The Challenge - Day 2

The Challenge- Day One

We've all seen them.  Those social media challenges from our friends - copy this, respond to this, do that.  The latest is the seven days of black and white photos with no people and no explanation.  The only thing I don't like about this challenge is the requirement to tag someone daily.  I am okay with the first tag but not so much the tags the rest of the days.  I did the first two tags, but I may not do all of them.  However, I had such fun with taking photos throughout the first day and choosing the one I wanted to post that I will now post photos here every day -not necessarily just one, but I will follow the other rule of leaving no explanation.

I guess if I post more than one picture, I can and will share which one made it into the challenge.

Today's winner

A Birthday!

Kinsley turns four this week, so we gathered family for a celebration

Eyes closed for a big surprise (a bike)!  The only thing Kinsley requested was a bike.  She does love Barbies and changing their clothes, so she received lots of Barbie stuff.  We had tons of Barbies when we were kids, and I was always wanting more clothes.  Back then the clothes cost as much as the dolls, so my parents just bought the dolls instead of the clothes.  Now the clothes are much more affordable.

Of course Kallie climbed right up on the bike before the birthday girl could get to it.

Funniest birthday story:  Kinsley was playing with dinosaurs and did not want to share with her sister.  Tessa reprimanded Kinsley, but Kallie moved on to another toy.  As soon as Kinsley saw that toy in Kallie's hands she stated, "that's mine!!"  Of course Kinsley tried to take it back but was stopped by her Aunt Tiffany.  Kinsley melted at that point and had a little fit.  Kallie gloated.  I don't think I've ever seen a someone so small gloat like that.  Gotta watch that girl!.

I think Kinsley enjoyed her day.  It was cold, but she did get to go out and try the new bike.

Competition!!

Julia competed for the last time as a middle school cheerleader.  The team took a different course this year and hired a cheerleading gym to choreograph, block and secure music for the routine.  A last minute fill in for an injured cheerleader did a fantastic job!  The girls worked hard and placed third. They've come a long way since that excited group of sixth graders started a couple of years ago.  I am so sad that this team does not plan to continue in high school.  

Letterman

Just a few days ago, we gathered to celebrate a great Cross Country season.  Our girls' team landed on the state podium in 3rd place, and one of our boys took the state title. Wyatt even joined the team at the state meet as an alternate which included an overnight stay - his first high school field trip! Wyatt is a letterman, and he's not even halfway through his freshman year!  Wyatt's season went well with continual improvement and a race where he paced at < 8 minute miles.  He's looking forward to track, and even though we forced him into cross country, I am pretty sure he will return next year.  His teammates and coaches were superb!  So excited to follow this team for three more years (God-willing)!

While Wyatt finished the season healthier and stronger, that's more than can be said of his mom.  I have worked out despite straining my calf muscle, and that proved to be an unfortunate decision.  I was hanging a bulletin board on Friday and stepped off of a chair wrong.  I did not fall, contrary to what my husband has been telling people, but I did feel a popping sensation and limped my way through the rest of the day.  I was more than anxious to get home and get it elevated and iced.  I spent Friday afternoon and evening in bed resting my bum leg.  I worked all day Saturday, and post rest and with the added support of Rock tape, I was improved.  I am more improved today, but the rest has caused a crick in my neck, so my leg has literally become a pain in my neck. According to the Internet, I have to rest my calf injury for a full two weeks for full recovery, and the Internet doesn't lie, right?  Actually, Andy confirmed the prognosis of the internet.  Bummed that I am missing opportunities to continue my work out streak and advance toward my 150 class goal of the year, and even more bummed that I will not get into our new center (we are moving this week) until after the first several classes.

Fall pics

We've been a little busy...

Cross Country practices and meets have kept us running.  These guys! These coaches! Incredible people pouring into my boy.

I returned to my college town and met up with some of my closest college friends for a weekend.  It was like we never left each other.  Must do again and with everyone next time!

These girls cheered their last football game together.  It hurts my heart to think of how Julia has loved cheer and especially cheering for football.  She's giving it up so that she can enjoy football games without a job to do and because cheer is a sport with little respect at her school. I have tried to no avail to get her to consider another school.  She loves her community there.

Early in October Andy and I decided to hike a trail and then decided we would hike the same trail every weekend of the month so that we would not miss the fall leaves.  We only hiked it twice as rain kept us away, and I believe this last hike is the best we will get on the leaves as rain has been bringing them down this week.

I love the colors of fall.  To get home I have to drive a winding road with lots of colorful trees, and we have a park very close to home, and the ride to the parking is stunning.  I think fall may be the most beautiful season, but the waning daylight hours make it one of my least favorites.

This compassionate and encouraging son of mine celebrated a birthday and only asked that we donate anything we would have spent on him to hurricane relief.  For a guy whose love language is gifts, this is huge!

Family weekend for Savannah started with a Cross Country meet for Wyatt.  I love that he waves at me when he passes.

We visited a horse park and museum.  So much to see in so little time.  We had planned to visit the park anyway, but Wyatt's cross country meet happened to be held there.  

This guy was the last to ride Man O War and at 91 years old, he's still working the barn.

These beauties - oh my!

Julia and I opted to try a fall photo shoot.  We missed some terrific weekend days and ended up doing this on a chilly day with crummy light.  My newly fixed camera lens did alright, but as I edited the pictures I realized that I probably need to start saving for a replacement.  Yikes!

Julia's favorite

my favorite - this says Julia to me - always funny, always laughing

An update on that previous post - 

The child who was struggling still has some challenges but is doing much, much better.

The intimidating appointment was not so bad.  We face another appointment and surgery for said child soon.  Right now medical and dental bills are piling up, so the financial piece of this equation is most intimidating at the moment.

Prayers please

Hi Everyone,
It's been a few weeks since I last posted, and lots has happened.  I may or may not catch up, but today I will be brief and vague.

We have a big appointment regarding one of our kids today; one that brings anxiety on many levels and in different ways for at least three of us.  Please pray for wisdom, provision, and courage to face the future on this one.

Another child has been through lots in the last 10 months, and just when it seems things are turning in a more positive, or at least more peaceful direction, something new comes up.  It would have been hard for an adult to endure, but for someone so young, extra hard. Please pray for continued strength as this one leans on the Lord to be carried through life's storms.

Thanks