The Babies....

So several of my dear friends are pregnant and one just had her sweet baby girl LAST NIGHT!

Everybody's pregnant! (Well almost...)

Carrie just had Haven not too long ago, Lisa is "pregnant" in the adoption process, Debbie is due in April, the same exact day as Sage (standing beside her!) Then there's me, thankfully NOT pregnant, and the ladies of the hour- Anna Greta, Lindsay and Crystal! Those 3 ladies were/are due within a few weeks of one another...

Here we are at Lisa's house for the baby shower- it was so sweet- a cookies and milk shower for Anna Greta, Lindsay and Crystal.

Thankfully I snagged this picture from Crystal's facebook page because I don't have one of all of us- so the supporting cast continues.....

Anna Greta- (bottom left) is a newer friend- She just welcomed her second sweet baby last night! Mary Ella Anne Taylor- how precious is that?! We're so thankful to have the Taylors in our lives!

Debbie- (top row, 3rd from left) is such a fun friend. She has a great take on life and copes well with the chaos of a traveling husband and 2 little ones- (She's also pregnant with numero 3!)

Crystal- (bottom right) is a dear dear soul who I consider my personal trainer! Even at 8 months pregnant she's had me at the Y pumping iron! She has a tender spirit and is quick to share honestly and openly-

Merry Christmas, precious friends!

the supporting cast....

I've thought for some time how much of my words here focus on me- my family, my life, my day to day....but what is missing is who supports me in this journey- I've wanted to post on my "supporting cast" for some time and this picture is the beginning....

These are some of my most precious friends- *definitely some are missing*, but this picture captures much of my heart in Charlotte.

Evyn, Lisa, Carrie, Mary, Sage, Lindsay

These women share life with me honestly and openly. They receive me, faults and all, encourage me when I'm down and hurting....

Evyn- celebrating sweet baby Knox this Christmas and the fact that Jordan is finished with RTS and can fully focus on pastoring CrossPark Church. She is showing me balance and reliance on the Lord as she's mothered 3 children during seminary and through planting a church.

Lisa- loves her children well and is learning what waiting is all about. She is showing me how to trust God with timing and living with the ache of waiting to have all of her children under her own roof.

Carrie- she challenges me regularly to examine my heart and believe truth- She is also maybe the funniest woman on earth.

Sage- She is a tender-hearted listener. Even from my oldest memories of her from Clemson, this holds true. She has the grace to block out all distractions, focus her heart on mine, and encourage me. I've been thankful this year that she's come along side me in homeschooling and on staff at church at church as her husband is now the pastor of youth and families!

Lindsay- probably the closest thing I have to a sister in Charlotte- She is fiercely loyal and is never afraid to get into the trenches with me and fight for me and with me to be more like Christ-

I love these women.

The Lord has indeed blessed us during this season in Charlotte with precious friends. My hope to is to highlight others as well time to time and share what they are teaching me in the midst of life.

Behold the Lamb of God

This week, Christmas came early for me. My dear friend Christy called at 4:30 to let me know she had 2 free tickets to Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God show that night at 7 in North Charlotte. After quick-texting Dave, we went full press in finding a sitter for the girls.

After Lauren Bonnema came to the rescue, we jumped in the car with Adam and Lindsay and headed North- I was really excited!

I'd never seen this show live- and to be honest I'd only heard a few of the songs- I'm not a huge Christian Music fan. Most of the songs on local Christian radio are too cheesy-pop for me. I typically live in heavy rotation of my usual suspects of Indelible Grace, Red Mountain Music, Bifrost Arts, the Welcome Wagon.....so I was a little nervous about being disappointed. Some people talk about BTLOG night's as if they are ultimately life-changing.

But we walked in, found our fantastic seats, and waited for the show to begin. I really enjoyed the lineup....Jill Phillips was my favorite during the songwriter set of the show- She sang a song called "If you were here" about life without her father- She was amazing!

When it was time for to run through the album itself I was curious how the Lord would stir my heart. I was not disappointed- I felt met and encouraged and pointed to Christ- At the end of the show Colossians 1:15-20 was read:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones of dominions or rulers or authorities- all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

I'm thankful for the reminder to sit in this Advent Season and "behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world". I'm longing for him in new ways this Christmas-

Thank you Christy for this gift- it was such a blessing to me!

Poor Monica....

Remember the friends where they all go to the Bahamas and with every passing humidity-filled moment Monica's hair grows....up, out, in all directions....

