Joy-Filled Days

You all know that I took a blogging break while Rebekah was home for Thanksgiving. We **loved** every minute of her time at home. It went so fast. AND, as you might imagine, I took a lot of pics while the five kids were all together. Mothers do things like that. ahem.

So, I thought I’d share a few with you. I have to apologize that some of them are rather blurry because I took them with my phone.

Thanksgiving morning we celebrated Peter’s birthday. We are so thankful for him!

After we sang to Daddy and gave him his gifts, we headed over to the Halifax Country Club to help prepare for their annual Thanksgiving dinner that they supply for the elderly or needy in the community. We all set tables and worked in the kitchen to get ready for the nearly 270 people that they serve for that meal. It was a great experience for our kids.

My momheart melted as I watched the kids make an extra effort to talk to some of the lonely old men that were there. In their own little way, they were trying to help ease the loneliness that holidays without family can bring.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day

Rebekah and Addy, my niece.

We celebrated Holly’s birthday a week early so her sister could be there.

The birthday party ended with a trip to the ER for Matt. His hand was cut twice with a Swiss Army Knife when boys were fooling around. Yup.

We visited a few Christmasy type places…and the girls went into Boston to Skate on Frog Pond. Later, we caught up with them in the North End for a delicious Italian meal.

 

 

We packed a lot of family fun into a few days. So thankful that God brought us together again for a weekend. Thankful for time to invest in their lives and for another chance to sit around God’s word as a family and thank Him for the great things He has done.

Things have been quiet on the blog because we have been super busy around here–busy in a good way. Busy with my family.

I am LOVING having all five kids home under one roof.  :)

So,so thankful for the time I have with each of them!

Here are some snapshots of what we’ve been up to this summer. I do have pangs of guilt that I should be getting ready for the homeschool year to start! BUT, I am not going to think about that now (Scarlett O’Hara)… I am going to do that after Rebekah leaves for college again.

Incase you didn’t know: THAT is WHY they invented 2 day shipping, right? lol

Vacation Bible School

Emily (right) at CIT at the Wilds of New England

All New England CIT'ers

Holly at Summer Camp

Museum of Fine Art, Boston

Jean Francois Millet painting (and Hopie)

Paul Revere, thinking "Tea: Yes, or No"

Teen Youth Activities. This one, Boston Blitz Scavenger Hunt.

I have been pondering these quotes:

“Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.” Jerry Bridges

“Too often, we say we are defeated by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated. We are simply disobedient. It might be good if we stop using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather, we should use the terms obedience and disobedience. When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may in fact be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey.

We need to brace ourselves up and to realize that we are responsible for thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We need to reckon on the fact that we died to sin’s reign, that it no longer has any dominion over us, that God has united us with the risen Christ in all His power and has given us the Holy Spirit to work in us. Only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate God’s provisions will we make any progress in our pursuit of holiness.” Jerry Bridges

What are you reading this summer? Pondering? I hope you enjoy your week!
 

We had perfect weather yesterday for Bek’s graduation party. I am extremely thankful for all of our family and friends who helped. Not only did my sisters and parents spend most of the day Friday setting up the hall, decorating and preparing food, they basically ran the whole event for me. Peter did a crazy amount of running around  so that I didn’t have to (he is concerned that my mono will get worse, sweet guy!) My Uncle John came early to pitch in and  help without being asked.  My church friends did errands so I wouldn’t have to, made desserts and brought fruit. My sister in law Nancy went out of her way to talk to people who didn’t know everyone, and to make them feel at home. She also volunteered to take pictures of the whole event. My sister, Hannah made this gorgeous cake.

This cake looked like old leather books!

I am amazed at this cake. It was too pretty to cut!

This graduation cap is also a cake.

I have to tell you that I love being part of a community. In a world of one word texts, and online friendships, and everything hurried in order to be quick and easy,  there is nothing  like face to face visiting and sitting with someone you love in person. This takes time and sacrifice but in the end there is no substitute. We only have one shot at this life and relationships and people matter.

More pics:

Rebekah and Aunt Judy

Memory Board

Opening gifts

Bek's grandfather Beals "enjoying" the pond. (aka...making sure none of the little ones fell in!)

Thought I’d share a little peek into what we did all weekend.

What did you do?