November 2022

November kicked off with Eli's 15th birthday. All he wanted to do for his birthday was hunt and spend time with family. He got both. Unfortunately, all he saw while hunting was a squirrel but he enjoyed what is hopefully the first of many opportunities to hunt. We gathered together with family in a joint celebration for both Eli and his cousin Seth. There was lots of fun and laughter. It is hard to believe that Eli is already 15 and yet sometimes it seems as if he is so much older. Eli has a heart to serve and loves being at the church every opportunity he gets. He is kind and compassionate, has a silly side, and loves music and swimming. We are so proud of the man he is becoming.

The most recent swim meet was a ton of fun. The boys continue to improve and have a great time competing. Eli is now swimming for the Van Buren Pointers as well as our local club. He has added high school swim meets to his already busy schedule but loves every minute. We have a great coach and a fun team of kids who are a great group of kids to be around.

This month we had the opportunity to serve at church through Operation Christmas Child, FAME (a medical evangelism group), and our Community Rescue Mission. In addition to the girls packing gift boxes, medical supply kits, and providing food, the boys also helped haul and pack the trucks for Operation Christmas Child. 

Eli had the opportunity to attend a youth retreat at Ozark Christian College this month. He had a great experience and his eyes have been opened to some possibilities for the future that he hadn't considered before. We love all the opportunities our youth have to live, learn, and grow in their faith!

Thanksgiving week was relatively low key. We went to several parks with the kids on days when the weather was nice. Sat around the fire reading and doing puzzles on days when it wasn't so nice. We also ate a lot of food, and enjoyed fellowship with Leigh Ann's family on Thanksgiving Day. We have so much to be thankful for! 

As November wound to a close, we began our family tradition of doing advent activities. Each night we light a candle, read scripture and an advent story, and begin kindling the excitement for Christ's upcoming birthday celebration. We have done this the last several years and really love the tradition. It is a great way to set our hearts and minds on the true reason we celebrate Christmas. 

We hope that you too have much to be thankful for and are looking forward to the upcoming celebration of Christ's birth. See you next month!

November Slideshow

October 2022

 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da...Life Goes On...La La How Our Life Goes On

October brought rain, costumes, and family pictures. We continued our busy schedules complete with our first fall swim meet, piano, BSF, and several fall festivals. In our free time, we cut down a dead tree, hung out with friends and family, and enjoyed the cooler temperatures with a few park adventures. 

Because life is busy and time is short, you will have to watch the slideshow to catch up on the rest of the Rice happenings this month. Maybe next month there will be more time to write...

October Slideshow

September 2022

 What a fun month! We started with a wedding and ended with a birthday. It doesn't get much better than that!

The very first weekend of September, we loaded the car and headed to Illinois for Rebekah and Ben's wedding. It was a sweet celebration at the horse ranch where Rebekah worked. The sprinkles didn't stop the festivities and we enjoyed food, fellowship, and dancing well into the night. It was such a sweet ceremony and we are so thankful we were able to attend. 

The following week kicked off our new study People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided with Bible Study Fellowship. This is a new study and we are looking forward to spending time in the O.T. and learning about many of the prophets and kings. 

School, piano, and swim team are all well under way. We are finally getting into a routine and beginning to feel more settled.

We were blessed to celebrate the life of a dear friend after he left this earth to be with our Savior. Our hearts are heavy for the wife and four kids he left behind. The ceremony was such an amazing testimony to a life well lived. Several students and athletes who trained under our friend spoke of how he continually encouraged them and pointed them to Jesus. May we all look to that example and not miss any opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us.

We ended the month celebrating Marie's 9th birthday. Marie loves all things sparkle and unicorn. She has also taken a liking to Baby Yoda. She loved her green Yoda cake, her birthday dinner complete with home-made meatballs (thank you Nana), and the many wonderful gifts she received. Marie is creative, loud, silly, and loves to be the center of attention. She can also be a great helper. Happy Birthday, Marie!

There has been so much else that has happened but for the sake of time, I will leave it at these highlights. Be sure to check out the picture slideshow to see more of our adventures this month.

September Slideshow

August 2022

 August continued our summer with fun in the sun, prepping for back to school, and finishing our home improvement projects.

