family visit

We spent the day together driving to Baltimore and visiting with family.  It was a planned trip to see grandparents who live in Florida.  They were up north for medical reasons, so we traveled to see them.  We enjoyed a delicious meal at Phillips Restaurant.  But, more importantly, we enjoyed spending time seeing my family.  The kids were able to see their grandparents and talk with them for a short visit.  I made a mental note to go back to Baltimore with the kids on a nice day....there is much to see!

Grandma Leah, Andrew, Grace, Charity, and Grandpa Tremper

Then, we traveled to see Dan and Jocelyn.  We were so close!! :)  We enjoyed visiting with them and just chilling on the couch!  I always learn new electronic information when I see them, and this time was not any different. This time I learned about Apple TV.  It seems quite amazing how it all works....but, then again, we are in the 21st century!  Then after watching The Lorax movie, we drove back home.  It was a good day! :)

Good Friends

Ronda, Lydia, Emily, and Christopher Webb

God has allowed our family to get to know and love another special family!  This family has opened up their home to our family, but more importantly, they have opened their hearts to our family!! We have enjoyed many outings together, many meals together, many hours of rehearsal together,many hours in the car together, and many hours of just hanging out together.  We each have gained a special friend through their family. We were able to share a little Christmas together this year too. :)

Grace, Lydia, Charity, Emily, Christopher, and Andrew

We love you all!!! Thanks for sharing your lives with us!!!

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas to everyone!  Yes, it is 2014 now in the month of January, but I am just getting time to sit and record some thoughts from Christmas now. :)

It was a challenging Christmas this year because we were not all together on Christmas Day.  But, we spread the celebration out over a week or so between family and friends! :)  We had a group of family come to the house on the 28th for some good old family time. :)  Ham included! yummmmm....it was delicious!! :)  We had dinner, played games, talked, and just enjoyed each other together.

So, I can't find the other pictures now....I have some from when everyone was here in my shared photos, but I can't get them.....gotta love this computer stuff! oh well, Merry Christmas!!!!  I will try to update again soon!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with 5 of my 7 children and my 2 daughter-in-laws! :)  I cooked a turkey and potatoes and stuffing, and cranberry sauce and corn.  One of my daughter-in-laws brought the green bean casserole. :) But, it wasn't the food that was the best part!!  I enjoyed seeing everyone around the table just relaxing and having fun talking together!

Thanksgiving table 2013! :)

The boys played downstairs and the girls visited upstairs before dinner. I think that the youngest son enjoyed beating his older brother at wii basketball!! :)
I love these kids so much! They are all growing up so fast!!  I can't wait to have all of them together soon including the other two guys!! :)  I have so much to be thankful for, and I thank God for His blessings on my family.

School changes

We have stopped homeschooling this year and the kids are all going to a school for their age group.  Grace has started at the local high school, and Andrew and Charity are both going to the Christian school at our church.  There are lots of adjustments going on, but the kids are doing very well. :)

Grace started school a week after the others started, but she was very excited even if it was VERY early in the morning.  She takes the bus that comes into our development, but it comes at 6:41 in the morning!  This is going to be different!!!

Andrew and Charity on their first day of school. They were thinking about a great idea of taking a picture every day all year to see the changes. However, that only lasted 2 days......then reality hit and to stop and get a picture every morning was not very practical.  We are typically getting some things together at the last moment. 

Grace's hair

So, I had promised Grace that we would get her hair done this week......and of course, the week came to an end.  So, we went out today to get her hair braided. I left her at the salon while I came home and did some other errands.  Then Charity and I went to check on her 4 hours later......she looked good, but only about halfway done.  So, we hit the Walmart and came back again.....uh.....nope, not done yet.   So, we went to get something to eat and come back......still not done.  ok, we just sat there and waited....they closed the shop, and around 9:30 this evening we finished and came home.  Grace is hungry and tired of sitting and having her hair/head pulled.  But, she looks great! 

When she first got up, I thought to myself, "what has happened to my little girl?"  She looks so grown up!!  Thankfully I didn't have to do this one myself.  8 hours of braiding!!!!  Wow!!  Well, worth it though to not have to do her hair for 2 months! :)

interesting thought...

