Hilltop Farm

I'm going to try to do some blog catch-up this week.  Though it may be spotty.  I'll do my best.  This is the field trip I posted about a little bit earlier.  This is the one in which we were part of a miracle.   (If you missed this post, may I encourage you to read it.  It was an amazing experience.) 

Shortly after we arrived, we split into groups.  My group started with a hayride. 

My littlest cutie and I ready for a ride. 

Some views of the clover in a field which actually helps the soil!  I love all the fun things that *I* learn on these field trips!

We stopped to pick some strawberries.  Unfortunately, it was a quick stop due to weather.  (Some sound effects to go with the rain.)  We were there long enough to get a yummy bite though!

We headed into the barn where it was dry and safe and learned about horses and how to care for them. 

Checking out a ride in the saddle. 

We stayed in the barn for awhile waiting for the weather to clear.  While we were there, we saw another group. 

Some cute baby chickens.

Played some sillly games.  Love it when kids make up their own fun!

And watched another group leaving on a hayride.  A much calmer one than ours had been thankfully!

While we were waiting, some of the kids wondered down to visit or look at some goats. 

Eliana really enjoyed them and I kept finding her heading back down to their pens.  Once while I was at a distance and she was alone with the goats - this is what I saw.  LOL  Can you see that she is making a face at the goat?  Silly girl!

The kids also liked feeing them some of  natural grasses - the goats liked it too. 

The last stop on our outing was some time to learn about plants - after all this is an organic farm. 

Each child was able to plant some seeds to bring home.  Watermelon was the overwhelming favorite with my kids!

Hmmm ... wonder what's in here?!

The children were also given the opportunity to help plant some seedlings.  All of the plants arrived safely - except Eliana's.  She dumped hers. 

We ended the day with a picnic.  What a beautiful setting!

It was a memorable outing in more ways than one.  I think I'll carry this one with me for awhile.

Blessings

Leslie

Graduation 2011

Class of 2011

Those words are significant to me for many reasons and really for just one.  My son.  After all these many years of homeschooling, I have my first graduate.  In some ways, its hard to believe.  In others, it seems like years ago (and it was) when I was doing preschool activities and then Five in a Row with him.

In trying to think about graduation, I wanted to do something special.  Something to mark this event as significant.  Something we would all enjoy ... and remember.  At times planning was a challenge as my graduate was happy not to have anything much for an event.

We settled on a party, outside at a park.  We wanted it to be casual and fun, but also special and personal.  We wanted a celebration with family and friends.  We hoped for beautiful weather.  

One of Christopher's close friends was also graduating and we decided to have the ceremony together.  We chose the details from decorating to the program, from food to the speakers.  It was personal.  It seemed fitting reflection of our style of education.

The day was amazing.  It started with beautiful weather - and 10 degrees cooler than had been forecasted earlier in the week!  Thank you God!  We chose some bright decorations - though not too many.

 We set up a display table with some of the things reflective of the graduates.

Christopher provided me with most of his things and it was fun to see what he picked.  (Though not surprising either.)

Rebecca (my friend) made delicious cupcakes!  Rebecca and I helped to make the decorations for the top.  (Can you tell that they are mortar boards and diplomas?)

We had some time of socializing before starting the program.  We then began with a welcome and an opening prayer.

Next was our commencement speaker.  I loved how he encouraged our sons to really look around and be there in the moment.  To take note of the many people gathered there who had been a part of their lives.  People who loved them and cared about them.

He encouraged them from Psalm 1 to be like the blessed man.  To learn to be like a tree with deep roots so that they can stand firm in all that they are going to face.  

Next, was time for the parents to speak.  Roger went first.

Then it was my turn.  I had a sweet friend join me for a little bit of it too.

 Conferring diplomas.  We gave Christopher his diploma.

Can you see his big grin?  (BTW, it is signed now too.)

Next, it was Christopher's turn.  It was fun hearing what he had to say.  I have to say too that he seemed quite comfortable talking to a crowd.

Next it was Rebecca, Eric and Dillon's turn to speak.  My pictures are dark too.  :-(  I'm hoping I can work on these and lighten them.  The angle of the sun was great for the event, but not so much for pictures as I have a lot of darker ones.  

