A Trip That Did My Heart Good!

It had been a   l o n g   time since we had visited our Kati and her sweet family! 

Life has changed and responsibilities have changed and that is what is necessary in this season. It is what we do. But although Kati and Andrew and the children have visited us two or three times each year, we had not been able to visit them on their turf since 2022! We had never seen their new home (they moved in 2023), and the children were too young to have even remembered our last visit. 

So you can imagine how delighted we were to finally be able to head south and see our dear ones! Many details . . . much planning . . . and the kindness of the Lord! 

These two sweethearts greeted us as we pulled into their driveway . . . 

Ellie (4) and Caleb (5)

. . . and we spent the next days having the most wonderful time together! A kid-guided tour of their charming house, hanging out, catching up, going to Andrew's parents' home for a lovely lunch, house projects, an outdoor tour of their property, coffee, delicious meals shared around their table, coffee shops, a trip to the city, eating southern foods, antique shops, a bookstore, and, of course, being enthralled by Caleb and Ellie! 

It did my mama-heart good to see our dear ones in their own place, seeing their rhythms and how they live, experiencing their favorite coffee shops, shopping at some of their favorite stores, seeing them as an established family unit. 

It also did my mama-heart good to see my Kati living the life she had always wanted: happily married and homeschooling her children. I looked around and saw evidence of her homemaking skills, collections of beautiful children's books, and this vignette. 

Nestled among some parenting and homeschooling books was a "Morning Time" candle and a framed Charlotte Mason quote, "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." 

Yes, it was a wonderful trip and I returned home with a full heart! 

Another Homeschool Graduate

Ron and I were so blessed to spend a recent weekend with our son's family, celebrating our granddaughter Eve who is graduating from high school! We were able to attend her Senior Gala & Violin Recital . . . SO special! 

It was a quick trip, but it was filled to the brim with the best things. We were grateful that all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together to allow us to go.

On Saturday evening, we had a yummy meal featuring Hawaiian burgers, followed by a time of singing and playing instruments. Delightful!

We had a pre-recital outing at Beans in the Belfry, a fun coffee shop that is in an old church building. There was live music, delicious coffees, and good times with our people.   

We were back home in time for everyone to get ready for the gala. Look at these beautiful sisters! Nora (left) accompanied Eve's solo piece at the recital. So special! 

Our sweet senior posed with her parents. We are so proud of their homeschooling journey! Eve is an accomplished young woman, and she is also a kind and compassionate soul. 

The gala featured a delicious dinner, a slide show of pictures of the seniors, and remarks from the seniors and their parents. Then the formal recital began. 

Eve solo piece was "Violin Concerto in Hungarian Style in A Minor, Op. 2." It was so beautiful and we were bursting with pride and joy!

We all rode back to Ryan and Sarah's house and then we had a time that was as meaningful as the recital. 

Since they do not have family nearby, and they are not a part of a homeschool group in their new home, Ryan and Sarah had chosen not to have a formal graduation service for Eve. But after the little girls had gone to bed, Sarah read aloud letters of recommendation that she had written about Eve for college applications. Beautiful! Then we all had the opportunity to talk about Eve, which was easy to do, and we applauded her accomplishments. Finally, the conversation turned to education in general.

If you're a longtime reader here at Thinking About Home, then you know that I homeschooled my children for twenty-eight years and that I loved it with all of my heart. I am passionate about the lifestyle that homeschooling allows. My youngest graduated six years ago  . . . but I still miss the homeschooling way of life. Of course, I am busy with other things, but I miss the joy of learning side by side, the feast of ideas, the discipleship, the time spent together, the purpose. 

But that night, as we sat philosophizing together, I could "see" some of the return on our investment in our children's lives as they have carried on that same investment in their own children's lives, and I felt a deep satisfaction. No, I am no longer directly guiding anyone's education, but the truth hit home that I have had some part in sowing the seed for generations that follow. 

Congratulations to Eve, our fourth grandchild to graduate from homeschool! Blessings on your next steps, sweet girl!

And these words, which I command you today
shall be in your heart. 

You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
when you walk by the way,
when you lie down, and when you rise up. 

Deuteronomy 6:6, 7

Five on Friday

It's time for a another Five on Friday, a gathering of blessings big and small. 

{one}
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Our second grandchild graduates from high school this weekend!

I can hardly believe that Maddie is old enough to graduate. But then, I said that when Gavin graduated too. Hmmm . . . I suppose it's just a fact that the older you get, the faster time flies. I anticipate graduations and other milestones will just keep flying by. 

But regardless, this is Maddie's one and only high school graduation and we are so proud of her! She is a delightful young woman and we know that she will soar! 

Photo by Bekah

{two}

Pineapple House was filled with beautiful music this week as Bekah's piano students (currently four of her nieces and nephews) presented their spring recital. It was Paul's (7) first recital and he did such a great job! Then Peter (11), Nora (13), and Eve (14) played their selections and we were all so impressed! It had been a while since the last recital (pre-pandemic), so it was especially thrilling to see their progress. By request, the teacher also played. 

(After the program, the two tiny girls played a duet. ~smile~)

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We also had our last book club meeting of the school year this week. Even though I "retired" from homeschooling three years ago, I have continued to guide a book club for a group of homeschooled girls. It is a sweet time of book talk and tea and fellowship.

This year, we have had varied themes. One month we read and discussed books that had been translated into English from another language. Another month we read books with talking animals. This month we read books that took place on or near the sea. So much fun! 

{four} 

This is so random . . . 
but I added sweet potato fries to our Mother's Day dinner leftovers and I thought it made a pretty plate! Do you like a pretty plate? Do you enjoy leftovers? (I love them!) 

{five}

Spring on the sideboard: a sweet little picture of a bird on a strawberry vine, picked up on an antiquing outing with Ron, and a couple of wool strawberries on the tea tray. 

Blessed be the Lord, 

Who daily loads us with benefits, 

The God of our salvation! 

Selah.

Psalm 68:19

Lately . . .

 

Quiet and cozy is how I like my January. 

We've had some of that.

s

And we've also had a visit to my sister's new home in a new town, a fun book club meeting, and a winter birthday party! 

Bekah's January became less "quiet" this week when she started college. At least she has company while she studies. 🐈

(Is he keeping her company or enjoying the sun? Both?)

 

How do like your January?