8 days + 7 Cities = Memories! (aka - more than just a field trip)

Cami and I were incredibly blessed the week before last to head east with her 8th grade class for the annual American Heritage trip. Yes - we did 7 cities in 8 days....beginning in Boston - then West Point, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Gettysburg, Washington, DC and ending in Baltimore! That's actually 8 cities!! 

We started in Boston after a red eye flight - the kids did a great job at staying away and staying enthusiastic! They actually did a great job overall - there were a lot of 8th grade groups we encountered throughout the week and our kids were BY FAR the most well behaved, engaged group! 

A Sunday morning visit to West point also brought a GREAT hug opportunity for me and Auntie D! 

Then it was off to NYC  - some history but a lot of fun! We saw the Broadway show "Beautiful - The Carole King Musical" and it was all the chaperones could do to not burst out in song through the whole show....isn't this friendship the best beautiful?? 

(I highly recommend seeing this show!) 

Never too old to play on the rocks in Central Park

We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge on Monday morning just to wake everyone up! We walked A LOT on this trip - I logged almost 56 miles on my FitBit!  

The we had a Staten Island ferry ride over to NJ to catch our bus. We spend a lot of time on the bus. This is me and my good friend Krystel - what a joy it was to have some time away from school to hang out (or run/walk) together! 

 

This was early in the trip - when she would still let me take pictures of her! 

  

Cheese steaks from the street cart in Philly - I guess we saw historical things there, but Philly was ALL about the cheese steaks for me! 

Tuesday morning  we went to the American Civil War museum in Harrisburg and Gettysburg battlefield in the afternoon - but I am thinking our lunch stop was the hit of the day (until dinner - more on that in a moment!!)

The pinnacle of this academic trip is the period dinner party. The students have to write an 1800 word paper on a person from history - talking about their character and their life. The paper counts for 30% of their history grade, their bible grade, and their English grade - so its a BIG deal! They then assume their character at a dinner party! 

Introducing  Julia Ward Howe - famous poet (Battle Hymn of the Republic), abolitionist and womens' right advocate! 

Also present at the dinner party were Susan B. Anthony and Betsy Ross (guess who is who!!) 

The other really cool part of the evening is that the students learn two period dances in PE before they leave - the Virginia Reel and the Waltz - and are graded at the dinner party at how well they dance. They started off extremely reluctant participants, but were having fun by the end!!  

Julia Howe and Sojourner Truth :)  

An outstandingly good looking bunch of kids! It was a fabulous evening - the kids knew their characters well and there was lively and thoughtful discussions about the issues of the day - slavery, women's rights and states rights. I was impressed by how well the students understood the issues and argued for their character's positions. 

Did I mention how much time we spent on the bus??? It was an exhausting trip - up and out of the hotel at 7:30 am every morning and most nights not back till 10...the students usually used their time to work on their journals, but occasionally got a break for a nap. 

Some of you might remember that Cami gets horribly car sick; this was the car sick seating - her and the 8th grade teacher, which helped her case when she couldn't get her journal done on the bus - he definitely understood the problem! 

Finally - DC! 

My girl in her happy place......

Devotions outside on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Of all the amazing historical things we saw - this view was my favorite. Our kids, worshipping their God, no inhibitions, no reservations - just praising the One. It was cold - but these kids are on fire for Jesus! 

Homeward Bound - it was a week that almost defied enough words. If there was one thing "best" thing, it was the way these students grew - emotionally and spiritually - on this trip. I watched them assimilate history through the eyes of God. I felt them process the true meaning of sacrifice for one's country and cause in a way they likely had never done. I watched a student who never thought himself creative discover he had a true gift for photography, and others who never considered themselves "smart" have the freedom to show they are.  They laughed and fought and experienced a shift together - and I think they are drew a little closer to each other and a lot closer to Jesus. 

I love these kids so much! 

8 days + 8 cities = world changing experience! 

Growing a Legacy of Love

This is what it looks like to grow a legacy of love....

60 years ago, a baby was born in the small town of Tiffin Ohio...a very, very cute little baby

he grew....

and then celebrated his first birthday! 

He started school in kindergarten like all kid do...

then onto middle school 

and high school! 

He became a dad - and it is one of the things he excels at! He loves his children with a fierceness and compassion that mirrors God's love for them 

And his tribe grew and grew! 