I could so relate. I grew up with loads of blonde-headed, stick-straight-haired friends and tried to live my life their way. There was no curly headed Barbie....her buddy Whitney was about as wavy as it got back in my day.

I had a brush and knew how to use it. I tried to wear bangs. And brush them.

My childhood best friend Liz laugh now as we just knew we'd seen the light when Frizz Eaze entered our scene round about the early 90s. We were going to make it.

Oh if I could have just met Lorraine Massey way back then, I could have lived frizz- ( free from the womb- (and avoided those dreadful purple-shirt pictures....sigh)....but alas, that was not my story. I did figure things out somewhere around my senior year of highschool, but wow. Things could have been way different....

Then a few years ago my dear friend Molly, alerted me to this book. It was like someone had read my curly mind and published it. This book was illustrated and fantastic. There were tutorials and I was in heaven!

I felt empowered and wanted to help every fuzzy headed friend I knew "release her inner-curl". So please, do the world a favor....If you know anyone that has curly hair, or especially if it is a straight-haired mom with a curly headed child- please get them THIS for Christmas-

The folks who sit behind them in the movie will thank them.

Thankful Hearts

We drove down to Mississippi for Thanksgiving to meet our newest nephew. He is precious! The girls were troopers in the car and I'm so thankful! Dave and I wake up at 4 and put the girls in the car at 4:30 and start driving. Dave even had the noise machine set up with "rain" blasting through the car so all the girls (including this one!) could sleep til 7:30. Then we offered them a banana, milk and dry cereal (breakfast of champions) and we didn't stop til maybe 8 or so. We were Alabama by 10:30 and made it Tupelo by lunchtime. It was beautiful!


Thank you to Jess and Zach for having us and thanks to Mamu and Pops for hooking us up at the Comfort Suites for a few nights! Jumping on the bed and the indoor pool made our vacay so special! But best was being with you!

BOOK for sale!

Please go get this book- its written by a dear friend, Melissa Kruger. She's the director of women's ministry at our church.


She has written several Bible studies and is a gifted teacher. This book was born out of talks she'd given over the years. She is a mom to 3 kids and wife to Mike, the Dean of Students at Reformed Seminary, Charlotte and an associate pastor at our church.

She writes in a way that points women to truth as the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts of sin. What a gift this book is!

Go to amazon and get it now! You will not be disappointed!

Bennett turns 6!

My little redheaded beauty turned 6! Sticking with her fashion theme from parties past, this year's party was a spa party! Bennett continues to be such a joy- she is our most thankful child and quick to give affection- she loves all things people- she's a great question-asker. She loves to know what people are thinking and doing- (clearly ready for facebook.....) What a gift she is. Our best *surprise* ever from the Lord- Happy Birthday Beezy!

Raynee, Stella, Bennett, Milling, Lauren, Camilla, Celia, and Caroline

We began by making our fashion books- lacing and drawing....just to whet our whistles

Then it was full on spa treatments- Chocolate Mud Masks and Cucumber Ginseng peel off masks....the girls were so nervous they would hurt.....it was hysterical! Thanks to "Micole" Vaughn for her help!

the gift exchange :)

the motherload- why do we have birthdays so close to Christmas?! I'm hiding some of these to unearth them again come summer....

three little marys....

After Brandy's amazing homeschool posts on her blog I wanted to talk homeschool as well.
Let's be honest, I always can talk homeschool. It encompasses a great portion of my life.
So, I started a new blog where I'm sharing that portion of my life.

I am trying to make it fairly anonymous so I'd love for you to follow but I'm trying to keep some things private- the girls' names for example, so if you ever feel compelled to comment please try to respect that!

hop on over to 3 little Marys if you are interested!

The Big Reveal

Les Mis-madness

The soundtrack of our home is currently Les Mis- it all started one night with spotify over dinner, which quickly turned into an emergency run to the Krugers' house to borrow the Nick Jonas 25th Anniversary DVD of Les Mis. For 3 hours my children sat silently watching and waiting during each song, anxious to understand all that was unfolding before them.

Since then we have heard the following....

Camilla singing Lovely Ladies.....a little scary. thankfully she doesn't understand she's singing about a brothel. Let's keep it that way.

Bennett demanding to be the young Cosette. She doesn't want to be the "teenager Cosette because she has to kiss Marius. yuck."

Celia scheming about how she will convince her musical theater teacher to let a bunch of 8 year olds perform Les Mis where she will bring the house down as Eponine.