Tonight as I left work, I realized that I was feeling guilty for going home!!  Now, mind you, I left when I am supposed to leave!  But, the last couple of months it has been very hard for me to leave work on time due to the load of work needing to be accomplished.  So, even though the day was busy, I completed what I could and left on time.  As I walked out the door, I spoke with a co-worker and told her how I was feeling.  She simple said, "Don't.  We all worked hard today". 

WOW!  What a revelation!  Nursing is a 24 hour job.  I can only do the work that is able to be done in my shift's time.  But, many times, I am trying to complete a task (and the charting) so I don't leave it for the next person!  There are many things that are required of us when we admit patients, and that is what I struggle with.  I don't know where to draw the line and leave stuff for the next person to complete.  Hopefully, I can keep this mindset. 

I can make a choice to not feel guilty!!  I did do a good job today!  I worked hard!  I did the best I could do with my patients.  So, I need to leave it there.  Brain training.....hard work!!

Busy, busy, busy

Life has kept us so busy that I have not been able to get on here since Thanksgiving!!!  Wow, since it is now June, I think I should update a little.  However, I am just getting a week to take a deep breath after being head-deep in activities!!
So, I am just going to show a couple pictures from the play that the kids were in.  :)  Grace, Andrew, and Charity were all in NVP's production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr.

Grace was a flower in these pictures and then on her main week, she was a principle flower....Daisy....who had speaking parts too.
Andrew was the caterpillar in the first week shows and then he participated in the ensemble the next week.
Charity was a clock and card for both weeks. 

This is a homeschool theater group.  The cast had 68 students ages 8-18 all working hard at getting a great production together.  Our directors are homeschooling mothers and are absolutely fabulous at what they do.  They really are able to bring out the drama in each child and teach them many things about the stage.  There is much socialization, for those who are worried about that! We just had a cast party where it was full of emotions since many of the kids will not be returning due to military moves and other personal reasons.  My kids will not be in this particular group next year because we are not going to be homeschooling. I have mixed emotions about this.  But, I feel that God has been leading us in this direction. 
So, I will have to get back to blogging when the dust settles. :)

Thanksgiving Day

I had a very quiet morning sleeping in to prepare for the night shift work, but then I joined Brian and Sarah as they went to her family's house to share in a Thanksgiving dinner.  Everyone was relaxed and welcoming.  We had a delicious meal prepared by her grandmother, mom and brother. :) I made a pumpkin pie to add to it, but when I counted, there were 10 people and 5 pies!!  We had plenty!!

So, after that, we had already planned to come back to my apartment and spend time with Dan and Jocelyn too.  They being night people... :)  Daniel, Jocelyn, Brian, Sarah, and I were able to hang out together until around 1:30 in the morning. 

The "girls".....my daughter-in-laws!!  Love them both!! :)

Momma with Brian and Sarah....yes, I am happy! :)

Dan and Jocelyn with me.....I love this pic :)

Now, I appreciate the sacrifice that was for Sarah and Brian....they both were exhausted!  And, even though Dan and Jocelyn appeared to be in a good and alert state......I am sure they were exhausted too! I am hoping that they all will go home and sleep for a couple days before they need to go back to work. :)  

I had such a great time just sitting, talking, and watching them interact too.  Not to mention, Brian and Daniel were able to help me understand this new tv's settings, and now I have abilities with the tv that I never knew I had! :)  hee hee  They are great kids!!

One more picture for the books! :)

This was taken with his ipad.....cool technology! :) 

This was the whole group hanging out around the coffee and tea in the kitchen!! :)  Daniel took many other pictures that I am sure will make it to facebook....LOL! Don't believe them! :)

Thanksgiving

Well, here I sit, after being canceled from my regularly schedule night to work due to low census, and I am wondering what to do with myself!!  sigh.....
I should be enjoying the quiet for a moment, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!....but, I feel kind of lost.
I really should be spending this time counting my blessings!!
God has definitely done so many things in my life that I would never get to sleep if I started truly counting those blessings! God has given me a home to live in, health for today, and a family to love.

It has been a joy to see the older boys grow up and become independent adults.  They have taught me many things over the last few years!! I enjoy watching them as they branch out into their own interests doing things that they are gifted in.  One of them just blessed his momma by treating her to a new tv and tv stand. (That might not mean much to you all, but it meant the world to me!)

