Weekend in Blacksburg

 It rained most of the weekend we were all together but the kids found ways to entertain themselves and we got to get out a few times between rain showers.

Family

It finally happened!!!! Its been 6 years since we've all been together.  

The original six.

 The grandkids.  Plus one more precious boy soon to join us in December. Norah can keep her claim as the favorite granddaughter for now.

 Such a gift to spend the weekend together. And we are hoping that its not years before this happens again.

Natural Bridge

We had planned during the summer to spend the second weekend in September in Blacksburg. James and Angela were going to be there so it would be the first time in 6 years we would all be together as a family. The hurricane coming and mandatory evacuations in our area meant no school that week so we left a few days earlier to start our reunion weekend.

 On our way up we were passing signs for the Natural Bridge so we decided to get off and explore for a few hours.

Colin had read in school how George Washington had carved his initials in the rock.  We looked for it but it was lightly raining so we couldn't see it. Colin was standing where the sign said to stand and look across. Its somewhere 20 feet high :)

It was a fun pit stop.

Cousins

The beginning of September didn't just bring school, it brought our wandering hokies back to the states.

These two were reunited.... seems like just yesterday they were both so young

 We were going to go welcome them at the airport but they missed their connecting flight so we didn't go at midnight to go get them. Debbie texted me the next day when they woke up and we went right over.  

 The kids had a blast playing together

 Jet lag is hard but the snuggles were perfect!

 
 

 

Then they came over for dinner one night that week. It was fun being able to say goodbye and see you later. 

 

First day of school

None of us were ready for school to start.  It was a really fun summer. I love having the kids home with me all summer.  

I think all of us were feeling apprehensive about school starting.  Joel was nervous the night before so he sat on the couch and made this chart. He wrote down every subject and resource he thought he would have and either gave it a check or an x based on what he liked.  He did end up with more checks than x's so that helped calm his nerves before he went to bed.  He seems to like it enough. He has most of the same kids in his class from last year so we are anxiously waiting to see how that goes. He told his teacher he didn't like school and she told him challenge accepted.  He was intrigued how she would rise to his challenge. He did think he had a substitute the first day.  She had gotten her hair cut over the weekend and it took him about half the day to realize she was the same person from meet the teacher night.

 Norah had two outfit changes before she settled on the perfect outfit for her first day.  I drove her and walked her into her class the first day. She told me as we were sitting there waiting for the bell to ring that she was a little nervous and a little excited.  She has ridden the bus each morning since then.  She came home and told me she was going back the next day but then she was done with first grade. I've been able to talk her into it because now that shes full day she has a different resource each day. Music, Art, PE, Guidance, Library... so I told her she shouldn't make a decision about school until she at least tries it all once.   Its a long day for her.  But she enjoys school and comes home excited each day to tell me all about it.. Mornings are really rough. Her bus comes at 7am and she was used to sleeping until 9am all summer. Its rough on all of us.

Colin really enjoys his teachers this year. He has a really fun team. Great teachers make all the difference. He always comes home with some great stories his English teacher tells them.  His English teacher is the Young Life leader so he was very excited to get him this year.

I'd like to say we have adjusted to school by now but they haven't had a full week of school yet.  They only went one day last week and then were out of school for the hurricane. This morning felt like starting back all over but we will get into the groove soon. But so far so good and we are praying for great school years for all of them.

Verse

We were at church with Ant Ant and the speaker was talking about this passage.  They mentioned how the king only wanted the BEST of the wives and children.  He didn't want ALL he only wanted the BEST.  I don't remember where the speaker was going with this passage because then Joel leaned over to me and whispered "I wouldn't get taken."