What a busy week it has been!
There has been something (or things!) every day . . . from piano lessons to book club to visits from sweet grandbabies and piano families and coffee friends. Projects, from taxes to oven-removing (really) to preparing 90th birthday party invitations for mailing. Taking a little detour on the way home from Bekah's out-of-town piano lesson and getting lost. A doctor's appointment. Seeing a movie with the girls. Never a dull moment.
Sometimes I wonder what life will be like in another seventeen months or so, which is when my youngest child will be graduating from homeschool. Will I miss the busyness of teaching and lessons and taxiing? Will I be relieved to slow down a bit? Will I simply find myself busy with different things?
I do wonder, but not with trepidation, instead determining to live one "today" at a time, trusting Him to guide my steps.
I do wonder, but not with trepidation, instead determining to live one "today" at a time, trusting Him to guide my steps.
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| Checking out Aunt Kati's bed. |
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| Serious about taxes! |
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| Serious hole in the kitchen! |
And before the busyness of the week, we celebrated the January birthdays!
Honestly, I have been fiddling around with this post all week. Last Sunday was a dreary, rainy day, and while it didn't dampen our party spirits, the gray day did affect my photos. I ended up with a bunch of washed out, out-of-focus shots. (It makes me even more excited about the new camera that I have ordered. Maybe I'll finally learn how to shoot in manual mode!)
But these are what I have, and they're still a record of the celebration for our January birthday people:
our youngest grandchild, Macie, 2
our son-in-law Brian
and our granddaughter Nora, 9.
(I didn't tell you Brian's age, but I will tell you that he is now the age that I was when I first met him!)
I was so glad that we had chosen to go bright and colorful for this January party!
The yarn pompom garland and the birthday candle napkins were Target finds. The colorful linen napkins were from my own stash as well as Kati's. Mom brought the festive cupcakes and Kati made the chocolate peanut butter trifle. What more do you need for a party?!
And now, after having a birthday celebration every month since July, Pineapple House is on birthday hiatus until April!
Two whole months’ hiatus? I would never have thought it. I know that I do this all the time, but Macie is two?! Time is so slippery now...it just gets away from me more than I am comfortable to even consider.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s happening with the oven? DOA? It can be a challenge to find ovens that fit. (My sister is in the middle of a kitchen redo. )
A new camera...that will be fun and a bit of a learning curve. Looking forward to what we will be seeing here.
Happy February!
Removing the wall oven was a planned part of our v-e-r-y slow kitchen refresh. We brought our new double oven with us when we moved, and Ron cut out a place for it and installed it over a year ago, but we're just now getting around to taking out the one that was here. We're planning on using the space for our microwave, thus freeing up some counter space. I'll keep you posted!
DeleteYes, I think the new camera will be both!
Such festive times in your home, Cheryl! All of the faces gathered to celebrate make for happy times. You always have cheerful themes at your gatherings. The pom pom banner is adorable and ties in with the rest of your colors.
ReplyDeleteI hear your Mama heart wondering what the future changes will bring. Yes, "living one today at a time" is the only way to move forward. ♥
DeleteCelebrations are my happy place! :)
Yes, my Mama heart can't help but wonder. I have loved having these years of homeschooling my children and I'd do it all over again. I know I will miss it, but I also know that my work in that realm will be complete and that there will be different things for me to do. I agree with you, Martha Ellen: Living a day at a time is the only way to go! ♥
I used to think about what life would be like after homeschooling. And I wondered even more for friends who had large families and stretched their homeschooling out over many years, as yours has been. It's probably a little like retiring. Oh so quickly, I hear (and have experienced for my part time retirement) that life fills up quickly. We all have found meaningful things to do and enjoyed extra time to attend a weekly Bible study or volunteer in some way --- and you have all those grandchildren to be involved with! Funny to see the pom pom garland. I helped our kids move last weekend and the last thing I did before I left was to help my DIL hang that same pompom garland on Littlest's new bunk bed.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that it boils down to "wondering." Homeschooling has been a part of my life for so long, that it feels strange to think about not doing it. I am certain that I will find meaningful things to do. It's funny how time is. During our summer break, I wonder how we ever even have time to do school, and then autumn comes and we get back into a groove. I think that it will be the same way in my "retirement." :)
DeleteHow fun that the pom pom garland is in your granddaughter's bedroom! I love Target's Dollar Spot; I always find fun things there!