Its been a month now. Les Mis---all day every day. Its been incredible to share with them my love for musicals and fascinating how much they can grasp. Its led to many conversations about prison, parole, freedom, injustice, oprhans, adoption, love, forgiveness.

At CC last week they each did their class presentations on Les Mis- watching their retention of the material was staggering- this unintentional education they received by exposing them to this show... eye-opening. I can't wait to see what show we'll cover next- who knew adding Broadway to our homeschool curriculum?

Do yourself a favor, sit down with a pot of coffee and linger for 3 hours with the Master of the House. You'll be glad you did.

An Excellent Wife, And some pretty wonderful kids too

Today was the Kulp girls family presentation at Classical Conversations. I took the morning off to see them present, and check out Celia, Bennett and Mary's classes. It was great to hear the girls in class and hearing Mary teach was very fun. But by far the best part was seeing the girls recite Proverbs 31 for their family presentation. Mary has been working with the girls for MONTHS, and seeing it all come together was perfect. It is such a blessing to have an excellent wife as well as some pretty wonderful children! Check the video!

Sleeping Beauty

DISNEY 2012

So we had a fun night this week and gave the kids clues to a trip we were taking.
1. 2012
2. pictures of E and Hunt, and the Jackson clan
3. a small picture of the world

Then they raced to the mailbox to find 3 envelopes with their "tickets" to Disney World!

Its hard to believe its been 4 years since we last were there and I was VERY pregnant with Camilla. January 2012 won't be long!

"Mom, you've been to too many funerals..."

That was Celia's response.
Bennett: "That's 5 people I know who've died."
Camilla: "Everyone always dies."

Today I'm trying to count the number of funerals I've attended- to remember the names of those lost....

here's what I came up with:

John, Grandaddy, Papa, Barbocka, Allison, Jenny, Amanda, Michael, Mr. Cochran, Quentin, Elizabeth, Gran, Scottie, Jeremy, Aimee.

Those are the only funerals I can think of in the span of a minute. The names of friends lost is much longer. Some of those names include acquaintances, some friends who moved on in life, some friends of friends...


Thursday, Dave came home and added to the list, Lyndsey.
My closest cousin in age; we grew up together. The memories flood....

Birthdays. Christmas. Carpool. Cain Drive. Hobcaw. East Cooper School. Ambrosia. Porter Gaud. Savannah. Cheerleading. Isle of Palms. Bozo the Clown. Hunter. Jesse. Jasmine. Jossie. Chloe. Even Mugsy. Shampoos and Conditioners. Sweet Sixteens. Camp. Choir. Holly Hill. Semi-formals. Prom. Parties. Rehearsals. Weddings. Family.


Since highschool our lives have not intersected very much. Always the class behind me. She let me take her place, wear her cheerleading uniform my senior year to cheer for our boys basketball team played for the state championship. Life had been too much for me and I'd had to stop for basketball season. We joked it was "my coming out of retirement..."

Spending the weekend in Charleston with my family remembering Lyndsey- who she was, who she became. It was painful. There is much to grieve- the loss unbearable for her husband, children, parents, sisters....my prayer is that the gospel will transform this loss.

I wanted to stand up and clap as the priest proclaimed Jesus amid such darkness. The name of Jesus needed to be spoken. Loudly. Again and again- that there is Hope. A Savior. A Rescuer.

Camilla is right. Everyone always dies. The loss experienced will continue to happen again again as we live in this broken world. Its too much to look ahead and imagine the pain awaiting.

Yes we do grieve with hope, but with pain.

when mary hit 32.....

Impulses.

Why do some of them turn out fantastic?

and some horrible?

I think it makes life interesting.

the 4 horsemen...

Right now I'm craving a white trash burger. We had one at Pinky's not too long ago- really really wanting one right now....

Pinkys has great food, a funny dinosaur statue outside, and is also kind of obsessed with Ric Flair, lots of Flair memorabilia all over the place

I too am also a bit obsessed with Ric Flair; I've yet to spot him living in Charlotte but I know it will happen if I'm patient. I grew up helping my brother perfect his figure 4- I was the victim- but with the chant of USA I would rise up. Oh days gone by....

So here I am on this cool early fall morning, wanting a cheeseburger and reminiscing.
Happy Friday!

my cup runneth over...

I so much love being a mom to these three girls but maybe my favorite thing of all is being wife to their father. He loves me so well.