The first week kicked off with Camp Haven for the girls and Thad. This day camp came to our church again this year. The camp provides everything except lunch. The kids thoroughly enjoyed rock climbing, go karts, laser tag, RC cars, arts and crafts, drama and song time, and water slides. The girls are already talking about going again next year!

While the rest of the kids were at Camp Have, Elijah was at Ninja Camp. Our local chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, brought in two Ninja Warriors and several of their training tools. Eli tried his hand at the Salmon Ladder, rope climbing, wall jumping, and many others tests of his strength and endurance. He also had a great time!

That first weekend was very special. We hosted a mini-family reunion with Nana's siblings. Leigh Ann hadn't seen her Uncle Dave in 23 years and she hadn't seen her Aunt Kay or Aunt Jill in 16 years. It was also a special treat to meet her Uncle's wife, Bobbie. Meredith and several of her kiddos also came over the for the day. It was such a precious time to catch up, laugh at family memories, and cry a few tears of joy over the sweet reunion. Let's not wait another decade or more to do it again!

As summer came to a close we squeezed in a few last minute fun days. One day we headed to the Jones Center for ice skating and swimming. One day we headed to a local splash pad to cool off. We also tried out a local snow cone place, had fun at our end of summer swim team party, went roller skating with our Grace Academy family and played with friends as much as possible.

The middle of the month saw Jeff heading back to school. This starts his 11th year at Southside and his 13th year of teaching in Fort Smith. He is already into his second week with students and getting into the groove. This year he is teaching all AP Chemistry and Pre-AP Chemistry classes. He is looking forward to a great year!

This month also brought great sorrow. Two friends passed away. They left behind their bodies of corruption and pain and entered the arms of our Savior. Paul has been a family friend for many years. His almost daily trials of pain and suffering from a chronic illness is over and for that we rejoice.  Our friend, Aaron, was diagnosed with an aggressive, inoperable, brain tumor in late July. He left his broken body less than a month later. His death has been harder to come to grips with. He left behind a wife and 4 kids ranging in age from nine to fifteen. We are thankful that Aaron is no longer suffering and is running free in heaven but are really grieving hard for his family and friends. 

Eden also experienced trauma this month. She ended up having a tube put in her right ear after months of fluid that just wouldn't drain. She had been speaking loudly for months because she couldn't hear out of that ear. She was a trooper but coming out of anesthesia was rough. We are praying this takes care of the issue and that her ears are good to go!

This month saw a huge change in our homeschool situation. Leigh Ann is schooling all three girls and has changed up their curriculum. It has been a few weeks now and they are starting to get into a routine. This month they also started at Grace Academy for two part days a week. They are looking forward to art class, gym, and making new friends. Eden started first grade, Anna started second grade, Marie started third grade.

The boys started back with their virtual school this month. It is hard to believe that Elijah is starting his freshman year of high school and Thad is starting seventh grade. Both are looking forward to the ability to do school in pajamas and on the schedule they set for themselves. 

This month we also began piano (a first for Eden, Marie, and Anna), started with fall swim team (short course), and are gearing up for Bible Study Fellowship. Mom already had a conference with her BSF leaders and is excited for the start of a brand new study.

In finishing up our home improvement projects, we added a new window to the den. That room has always been rather dark and dreary. The new window has changed the whole feel of the room. It seems so much happier now! 

I hope that as your summer comes to an end you can look back and be thankful for new memories, God's provision, and an excitement for what comes next!

August Slideshow

July 2022

 Summer days sure seem to fly by. July was no exception.

The girls finished their week of VBS to kick off the month. Eden in particular loved to get on stage and perform their songs and memory verse. The girls had a great week and are already talking about next year!

Thad brought on the fun next with his birthday weekend. It is hard to believe that Thad is already 12 years old! He asked for a 24 hour gaming marathon instead of a traditional party. He, Elijah, and his best bud, Moses, played games, snacked, and a couple of them snoozed for an hour or two during the 24 hour gaming extravaganza. Thad enjoyed extending his birthday weekend as we headed to the new Minions movie with another friend, Josiah. It was a funny movie that the whole family enjoyed. Be sure to check out the picture of the quilt that Grandma Rice made him.

We continued the home improvement project with texturing, painting, trim work, new doors, electrical outlets, blinds, and carpet. The living room and hallway are complete and the school room is about 95% done. It has been a very long and rather expensive project but the end result looks so good! As I write this, I have begun the process of moving in the furniture and prepping for the new school year.

