Life Happenings In Pictures

Our first Corn Maze experience in Zellwood-  After 2 hours of wandering (sometimes aimlessly,) in the maze, we completed 1/2 of the clues...  Alexis and I learned that she too, (like me) has terrible trouble with her sense of direction.  Although we ran into at least 3 Maize-o-vision boards, they did us absolutely no good.  Looking at the map through the decoder, only confirmed that we are clueless at reading maps without signs around us that tell where we are in the first place...  In spite of all, we loved the challenge, and can't wait to go back and do this again next year!  (We will most certainly begin our day earlier though.)

Alexis and a sweet friend!

As the hot Florida days have begun to take on a cool edge, we've been enjoying some outdoor time.  Last week we went Letterboxing at Leu Gardens with our homeschool support group's Outdoor's Club.  I'd love to spend about a day a month doing this again in other places around town. 

A few things learned along the way... 

• Yellow Jackets can nest in the ground.  (Although no one in our small group was stung, 3 people from our large group were.)   :-(

• Sometimes Letterboxes get moved or removed before you seek to find the location.  Be prepared that a box may no longer be there!
• Next time around, we will bring a compass and a pen.

Part of our group...

Using the "hidden treasure" stamp in their letterboxing folders...

We have been incredibly blessed to have our circle of homeschool friends, and a church that allows us this ministry.  Our family is now into our ninth year in our homeschool support group!  Most of these girls have known each other since they were very little.  I love looking back at Alexis' old yearbooks to reminisce on how much they've grown.

Co-op Friends Goofing Off~

Auditions, rehearsals, and then the reward!  Voices of Joy performances---  The photos below are at our church's preschool... 

Can you say Seuss?

Wide Mouth Frog  (The Alligator Part)

God Loves You Very Much

I am so very thankful for the opportunities my daughter has as a homeschooler.  It is an absolute blessing to be a part of the process of her education, and life!  

With gratitude, I thank you, Lord, for this journey of joy!

Night of Joy Times 2

A few weekends ago, (almost a month now...  I'm waaay behind on my blog posts...) while our older children were at work, Alexis went with some family friends and their daughters to Disney's Night of Joy.  She had an absolute blast!  They saw Skillet and Disciple and rode a few rides in between.  It was a great night for all, and I am thankful for my friends who have the energy to run around chaperoning teens into the late hours of the night.

While our children were tied up with their own interests, David and I did something that we've never, ever done before...  We went to a different Disney Park, (Epcot) alone!  What a unique concept!  We had a great time, mostly walking the world showcase and treating ourselves to some extra goodies that we probably wouldn't have considered if our children had been with us.  I wish we'd thought of it earlier, as this was not the first time that we've been left to ourselves this year.

Many moons ago, sometime early on in our marriage, we went to a couple of marriage conferences at our church.  At both, the key note speakers inevitably implied that it is imperative! a couple must! take time out of the house away from the children for themselves!!!  David and I pondered that notion for awhile, but it just never felt right for our family.  We did not see this as an earthshaking situation, and sincerely enjoyed doing things as a family.  (If that makes sense.)  Therefore, when our children were small, we chose to spend our money and time on the family, rather than on babysitters and a night out for two.  On a rare occasion when our parents were in town, (maybe around an anniversary,) they would offer to watch our children, and we would go out by ourselves - but mostly we had our outings as a family.

It feels peculiar to imagine that we are now walking towards the base of the empty nester bridge.  We've been parents for almost 23 years!   With many prayers continuously being sent requesting this, I am hopeful that we will be blessed with an abundance of grandchildren.  It is also my prayer that they will be a big part of that next chapter of our lives.  But when the troops go home, what will that next stage look like?  Just the two of us...  Wow!  We have not said that in a very long while.

If David and I are able to enjoy our future as a couple anything like our first little outing, I think we'll be alright!  <3  We are blessed!