Thank you, Love, for the grace you show me daily. I love you.

we know....

We bid adieu to swimsuit season. We Kulp girls survived another one.

The icing on the cake....

Yesterday was unbelievably exciting!
I saw my phone vibrating while I was teaching Fine Arts at CC. It was Lindsay- she was leaving her ultrasound appointment to find out the gender of their little bambino-
BUT! Instead of telling Adam and Linds, the tech sealed the pics in an envelope and Lindsay dropped it off at my house.
After CC, and a quick trip to Chick-fil-a, I raced home to retrieve it. After the getting the girls settled into Peter Pan (yet again), I made cake batter, pulled out the food coloring, said a prayer and opened the envelope.



This is what happened next.....

a day in the life....

We have just completed our 5th week of school.
5th week.
This is huge!
Each day looks different but we're starting to hit a normal, though that will change next week when Camilla starts preschool.




But in general we've started to hit our groove.
A typical day goes a little something like this-

5:30 wake up for Mommy- head to gym or begin Bible reading (don't be impressed, the gym thing has happened maybe 4 times so far)
7:00 girls come out of their rooms and we begin the "Busy B's" (Beds, Breakfast, Bible)

*this year we're really working on Scripture memorization as a family. The girls will present Proverbs 31 for our family presentation at CC later this year. We only have 4 more verses! Even Camilla- she is doing great! I want to record her reciting and post it one day. Its so cute to hear her little voice attempt some big words. Additionally we are learning Psalm 139 this year with CC, and various passages on the names of Christ. Its challenging but great!

8:00 morning chores are almost completed and we start school
8:15 handwriting and Math are our first subjects typically (Camilla is playing *happily* (read
hopefully)
9:00 Bennett moves to Language Arts and Celia moves to Wordly Wise
9:30 History- we are studying American History this year and I'm loving the My Fathers World
curriculum. So far we've covered the Vikings, Columbus, Jamestown, and the Pilgrims. Its
great that CC is having a lot of overlap to reinforce what we are studying at home.
This can be a lot of reading and some creative ideas to help the past come to life
10:30 break for a snack- we often read something fun at the table- so far its been James and the
Giant Peach, Strawberry Girl, Squanto, and Gooney Bird Greene. Now we've begun
Ballet Shoes (remember from the scene in You've Got Mail when she's in Fox Books and
that mom is searching for the shoe books....they are so sweet)
11:00 Camilla and Bennett play outside while I work on Language Arts with Celia- Language
Lessons, Writing Strands or freewrite depending on the week, Spelling Power
12:00 break for everyone to play while I start making lunch
12:30 lunch time and free play
1:00 begin room time for everyone
2:30 everybody out, quick snack and head to run errands if we need to do so

The rest of the day is open for playing with friends-

I've been so thankful for these past 5 weeks. We are off to a great start and its the Lord's kindness to us.

prayer square

This Sunday is our Women's Ministry Kick-off at church and I've been asked to share a bit about prayer triads. It has me missing someone in particular.... I've had the privilege of praying with these women regularly for the last 4 years. Melissa actually for the last 6. They are precious to me.

Lindsay, Carrie, Melissa, Mary

The Lord has been faithful to provide me with prayer partners ever since highschool, except for my lonely season in Georgetown. The names have changed over the years but those I've spent regular time praying with have become written on my heart. I'm so thankful for all of these ladies.

Anna, Katie, Kristen, Alise.
Ashley, Tracy, Alise.
Brandy, Molly, Kristin.
Kristi, April, Kristin, Allison, Kelley.
Kristen, Lindsey, Melissa.
Melissa, Lindsay, Carrie.

You have all carried unique burdens for me, and I have had the privilege of carrying yours. Thank you for love and friendship to me over the last 15 years. How faithful is He.

Philly friends

So it was the fall of 2000 when I first met these guys when their tour rolled through Columbia, SC. About 9 months later in May, at Justin and Meg's wedding, I met these beautiful ladies.

I love these people. Our lives don't intersect enough. period.

Dave, Mary, Sarah, Meg, and Justin

Justin and Dan were a couple of Dave's best friends at Kutztown; they stood beside Dave 10 years ago on our wedding day. Its been cool to watch their friendships evolve over the last decade. I've been thankful as well for these friendships. I remember being intimidated a bit heading to the Max wedding so long ago- this Southern girl in the midst of the city crew. They welcomed me with open arms. I've logged hours on the phone with Sarah in particular. They are dear to us, and I really wish we were able to live the everyday kind of life with them.


