We're Home!

Ahhh...home sweet home!



We had a wonderful time! We had a months' worth (Counting Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night) of sermons in less than 48 hours. And the singing, skits, etc... Just great! We had 4 teens, 2 young adults, 1 college student that goes there (but from our home church) and 3 chaperones that went from our church and it was just a great group. There were 9,000+ teens there altogether! Amazing seeing all those people there for the purpose of youth conference.



I am really glad that I went. Yes, the sermons were geared to teens, but, I think I really benefited from hearing them too. It brought me back to my own teen years and the struggles that come with it. Even though my teen is a pastor's daughter and has grown up in a Christian home, she still deals with the emotions of growing up. I was foolish to think otherwise. Especially being a pastors daughter, more people are watching her and sadly, some people are just waiting for her to mess up.



It is so easy to forget our own teen years (maybe we wanted to forget?!). I definitely have a bit more compassion for her and the other teens represented there. Kayleigh is my first teenager, we lovingly call her the test child :o) I have never had a teenager before but I was one many (many) years ago. I will try my best to be more understanding of her needs, without "loosening up" on my convictions. It is a fine balance, but well worth the effort!

Kayleigh and another teen on the way there

Kayleigh and me outside the hotel we stayed in. We were waiting for the van to get jumped :o(

don't ask...

Outside the front of the church with Kayleigh and some of the teens in our group.

Leaving today

Today, my 14 year old daughter and I are going to Indiana for a youth conference with our church. I am excited to get to spend this time with her, yet I am sad to leave my husband and other children behind.


Whenever something like this come up, (although it's rare!) I always feel torn. On one hand, I think it is good to get away for a little while, sort of "recharging my batteries" type of thing. We will be attending meetings and getting preached at (I love good preaching!).

On the other hand, my heart is here at home-with my husband and other children. What to do? I really feel that at this time in this time of her life, it is important to have a little one-on-one time with her.

I'll let you know how it goes...

* I wrote this before we left but waited to post it until today.

Home Sweet Home

It is soooo good to be home! While it is nice to go away for a little while, it is always GREAT to come home! We had a very good time visiting with other MOMYS families in Williamsburg, but our whole family was sick through out the week :o( so we did not get to do as many things as we had hoped.





We did something a little crazy...we were within an hour of the Atlantic Ocean, so we just had to go see the ocean. The kids all have colds, but off came the socks and shoes and in they went!

My husband still had another day off and we did absolutely nothing yesterday. Ahhh...we need days like that every now and then, just a day to chill with the family, no school, no laundry, etc... but today was back to some routine. We will start school again tomorrow.

Vacation Time!

In Historic Colonial Williamsburg

Well, we made it here safe! The weather is definitely nicer than at home. So far we have toured Jamestown and Williamsburg. We even did a lantern tour through the historic area last night that was great! Tomorrow we will be in Yorktown. We have a wonderful tour guide that gives the Christian perspective of events leading up to and after the colonies became independent. This is exactly what I was wanting. A fun, educational vacation.

Oh yeah, seven of us are sick :o( We have some cold/flu like stuff going on. I guess there is no perfect vacation! We are taking things slow but some prayers our way would be nice :o) I will post more pictures later.

Been Busy!

A Woman Sewing in an Interior
Whew! I have been busy! We are getting ready for our vacation to Williamsburg! The girls wanted new colonial dresses this year but funds did not allow. I told them if they could find enough material in our many sewing tubs, then I could make new dresses. They did it! I did not realize how much material I have accumulated over the years! The only thing that I had to purchase were the zippers and some lace and here is what we have:

Years ago, my pastors wife taught me how to sew. What a blessing she was! She gave me a gift. I pray that I can be a blessing to other ladies, as I am now a pastors wife myself. No one told me it would be difficult! I have stumbled along the way and have a long way to go. Only by God's grace...

It will be nice to get away for a little while with my family. We are eager for some fun, education, meeting new people (we are going on a large family retreat), and some plain, old "down" time with just us. BUT, there is no place like home :o)

Williamsburg!

The countdown is on! We are in countdown mode for our family vacation. This will be our 2nd year going to Williamsburg, Virginia with the MOMYS retreat. This retreat is wonderful! It is great to get together for a whole week (or two) with other large families. MOMYS is an email group for families that have/have had more than 4 children under the age of 8. A wonderful place for encouragement! We met some wonderful friends, a family that actually lives an hour from us! Too funny, we live this close but met in Virginia.

Colonial Williamsburg is a wealth of history! The ultimate "field trip" for this homeschooling family ;o) Last year, we made historic costumes for our whole family. The girls all want new dresses for this year also. I think we might be able to squeeze in a few new ones. What a great motivator to get chores and school done!

Here are the dresses that I made last year. This picture was taken at the Kingsgate Ball.