Next we had slide shows of each of the graduates.  They each selected a song and had pictures to go with it.  I have to admit that it was tough going through 18 years of photos.  Seeing those adorable baby photos, the toddler, and young child to man.  It was hard holding it together, but I did pretty well by God's grace.  It was an answer to prayer for me.  Christopher even handed me a kleenex after the slide show.  I told him that I wasn't crying then.  One of my other boys heard this though and said that "he was crying on the inside".  I'm not the only one for whom this change is going to be hard.  

Our night ended with a prayer of blessing over our graduates.  I loved this time.  Anyone that wanted was invited to come forward and place their hands on them while we prayed.  This was a sweet time - and again a time of sweet tears.  It was the perfect ending to the ceremony.  

With the ceremony over, we invited our friends to join us for a meal.  We had barbeque, beans, mac n' cheese, slaw, hushpuppies, watermelon and for dessert - cupcakes and pumpkin bars.  The food (except for the desserts) came from Backyard Bistro (which I highly recommend if you are local).  

Thank you to both Kevin and Jason for investing in our guys lives at church and also making this a special event!  (Wish I had gotten Kevin in the picture too!)  

 Moms of the graduates with a close friend.  :-)

 Time to enjoy friends.  The kids played.  Some of the younger ones were enjoying the large coolers of ice.  The older boys were enjoying a frisbee game.

At the end of the evening, when it was dark and we were finishing cleaning up, we realized that we hadn't gotten any family pictures.  It was hard for me to take pictures at this event and thankfully one sweet friend had my camera and took photos for me!  Hoping a couple of others might have some photos too!

 All in all, it was a wonderful night.  I'm thankful for the many friends that came to celebrate with us.  I'm thankful for the many friends that have encouraged and supported us over the years and helped to shape these fine young men.  I enjoyed this celebration - and afterwards, Christopher told me that he had too.

Christopher and Dillon - I wish you both much success and happiness on this next step of your life.  I pray that you would stand strong and cling to God.  I pray that your faith would deepen and grow and that you would be lights to those around you.  I pray that you would always know that you have many people that love you and pray for you daily!  We will miss you and look forward to seeing and talking with you as often as we can.  I'm proud of both of you!  It has been a joy, honor and privilege to be a part of your lives!

Congratulations Class of 2011!  

With much love

Leslie

Graduate

Well, it is official.  My oldest is a high school graduate.

We had his graduation ceremony on Friday night and it was a special and fun time.  I'm thankful for the many people that were able to be there to celebrate with us!  As the date of his graduation grew close, it gave me many opportunities to reflect and ponder.

As we looked through 18 years of photos - a lifetime of memories - oh, all the memories.  Seeing the chubby little baby that made me a mommy and forever changed my life.  Seeing the cute toddler that loved Elmo and then dinosaurs.  The early pictures of our homeschooling with so much hands on fun.  Moving into school age with field trips, birthday parties, vacations and more.  Memories of travelling the state as we learned about history.  Reflections of sports from soccer to basketball to football and running.  Seeing him love all the new babies that we welcomed into our family.  Watching the slideshow gave the opportunity to see the years flash by in a few minutes as he went from a baby to a man.  (If I can figure out how to share, I will.)

Life is a journey.  One filled with joys and sorrows.  I feel blessed that mine has been filled with so many joys!  I'm so very grateful for the opportunity to be a mom.  I have six amazing children.  Each a unique and precious gift from God.  Gifts He continue to use to shape and mold and challenge me.  When I began this journey, it was hard to imagine getting to this point.  (Much as I might imagine that any of you reading who have small children might feel.)  

I remember being told to enjoy the journey.  Enjoy your children.  The time goes quickly.  I think I did that.  I have spent time learning and playing.  Though I confess at times it is something I have to remind myself to do - not get caught up in the computer or hobbies.  I don't want to look back with regrets.  I want to live life as fully as I can.  I want to look back with joy and thankfulness and look forward to with hope.  Christopher, as you embark on a new part of your journey, know that I will always pray for you, always be here for you and always be cheering you on.  I pray that you will find much joy - and mostly that you will find more of God!