Re: "the empty nest" - Your life will be fine and full. Just in new ways.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling the birthdays will continue and probably be celebrated in your home as they are now.
You needn't "worry" about tomorrow, Jesus said. (I know you know that.) Tomorrow will take care of itself!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Rebecca! I think I am wondering more than worrying, but you are oh so right about that . . . tomorrow will take care of itself! There will be new things to do, new paths to take . . .
DeleteYou all have such fun parties!
ReplyDeleteYou won’t be bored! There is so much to do in life!
Thanks, Deanna!
DeleteI often say, "Never a dull moment, but sometimes I'd like a dull moment!" Really though, it is a process, isn't it? Life changes little bits at a time and we simply work ourselves out of our jobs! I am sure that I won't be bored!
You always have such lovely, wonderful family parties.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady
Thank you, Lorraine! Family parties are my happy place!
DeleteYour pineapple house is indeed a birthday hub - you do it SO well and fill your home with family and celebration! Hope your stove woes can be solved quickly. I love seeing all the decadent desserts that are on your birthday table - yum. Take care and keep celebrating life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosella! We love to celebrate our people! Decadent desserts are often go along with it . . . although this trifle is probably one of the most decadent! (Can you believe that I didn't eat any of it? I am not a huge fan of peanut butter, so that makes it easier to pass on it. It's okay, because I have enough vices already!) :)
DeleteHappy February to you!
Looks like another delightful celebration! The trifle and cupcakes look scrumptious. I'm looking forward to hearing about your new camera. Have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl! I am excited about my new camera too! Currently, it is on back order, but I'm sure you'll be hearing about it when it comes! :)
DeleteThe photo of Macie munching the pickle is priceless. What a delicious looking trifle came to the party. Looks like a fun and loving event.
ReplyDeleteSo funny about Macie and the pickle! We have some pickle enthusiasts in our family, but my daughter Kristin (Macie's mother) is not one of them and she had never offered Macie pickles until recently. Well, apparently, Macie has the pickle gene because she loves them!
DeleteIt was a delicious day . . . in many ways.
I love your postings. You have such a beautiful family. I have 3 grandchildren, a ways to catch up to you. I especially enjoy the simplicity of your blog.I admire the black covering it looks to be that perhaps a daughter or daughter in law is wearing. I too have worn this type of covering for 5 plus years now. Blessings, Dawn E. Brown
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dawn! Of course, I think they are beautiful too! :) Aren't grandchildren wonderful? Yes, the black covering is worn by my precious daughter-in-law Sarah.
DeleteBlessings to you too, Dawn! Thanks for stopping by!
What great and colorful party decorations, especially that darling pom-pom banner. A new camera? How exciting! You always take such excellent photos and none on manual mode? You shouldn't have given away your secret...LOL! Well, have fun with that!
ReplyDeleteGotta love a $3 pom-pom banner! :)
DeleteI always say my secret to photography is "take a gazillion pictures and maybe a few will be what I want." Eek!
Cheryl, what a lovely family! I wondered what your granddaughter was playing on her violin. It will be interesting to see how your life changes with the graduation of your last student. I tend to try to plan and anticipate, but I'm *trying* to just let the future unfold!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jean! Eve first played "Happy Birthday" and then the hymn "Be Still My Soul." She has only been playing for a few months and she is doing quite well!
DeleteI am a planner too, but so much of life is beyond our control. That is why it comes down to trust!