From Youngsville to Harrisburg to NYC to Hershey - What a visit!

We certainly squeezed A LOT into a few days during the Caverly's visit. We had many late nights, tons of laughs and many sweet conversations. It was great visit and many memories were made that will last a lifetime.

Breanna had already left for work when we took this picture...we left room in the back to photoshop her in : )

We spent Thursday exploring Harrisburg. The Riverfront was full of activity with the 4th of July celebrations. We strolled through Riverfront Park and treated ourselves to slushies as we walked over the bridge to City Island.   

After watching the fireworks by the river the girls played with sparklers at the house. We had a big day planned the next day so we attempted to get the kids in bed at a decent time.

 Hello NYC!! 



The waking begins!

We visited the 9/11 Memorial sight, Macy's & Harold Square, walked past the Empire State Building, visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, The American Girl Place, NBA Store, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Plaza and Times Square.  You know, just a short stroll around the city....NOT!

 

Breanna in front of the flags of the Nations in Rockefeller Plaza

 These girls were so sweet as they stuck together like glue. They had little conversations as they peered into the windows and walked along the streets.

 The boys had a good time hanging out too.  They walked and talked together the whole day.  They even did a little shopping at the NBA store but Logan came out empty handed since all he had was $2.00 and a Wal-Mart gift card.



We kicked back and rested a little in Bryant Park and enjoyed  the shade and some relief from the blazing heat. There were a number of things going on in the park from chess games, to ping-pong and the reading room.  Here, the kids took a break to watch some guys play Pétanque, a game similar to Bocce ball. The rest was certainly welcome even though the kids did great with the amount of walking in the heat. 



I so enjoy Time Square at night, all the lights, people watching and sights. 

We left NYC the latest we ever have...almost 11pm so that put us home around 2:30am.  A full day indeed but a great visit none the less.

 We headed for much needed coffee at the midtown scholar the next day and walked through The Broad Street Market to pick up a few snacks.

 I don't think we were the only who were tired!

Nope not at all...

 Logan fell asleep in the window at the bookstore.  That is one worn out boy!

After a quick nap and a coffee recharge we headed over to Hershey to visit Chocolate World.  Hershey in the summer on a Saturday and a One Direction Concert make for a very crowded place!



The weekend went by so fast and it was such an encouragement to have friends here to share what life is like in HBG for our family.  We also had a great time with our small group while the Caverly's were here as we continued studying Luke. We look forward to the next visit and are so thankful for the bond that was strengthened over the weekend.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 27:17

Jumping~

Madelyn is learning a lot and improving with her riding skills. Here are a few pictures as her trainer, Mrs. Christy, at Hanoverdale Farms gives her instructions during her lessons. (These are pictures from a couple lessons)

 

 

 

 

Stopping for instruction from Christy

At the end of the lesson there are usually other riders watching and warming up as Madelyn finishes her session. She has enjoyed getting to know the girls and has also had the opportunity to help them at a show.

 

Madelyn has enjoyed riding with Megan for over a year now. These girls have both come a long way and their growing friendship is sweet. They have a lot in common and her family is a part of a church plant on the West Shore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Olivia watches Madelyn closely and wants to be right in the mix while tacking and untacking the horses.

 

 

Maranda recently started riding and joined the girls on Wednesday nights : )

ART Show ~Breanna

Breanna participated in an art show for the "School of the Arts" and I must admit it was a very proud moment to see her work displayed in the show.

This oil painting now hangs on our living room wall. 

Watercolor teapot...wish I had this fancy frame.

Charcoal lion

This is a dragon that she and her friends started last year during their free time at art club.  After much work and a few transformations, here is the finished product. It is difficult to see in the photo but the dragon is made up of individual scales.  Lots of time and effort went into this project.

The kids spent time looking at all of the art but they would always end up back in front of  Breanna's pieces.  They were so proud of her work. 

I enjoyed watching her talk about her paintings with teachers, students and other parents.

First and Last...ohh how time flies!

It's hard to believe another year has passed. Here is a quick picture of the first and last day of school this year!

Last day Kindergarten!

Last day 3rd grade!

Last day 5th grade!

Last day 11th grade!

   

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127:3

 

 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Published Article written by Breanna on Human Trafficking

 

God has blessed us with some gifted and passionate children. The Lord has given them unique passions and abilities that give them a platform to bring Him glory.

 

Breanna loves art, missions, has deep rooted friendships and a strong bond with her siblings.  She has had her artwork featured in some public shows in the area and she is continuing to explore and try new things.  She has a heart for missions and for people, particularly those who are the downtrodden and less fortunate.  This love has given her a passion for helping to shed light on the human slavery problem that exists throughout the world.  She wrote her first paper about the subject in 9th grade and her knowledge and interest has grown ever since.

