2 for one

When they were younger, I had to do two separate posts for their birthdays. We took turns celebrating one before the other, because everything had to be fair, right? But when you are 18 and 22, I think we have turned a corner. I hope. So...

Happy birthday Shoun and Eden! Or Eden and Shoun - whichever you prefer.

Such maturity from both of you. Just think back to 2010 when you became siblings. So much excitement at first, to share a birthday. Then reality. 4 years apart. Ages apart in experience, maturity, trust, and ability to love and forgive. 

I couldn't be more proud of who you are today, Eden and Shoun. Your character and godliness are world-changing. Keep following the path God has for you. I love you!

Tale of 2 trees

 You know the story, Tale of Three Trees? It is a beautiful and moving story of sacrifice and salvation. 

Well, we have our own story, Tale of Two Trees. Our story, too, has a moral. Just not quite as spiritual as the more popular one.

Our story started in the spring when we had to put our front tree down. She served us well but she was declining and it was getting painful to look at her.

Then ensued the conversation about what would replace her. The majority of us wanted something that would have beautiful pink buds every spring. The Good Doctor wanted something bright red in the fall. And since each of his votes counts as five votes, and even if we had all four votes, we could never have over-ridden his vote for the red tree. And we didn't have all four votes because we had a dissenter who doesn't like anything pink because it's "for girls."

So, in the spring we got a tree named Scarlet when what we really wanted was a tree named Coral. A few members of the family, who choose to remain anonymous, briefly considered ordering a can of pink spray paint off of Amazon so we could enjoy our pink tree but said family members abstained from such actions.

Well, here we are in the fall. Our tree's cousins at the middle school are a beautiful red color. 

Ours is still green. Plain green. Just green. Nothing but green.

It's a good thing we didn't waste our money on that pink spray paint because now we have to buy a can of red spray paint to help our little tree reach its (supposed) full potential.

So what's wrong with our tree, you ask? This summer, when the topic of the tree came up during Mariana and Jake's wedding shower, Jesse suggested that it was struggling because we were so mean to it.

We thought he was joking.

We forgot that he's a science teacher. He knows these things.

Because it appears as if trees are susceptible to bullying and apparently we were the worst kind. 

We're sorry, Coral. We repent of our sinful ways. Please, please turn pink in the spring. 

Or red in the fall. Fine. Red is fine.

Anything. Just do something. 

Please?

Second...

Today's the day! Wish Shoun and Eden a happy birthday!

Eden, so much to say.

Your inner beauty shines through every day. You have shown so much maturity in this crazy insanity we call 2020. You continue to find ways to reach the hurting. You care for those who are different than you. You offer grace to those who don't give it in return. You have goals and you push until you reach them. You have done more as a 16 year old than many adults twice (or more) your age. 

Donuts have already been happy birthday-ed over and eaten, words of encouragement have already been given...

So now as you stand in line (the second line since people in high places just aren't as organized as some of us would be?) at the DMV, know that you are loved. Never let that inner light fade. You are a world changer.

Speaking of...

Growing up, speech class was my least favorite subject. Right behind math. And chemistry. And physics, too. Yes, it was definitely in my bottom five.

So it's to everyone's surprise that I do a lot of public speaking now. Especially my former English teachers. One of them happened to be in attendance when I spoke once. Did she want to change those old record sheets? No more "too quiet" or "too fast" or "too short" (the speech, not the speaker, since there wasn't a whole lot you could do about the latter's stature).

But it was also a surprise to me when Eden came home from one of her first days of school and told me that she had signed up for the Speech and Debate Club. Better you than me, dearie.

And yet another surprise when she found herself in second place, and headed to States for her speech.

Congratulations, Eden! Keep following your own path. I know that God has great plans for you.

Overheard at Brothers

Eden and I enjoyed a little mother-daughter time by buying ourselves a few plants to brighten up the home. She had created some clay pots at the pottery studio and wanted to fill them. I, the ultimate non-green thumb, needed to replace some plants that had passed on. Next we headed to the dollar store for rocks and then to Brothers, our favorite pizza shop, for supper.

