I started this post when our school year ended back in May, but it’s taken me until now to finish it up. At the end of May, “Rose” and I flew back to Virginia to make the long road trip home from Christendom College with the older boys. The rest of the summer was a whirlwind of activities, birthdays, summer jobs, summer camps, hosting a family reunion and then a graduation party, not to mention all the college transitions and preparations! It was such a wonderful summer and I sure treasure those months we have each year with everyone home.
I’ve been reminiscing a lot lately, thinking back to when I started this blog nearly fifteen years ago as an overwhelmed young home educating mother still in my twenties. Our oldest was six at the time and I was pregnant with number five. Now those first five children of ours are all in high school and college! I can’t keep the tears from falling every time we put them on a plane or drop them off at school, but it is also so exciting to see them growing up and following God’s plan for their lives. As a dear friend of mine recently said, “It’s like reading a good book and you can’t wait to turn the page and see what happens next!”
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| December 12, 2020 – On their way to a Youth Group Christmas Party! |
I didn’t spend time blogging over the summer, maybe I’ll get the opportunity this fall to go back and share a few things, but first I wanted to finish up this post with their annual End of School Interviews!
Here are this past year’s interviews (revised with blog nicknames):
Photo taken at Mount Rushmore on their road trip to college last fall:
When your son sends you a bathroom selfie in the guys’ dorm on his way to class
… with a broken front tooth and the toilet seat up…
it’s hard to resist using it for his end-of-year photo!
My favorite part is that he doesn’t even mind. I love his confidence!
His tooth was a soccer injury, re-broken from when he was younger.
It’s currently glued back together again and looks better than it did before. We’ll see if it holds…
No more soccer games without a mouth guard!
Favorite Books: Brideshead Revisited & Frankenstein
Oh, I sure miss our sweet girl! She flew home for the weekend and it was so hard to take her back to the airport early Monday morning. It was such a fun weekend!
Favorite Books: Joan of Arc by Mark Twain and The Iliad
She got to go on a second “Nun Run” this year and took some great pictures!
I need to see if I can get her to share about her trip on the blog.
It’s been really hard on her with her sister/best friend off to college…
Hoping we can make that visit to UMary happen soon!
Now that he’s in high school, and not a brand new baby, I really need to change his blog nickname from “Snuggles”…. It’s just so confusing to change it with the old nickname all over the archives!
He’s not a fan of “Scout” (too boy scout sounding he said) and “Sergeant outranks Captain”… so we are considering “Sniper”… He liked that one. How is it even possible that he is in high school already?!
Favorite Books: Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales
We’ll go back to calling her “Grace”… but for today her name is “Lola Dutch!”
Favorite Book: Lola Dutch
Favorite Book: You Are My Little Cupcake
Favorite Toy: Bunny
I’m realizing now that I messed up on a few of the favorite book titles in the images. I don’t have time to go back and fix them all right now, but the links should all be correct. 🙂
Now we know why you haven't posted very often. I'm glad you had time to post the End-of-School interviews as they are some of my favorites.
I always love reading these!!
Thank you, Nancy! I kept intending to blog, and tried to get back in the habit a couple times, but just couldn't seem to get much posted! 🙂
Thank you, Sarah! Our children sure enjoy them and they make perfect decorations for graduation parties too!
Your family is beautiful! You are such an inspiration and great role model for all of us moms/grandmas! May God Bless you and your family in all that they do!
Thank you Jessica for sharing the end of the school year with the children's likes and dislikes. Reading them is so enjoyable and interesting. Your children are so loving and inspiring. God Bless.
Marilyn
Jessica Thank you for sharing your children's school year. Love reading the likes and dislikes.
Joan
Love reading this post. Everyone of your children have interesting faves and dislikes.
Marion
Yes, I love reading all of these but especially Rose's interview. Anyone that loves Daddy Long Legs gets special kudos in my book!
You have such a lovely family. Each of your children are so unique and special. Such a successful school year you have had. Lots of hard work and dedication from each of the children and especially their wonderful Mom!!! I enjoyed reading about the accomplishments and the dreams of each of your children. Many blessings to you and all of your children for a happy and successful new school year as well. Already one month behind you!