Catching Our Breath

Since last posting, we attended our denomination's annual presbytery meeting in Peoria, Illinois--and had a great time! Special thanks to the hospitality of this family, to a lot of food and more fellowship added in from this family, and to the Peoria church planning such a good time for us all.

We ate, we talked, we played games, we talked, we enjoyed music, we talked, we danced, we talked, we went to Wildlife Prairie Park, we talked, we read, we talked. And did I mention that we talked? We met lots of new folks, and look forward to staying in contact with them and seeing them again, as well as meeting still more in the future.

Here are a few pics from presbytery weekend.

Playing and singing at the Evans home

The Riggenbachs, some of whom Keith and the girls had met 3+ years ago at a Father/Daughter Retreat in Georgia. They live just down the road from the Evans family and attend church with them.

Some of our TN folks on the train at Wildlife Prairie Park

Ditto

Mr. Pickles of Arizona making up a square for a dance--with seven small youngsters--all probably 5yo and under, I'd say. I agree with our pastor's wife, who said, "Now THERE'S a man."

I love this one, of Keith and our 17yo dancing together (He's in the white shirt; she's in the blue dress)--as well as including the best-dressed man there (and a good dancer, too, I understand!)

More dancing--from TN and CA, this time

Sheri and Cara

Impromptu music with Jeremy...

...and dancing on the lawn

5yo really likes slides

This weekend, we spent up in our church's area, taking advantage once again of the hospitality of this family. We also got to know one of the families from California that was in Peoria last weekend, since they were visiting this family for a few days. And what a pleasure they are. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them a bit.

This weekend's events included a recital that our 15yod participated in, a birthday celebration for our pastor and one of his sons, a movie night ("National Treasure 2"), soccer for some, and of course worship and fellowship on Sunday, as well as a celebration of a couple more birthdays.

Those actually involved in the recital. They all did a great job. As well as I know most of these, I didn't even know some of them played, and they did difficult pieces beautifully!

After the recital, at the Harvest Grill

Oh, yes, and I made mozzarella and ricotta with my pastor's wife, who has done it a few times. I'm looking forward to doing it here, now. Both cheeses were delicious!

Two great weekends. Now we're looking forward to next weekend, when we'll have a guest pastor, and he and some (or hopefully all) of his family will be spending the weekend fellowshipping with our church.

In between, we worked on academics (officially nearing the end of this "year") and chores. Did some good garden work. The girls finished their formal dresses, including the one 17yo designed herself.

15yo in her formal, after the recital in which she participated

17yo in the gown she designed

ahmmmm...a friend, after the recital (in which he did not participate)

Gramps and "Brown Sugar" celebrating some birthdays

Some of the other birthday partiers Saturday evening

Lovely cake and decorator for Sunday's birthday celebration

Happy birthday, you two!

I fixed the Swiss chard, pretty much according to this recipe. It was really pretty good!

Mary Susan

BTW, I've always been tolerant of it, and understand where the concern might come from, but those folks who think homeschooled children have a socialization problem really don't have a clue, do they? Over the past two weeks, we've been in crowds with an age range from less than 1yo to close to 81, I'd say, and there just doesn't seem to be a problem. No, to be more precise, there ISN'T a problem. All the folks interact with each other, no matter what the age. It's beautiful! And for your FYI (as Chesley says), these circumstances are not unusual for our kids and families. As in any crowd, some are less talkative than others, but communication among all the ages is no problem. As Keith said this weekend, these kids are lightyears ahead of where we and our then-peers were at their age! (and I'd say that's true not only in communication skills, but in all areas of life!) All praise and thanks to God!!!