He married the love of his life. 

And loves her well. Oh so well. 

A leader with a servant's heart for God - always and first his legacy of love is firmly rooted in the love  of and for His Savior

So we celebrate this amazing man who blesses all beyond belief  - this past weekend with friends and family and today - the 60th anniversary of the day God blessed with this world with Doug. 

Happy birthday baby - we think you're the bomb! Blessed beyond measure by you! 

Bust our Buttons......

This is the week of the 8th anniversary of when I met Katie for the first time. In a hotel room in China, a little fireball came barrelling in and changed our lives. 

We had no idea the depth of the struggles she would face. No idea that the first 4 years of her life and the circumstances she endured (of which we aren't certain of the details, but imagine the worst - then more) would forever present challenges to her that she would battle daily.

We were told when she was 4 by her teacher "she will never learn to read; it's an unrealistic goal - that's why we are proposing all goals that will be life skills oriented." That day an uphill battle began, but God led the charge, for he placed some amazing teachers in her life that got her to where she is today. 

Today, she received a district award for students that have perservered and overcome great obstacles. 

Katie's teacher, Mrs. Villa,  said in the award ceremony "No matter what challenges life has thrown her way, she has found a way to overcome. I couldn't be more proud!"
(us too - I have needed more than a few tissues since I found out she was receiving this award) 

Every parent has moments when they are "bust their buttons" proud of their child. This was that and all some - because 8 years ago, no one thought this was possible. 

Lots of the people who have been instrumental in Katie's progress came to celebrate her today - which was beyond amazing. Katie is so loved by so many, and we are so blessed to have education professionals for whom this is a calling and they pour themselves into our girl. 

Miss Karen who was her first one-one aid (uofficially, officially!) - who loved Katie and our family so much she helped with horse camp one year, and I"m not sure she even likes horses! But she loves Katie - and Katie likes horses, so that was good enough for her! 

Her first teacher after our lawsuit when she got her new placement; she helped Katie to see that she could be successful and learn which was a gift beyond measure. 

Miss Jamie, who has helped develop Katie's althletic abilities...and her love of Ariel! 

Her current teacher and school team - who nominated her for this award. There simply aren't words to describe how their confidence in Katie's ability has changed her life. The believe in her, and go far above and beyond the call every moment of every day to help her be the very best she can be. 

Katie's life verse - we see it every moment of every day. 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and couragious. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your GOD, is with you wherever you go."

joshua 1:9

Happy New Year

Those words bring with them a lot of hope - that might be why people make such a big deal about New Year's Eve. Not us necessarily - other people - we generally let the evening pass without any fanfare! 

It's not that we don't like hope here - hope is a place we live in daily; it's just we can't stay awake until midnight. Plus, our people stress about "big deals' so we try to limit them as much as possible to necessary ones and NYE just isn't. 

However. we did take a little trip to Arizona to hang out with family - I didn't do a great job at getting any family pictures this time, so the candids are it...

Car #1 - because its good to have a back up, and quite frankly, sitting 5 people in 6 seats in the mini-van for an 8 hour ride is plain stupid! 

A random rest area - Arizona has much nice rest areas than California, so we stop just because! 

Reid Zoo in Tuscon - I braved it by myself with a toddler, two kids and Katie - and didn't lose anyone or my mind! 

Katie got a new bathing suit for Christmas - who cares that its 65 out and the water is freezing if you are a real mermaid! 

Christmas toys......

We brought an extra child home with us. She is going on the American Heritage Tour with Cami's school in March, and there are a couple of "pre-trip" details we needed to take care of - like dress fittings! 

Lunching at the Bowers Museum - I love these girls and I love that they love museums! 

Our break was not all fun. Right before we left, we lost one of our dear friends Jeff. I worked for and alongside Jeff for almost 10 years when I was in the sailing business. His wife Tracy hosted my baby shower before we brought Becky home. We did sailing and Porsche's and Jesus together with them. They are the friends you don't see for several months because life gets in the way - then you see them and all is right in your world again. 

Our lives are so much richer for having Jeff as a friend and we will miss him terribly. He is in glory right now with Jesus - and those of us who are left behind have a void and just a little less laughter in our lives. 

But hope - I started this entry talking about hope. There is no better hope than that found in the resurrected life of Jesus and because of that, this goodbye is a just a temporary one.