I truly love having 3 children still at home that I get to train and watch as they grow into the special person each was meant to be!

I love the beauty of the earth that God has allowed me to see.  He paints the sky for me each evening, and tells me He loves me with the colors of the trees!  Simple pleasures, but so satisfying! To know that there is a God who loves me and cares for me is more than enough!
Well, I guess I will wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and then read a book, knit, practice the piano, take a bath, uh......I will figure something out! :)

extended family time

Today, the kids and I were able to get out for a bit and celebrate the wedding of Paul Jay and Nicole. I was able to visit with my sister and my brother for a little too. 

My brother and his wife and my sister with me at the reception for Paul Jay and Nicole.

Sharon and Frank (parents of the groom! :)  )

Frank and Darlene

Frank with me

 The kids got their first real feel of a pool stick!  Andrew was able to get some advice from his uncle before playing with Charity, but then he and she played for quite a while.  

Charity taking a shot at pool while Andrew waits his turn

Grace wasn't interested in playing pool, but she enjoyed talking with the adults for some time.

Grace joined in the picture with Uncle Frank and Aunt Darlene

 I enjoyed seeing everyone for a little bit and catching up on what is going on in their lives. 
I must say that these kids grow so fast!! 

vacation fun, part 1

We spent many months looking forward to the vacation that we were planning for July!
We talked about a lot of ideas, and we decided to start off with the fun times at the Potomac National's game at the beginning of the week with some big brothers and a sister-in-law. 

The next day, we drove to Maryland to visit with another big brother and his wife!  We were able to have fun and spend the night! :)

And then, off for Pennsylvania!  The kids wanted to see a covered bridge, so we drove around a bit to find a good one! :)

Ahhh.....the light at the end of the tunnel!! :)

This is what we found on the other side! :)

 So, one of the reasons we chose PA was so we could see a show at the Sights and Sound Theater!  So, after driving through some of PA, we headed over to the theater to see.....Jonah!

Looks of anticipation in the big theater!

Andrew sat on the other side of me "patiently"waiting for the start of the show!

WOW!!  That is really all I can say about this show!  If you have not seen it, you should try to get there! 

After the show, we all hit the gift shop to get souvenirs. And of course, I needed to get a picture of my kids outside with the Lion and the Lamb statue!!

I love this picture!! :) Probably because I love these kids!! :)

 The rest of the trip was spent somewhere fun too.....but that will have to be another post.....

Come on back now, ya here?! :)

Friends!!! :)

OH, I just had such a great visit with a great friend!!!

My very good friend, Rori and I were able to share a cup of tea in person!!! :)

Not only did I get to see, hug, and talk with my friend as she made a pit stop on the way home from saying goodbye to her oldest boy as he prepares to serve our country in Hawaii.  But, I also got the wonderful treat of getting to meet in person her precious little grand-baby, Piper!! :) And, I remembered to get the camera out at the last moment!  So, Piper was exhausted and ready to sleep, and we were having to say goodbye! But, I still got a couple good pictures to treasure!

Rori, Krista, and Piper (3 generations of wonderful ladies!)

sweet cutie-pie

Jason joined in this picture! He was so patient! :)

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to sit and chat and see my buddy!! Oh, I have missed her!  I am so glad that God allows a few minutes of precious time to warm my heart and keep me going!

Oh yeah, and I am now looking forward to being a grandma more than I thought I would!!  :) 

10/2/12 p.s. apparently, I need to amend this and make it clear that I am not expecting to be a grandma yet, as far as I know.  I just know that I am going to enjoy it.  Seeing this little one just confirmed that thought to me! :) 

cup of tea......

As my tea is seeping, I was just thinking about the therapeutic effects of tea.....in my opinion, of course.  I haven't done any scientific studies, however, I have had many a cup of tea!!

Tea can calm the body, mind, and soul!  In order to drink tea, you must sit still!!  It is too hot to guzzle!   I have spent many hours drinking tea with good friends!  In fact, that is the way I started enjoying the warm tea!

One of my very best friends introduced me to tea (with milk) as we would share about the activities of the day (joys and frustrations), along with homeschooling ideas and child rearing ideas and daily living ideas!  I have such sweet memories of those days around the kitchen table with kids running in and out and around and about!

