An advantage to living with creative people

The wallet Julia made for me was working out except for one problem.  She used a Ziploc zipper for the coin pouch, and I really needed a regular zipper.  Julia very willingly agreed to improve on her original design and made this wallet for me.  I love it.  She has learned to match the pattern so that the herringbone (a pattern I really love) lines up.  It is a really pretty and functional wallet even if it is constructed of Duck Tape.

9 card slots and an ID slot

The zipper pouch is sandwiched between two accordion billfolds.  I also have a billfold on the top of the wallet.

I love, love, love, love it!   She is in the process of making a matching checkbook cover because mine is deteriorating very quickly.  It is so much more special to carry something so nice made by hand by someone I love so much.

This Weekend

We travelled to Zach's college for new student and parent orientation.  It was good to see him, and we enjoyed our time on campus.  I still freak about the cost of college, but I am affirmed again and again every time we step foot on that campus.  It is a natural fit for Zach, and he seems to be adjusting well.

We enjoyed the class of 2018 ivy planting ceremony. The freshman class goes to a convocation service and then has a ceremonial ivy planting.  When they graduate, the gather again in the circle where they cut a long strand of ivy.  The planting symbolizes joining the college community, and the cutting symbolizes leaving the community for the future ahead.  

Everyone there is about community.  The president is visible on campus and staff members were all over campus on Saturday welcoming the students and engaging with the introverted students in particular.  The football team had a great time planned today.  A local church has prompted families to adopt two football players each and commit to a meal each month with their adopted sons.  In order to make it fun for the team, they set it up like a draft to have the players matched with their families.  The families already knew who they adopted, but the players got to enjoy the draft.  Zach said the lunch today was fabulous.

We have chosen a couple of other dates to visit the campus, so that is exciting, and Zach returns home next weekend.  

There is nothing quite so frustrating as being on the road hours from home and getting a text that your youngest child is running a fever.  There is no driver and no children's medication in the house.  Not usually that big of a deal, but this child tends to spike fevers with strep, and the symptoms were pointing in that direction.  We determined that she could take adult medication, and we got home to one sick little girl.  A visit to the doctor confirmed our suspicion that it is strep, and now we have a mom and child prepared to stay home on the Monday of the second full week of the school year.   Nice.

I did not get to return to the fair.  The plan was to to today, but the only person willing to go with me was Julia, and she is really not up to it.

We spent today taking the ALS ice bucket challenge.  Blogger won't allow me to share the videos, but Wyatt was the first to be challenged, and his video is the cutest.  Julia was challenged and begged us to let her do it today, but she has been wrapped up in a blanket, freezing and complaining that her throat really hurts.  She has barely eaten.  We don't think that is wise, so she can complete her challenge Tuesday when she is better.

State Fair

We will return, but we had a nice night at the fair tonight...still so much left to see.

The Launch

We did it!  We drove hours away from home and left our firstborn on a college campus.  So far, everyone is still breathing.

A new brotherhood begins.  The football team had much to do yesterday.  The head coach met with the parents and pointed out that about 1% of high school football players get to play college football. His team has an opportunity to play in Africa next year, and this will be only the second organized football game ever on that continent.  I would like to see Zach have that opportunity, but he has to raise $3500 to do it.

 Because Zach was busy, we did much of the leg work of moving him in.  He and his roommate turned their beds into loft beds under the direction of his roommate's dad.  After that, the siblings of both these guys took over.  John's sisters unpacked and organized his stuff.  Savannah set up Zach's desk. Julia made his bed and is now very concerned that he will turn over and fall off or that he will hit his head on the ceiling that is only about 2.5 feet above him. Wyatt folded his clothes and put them up in his dresser.

Did I mention that Zach started packing for college at 4:00 on Monday afternoon?  That was supposed to be departure time.  We discovered that both his brake lights were out at 4:30ish, so they had to be fixed.  Somehow he made it, and everything we had to purchase after we got there was not left behind, we just didn't realize he would need it.

We stuck around on campus far longer than we should have with school starting at home today, but we were determined to pray over him before leaving, and he had lots of football stuff to do.  We had to miss the team dinner to which the parents were invited. Savannah prayed for his adjustment and noted how much he means to her.  Wyatt prayed for his ability to handle good and tough times.  There were tears, and we left him.  He was nervous and uncertain. It is hard to leave everyone you know and go where you know nobody especially when you are more than a day trip away from home.  However, hints at a tough midnight practice were being spread, and an apparent slip 'n' slide that appeared to involve girls had him a little more at ease about the night ahead.

I don't think I have ever set foot on a friendlier campus.  Everyone introduced themselves and welcomed Zach with open arms.  He is definitely in good hands.

They are so very close, and this is hard for both of them.

Football camp started at midnight last night.  We aren't allowed to call him for two weeks, but we can text.  I hope he is having fun being on the field again for the sport he loves.

Savannah challenged Zach to get a 4.0.  Julia told him not to get involved with many hot chicks.  Wyatt told him to be careful of hot chicks (they are trouble).

We arrived at home at 11:00 last night and left Zach in another time zone.  We were so tired last night and starting today which happened to be the first day of  school.

Go Panthers!  Go #67!!

We have multiple levels of education covered this year - college, high school, middle school and elementary.

Zach - freshman

Savannah - junior

Wyatt- 6th grade

Julia- 5th grade

So far, everyone is off to a great start.

The Big ONE

The family gathered yesterday to celebrate Isaac's first birthday.  We've had a full year of joy with this  boy who is easy-going and appropriately named as he laughs easily.  

We didn't want to take away from Isaac, but his party was the best opportunity we've had to finally give Dad his birthday gift. It took some time to get Dad's birthday gift ready.  We had the pictures made (see this post -1st Cousins) after his birthday and then had to wait on the prints and wait for a time when everyone would be there.  I think he really liked it, and I think he was surprised despite the fact that we actually posted a couple of those pictures on social media and didn't block him from seeing them.

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a haircut.  Our family is so weird.  Tiffany cuts our hair, and she often spends the greater portion of family parties doing it since it is hard to get together with her.

Isaac was really good for his haircut.  He squirmed but never cried.  We were surprised, but Tiffany said that's normal for his age.  She said they usually start crying at Ira's age (2 years), but Ira loves having his hair cut, so no tears from him either.

lemonade cake - yum

I am not sure why the icing looks yellow in the picture.

Isaac enjoyed his cake though I wish Danielle and her mom had waited to serve the guests so that they could enjoy this birthday moment with him.  I am thankful for the technology that allowed Jonathan and me both to record video of it for them.  Isaac was quite nonchalant about the whole thing -such a laid back kid, but I did learn yesterday that he won't let his big brother run all over him.  He will defend himself.

Isaac does not look like my side of the family.  I think he looks like his maternal grandma.  Regan and Ira both have some similarities to my side of the family.  Regan definitely has her momma's eyes, but she resembles Jonathan too.  Ira looks so much like my dad and Jonathan that when we post pictures of him on Facebook, Facebook's face recognition always tries to tag my dad.  It will be so fun to watch these three grow up and see how much Regan ends up looking like her mom and Ira like his dad and then Isaac who looks like his grandma.

His big gift will be a lifesaver for his parents I think. There is something to do on every side for every kid.

Somebody got out the water hose (actually I think it was Regan).  The parents were inside, and I wasn't telling - well, at least not until the kids were soaked.  This boy loves the water, and he has his many tantrums daily, but he makes me want a two-year-old in my house again.  

It was a wonderful party as always.  Happy Birthday, Isaac!  We look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with this crew.