It was kind of a working lunch for Justin- He had to balance Camilla, fantasy football talk and a drum lesson. They were a part of the Jazz June back in the day. Justin is a crazy talented drummer; Dan plays bass- though to me it seems he can play everything.

Their children are beautiful. It was precious to see all the little ones together.

Sadly we weren't able to see the whole posse- life just is full and some live overseas. But this time was very sweet. I pray it won't be so long until our next visit.

We love you Kutztown crew xoxo

your newest CC tutor

Meet the newest Apprentice tutor at the girls' Thursday school program, Classical Conversations.

5 girls, 4 boys. I'm ready to rock.

Classical Conversations is a weekly meeting 9-12 (Foundations) for kids K4-6th grade. It covers memory work- lots of it, subjects included are timeline (Creation through Modern America), History Sentence facts, math (multiplication tables, equations), Latin, English Grammer, Science facts. Additionally there is a Science experiment weekly and fine arts as well. My favorite portion is always the presentation time where each child in a class presents on something. Anything. It can be as random as the creator of Atari or simply a classical composer.

We participated last year and quite frankly I was overwhelmed til maybe March when I decided I want to join the teaching staff. I tend toward the "all or nothing" side of the commitment continuum.

Honestly though it was great- There was a lot I had to get in order but it was worth it. We loaded the car at 8 and came home exhausted at 1. My students are hilarious. They are 6-7 year olds. Celia and Bennett are in classes on either side of mine, so I hope to have Bennett next year.


It seems like it will be a great year- we are very thankful to have some new friends at CC this year- the Garrisons, the Parrishes, the Raus. Community has been what I've prayed for since the beginning of homeschooling. The Lord is answering in abundance this year. I'm so grateful.

Its a gift to be entering my 3rd year homeschooling. I hope to share more soon on my day to day life schooling at home. Its what I do most of the time, but it rarely gets true airtime. I know some days it will seem more like a rant than a rave, but that's life. This year I can say without a doubt that my house will be messier than it ever has and I might never get the laundry folded, but He will carry us through. He is faithful.

potluck and pickin' part 1

Last night was magical.
After weeks of anticipation, Gillian and Dave's concert day arrived.
We pulled on our boots and twirled our dresses; then headed to the front porch on Ridgeway.

What awaited us was a southern summer feast and round 1 of Potluck and Pickin' on the porch.

Jalapeno pimento cheese with fresh cucumber slices.
Watermelon and feta salad.
Chicken right off the grill.
Rosemary Sweet Potatoes.
Buttery "brown" rice and one with fresh roasted peppers.
Sauteed okra spears.
We washed it down with mason jars full of peach-soaked whiskey punch, finished the night with peaches and chocolate banana-chip cookies.

Summer never tasted so good.

We spoke of bluegrass and songs we loved, then pulled out our instruments.
Jessica on mandolin.
Julie on fiddle.
Paul on bass.
I played the banjo.
Christy's angelic voice as Jeremy led us on guitar.

We sang our way through a book of old gospel and bluegrass songs.
We dubbed it the opening act.

Gillian and Dave played 2 full sets and then 2 encores. From the first twang of "Stillhouse" til the last boot-stompin' chorus of "Jackson", Ben, Liz, Dave, and I watched in awe of the "musical mindmeld (smile Dave and Wiz! I quoted it!).

That man is legendary. He ripped through "Revelator". Gillian, too...she hamboned and clogged through "Six White Horses."

What we saw left us wanting more.


Words aren't enough. I'll let the music speak.
opening act....


main event

best night of my summer.
hands down.

Why worry?

August is a FULL month for me. Its been too full....lots of commitments, lots of fun. Extremes on both sides. I celebrated my birthday this past weekend (one extreme) and I have started our school year (the other).

This Scripture greeted me this day-

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clohtes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
Matthew 6:25-30

Often I end that post, sadly, to question His provision, asking "Will I like how He chooses to provide?"

Surely we're not to worry about food
sadly my heart responds more like this....



".....but can we please have organic, pastured meat/eggs and pesticide free produce? And can I have the milk delivered to my doorstep? And can I just go grocery shopping without my 3 kids in tow? And will they behave while I try to prepare a great family meal?"

Surely I'm not to worry about my body.
sadly my heart responds more like this.....