We often would discuss spiritual issues, and I remember many times that I would leave her kitchen with not only my stomach being warmed, but my heart and soul was warmed also!!  

I have now moved too far away for those afternoons with this specific friend, unfortunately!  I have also taken the milk out. :) I like it plain old, plain old tea! :) But, I have continued the habit of sipping tea with friends!  I spend many mornings with a cup of tea, my Bible, and my Lord, Jesus Christ!  I enjoy that time best if I can sit outside too.....but, sometimes I need to stay inside due to the weather.  I also have a friend who is fairly close by who enjoys tea too, so we can share a cup of tea around the table and have our little talks.

Apparently, I am passing along the joy of tea time with my family too. So, one of the newer friends I have enjoyed sharing tea with is my daughter.  We have begun an evening time of just the two of us and our tea.  Sometimes we talk, sometimes we read, sometimes we are just in the same room together.....but, we always have our tea! :)

Now, you have been given a glimpse into my joy of  sipping tea, and why my tea is part of this blog!

So, off you go, get a cup of tea, and relax.........enjoy! 

So, UN-techy!!

I have just been sitting here with my very high-technical daughter, and I have learned many things about my blog posting.....along with her blogging! :)

So, I have now made my blog so much more like me!!! :)  I love it!  Now, I can enjoy writing about my happenings around this house with the blessings and a cup of tea, of course!  And, I can also enjoy re-reading it!! :) 

Ah, the simple pleasures in life!

Sit back and relax........sigh......sip.......sip............sip............sigh!

a lost art....

Today, we had a fun moment that just got me thinking........

The kids have Tae Kwon Do twice a week, and tonight is their day to go.  However, I still had not sewn the patches on the tops yet.  So, I started to get the thread and pin the patches in the proper places.  Then I started sewing.  Well, Andrew was bored.....yes......you know where this is going.... :)

So, after I started sewing, I said...."you know this is pretty easy.......just up, then down, then up, then down......" Then I said, "You can do it, Andrew!" I really wasn't sure that he would take me up with the idea....but, can I remind you that he was bored! Then I suggested Grace should sew too......well, at first she said that she wasn't too interested, but something I said encouraged her to sew! :)

We really were spending some fun time together!  First they started talking about how this was like an 1800's activity! :)  hee hee    But, what I noticed was that we were talking and enjoying time together!!!  It was fun.  Yes, it was new for Andrew.  Yes, both of them could have found something else to do....but, we sure had some fun conversations and laughs. :)

So, what is the lost art?   Is it sewing?  Well, I am not so sure about that, but there definitely is an argument for that one.....but, I think the art that is lost is the art of conversation!!! We are so bombarded with high tech stuff that it actually pulls us away from sitting across from someone and just talking! 

I was glad to have that rare moment with my kids.....it was fun, AND the patches were sewn on in record time! :)  huuummmmm......maybe we should take up a family hour each evening for hand crafts......some of us would love that......(me!)  but, I am not so sure I would have the cooperation of every member here! :) 

I will just enjoy what I had today! :)

ahhh....a beautiful day!!

Oh, it was such a glorious day outside!  I had limited abilities to spend the day out there, but.....God still gave me some absolutely gorgeous skies and temperatures!!

Charity joined me on the patio....

Now everyone can see that I was NOT over-doing it!!! HA!

So, Charity decided to enjoy the Sunday afternoon as any girl of her age would.....la, dee, da, dee, da......

Oh the sun felt so good!!!

so, she ran....... :)

and smiled.....

and walked.....

and skipped.....

and twirled!!! :)

I know this photo is of poor quality, but I love the action shot! :)

now, to be dramatic and tell me how exhausted she is..... HA!

My pretty flowers.....  ahhhhhh.....I love to look at them!

Charity posed to smell the flowers!

and again......

and again....You have to get each flower!!! :)

girls and flowers..... :)

aawwww...

then she saw a spider-web!!!  hee hee....

more twirling....

and running...

and running....

around and around and around.....

oopse....

 Then, she came back and sat with me for a short time.....oh yeah.....you might have noticed that the first few pics have Charity with white socks on.........not as pretty as these pictures look!! :)

 It was truly a day to spend some time outside!!  I am thankful for the time I had.....lots of refreshing air, cool breezes, warm sunshine, and family time! :)

Thanks for sharing with my day......see you later!