28 days until Thanksgiving--say what?

So, if you've been around these parts for any amount of time, you know this has been a crazy year. While we have not endured a hurricane, tsunami, or tornado (fingers crossed!), the last six months have included: putting our home on the market, selling our home, moving twice, having grave's disease/finally giving the ol' Thyroid the heave-ho, the death of a grandparent and enduring major surgery with my dad. It has been grueling at times, but also provided us with an even greater confidence that in the storms of life we can stand strong with our great God.

With that said, a few days ago I was sitting in my dad's hospital room and happened to overhear a commercial excitedly exclaim that we're less than 2 months to Christmas day. Wow. If we're two months from Christmas, that must mean we're fast approaching Thanksgiving.

With the hustle & bustle, it is so easy to loose the focus of what Thanks-giving is all about. Being thankful. I am going to attempt to put together this board (thanks to the step-by-step instructions from here ). I look forward to being intentional with giving thanks through the month of November and beyond.

What about you and your family? How do you stay thankful in the midst of the rush and fuss of the holiday season?

The Future

Today, at our Teacher Tea, Mrs. Wodarczyk (Schaeffer's teacher) said something profound. As we were saying our goodbyes, she said, "We need more kids like you Schaeffer Jo"; to which SJ replied, "Sorry, I'm the only Schaeffer Jo in town." Could there be a more true statement?

Raising an, ehm, gifted, child can become a cycle of expectation. A cycle that goes something like this:

Achieve. Celebrate accomplishment (call girlfriends, post on fb). Push child to work hard-er. Nag. Achieve. Celebrate accomplishment (repeat, repeat, repeat).

It may also resemble this:

Go to a solid elementary school. Become involved in intellectual and physical extra-circular activities. Succeed in being placed in the 'gifted & talented' programs. Continue to achieve exemplary grades throughout middle school--after all, this is the foundation for high school. Develop a solid core of friendships, pursue skill in athletics, and gain a position in student council. Advance to high school. Honor role, Honor Society and Homecoming Court--the 3H's of success. Also, obtain varsity status in chosen sport and early-acceptance into Ivy League school. Achieve in college. Fight for the best internship placements. Rush for the 'pretty girl' soriety. Graduate with honors at the top of your class.

It could go on and on. What is the real goal in all of this? Is it self-betterment? To best accomplish God's plan for her life? Or, is it to make money?

Where has my baby gone?

At birth, August 2007

Age 2, August 2009

Schaeffer Jo's first day of preschool, Age 3

August 2010

Schaeffer & Mrs. Waning

Last day of preschool, May 2011

classmates

Schaeffer Jo & Mrs. Wodarczyk

My sweet Schaeffer, what a year this has been. You have grown leaps and bounds! There are times when I look at you--and honestly wonder if you've grown since my last glance.

You transmit God's love in a way that makes me so proud. I marvel at your joy, your love and your kindness--God has blessed you with the ability to be both a strong leader and a compassionate person. I love to watch you interact with others, adults and children alike, leading them in your 'plans', and bringing smiles to the faces of all you interact with.

You are a blessing beyond what I ever could have imagined--I cannot imagine how greatly you will be used by your Creator, because great are your gifts. What a delight it is to watch you grow, I love you, my sweet girl.

E-I-E-I-O Farm Animals!

Pig-caso

Cash Cow

Moo-saic

Ice cream!

Beautiful view from our swing on top of the bluff

Last Friday night we took SJ down to see the new barnyard animals that had just been unveiled in Saint Joe. It was a gorgeous evening, and we enjoyed eating our ice cream while the sun was setting on a swing over looking the Lake and the fountain. We are so blessed to live in such a place where the beauty of God's creation is everywhere!

BSF 2010 / 2011

An ode to Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. Landot & Mrs. Kerlikowske

It's hard to believe the BSF year has ended! It seems like we were just beginning the upward climb in the study of Isaiah.

It has been another great year of truth-instilling for Schaeffer Jo. I go on and on, listing all the nuggets of truth that she has learned about God's character, about His love for His people, and how it is important in her life. She has continued to learn new hymns-timeless songs of truth that are helpful in breaking a pattern of disobidence.

One of the most special things about the BSF children's program: the loving relationship between the teachers and the students. Each year SJ has two more loving and mentoring women in her life that have taught her about God. This is a short video that SJ made for her teachers this year--we talk about them daily in our home, and she misses them already!