Home Alone

On Monday, July 21st, our parents left for a nine-day anniversary getaway to Washington state. 

Secretly, we were thrilled to run the farm by ourselves.:) We older ones had pretty full schedules with work, but we were looking forward to carving out some time for making memories together.

Of course, we had to make some special foods.  A few favorites we had were waffles, ice-cream sundaes, and chocolate chip and cream cheese filled cupcakes.

There was a musical flash-card match with Huds and Rebecca.

One afternoon, Chels and the little girls went to visit our adopted Grandma, Mrs. Hoppe.  They made lunch at her apartment and helped her with some organizing projects.  

One evening our cousins, Victoria and Teresa, came over for some girl time.  

Chels has been doing some nannying for our pastor's family.  Aren't these kiddos adorable?!  Their ages are 4, 2, 1, and newborn and they are such precious darlings.

The little music students around our house have been quite diligent, and it is a joy to see them advancing in their skills.

This continues to be a common sight as the Bible Bee competition approaches.

I spent a day with some darling little people, as well as taking care of this little guy at our house another day.  

Some of my brothers have been on a history/politics craze recently.:)  I love it- they pick up thick hardbacks at Goodwill and devour them!

Chicken in all its glory of fresh parsley, lemons, onions, and garlic.

With everyone's work schedules, Friday evening turned out to be the only meal all week that we were all together.  This was reason for celebration!!!  

We played Dutch Blitz, ate, and sat around the table and talked long after dinner was finished. 

Sunday we invited friends to join us for lunch and the afternoon.  After eating together, we played basketball (well, the men played:), jammed, played Dutch Blitz, and had a soft pretzel making party.  

On the very Sunday evening following so much joy and laughter with friends, my dear friend, Sadie (pictured next to Chelsy in the pretzel-making photo) flipped her car just a few miles from our house.  She called me and explained what had happened, and when I arrived at the scene and rushed to wrap my arms around her as I gasped "You're really ok?!", I was overwhelmed with gratitude.  It was unbelievable that her car could be upside down in a ditch while she stood before me alive and well.  

That story is just one of many in the past few weeks that have reminded me that life is short.  God is good, and not just when the story has a happy ending.  He is good no matter what.  But while our loved ones are still here on this earth-journey with us, let's treasure every moment together.  

{posted by Allison}

Home Alone
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