School is Out!

Tony made a quick trip before Memorial Day along with some IDC Aspire guys for a church planting vision trip to the great city of Boston.  It was a great time for seeing old friends and meeting new ones... 

(Above: Tony with Stephen - so grateful for Stephen and Amanda!  Below: Running into Dan and Monica at Fenway on vacation - grateful for their ministry!)  

Meanwhile, a glimpse of the kids' school before the academic year ended...

 While Tony was in MA the kids and I enjoyed a mean game of bean bag toss... ha ha.

 And a little bit of baseball...

 The guys visiting Quincy (a.k.a. John Adams' home)...

 We went to Dairy Queen...

 Memorial Day Monday, we were treated to great fellowship with dear friends Kate & John...

 Later, we decided to join "a few of our friends" (*insert sarcasm*:-) at our community pool...

 It was a beautiful and enjoyable day swimming with the masses...

 That evening, sweet friend Ellen, came back to babysit (after spending the morning with our kiddos so we could go to breakfast) so we could catch a movie...

 The Avengers in 3D... ha.

 Dinner with friends...

 Titus tore a claw and had to have it removed... poor little guy...

 Cute purple bootie, ha.

 Upcoming e-book...

 Let the end of year class picnics and activities begin!!!!

Friday, June 1 = Fourth Grade

 Sweet Angela...

 Friday night cookout with IDC leadership AND grandparents! :-)

Shauna brought mini cinnamon rolls for kids dessert.  Judah, double-fisted says, "Kim, these are good!"  There is really only one word for this little guy... Adorable!

 Grateful for friends...

 Business on the carport...

 Such a blessing...

 Wonderful to have Tony's parents with us, though sad that Joshua's baseball game ended up being rained out (a trend this season)...

 Angela worked hard finishing up a school "physical map" project on the state of North Carolina...

 We discovered a new (& quite delicious) BBQ place...

 My son who "loves a project" tearing out obnoxious plants in front of our porch.  He is such a hard worker!

 My artist in residence, Jana Sophia, drew these pictures during Sunday's sermon... "Papa and Mama" she said... Joshua, who was sitting next to her, and consequently got in trouble for this, could hardly contain his giggles (the giggle box that he is)... we gave him a little grace because, let's face it, this is funny... but completely unrelated to the sermon?!.

 Another mean game of bean bag toss (or as some refer to it: corn hole?)...  Mamaw destroyed us all...

 Tony set up a barber shop...

 Chiseling away... I signed him up for a woodworking camp this summer.  He's excited.

 My kids love critters (no telling what they're exploring in this picture) and would fit in the story/movie, We Bought a Zoo.

 Papaw supervising the fire pit before we roasted a few marshmallows for s'mores...

Monday, June 4 - 

Grandparents returned to Kentucky and Tony headed to Student Life Camp in Tennessee...  We began the last week of school:

Finished product!

 Game on!

 A little journal correspondence... something we don't quite do enough of but a good way to encourage and talk through some things with my kiddos...  I hope to get us in a good discipline of this as my kids enter middle and high school years...

 I decided to get pool passes for the summer... good investment... we enjoyed a little time Tuesday after school with some neighbors...

 Wednesday, June 6 -

Fifth Grade Graduation!

 I was so proud of James!  He was chosen to give the welcome and lead the pledge of allegiance!  Even as I type I get a little teary eyed.  Three years ago he was an orphan in Ukraine...  I had to fight back tears some kind of hard, ha ha...

 Lining up to receive 'diploma'...

 His teachers talked about his incredible work ethic while taking the EOG's (End of Grade tests)... "He will go far in life!" They said.

 Love him so!

 Grateful for his amazing, "full of grace and patience" (ha) teacher, Mrs. Broders...

 His awesome reading specialist, Mrs. Seavey...

After the ceremony, James and I went out on a date to the restaurant of his 2nd choice (ha)... Texas Roadhouse was not open for lunch so we went to Red Robbin... Yum! 

Afterwards, we went to help Mrs. Lim out at the Media Center a little... Joshua made surprise visit... 

 Last Day of school!

 Joshua's class had a special presentation for us before their class picnic...

 Their class also voted on "bestie" awards (i.e. what they though each of their teachers and classmates were best at)... Joshua was voted:

 Joshua and his fabulous teachers...

 After his picnic, we ran across campus to Jana and the 3rd graders picnic...

 Sweet Sophia...

 Yet another amazing teacher!

 Saying goodbye to her classroom...

 I checked Joshua and Jana out of their classes and we ran over to Victoria's class for her 2nd grade festivities... can we say, "crazy day?!."  :)  The wonderful Ms. Bedics!

 My baby girl...

 Full of sugar and silliness!  :)

 Victoria decided to stay til the end of the school day... she was having too much fun!  Joshua, Jana and I walked back home for a hint of R & R before school was out for the year...

 We went to IDC Girls Growth Group (G3) and Men in Training (M.I.T.) that eve... I ran across the street to Panera Bread to do a little work... Afterwards, I returned to these sweet sisters showing off the effects of clumsiness... poor baby...

 And then there's this guy...

 Priceless gifts to awaken to...

Now that school is out and Tony is back in town from camp, we are trying to rest this week before a busy summer.  Thanks for attempting to keep up with us and remembering us in your prayers.  They are a blessing!  God is gracious to us.  May you rest in His care...