born imaginative.: 2025

Community events catch up

So much to catch up on. I have fallen way behind. In no particular order, here are various activities we have worked hard on for the community/friends over the last few months. I've fallen behind because in addition to this, we've expanded to a family of 6. More to come on that, but for now, here's a brief recap of our community events.

The big one: We hosted a wedding at our house!

Everyone who comes to our house gets flowers.

I enjoyed helping setup and work the annual curriculum sale.

We wrapped up the wiffle ball year (I coached Anna-Kate's, the other kids played baseball).

We hosted a Science Experiment Extravaganza.

We hosted several 4-H meetings.

I've made dozens of cat blankets to match the exact size of cages for the cat shelter.

We've spent hours cleaning, unpacking trucks and cleaning at the shelter. Getting kitten snuggles too, obviously.

We've hosted Beachcombers 4-H club.

We hosted a large plant swap.

I've hosted Fellowship on the Farm in May and June. I wanted to do July, but our plate was full.

We did, however, host our weekly ice cream socials from May to July, only skipping one or two weeks.

We've had several flower stands.

We've brought flowers to the nursing home.

And we planned the art show at our Co-op, donating art to the nursing home and participating in a game show with nursing home residents.

We had a homemaker preserving party, from garden to freezer.

This is the very last picture we took as a family of five, as we are now a family of SIX!

So many more updates forthcoming!

Surprise!

They why behind my sporadic posting..

We have very full hearts that things are finally in motion. Having an extra pair of barn boots has started this week and will be our everyday starting next week. As one of my fave adoptive mom says, love makes room. Welcome home, buddy! The plan is 6 months of foster care and then adoption. We are overjoyed to be a party of 6!

Summer Ocean

This year has been a weird year for us for the beach. First it was so cold, then a series of injuries and Adrian has decided sand is gross. We have not done much swimming at all. Hopefully that will be different the 2nd half of summer.

Audra's 13th Birthday Recap

Cherry Lemonade, Caesar salad, Potato Salad, Fruit Salad, Cheese and Crackers and fresh Snap Peas for this birthday girl.

Ice cream cake for dessert.

Happy Birthday Audra!

Audra is 13!

12, 11.5, 11, 10 and a HALF, TEN, Nine and a HALF, Nine, Eight and a HALF, Eight,Seven and a HALF, Seven ,Six and a half, Six ,Five, 4 1/2, Here's 4 , 3 1/2, 3 years, 2 1/2 years, 2 years 18 months, 12 months, 9 months? 6 months? 3 months? Just being born

Happy 13th Birthday, Audra!

There is nothing you love more than animals. All the furry ones especially so you can groom them. You are always gentle with animals, take consistent care of them, notice if there's something wrong, do the hard things, do the medical care and take time to communicate with them. You volunteer at the cat shelter and you've even been doing some animal care for pay.

You've been working on gaining more responsibilities, specifically taking Stop the Bleed and CPR as well as a 2nd babysitting course. You volunteered for 2 VBS programs and were responsible for being a 1:1 for a girl with special needs. You are good at caring for others.

As always, you go big or go home. You've been doing less crafting lately, but you are super focused on organizing your room. You have been working so hard, it's looking so much better.

You're new interest is skin and hair care. You have all the products and really do a nice job finding what works best for not only you, but your sister too.

You have lots of happy folks with your baking habits...dog treats, cat treats and cookie treats for your dad! I think you'd be tickled pink if meals were just fresh fruit and veggies..with a potato.

Your most calming activity is an audio book on your own and I'm so proud of you for setting that up on your own regularly. I know everyday is so very hard for you, but you work so hard doing what you can to keep a moving. I love you and am proud of all your efforts.

Love, Mom

Booklist 2024-2025

July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2025 family read alouds. So thankful we have such a wonderful lifestyle of books.

Adrian's Favorites were Crispin and Tales of North Berwick

Audra's Favorites were Moon Over Manifest, Big Red and Elijah of Buxton

Anna-Kate's Favorites were Alice in Wonderland, Freddy the Detective and Dominic

I loved Lantern in My Hand, A Day No Pigs Would Die and The Book of Virtues is on my top 5 list for reading through with kids for Homeschooling.

Picnic Table

Adrian came home from church, made a table with no adult help. Was done by 3:30. Then he grilled dinner on the blackstone. What a kid! So proud of him.

Date with mom

I sold some flowers and decided the money from that would towards a "Date with Mom" x3.

Audra and I got ice cream and she used the rest of her money for a gift card to get a 2nd date with mom. Clever.

Anna-Kate didn't really care as much about what we did, she was just so happy.

We went to pizza hut.

Adrian and I went for soda and ice cream.

I really need to make a point to do this more often!

You're HOME!

I went to a meeting on Friday. I was gone for 1 hour and 45 minutes. I hadn't even shut the car off before the crew was all there. Justin waltzed up after the dogs, but I will spare you that video. I guess I feel extra loved.