Our Last Week of Art Class

The last art class of the season was this week. Our last project was using Prismacolor colored pencils. I taught them how to notice colors and mix them on top of each other to match. The assignment was to take a magazine picture, cut in it in half, then draw and color the other side trying to match as closely as possible.

My example:

Here are some of their works:

I was will miss my 16 students and hope that they will keep up the good work over the summer!

Trespasser

I heard some very exciting screams from outside today:

"MOM!!! Come Look!! QUICK!!"

We've seen some turtles here and there, but this?!?!

He was HUGE.





We ran inside and 'googled' it and were able to confirm it is a snapping turtle...as big as they get. One of their defenses is to raise up their back end to use their pointy shell as a weapon.





It is not the prettiest creature indeed...but pretty cool to see wandering in the back yard, nonetheless.

Goodbye

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50Now this I say, brethen, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethern, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Mrs. Hannah Dugan passed away this morning, on Good Friday. While I'm celebrating her life and her first day in heaven today, I'm praying for Mr. Dugan and family.

Spring Break

During our Spring Break, the kids and I decided to head North to my parents home in Michigan. It's the first time I've taken 4 kids by myself on the 18 hr. car ride. I was a little nervous during the hotel stay half way, but am thankful to report it went just fine. It helped that Josh can swim now so the pool time was a blast.

We had so much fun. There were 'road trips' to Millersburg and Gaylord for pizza and ice cream.

Mema and Sophie decided to take on a sewing project together. Since sewing isn't my forte', I'm thankful that both grandmas are talented in that department! Sophie loves to sew.

This was one of the few times in March where there was no snow. So, it was chilly, but we were able to take our bikes to the beach (and see the ice floating in the water).

My hometown feels like something from the Mitford Series. Friends randomly knocking to say 'hello', just in time for tea.

The kids also experienced a bit of 'Little House on the Prairie'. Our good friends, the Tollys, make their own maple syrup and this happened to be the week they were making it. We were thrilled to see the process and make it a home schooling experience.

One of the main reasons I wanted to come 'home' was to visit my close friends, the Dugans. Mrs. Dugan's health has failed rapidly. They have always been like a second set of parents to me. They have been involved in my life since I was in Jr. High. They've been so instrumental in my Christian faith. They've watched me go through the growing up struggles and have put several boyfriends on the 'hot seat'. I fondly remember stopping by their house many times and having good talks with them in their living room. Being a Hillsdale graduate and advocate, they were the reason I chose to go to Hillsdale College. They met and 'approved' Jonathan when we dated and were engaged in college. And just like Mrs. and Mr. Dugan, we were married during college at a fairly young age. At our wedding, Mr. Dugan wore a tux because he was the 'other father'. When we were newlyweds and broke, Mr. and Mrs. D would drive down for a visit and take us out to dinner and we felt like royalty. Their generosity and example have shaped our lives. As time marched on and our family grew, their love was constant. Mrs. Dugan was one of the few people who held Samantha. This photo was taken a month before Samantha died.

Mrs. Dugan's illness has been hard on all of us. The week was filled with joy but was also filled with many, many tears. Mrs. Dugan is in the nursing home now and appears to be at the final stage of the disease. Mr. Dugan's constant, tender love towards her continued to be an amazing testimony through 'the end', literally, when Mrs. Dugan was clearly not there anymore (in spirit). I'm so thankful to have this memory to share again and again with my children an example of a successful marriage where Christ is the center. Mr. Dugan is as tired and weary as a normal person would be, but he is a living example of how to 'praise Him still'.

The Lord Saves

I don't know this girl, but I shed tears as her testimony rang true to my heart. Praising God for His salvation offered to all!

Hailstorm

We had a hailstorm today. We had temperatures of 65-- so it was most peculiar. It was beautiful, though.

We saved some in a cup and put it in the freezer for Daddy to see when he got home.

Busy. Busy.