We have SWIMMERS...almost

Still too soon to call it but this just might be our last year of swim lessons....we have Grant children who are swimming...or at least something close to it!!

Winston mastered cannonballs and the pool crazies a few summers ago...we were lacking in the "swim technique" department. This was ever so frustrating for me - I grew up in the water nonstop and swimming came quickly and easily; I also think swimming is simply a LIFE SKILL -- a healthy respect for the water and the ability to swim is essential for safety.

We've been spending some time with Ms. Samantha who is showing the Grant kids how it's done in the pool. She's patient and sweet and the kids love her - after a few years of "swim lessons gone bad" we have had 2 good years in a row of great instruction and that plus general comfort in the water is giving us some great progress!
A relaxed Winston learns to float....MIRACLE!

Kicks and More Kicks
I love those fish lips on our girl....
Arrow to Ms Sam - Go Lilly Go!
She made it and I love Ms Sam's constant positive reinforcement

Gotta go - we've got some swimming to do!

Kiaw....ahhhhhhhhh

Oh how we had missed it.....the beach that is.....Our first free Saturday finally arrived and we hit the road early for a day at our favorite place...Kiawah. Baseball and lake visits filled up those first few warm months and we were quite late getting a beach day in. She was worth the wait.




Water was warm and the fish were biting (just quicker than we were!). It was nice long day of baseball on the beach, riding the waves and making castles. We hit Stono Market on the way home and filled up on shrimp and fresh vegetables. Shrimp and Grits for dinner with fresh corn followed by a week of cucumber and tomato sandwiches....ahhhh....Welcome Summer!!

An experience of many gifts

Back in the fall of 2009 my Sunday School teaching partner asked if I would serve on the leadership and planning team for Vacation Bible School at our church. I was hesitant to commit as I had already taken on a monumental role at Winston's school in addition to the weekly Sunday teaching gig at Bethany. I have been a VBS teacher to preschoolers a few times over these past years and frankly the level of exhaustion that comes with that responsibility is never forgotten - I wasn't sure I was up to the task. I prayed about it and after a few weeks of thought and prayer, agreed to take it on.

The planning team began meeting on a weekly basis after the holidays. Our church is rather large and considering our size along with previous year's attendance, we began planning for 400 children to walk through our doors for Galactic Blast at Bethany.

This past week, the endless hours of planning, meeting and planning some more came to fruition as 410 children arrived on Monday morning excited to spend a week on the Starship Galactic Praise. Without any doubt, it was one of greatest things I've ever been a part of. You want to see why?

Since January, we've had many moments of stress, fatigue, chaos and even tense conversations. This past week we had many more moments of the same, plus some tears added in - tears of joy and tears of frustration. I have reached a level of exhaustion that I rarely experience...a mental and physical drain that is hard to describe.

But.....What I'll remember about this past week more than anything are:


The sight of our fellowship hall as it transformed into Mission Control. We were beyond blessed to have an awesome group of decorators.
The gratitude I felt in my heart...deep in my heart...to over 100 volunteers who braved the heat, the noise, the chaos and everything in between to serve in such an enormous way.

Experiencing some of my most special friends in such a different way - I so wish I had gotten pictures of my friend Linda creating the Informational Space Center....or of my girl, Kristi, standing on a ladder hanging black tarps, splattering glow in the dark paint and hanging black lights to get her room ready for her class of Shockwaves. How fun to enjoy my friends in this way.

Listening to my sweet friend Christy, dressed as Aubrey the Astronaut, engage our children each morning during our opening assembly. She was the sweet encouraging voice who helped us start every day.
The sights and sounds of 400 precious little people (including my own) experience and enjoy all the planning and work we put into such an awesome time together.

I went into the Sanctuary on Thursday to hear preschool Music Time and to catch of glimpse of my girl experiencing her VBS. I was unexpectedly overcome with emotion....hearing a choir of tiny and sweet voices singing about God's love for them was a memory I will cherish forever.


The gift of new friends, getting to know "old" friends in a whole new way and being so filled with God's spirit that we were already talking about planning for VBS 2011 before the tear down of this year was complete.

The ability of my fellow leadership team members finding the grace to put up with my extreme Type A personality - they overlooked my faults, celebrated my strengths and loved me all the way through it.

It was a blast of Galactic proportions....and after a nap, I can't wait to know our theme for next year.

Dance Sister Dance

Still a little behind on the blog....feeling a little more human each and every day, Thank you Lord for augmentin!

The merry merry month of May was quite busy. We said farewell to preschool, celebrated the end of a great 1st Grade Year and watched our blonde beauty stand on the big stage once again and dance her little heart out.

We were so happy to have Grammy, Granddaddy and Auntie all travel in from out of town so they could be here to share in Lilly's big night.

This year was very different than the year before - there were never any Tuesday afternoons with protests about ballet...never heard "it's boring"...Lilly loved her class and her teachers. She began singing her recital song to us months before the show and she would tease us every now and then with a few of her moves. Most of it was still top secret and she couldn't wait for the big night.

We anxiously waited for her number and finally she danced. She was wonderful - she smiled, she knew her moves and she was just the most precious one onstage. Another wonderful dance recital and once again, it took me back to those many years I spent covered in sequins and feathers - so many fond memories of that time.

We were surrounded by so many family members and wonderful friends who came to see Lilly dance. It was so great to have so many supporters for our girl. Lilly had quite the entourage. Our sweet friends Linda, Kristi and Kristi's girls came and Lilly was so happy after the show when she saw all of her "fans". Her sweet little friend from church Jacob and his Mama came bearing flowers too!! She got 6 bouquets of flowers, one VERY fancy tutu skirt and was completely overwhelmed - it was a night I hope she never forgets!