Next up was a trip to Wisconsin to visit family and celebrate the wedding of our niece, Hannah. It was a great trip. We enjoyed cooler temperatures, time spent with family, and lots of amazing food. Archie made the trip north with us and was loved by all!

We returned home to jump right into the State Long Course Swim Championship that our team hosted. It was a great meet with teams from all over the south. The weather was VERY hot but we were able to complete all the events. The boys did amazing and had so much fun. Thad brought home several medals and they both came home with many fun memories. They are amazing swimmers and so fun to watch.

The month came to a close with the boys heading off to a church conference. Christ in Youth is a conference our church participates in each year. The boys enjoyed worship, great speakers, and some really yummy food. They are already looking forward to going again next year. 

As the month finished, Eli got his drivers permit. I'm still a little stunned that my little cowboy has grown up into a full size man complete with lower voice and now the ability to drive. Look out world...here he comes!

Hope you enjoy the MANY pictures! Be sure to tune in next month for more adventures with the Rice Family.

July Slideshow

June 2022

Summer is off to a scorching start. We have enjoyed more time spent with family and friends, swim meets, Vacation Bible Schools, and a BSF retreat. Read on for more information about our adventures this month.

We started the month by finishing our time in Illinois with family. It was such a great time and always leaves us wishing that we lived closer. We had so much fun kayaking in the pond, helping with home improvement projects, playing games, and just being together. The girls also had a fun time learning how to pound flowers on canvas to make a wall hanging. We are so thankful for our family!

As we returned home we added two passengers to our van. We picked up Archie and Sassy, two mini dachshund puppies. Archie joined our family and Sassy joined my parents family. We are so in love with the tiny ball of energy. He is such a joy and his antics keep us laughing. Did I mention that he is absolutely adorable! Don't take my word for it though. See for yourself in the slideshow!

A first time adventure for Jeff and the boys was a float trip our church took. They took off in the morning and put down in the Mulberry River for a 3+ hour adventure. It was a great time and they all came home smiling, sun burned, and talking about the fun they had. 

Next up was three nights of VBS for the girls. Some friends invited them to join "Sparked". The church ended the event with a cook out complete with bounce arounds, face painting, Icees, and drawings for prizes. The girls loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back again next year.

Each summer we take on one or two home improvement projects. This summer we decided to remove the paneling off the walls in the boys room and fix the ceiling where there was water damage. It was going to be a relatively quick remodel as we hired out the drywall and texture work. As always seems to happen, the project took on a life of its own. As we removed damaged drywall, we discovered mold in the walls between the bedroom and living room and in the ceiling in the living room. Needless to say, our quick and inexpensive project turned into a much larger multi-room remodel. We cancelled the drywall pro and decided to go it ourselves after we realized we couldn't have the rooms prepped in time. As I write this, the walls are back up in the living room and we are hoping to finish the room by the end of the weekend. Then we will tackle the bedroom where this whole mess started! The up side is, the boys are learning to drywall and Jeff got to buy new tools.

This month our local swim team hosted a big meet. The boys swam great and bettered their times in several events. They also had state qualifying times in several events. The weather was great albeit hot...until it wasn't. We were not supposed to get storms but the weather turns on a dime here. WIthint minutes of receiving word that bad weather was on its way, we were grabbing tents poles and fishing ribbons and paper out of the pools. The winds came on so fast and so strong that we had to move quick to get the massive tents down before the wind blew them to Oklahoma. Fortunately, no one was hurt but that put a quick end to the meet. The kids were all disappointed that we were not able to finish the last couple events but there is always another meet. We look forward to hosting the state meet in a few weeks. We are praying for great weather and no sudden storms!

We had an amazing Father's Day. Jeff baptized Eden during church with Nana and Papa present to witness. It was such a sweet thing to be a part of and a perfect Father's Day gift. We enjoyed fellowship with Nana and Papa over a meal after church. 

The next day we continued the Father's Day celebration by heading to Russellville so we could celebrate Papa with the Andersons. It is hard to match our schedules so it is always sweet when we can visit with them. The kids enjoyed swimming, biking, forging, and playing together. 

