. It was so good to see Sheri Fields. We talk often (Hi, Sheri!)and write, but have only seen each other twice in 20 years!She is a kindred spirit, and blessed me, once again, with some wonderful cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls. Thank you! We left the reunion for a surprise 21st birthday party for Chelsea. Katie had gone to a lot of work to have a lot of her favorite goodies, special napkins, etc.Kevin and family , and Karen and family were all there. I loved seeing Katie, Chelsea and Jamie laugh together again.Cousins are fun.These years bring so many changes in their lives. Katie is expecting her second child, Chelsea is married and out of college, Jamie is in college, and Jessie is in high school. So many changes with each year. I'm so proud of all of them. They are all such sweet "Grandma Klein" girls and she would be so proud of each of them.My favorite part of the weekend was hanging out with Karen and catching up. I have such respect for her. She has really born the weight of both my parents illnesses and passings, being the only one in town, and now in caring for our sweet Aunt Rema.It was hard being the "geeky" sister in high school, but I do believe we are more than even now.Being back in Searcy is always nostalgic. After living there a total of 10 years, and 19 years with Harding, I am homesick for my many dear friends.But when I reconsider the reasons behind our decision to move, I know we made the right choice. As difficult as that decision was to make, God has rewarded us many, many times over. My children seek truth, our family is close, and my children are all in healthy relationships.It was the right move at the right time. As I'm writing this, one of my favorite hymns is playing in the background. It is so appropriate. "Great is Thy Faithfulness...all that I need thy hand has provided."