Junior Update

Josh is finishing up his Junior year at CCA.  Here are some highlights for him:

Josh went to Banquet (like prom) with Sona (who is wearng navy blue). Here are some his classmates.

Every year CCA honors those students who achieve academic excellence.  Josh on stage receiving one of his.

Josh is the one in pink shirt walking to the stage.

Up the steps

Sam, Josiah, and Josh dressed for banquet

Either an academic award or student government

Josh and Sona

Sam, Josiah, and Josh

My model son 

He had the opportunity to go to Colorado and with a group to visit a friend who moved there over the summer.

Colorado

Colorado again - Josh, Lane, Dell, Hannah (birthday girl and the one who moved) Ryann, and Chloe

More Colorado photos

While there they attended a ceremony for Hannah (white dress) for National Honor Society

Some of the guys for banquet - Ian, Josh, Sam, Nathan, Josiah . (I know I am biased but seriously they could all be teenage models!!!)

Me and my boy - The shrimp and the Jolly green giant

Josh being congratulated my Gabe (son 2.0)

It is because of these fine young men that my youngest thrives.  They are Tate, Ian, Josh, Sam, Mattias, Gabe, Ian, Josiah, and Nathan (slightly chopped out of picture)

Oh to know what was said to have Josh bending over in laughter.  Love love love these guys.

Nathan, Josh, Sam (peaking over shoulder) Josiah, Gabe . (Just as an aside those are all Josh's awards)!!!

I cannot stress enough how much CCA means to my family.  We are so blessed to have this as an option for education for our children. 

Hard Day

Yesterday was a hard day for me.  Can't really explain as to why but there was a lot of frustration and irritation over the least little things.
My constant throughout the day was to remember all the blessings in my life.  I went on a 30 minute walk and the entire time I was thanking the Lord for all that he has given me and done in my life.
It can be so easy to camp in the frustration and irritation but I was not allowing the enemy or my flesh, for that matter, to win.
Every victory is given to us my our Heavenly Father.  I know I could not have changed yesterday around on my own strentgh.  It was by inviting him into my presence that I was able to let go of all that I was feeling and change it around to be thankful and grateful.
So today, my day started way earlier than I wanted or expected.  (Especially since I did not fall asleep until 2:30a).  The maintenance guy that was due between 9a-12p came 2 1/2 hours earlier.  Needless to say when the phone rang at 7:13a, I was none too thrilled.  But as we are meant to do, I put on my big girl pants and started my day.  And what a beautiful, gorgeous, splendid day it is already.  Just look at this beauty.

Truly Blessed

I know beyond a doubt that I am a blessed individual. I just have to look around and see that. The comfort of my home, the love of my hubby, the health of my children. All these add up to tremendous blessings. But then I find this:  

And my thoughts go to all different kinds of negative places.   Like - what am I a maid, how can a family of 5 plus 1 use this many dishes in less than 12 hours where 8 are spent sleeping?  Thoughts of how I can feel like I am only good for cleaning up after them or giving them money for gas and haircuts and the like. But then God reminds me that it is a blessing to have a sink full of dishes. That we have provisions enough for sustenance  (and then some).  That these dishes that are dirty put smiles on the faces of those who ate the dessert or enjoyed the smoothies or the hot beverages. 

So with a smile on my face as I clean up this mess, where many are sure to follow, I say a prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father for all that He has bestowed upon me and mine. 

Today may you encounter the blessings in your life. 

Route 56

Our church has a group that meets once a month for 5th and 6th graders. It was started the year Ste was in 6th grade. That was 5 years ago. Well due to various leaders being called away to other ministry the group was running for the last year with no head leaders. Bill and I started praying and felt The Lord calling us to step up and take control of His group. We are excited to see what God has in store for us. Sunday was our first meeting. While we only had 4 kids attend, we know God was present.