At this point in the journey, I find myself often thinking of the "lasts".  This part is hard.  On Sunday at church as I watched Christopher walking one of his brothers to Sunday school, I thought to myself that there won't be many more of these mornings.  His summer is full and he won't be back to church until August.  I went into church and just couldn't keep the tears in check.  Thankfully a dear friend was right there to hug me and just be there for me.  God is so good.  I'm trying hard not to be sad, but to be thankful for all that I've had.  (Christopher has reminded me of this and it is good advice.)  I'm looking for ways to be thankful and also to enjoy every moment.  To laugh and to live fully in the moment.  

As the seasons of our life change, I'm praying more for the future as it is here.  He is ready to begin this new adventure.  I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready.  (Sorry Christopher - just being honest.)  One of my friends tells me that things are really sweet in this next step of the journey too.  Different and better in some new ways.  I'm trying to trust her on that, but honestly, its still hard.  

Christopher, I'm excited for you and for all that lays ahead of you.  I'm excited to see all that God has in store for you.  I'm looking forward to seeing you grow in your faith and to grow and mature into the man God has designed you to be.  I pray that you will also be a "Christ-bearer" as your name relates.  

For our family, this is a huge change.  Huge.  For all of us.  The dynamics of all that we do will be different.  I'm thankful that Christopher will not be too far from home and am hoping we will still see a lot of him.  I know that wherever his path leads, that my heart will be there with him.  My prayers will always be for him.  

 Christopher - I love you more than words can express.  I'm proud of you and of the man you have become.  I'm thankful for you and for so much about you.  I love your sense of humor, am thankful for your dependability and excited about your passion for Christ.  I have so enjoyed your athletic abilities and hope we'll be able to see more of them.  I'm thankful for your intellect and your ability to apply yourself.  There are so many things I could list, but most important of all, I'm thankful for you!  I love you deeply and always will.  I'm so glad that I'm your Mom.

So, even though tears may slip out more often that either of us like, know that its just because there is a well filled with much joy, many precious memories and abundant prayers that at times like this are spilling over.  Change is often challenging.  I know that through all of us, God is here.  Standing firm.  Guiding. Directing.  Loving.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and follow Him through all that lies ahead.  I love you, Mom.

Hugs your babies tight.  Live in the moment.  Not thinking ahead and worrying about what is next.  Enjoy.  Enjoy the people who are in your life right now!  Be thankful.  Choose joy.

With a thankful heart (and a tear slipping down my cheek),
Leslie

Can't post pictures

so I've put off posting at all.  Lots of things to share - but need to share pictures too.

I'm not sure what is going on with my computer and pictures and am hoping it can be fixed soon.  I've been trying for several days to post and not sure how to fix things on my end.

Thanks for anyone who may be reading this and checking up on us.

Blessings
Leslie

Heart Day

I almost forgot heart day this year.  I guess that time is healing that memory.  It's a memory that will still bring tears to my eyes.  God used that time to teach me so much!

4 years ago on April 16, Eliana had open-heart surgery.  Four years ago, I had to hand her over and trust God.  He called me to trust Him and to know that He was good - regardless of the outcome of the surgery.  That may sound simple, but it was one of the hardest things I've ever done.  I wrestled with God until I could fully trust Him.  And fully know that He is good.

What a healing He did in her heart.  The surprise was the healing He did in mine.  I hadn't realized that I needed repair.  I certainly wouldn't have chosen the path He chose for me.  In fact, I embarked on the path kicking and screaming.  I wish I had known then what I know now.  I realize though that to know what I know now - I had to go through all of that.  The tears.  The fears.  The unknown.

So four years later, all that remains of that day is a scar ... and a lot of memories.

With all of the business of the play on the same day, I forgot.  But one of my precious friends didn't.  She walked through the trials with me then and celebrates with me now!  Thank you Rebecca!  I love you dear friend and your precious heart!

She came over after the play bearing these adorable (and yummy) creations!

 Aren't they cute?!  And perfect!!!  The frosting was even low-carb!!!

 Healed.  Whole.  This little girl has so much joy bursting out of her little heart!

 She lives life full on and leaves much laughter in her wake!

With a thankful heart for a merciful God who gives good gifts - even when we sometimes fail to recognize them at first.  For healing - in physical and emotional ways.  For friends - to walk through the highs and lows of life.  For family.

Praying you find much to be thankful for today!
Leslie