Sincerely Sweet

Vanessa and one of her best buddies Penny had a wonderful holiday band performance this week. Their director had a procedure on her chin the day before and spoke about how hard it was going to be for her to be wearing a bandage on her face while conducting them in front of an audience. So these girls were eager to show their care and support by wearing colorful band aids on their face so Mrs. Davoll didn't feel alone. 

Bro Work

 Zane really did all the big work. But Hendrix was excited to help with the little things.

Rigidly Creative

 Technology can be so cool. My children learn so much from the technology in their lives. It's quite different from when I was a kid and I had to search and hunt for books that interested me, often losing interest in various topics because I couldn't get to the library in the moment. But my kids have an idea and they can quickly look up related information.

If I hold too strictly to specific time slots and exact minutes they can be on an electronic device, then I risk losing their curiosity or interest on certain particulars, so we try to operate with flexibility. However, we still aim to control our balance of time on electronic devices with reasonable decisions in the moment and with other priorities that have to be considered.

Out of the blue a couple of Saturdays ago, when we didn't have any obligations and could remain at home to play catch up on things here, Vanessa was feeling creative and wanted to practice making fake wounds and injuries with ingredients she could find in the kitchen and in her own room.

Certainly Purposeful

This desk . . . not sure how old it is because I never thought to ask my great aunt before she passed. As a child I remember it always being in my great aunt's spare bedroom by her garage entry. It was usually a spot for piling things like mail, things for running errands, and every now and again there was a plant on it. It was treated as a junk desk with a natural wood stain and the original veneer top peeling up from water damage. It didn't have special glass cut for it to protect the top, as several other furniture pieces of my aunt's, grandparents', and great grandparents' had.

When Vanessa was a baby, I painted the stained desk black and placed it in her room. When Zane came along and Vanessa was ready for a different hand-me-down desk, I painted this desk white and placed it in Zane's room. He actually used it a lot in that tiny funky bedroom of his.  Now it's Hendrix's turn and once again it needs a touch of love, so I'm painting it black again to fit into their new room space. 

Some believe the Bible might imply that those who have gone on before us may be aware of some events and things happening on Earth. I can't help but wonder if my great grandparents, grandparents and great aunt are impressed by the blessing this once neglected desk is. I'm sure that really they're not very concerned with it because it is a material item, but if they glance at the happenings of those they held close, I have to believe they chuckle at how long it has lasted.

Mega Fun

When planning our trip to Barren River Lake this last summer, we stumbled across Louisville Mega Caverns. It's the world's only fully underground zip line. Adam knew we had to do it but felt that it needed its own special adventurous day committed to it, so he took the Vanessa and Zane on a road trip in October to do it.

I was concerned whether or not it would be worth a 7-8 hour round trip drive time. Upon their return they raved about it. Vanessa said it's one of the best times she's ever had. Zane said he got nervous but really loved it.

It warms my heart greatly to know these three had a blast together and I just know the kids will always hold the special time close to their hearts.