Lilly with her teachers Ms Katherine and Ms Ashley

Lilly and her very special guests

Some sweet sweet friends

Lilly and her entourage (Daddy is behind the lens)


They love each other alot - Thanks to Auntie for making the trip!

A Very Proud Family


Lilly and her stash of beautiful flowers

That's a Wrap

It's been almost two weeks since the dismissal bell rang at the "Beech"...

Our abode is almost sparkly clean...almost....

I can see my dining room table again...

Laundry is no longer "critically behind"....

The blog is still a little delinquent but we're getting there.

God has once again reminded me the importance of SLOWING DOWN...I've had to by necessity. I went to the Dr today and I have strep, a double ear infection and a sinus infection....excellent. I am hitting some antibiotics hard and praying even harder for a full recovery by first of next week - after 4 months of planning, Vacation Bible School comes to Bethany...and there is still much to do.

For now, we'll take a look back at a wonderful week, just 2 weeks ago. A big and wonderful farewell to a big and wonderful First Grade Year. Winston had an awesome teacher, made some awesome new friends and carried some awesome grades the entire year. The kid is a genius and we can all thank the Good Lord for his Daddy because Winston gets his smarts from the smartest guy I know. It was a wonderful year at a wonderful place -- we do love the "Beech" and while we will savor these days of no alarm clocks, no PTA meetings and no schedules to worry about, we look forward to another year filled with fun for not 1, but 2 Beech Hill Beacons. I'm just glad I have a few months to wrap my brain around that one.

Field Day for First Grade....

Winston with his sidekick, Griffin. Griffin is without any doubt one of Winston's most favorite parts of his first grade year. He's a full of energy, loves a good prank and adores sports -- the Winston Trifecta!

Ring Toss Station

Always a funny relay - Winston skipped the grass skirt and coconut bra as you can see he left those things behind

Grade Level Tug -o-War - a BHES tradition. I snapped this picture standing in our back door and the ability to do that is such a treasure to me - First Grade Tug O War - Winston's class is to the left.

His last morning as a First Grader. Dear Lord where did the time go.....

Buddies for sure. They've already called each other on the phone and have had a play date.

How cool for Winston - his Auntie was in town for his last day of school. She came to school and helped me cook and serve breakfast for his class. I hope he remembers this forever. This was such a great morning!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes for some special Beacons.

Breakfast is served.

Welcome Summer!

Lakeside

If you read my last post, it's easy to understand why we love our church. Our 4 wonderful years at the CDC only scratches the surface of the blessings we've received from Bethany. I teach 4 year old Sunday School, I have taken on a big role in our Vacation Bible School that is coming up, I attend a weekly Bible Study with some fine women and we have met some extraordinary families during our time as Bethany members. One such family has stolen our hearts this past year.

I had seen her in the halls of the CDC over the years and recognized her in my first Bible Study a few years ago. I remember thinking she was really pretty and from what I could hear in her conversations with other women, she had a big love for Jesus, her family and next on the list, a big love for animals.....all kinds. We didn't really get to know each other very well during that first study....it was one that followed a year or so later...

It took me a few studies before I mustered up the courage to share much about myself....this is probably surprising to those who know me well but my knowledge of the Bible seemed limited and I was intimidated by all the theology that surrounded me so I kept my mouth closed and my ears opened. Finally, one Friday, I spoke up and shared a little bit about myself - most particularly that I was adopted. When I finished, I looked across the table at this woman who had tears welling in her eyes and she spoke....she shared that she was the mother of 2 adopted children and 1 biological. She talked about her compassion for adoptees and the "lack of control" in the circumstances that most often shaped the life of an adoptee.

In an instant I felt a connection with her and I felt her compassion for me. From that point on, she was no longer a Bible Study acquaintance or a fellow church member, she was my friend - a friend who understood as best she could, some of the challenges I had faced as an adopted child.

So....that's the back story....fast forward 12 months...

I have grown quite close to Kristi and I feel a kinship to her that I can't really describe. The icing on the cake is that as wonderful as Kristi is, her children, husband and animals (she has lots!) are just as wonderful. They are truly one of the most generous families we have ever met. They love the Lord, they open their doors to complete strangers and give until they cannot give anymore. I can't believe our good fortune to have become a part of their lives and they ours this past year. Kristi and I have lots in common, one of which is a heavy involvement at our children's schools - she and I both serve on the PTA Boards at our schools and have lots to talk about just on this topic alone!

Because of our crazy schedules and demands at home, we don't get to see alot of each other. That's changed recently as school began winding down and schedules have eased. A few weeks ago, we spent the weekend with them at the lake and it was nonstop fun for all. Winston and Lilly absolutely loved it- playing with their new friends, swimming, tubing, jumping off the dock, fishing, catching frogs...all of it. Kristi's oldest daughter, Sara, has stolen my heart -- she is adopted and I see so much of myself in her....I can't really explain why but I just feel a connection to her. All 3 of their children are wonderful, well behaved and easy to be around. They even put up with wild and whoolly Winston!! It was just a lovely time with some lovely people.

We've sure been counting our blessings these days and are so thankful for a family who has stolen our hearts.

Swimming

Sweet friends

Striking the pose

Loving that lake water

Waiting for a bite

Caught a baby turtle

Awesome...she is....

Boys on the boat

Tubing

Love the expressions...so much fun!

S'mores after dark

Day 2 - jet ski

Not bad for first attempt on the kneeboard -

Daredevil for sure...

Happy Lake Boy