End of the Season

Max and Chris had their last flag football game this afternoon. This last game was probably their best of the season. It was a close game with the Swathers coming out on top. They had a fun season, but Max wishes it wasn't so short.

Oatmeal

Breakfast with a Buddy

The elementary school "Donuts with Dad" and "Donuts with Mom" has recently changed to "Breakfast with a Buddy", so we all got to go together this morning. (Natalie had already walked on to the middle school before the photo opp.)

State Fair Fun

Fourth Grade Bike Tour

We love bike tour day. Chris rode with Max, and the little girls and I cheered and waved along the route. Fun was had by all!

Flag Football

Chris is coaching Max's flag football team this year, and they had a great game this morning. It is fun to watch them improve with each game. Keith came to watch today and got some really great pictures. 

Keith also caught this picture of the team flower picker. 

Grandma

My Grandma passed away peacefully in her sleep earlier this week. It has been a sad week of tears and memories and sorrow for time gone by, but amid all this, I have been struck at times with immense joy and hope. Heaven is our goal, and Grandma made it. She is in paradise with Jesus and Grandpa, and that makes me so happy for her. She is home. 

Grandpa and Grandma have always been such an inspiration to me. I remember writing them a note as a teen telling them that I wanted to be like them when I grew up, but at the time that seemed kind of abstract. I knew they had something good, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. What was it that made them shine the way they did? 

Now I think I understand. Their focus on their faith, their marriage, and their family (in that order) made all the difference. Now I have so many questions I'd love to ask them, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that the advice they would have probably given can be gleaned from the lives they lived. Faith, service, and love were always their focus, and that is their legacy. 

The priest gave a beautiful homily at Grandma's funeral in which he talked about the "burden of knowledge". He said that once we know, we have to tell others. He said that what we have learned from Grandma, we now must pass on in the way we live our lives. Thank you, Grandma, for a beautiful example of a life well-lived. Pray for us. 

Swings

Lunch and Recess with Emma

 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

 This one is currently read on repeat at our house because it's one of Abby's favorites.