Writing Objectives.....

It is complicated.

Chelsea finished the Pa. State Requirements

for graduation during the last school year.

We allowed her to "walk" in the 

county wide graduation.  But because of her 

age I was not willing to rock the boat with the 

school district and we will report this year

as her final year of formal High School Education.

I have no problem doing this
as Chelsea will be working

every bit as hard
learning fine arts, public speaking, 

working in retail,
baking, photography,
learning the electric guitar,

song writing,
teaching children where she
does childcare.... and more.

We will visit a local college
on Tuesday morning to investigate

classes available to her during this school year.

As she is very shy she wants to take a class in 

public speaking.  

Yes, it is her idea.
She doesn't like
being uncomfortable

in this area.
So her answer?
Work on it!

When we were in Kentucky
Chelsea met a woman who 

worked for the music company
where she wants

to intern in a couple of years. 

Would you believe this woman also 

graduated at the age of 15 and worked

an internship with the company before 

being hired there permanently?

That was all Chelsea needed to hear!

She visited with this woman
on a couple of occasions

and learned what the requirements
are for internships....

that has set us on this course.

Chelsea is very, very goal oriented.

So, as I said, I have no problem whatsoever

writing up her objectives for this school year.

They include but are not limited to:

Art:
Painting, photography, sketching, sales on Etsy

Music:
Songwriting, Electric Guitar, College Level Class(es)

English:
Poetry, College Level Speech Class

Math:
Business Math, Work in Retail

Bible:
College Level Class

Home Ec:
Continuing her interest in baking and
healthy cooking

A Fine Arts Program if I ever saw one....

but if you could see the hours that go into these interests

you would be mightily impressed.

I am!

Her first canvas

A very common sight around here.....

Grandma Ruth Is Funny

My Mom is a hoot.

She is so much fun to be around

and is always thinking of creative gifts.

Last Christmas I decided to get Warren's Mom

a hot air balloon ride for her main gift.

She loves adventure and has often commented 

that she would enjoy a balloon ride.

Groupon was running a deal so I told Mom

and she got one so Georgia wouldn't have to go

alone....

Well, actually she got two.

You know how they say to just click once?

Well, what to do with the extra ticket?

Miss Chelsea, of course.

We decided in December that it would be 

part of her 16th birthday celebration.

So the ride is scheduled for an early morning 

next week, as long as the weather is good.

However, when we went to Ruby Tuesday for 

Chelsea's Sweet 16 Birthday Dinner Mom was 

quite concerned about something she was carrying in 

a gift bag.  

She said several times that Chelsea's gift was disappearing.

We thought it must have been something cold that was 

melting.  But when we got to the restaurant Mom went to

the restroom to "fix" it.

That didn't really make sense.

Until....

You really should click on this to see the little people.

So very funny.

The little people in the basket actually have their faces.

Apparently the balloon kept losing air

so a quick trip to the ladies room to blow it up again 

and all was good.

Hope their balloon holds up better than this one.

It will be very early in the morning but I plan

to go along and take lots of pictures to share.

Have a splendid day today.

Keep cool if you can.

Oh, and based on yesterday's post you might

think I am wishing for snow....

Nope!

I would take 75 and no humidity 

but I was really pointing out the extremes

and how far away one seems from the other.

Darling Daughter

After four and a half 

months of bedrest that included...

worry

ultrasounds

sighing

headaches

wondering

hoping

praying

sneaking out to Hoss's for lunch

and holding on....

You arrived on July 6, 1995.

You had "that face".

The family resemblance was undeniable.

Our hearts were captured immediately.

Of course the months of concern for you had

bonded us in a way that nothing else could

have done.

Today, around lunchtime, you will officially have

lived outside my womb for 16 years.

By that time we should know if you are the proud

bearer of a driver's permit.

You have never been one to

wait until tomorrow

on anything.  

This might explain all of the 

schoolwork at midnight to 

ensure an early graduation.

Oh, dear girl....

I thought we gave you way too

much to accomplish.

But you did it...

and more!

I am so proud of you.

Your Daddy is too.

We love our precious girl.

You have so many dreams and goals

it is hard to keep up with you.

Lately we hear you are working toward

a career in songwriting.

Perhaps with a side as a Cafe owner

or Dessert Chef.

Who knows, my darling.

You are talented beyond words and 

I am so excited to see what God has 

in store for you.

My prayer is always that you 

continue your walk of Faith.

As you encourage me by your dedication

to the Word may you be an example to 

future children

if the Lord grants them to you.

I am, as always, 

trying to keep up with you.

Wouldn't trade you 

for anyone else!

You are exactly who 

God made you to be.

Love,

Mommy

This Face Says.....

Third Place?

Really???

Actually, she was making the most of the 

fact that I had the camera right in

her face. She was saying...

"Not so close!"

And then I snapped the picture!

Bad Mommy!

Another Fair and another win

in the Hershey's Cocoa Classic.

A wonderful neighbor popped in yesterday 

and hired Chelsea to make two large custom

orders for events in November.

Cool.ness!

It is such a blessing to have neighbors and friends

who want to help our kids reach their dreams.

Edited to add:  Answering Karen's question....

Chelsea will be making 
3 dozen standard size muffins 
for 

a brunch 
(one dozen each Pumpkin, Apple 
and Blueberry Lemon) 
and then Assorted desserts 
to serve 35 people

for a luncheon on another day.

Chelsea had submitted this photo into the
Creative Photography Division.

While it is fun, she didn't win anything for it.

Thank goodness her eyes aren't really THAT blue.

That would be unnerving!

This was submitted into the Nature Category....

Also, no prize.

However, I love that both Chelsea and Jonathan

enjoy photography.

It is a joy to see things through their eyes.

Some others that she took that day...
It is highly unlikely that I would ever see it
from this perspective as she was lying on the
ground looking up...lol.
I am not likely to go to this length for a photo
these days.

Have a wonderful day.

We will be busy but it is all good stuff.

No doctor's appointments.

Just Co-op, Psalms of David, and a concert for the 

younger set this evening

while I continue making these fun candles...

Test burn

Climb with Me?

Many mornings at a certain time
the dogs go a bit crazy.
They bark excitedly.

In September it takes me a bit
to remember that it is bus time and
the neighbor boys are at their bus stop.
a.k.a. Our driveway.

So, in those early days of the school
year I often go to look who might be
out there.

What I see is pretty predictable.
Boys in our maple tree.

What is it about a tree that makes it just
need to be climbed?

Those boys aren't the only ones who love
to climb this tree.

Look who I found there on Monday....











Climbing....
Reaching new heights.
Seeing things from a different perspective.
Enjoying the beauty,
While facing fears in the process.

That is what draws us . . .
up into a tree
or to the peak of a mountain.

Have you climbed lately?

Stretched beyond your normal
comfort zone?

Maybe you have
taken a much needed respite among the
beauty of God's creation?

Whatever your reason for
climbing. . . it is worth it!

Best of all,
You don't have to
do it in your own strength!

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:19a

Let's Climb together!
Reach for those goals and dreams
that are just outside the realm
of comfort and the known.

I know of several people right now
who are climbing...

Whether it is ~

to win against illness,
to have a much wanted child,
to find a job in a market that is cruel,
to start a business,
to cheerfully meet the demands of a busy family,
learning to live without a spouse who is gone,
taking on the challenges of a needy foster child,
or
in the ministry that they have been called to.

And we are off!
Climbing!

In HIS strength.