"...but when I can't run because of plantar fascitis its really frustrating. I have loved my dance class, why can't I find time to schedule it in? I really want to not change clothing sizes so exercise has to fit in somewhere. I know I'm getting older, but really?"

Surely I'm not to worry about my clothes.
sadly my heart responds more like this....




".....but can't I have a new pair of citizens? Can't I just overspend this month- and it will be worth it the next? Ugh I wish I looked as cute as _________"

Lord I confess my divided heart.
Change me and my responses.
Thank you for your grace!
Amen.

The Help

I cried all off all of my makeup.
Again.

I first read this book in the late winter of 2010.
My heart was broken with the pain of losing a friend and Kathryn Stockett gave me the gift of tears and space to cry.

18 months later I saw Aibileen and Minny again.
At Phillips place of all places.
My heart is reminded afresh of the universal threads of pain and loss woven through all of our lives. I found myself confessing sins of my own and generations past.

I'm guilty of not loving others well.
My husband.
My children.
My friends.
The lady I pass in Target with a wailing baby on one hip, a screaming toddler in the cart.

I'm guilty of judging others...of finding my identity in myself, my gifts, my talents.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father: We have sinned against you, through our own fault, in thought, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all our offenses;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

-an order for Compline, Book of Common Prayer

Celia B. Kulp, 2nd grader

This year Celia is in 2nd grade.

2nd grade.
Its really crazy to wrap my mind around that.

Our prayers for Celia this year are similar to those from years past.
We pray that Celia will grow in the knowledge of the Lord, her Creator.
to know more of Him as she learns about His world.
to better understand grace and both receive and offer it well.
to walk in truth and love what is pure and good.
to learn the secret of being content in all circumstances.
to build into a community of friends that would encourage her and she could love well.

This is sometimes the prayer request that clouds my vision the most. My desire for her to have sweet friendships. Of my closest friends, I have the oldest children by several years. There seem to be many friends scattered between Bennett and Camilla, but its never been that way for Celia. In my homeschooling circles it seems to be harder for me to find great connections, or natural friendships for her. Would you join me in praying for this for Celia- she is content in this for the most part. Her love for her family explodes from her as she delights in her sisters. Still though we are praying for good friendships for her this year......thanks for joining us in prayer!

Camilla

My 3 year old Camilla

So Camilla is in that phase where she needs to drop her nap but its hard some days to let that happen, even though it will mean a much happier bedtime...the kind where she actually goes to sleep before 10pm..... This just reminds me that she's growing up so quickly. I'm really sad about it. I'm finally to the stage where I want to freeze her and keep her like this.

She will be in preschool this fall MWF at Carmel Pres. Thursdays she will join us at CC. Tuesdays I hope to attend a Bible Study at my church in the mornings. This will mean each weekday morning Camilla is not with me for a significant portion. I've agonized and prayed about this decision- what to do? We've landed in a spot that we feel this is best for our family as a whole. I'm praying for wisdom in how to be intentional with her when she's here. And I'm already picking out her skip-days from preschool....

I'm sadly counting down the days until we start this fall schedule......things are often quieter when she's not here, but they aren't quite as sweet.

playing catch up by months-

Where have we been?

Last time it was March- Camilla turned 3! We had a trip to the mountains for our church retreat and she was well celebrated. What a precious girl she is!

Late night fun at the retreat!

In April we finished our CC year- it was a transition for sure but well worth it- In fact next year I will be a tutor to first graders!

Celia's tutor, Mrs. Snapp- she was wonderful!

Celia and Gracie

Celia, Elizabeth, Laura Beth, and Martha Grace

the orchestra- C was a horn.....

And Cullen and Rebekah went to prom. Our Rosser girls. I'm dying to think what life will look like in 1 week when Cullen heads to college. Deep depression....

Also a trip to Lazy 5 Ranch where Camilla had her arm (up to her elbow) in an Alpaca's mouth. vomit. I still have PTSD from the feed the animals car ride- it was a trip to remember!

May came and it was hello Hunts! This time was so sweet- could not get enough of them!
Our prayer square with all our babies :)

June was a trip to Philly to see friends and family! We were able to stop by to see Aimee's grave. Still hard to believe at times. I was thankful to spend a few moments there.....sadly most of our Philly pics are on Dave's iphone... including Aunt Jean's amazing farm and our Kutztown friends....One day I might know how to access those.














July was the 4th in Charlotte and IOP beach time ...ahhh a full summer! Now back on track!



Now August- we've started school and we're starting CC in 2 weeks- back on track, folks!