Saturday: Surprise Party

We managed to actually surprise Keith's elder sister, Karen, with a 50th birthday party in Lake Murray's fellowship hall. Forty-some people came to surprise Karen and celebrate her birthday. Her daughter, Connie, planned the whole thing with a little help from me. It was a wonderful celebration, and I think Karen enjoyed the party, even if she had to help Keith light her own candles (yep -- exactly 50!).

Girl Cousins

E spent the night last night in Ramona with the girl cousins on Keith's side of the family, a precious thing for a girl with all brothers. The Arizona contingent dropped E off on their way back home, and I snapped a very quick photo between bathroom breaks as Keith's sister and family hopped back into their van and drove on home to AZ. These are E's favorite cousins as they are right around her age and also home school, as we do.

Thanksgiving Photography

Sorry I've been gone -- the Sick Kid Kit became useful to both E and myself as we caught the nasty bug that the two older boys had. I've been really down for the count, so no photography for a few days. Sorry! Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....

On Keith's side of the family, photography is a big deal. Keith attended Brooks, perhaps the best photography school in the country back in the early 80s, and now his niece, Connie, is also attending. Plus Keith's sister's husband, Jim, has always had a passion for photography and has shot weddings and portaits semi-professionally. So after we had eaten our fill of a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, I spied Connie and Jim out on the back patio, working on one of Connie's assignments for Brooks.



Jim helps set the stage for Connie's photo of a small turtle.



I get a shot at it over Connie's shoulder when she's between takes.

Yep, this is what Keith's family is about: art. If it's not painting like Keith's mom and elder sister, then it's quilting and fabric art like Keith's mom and younger sister or photography like Keith, Connie, and Jim, or it's furniture-making like Keith and his dad and younger brother, or even stained glass like Keith and his brother, too. Art is a big deal in this side of the family, and also in mine as well. And that's a wonderful heritage to pass down to all these kids -- 15 cousins on Keith's side of the family alone.

Recital

Last night T and J performed at their second pino recital -- you can read details at Meditative Meanderings. Here J is playing a duet with his teacher, Mrs. A., called "Our Detective Agency." We're very proud of both of our boys; they did a great job at the piano recital, and they both are dedicated to learning to play the piano.

Day Retreat

I met my friend Sheri over at the Bible camp on the other side of our town. Sheri rode her bike over and we had a delightful day with delightful weather as we met to share some prayer concerns and to study and journal in relative silence and solitude. Silence is always so comfortable between the two of us -- we would occasionally speak up to share something from our reading; Sheri is reading a book by Dallas Willard on spiritual disciplines from which she shared a few tidbits, and I shared the "Te Deum Laudamus" from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. But most of the time we just sat under the trees in the Adirondack-style chairs and read, wrote, and prayed in quiet. We both have four kids and homeschool, so having no interruptions from littles as we enjoyed our time with God and each other was such a blessing.

Sheri had to leave shortly after noon, and I was quite surprised to see four women from Lake Murray walking down to lunch; they were at the camp for a women's leadership retreat. So it was lovely to see Laura, Monica, Jan, and Laurie there, and I also spent some time talking to Norm, an artist who lives and works at the camp and who has known Keith since college. So although I chatted with people here and there, it was still a lovely day to sit under the trees and enjoy God's Creation, both human and natural, including some adorable tree squirrels.

Signs o' Fall

I love decorating for fall, especially on the fireplace and mantel.



This painting by Keith's mom always reminds me of autumn. It hangs over our school table all year except during Advent, and we both think it's one of her best watercolors.

Thursday: Da Boys...

T was feeling a bit better, although still not quite up to par. He didn't get violently ill like J, but he didn't feel great, either.



J did a bit of school here and there -- nothing too strenuous, just copywork and reading. He's feeling a bit better but was still sick and in need of the Sick Kid Kit even today.



B has been worn out -- perhaps he's fighting off the bug that downed J and slowed T....

The Sick Kid Kit

Just as I went to bed last night, J was sick. So today necessitated a trip to the local grocery store to stock up on the Sick Kid Kit. However, I forgot the Sprite, so Keith brought that home with him tonight. J is resting comfortably after spending the day in the big green recliner, and is sipping Sprite. Unfortunately, his first foray with the Jell-o was unsuccessful; we'll keep to Sprite tonight and perhaps try Jell-o and a few crackers in the morning. The poor boy has a very sore tummy after being sick nine times in the last 24 hours.

My Laptop's Wallpaper

Fra Angelico is a natural choice for this closet medievalist. Well, perhaps not so "closet"; most people who know me know my motto which applies to everything from art to theology to literature: The Older, the Better. 'Nuff said.

Our "Baby"

I can't believe that the "baby" of our family will be turning eight next month. B was so cute yesterday at Taco Bell, our usual after-church stop.