Famlies

Families don't have to match. You don't have to look like someone else to love them. Period.

Happy Tuesday

Chocolate Cafe

Sometimes when I'm so involved in an event and juggling it all I don't get any pictures. But I will next year because next year it's the "last year" - yes, we've started to say that around here. So before I'm sad that next year is the last Chocolate Cafe for Anna I want to remember this one {even with only 1 pre concert picture}



She played in the Camartta orchestra at the Town Hall and it was magnificent.

Such a beautiful night with the most extraordinary music. I wish I could bottle up that sound and get it all on this post. But there is just no way.

But I'll remember, I will.



And this beautiful note to Scott and I thanking her for the support.

I love

I love

tea in the morning & tea in the evening

I love

my kitchen

I love

having 2 daughters

I love

that I was home for 13 years

I love

being a teacher

I love

decorating my home

I love

correcting papers

I love

tidying up each night

I love

when the laundry is on schedule

I love

when I'm home for the evening

I love

my mudroom

I love

my classroom

I love

planning

I love

reading picture books to my 4th graders every day

I love

reading to Abigail in bed each night

I love

falling asleep after doing the 'work' God has for me in that day

I love

our little yellow bird and his beautiful cage

I love

how I've transformed my classroom in a 'natural classroom' that is calming, quiet, and filled with life

I love

our Hitchcock dining table

I love

kids pjs on my girls and tucking them in at night

I tell my girls all the time... "you have 'have it all'... just not all at the same time"

Stay home? Absolutely. There is no wavering in my conviction to raise my babies - me - no one else to do those days - all 13 years of them

Go back to the classroom? Absolutely. There is no wavering in my conviction that I did the right thing to step out in faith and the new (old, but new again) calling God had in my life.

Timing? Well, it's not our timing, but His. I fought Him the whole first year back. I questioned, cried, wondered, stressed. And then I rested. I rested in His timing, not mine. And I can see now, clearly, fully, His hand in mine as I do what I do each day. Knowing that I need to give to those 22 4th graders my love, my teaching, my heart.

Some days I'm so exhausted I can't see straight. But most days I only feel exhilarated walking in His path for my life.

A Few Bits of Valentines Day

After our schools and doing all that love there we were all so happy to come home!

Not too many pictures and it sure was simple but lovely...

The day started bright and early with heart french toast of course!



And in the afternoon there were sweet cards...



And some simple - they are growing up gifts.





Happiest face ever



for this donuts pan



And then we went out for Habachi!



The very best part of Valentine's Day this year after an exhausting week was curling up in bed at 9:00- we all went to sleep early with happiness knowing we'd have the next 4 days home...

Little Things I Love Around the House

We all had Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off from school -- so so so nice! Besides the dentist appointments and other things that were scheduled there was lots of time for nesting -- something that fills my heart and anchors me.

Since I took these pictures actually, so much has already changed. We even painted the dining room this weekend! And I love it!

But here are some things around the house (before this weekend) that made me smile.

Lace hearts above the kitchen sink made me smile.





The tea table does too.



I don't think they could have made this tin prettier.





I split up my beautiful books and scattered them here and there.





My kitchen always makes me smile.





Oh and this pie save -- found it for $2 oh my word do I love it!!! Can't wait to bake a pie and bring it on the 4th of July!



Gosh... thinking about collecting them - I think I need a cherry one too!



A little love in the baking center.





These are packed away now but I love having them out every year.





Baptism portrait hanging, china in the cabinet, tea not too far away --



Vintage table cloths -- I can never have too many of them. Although I use them every single day on our kitchen table, yes I do... I am dreaming of sunny summer weather with puffy clouds, and a them outside blowing in the wind.



This is one of my favorites. Wouldn't it be pretty for a wedding or baby shower outside? None of those in my near future (thank goodness - for now) but this mama can dream...





Little 'finds' like these -- I use the little pitcher each morning when Anna has breakfast to hold her oat milk. Mornings are so much more sweet with a little pitcher of milk.



Just a few little things around that I love.

Off to a very short week of school ...

A Big Announcement

... because I can't find a better title than that...

I need to start back in September 2008.

Anna was in Kindergarten. And I signed her up for Suzuki viola lessons.

We couldn't really afford it - and I wasn't sure of the commitment.

But something in me told me it was the right thing to do.

All those years ago - I'm so glad I did.

Next year is Anna's senior year of high school. And so this was her last chance to try out for one certain orchestra.

It was a chance in a million. Okay, maybe not a million but they were accepting only 2 violists.

Nothing could go wrong. Not one note. It had to be flawless.

When we arrived at the school Anna waited in a practice room while I waited in the hallway.

And then she was escorted into the room with camera recording every note, judges - just Anna and her viola.







I held my breath for what felt like 10 minutes. I stood with my ear to the door and heard that song she'd played and practiced over and over for months.

But would it be different this time? She'd tried out before.

This year Anna took a musician professional course, online for months. It was for professional musicians that were auditioning for orchestras across the country. Taught by two musicians and a auditioning psychologist. She worked so hard in this course - the only 16 year old in a group for adult musicians. She had to constantly record her playing, upload it, listen to them critique it, and work harder.

And so when she walked through that door, I couldn't breath. We wanted this so much for her.

This orchestra that she was trying out for is quite something. They travel to Europe to play. They are in the top orchestras in the country. And Anna has never wanted something more.

And

she

got

in.

She is still singing and dancing around the house. We are all still in shock.

She got in!