 

This is an article that Breanna wrote on Human trafficking that was recently published in a magazine for teens that covers all of south central PA.  We are very proud of her and the hard work it took to write an article on a very difficult topic. It is such a joy to see how her passion and love for people is manifesting itself through her writing.

 

 



"Mom, I really feel really special"

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post! I sure hope the grandparents will forgive me!

Birthday's are a pretty big deal in our family. I am not sure how, but it just has happened. In a larger family it seems like a great opportunity to "pour" into one child. We do not do "friend" birthdays for all the birthdays unless it happens spontaneously. More for the practical financial and planning. We plan friend parties for years like 5, 10, 13, & 16. So, this year we had a family Birthday celebration however we were able to include a little party at school with her friends in her class.



 

 Olivia opened her gift from us before she went to school. A new dress, shoes and birthday ribbon. She was so excited and was full of smiles. She received lots of big hugs from her siblings all morning long.

Olivia requested Hello Kitty Cake Pops. I had no idea how I was going to pull it off but I was looking forward to the challenge. 

I had the opportunity to hang out with the kids and teachers during recess. After most, if not all of the class came over to greet and give little hugs (I had just been in the classroom 2 days ago)  they waited and asked to get their picture taken together. I chuckled as they know me well since I always have my camera with me snapping pictures. This sweet little picture is just precious to me. I am looking forward to watching this group of kids grow up together.

The cake pops were a hit.

I took Olivia out of school early knowing our evening was going to be very busy with Madelyn's band performance. On our way to her surprise she said

"Mom, I really feel really special"

 She has never been to Build-A-Bear Workshop and really didn't know what it was all about but it sure didn't take long for her to figure it out! She was so full of smiles it was if her little face was lit up. Can you guess what stuffed animal she selected?....

She giggled, played, dressed and danced in the store.

So much fun, her little love tank runneth over....

The fun didn't stop! The kids waited eagerly to hear about her day and to see her Hello Kitty. I love to watch their excitement for one another. We had cake early with a busy night ahead but they didn't seem to care at all to have cake first and by far that is probably the best present ever for Olivia. She does like chocolate! 



Silly kids....oh let me take in all these moments. They pass so quickly. sniff-sniff

Our "sweet pea" with 6 little candles. A knot in my throat as I type.You are truly a gift, you add so much fun to our family. Your animated personality, your sense of humor, your inquisitiveness, your silly faces, your imagination, your articulation of your feelings, your creativity, your love for your siblings... We wait in expectation of how the Lord will use you to share the Love of Jesus with others. 

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14

Growing Up-She is His

Growing up!

I have no idea how this happened. It just seemed like yesterday I was rocking my first little baby girl. She was 4 weeks premature and so tiny.  Soon after though, I would find myself wondering when she would take her first steps and say her first word. Recently, Breanna got her driving licence AND a job within the same week.

Breanna interviewed and accepted a position at Hershey Park. She is excited about the position but might not be as excited about the uniform. Those shorts are pretty high waisted, I must admit but they do offer to wash them daily! There are several perks with working at the park and it seems like a great place work and she could have a fun summer doing it. We will certainly keep you posted on her first employment.

 

In the same week Breanna, walked in the door with her freshly printed drivers licence and asked to take the kids to Sonic for ice cream. Not, "can I go see my friends, go to the mall, go do something for myself." She asked to take her siblings out and she used her own money to buy them ice cream. They celebrated together and Breanna received praises from her little passengers of how she is a "good driver."  It's little moments like this that I treasure and want to tuck away in my memory forever. I was thankful for their time and I have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled back in the driveway.  There are an endless amount of opportunities raising children when I am challenged to trust the Lord; that He loves them far more than I ever can and He is their protector.

Watching my little 4 year old jump out of the car with a bookbag bigger than her body going into her first day of school-stretched me. He is her protector 

 first sleepovers- stretched me. He is her protector 

first walks around the neighborhood- stretched me. He is her protector
 staying by herself for the first time- stretched me. He is her protector

watching my young teen get on a plane to go thousands of miles away for her first of many mission trips by herself- stretched me. He is her protector

 first boy relationship- stretched me. He is her protector

 getting into a car driving away- stretched me. He is her protector

 

Stretched me to trust in the Lord and know that He is sovereign, He is good and 

HE is her protector.  

He was the one who wove her together in my womb, the one who uniquely created her and loves her perfectly. We have been entrusted to raise and train her but to know

She is His.

 

 Getting her picture for the license! smile!

 

 

Here is a video that Breanna took of Olivia when they went to Sonic for ice cream. She was a little excited and maybe even on a bit of a sugar rush.

 

 

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14