We arrived and were greeted by Jerry, the best pizza shop owner around. He not only knows our family but he knows each of us individually, usually asking after each one by name. And since his son was born the same day and year as HopeAnne, he always has a special round of questions just for her.

This evening he was on the phone, taking another order, but not before calling us out by name and asking how we were doing. By the end of his phone conversation, the whole restaurant was chuckling.

Jerry: Okay. And then you want a chicken and steak 'boli?...For your dog?...Your dog eats 'boli?...Does your dog like sauce on the side?...How about wine with that?...

Jerry hangs up and says, "I never heard that one before."

Made our night!

A night of pottery

Last evening, Eden did a very selfless thing. She gave up an evening of her pottery class/lesson and invited me to be a student of her instead.

We had a lovely evening of mother/daughter time.

She told me to live in the moment but I had to get a few pictures.

She showed me each of the steps involved and even let me trim some of her pieces.

But of course the highlight was learning how to throw at the wheel. With a lot of help from Eden, I made two planters with saucers and a bowl.

And an evening would not be complete without a stop for ice cream, would it?

Thanks, Eden!

Another year older

Tomorrow Eden will turn fifteen years old. Today we celebrate her birthday.

She's an excellent chef, baker, and all-around kitchen helper.

She's a wonderful big sister

and not so bad as a little sister, either.

She's gifted as an artist.

And these days she's busy turning the "boys' room" into her room.

Five years ago she had the idea to start collecting items for backpacks to give to foster children transitioning into foster care. That idea turned into Backpacks of Hope, an initiative under Our Father's Hope, which just happened to become a non-profit this year. Thanks to her, over 1,400 backpacks have been given to vulnerable children in Central PA. You can help us honor Eden's fifteenth birthday by contributing to Backpacks of Hope. We have an Amazon wishlist which can be found on the Backpacks of Hope Facebook page.

Here is Eden accepting a contribution to Backpacks of Hope

and eloquently speaking about the project.

Thank you, Eden, for being a blessing to us and to so many others.

We are the champions

As Victor started his breakfast this morning, Eden mentioned that it was "the breakfast of Champions". So, of course, Victor had to start singing the song by Queen.

Not a bad theme song for the year. Hopefully.

So, he's off to 1st, HopeAnne to 7th, and Eden starts at the high school.

He was thrilled with his new Toy Story backpack (but we still have a Cars themed lunch box!).

This year I'll be praying for your attitude, for boldness, courage, discernment, enthusiasm, friendliness, generosity, humility, initiative, joyfulness, knowledge, listening skills, maturity, love, hope, perseverance, peace-making, respect, self-control, thankfulness, understanding, victory, wisdom, excellence, youthfulness, and zeal.

I'm proud of all three of you and know you'll do well.

Anyone can draw

Inspired by the onboard education on the Disney Dream, we decided to turn some family nights into educational nights. Every Friday night is Family Night (and all are invited - just text first so we know to expect you) but last night was our first official Onboard Education Family Night.

Notice the fine print

Eden and HopeAnne decided to tackle a drawing class. Yes, the teachers need to tackle the task since we're quite the crew. Never a dull moment and lots of laughter.

They put up with us and persisted even when Tyree stole the water pitcher (presumably to fill his glass) just as Eden was to demonstrate the drawing of it.

Thanks to Mariana's growing collection of various, unique colored glass vases for the future wedding, we had instant still life. Pick your poison, people.

Victor had a lot of questions, struggled with the noise and laughter, but did his best to listen and draw his Coca-Cola cup to the best of his ability. He even drew a table line when Eden said we should add that important element.

Jesse was to evenly distribute the kneadable eraser but instead kept most of it for himself. Apparently he thought he was in the sculpture class and not the still life class.

We quickly discovered that some of us got all of the talent, a few got a little, and some got none. But it doesn't matter as that was not the point. No one can accuse us of boring dinner parties.

Everyone's favorite distraction, TJ!