This month, Leigh Ann was blessed to be one of 1,700 Bible Study Fellowship Teaching Leaders from around the globe to gather for worship and teaching in Arlington, Texas. She worshipped with men and women from Kenya to Australia and from Canada to India. There were many different tribes and tongues present to join together in unity in service to our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a small taste of what I think Heaven will be like. We were introduced to our upcoming study, People of the Promise, Kingdom Divided by theologians such as David Talley and Dr. Mark Bailey. We enjoyed amazing music from many different worship artists. We were encouraged by the BSF Board of Directors. It was such a wonderful weekend that I can't really put it all into words. God is so good!

The boys both had the opportunity this month to participate in our church's Kingdom Worker Week. The kids do service projects for people in our church and community. Some things they did included drywalling and plumbing at a local outreach center, doing grounds keeping at a local shelter, helping several widows in our church with home improvement projects, and cooking meals for their families. Eli also played on the praise band during worship that week. I love the boys hearts for serving and how our church gives them opportunities to do so!

The girls enjoyed a day of woodworking at our church. They each built a cedar bird house and a catapult. They had fun using tools and hanging out with friends.

As the month finished, Jeff taught students in Northwest Arkansas at an AP Bootcamp for Chemistry students. He spent the week teaching and doing fun labs to give the kids a foundation as they jump into the challenging world of Chemistry this fall. While he was gone, the girls participated in another VBS. This one was called Zoomerang by Answers in Genesis. They learned all about how fearfully and wonderfully made God created each of them. The learned about God creation from human DNA to the multitude of unique creatures God made. They had so much fun!

I hope that your summer is off to a great start. Stay tuned next month for more Rice Family Adventures.

June Slideshow

May 2022

 May kicked off with Jeff's birthday celebration. We went to church, saw Sonic in the theater, rode bikes, and enjoyed Sonic drinks. He received a new bike helmet, movie tickets, and a free meal out. It was a fun day!

Thad had the opportunity through school to jump on a charter bus and attend the 3 day space camp in Alabama. He thoroughly enjoyed going on a space mission, trying out a zero gravity machine, making rockets, and going to the planetarium. He looks very dapper in his new flight suit. It was a great opportunity but I told him he is not allowed to go away from home without me again until he is in his 20s. We really missed having him here!

The next weekend we celebrated Nana's birthday and Mother's Day. I am so blessed to be mom to 5 amazing kids and many others who call me mom when they walk through my front door. 

The girls got to go on a fun field trip for school the middle of the month. They got to ride the big bus and head to the park for a day of fun in the sun. The trip was complete with a picnic lunch. They loved every minute of it!

The next weekend we celebrated my (Leigh Ann) birthday. We enjoyed going biking and bowling. I also received a new set of headphones for my computer so I can Zoom in comfort.

This month we wrapped up another year of Bible Study Fellowship. This first year of being a Teaching Leader has been such a blessing. My relationship with the Lord was taken to a whole new level as I learned to depend on Him at a deeper level and find rest in Him when things were at their hardest. I am looking forward to taking a break for a short time before heading to Teaching Leader Institute at the end of June.

The last week of the month the boys had an end of year piano fun day. The boys both played a piece of their choice and then were presented with awards for the year. It is such a joy to listen to them play!

Marie and Anna decided to participate in their schools talent show. Marie took the stage with her friend Austin and danced to "Shotgun" by George Ezra. She choreographed the whole thing by herself. Anna joined several of her friends on stage to dance to the song "Rainbow" by Kasey Musgraves. They had umbrellas as props and had practiced a dance together. It was so neat to see the girls overcome stage fright and put on a great show!

All the kids finished the school year with straight A's. They all worked very hard and accomplished so much this year. We are so blessed!

Jeff got to participate in graduation as he watched his 10th class of Seniors walk across the stage. It is hard to believe that he has been at Southside for 10 years. His Advance Placement Chemistry class took their big test at the beginning of the month. We anxiously await the results that will be published in July. Jeff loves getting to teach such a great group of talented kiddos.

As the month wound to a close, we packed up and headed to Illinois. We spent the next several days enjoying time with Jeff's oldest brother Kevin and his family and extended family. The boys helped pick strawberries in the patch for several mornings as well as help bail hay and work the farm. Jeff helped out with hay and several projects with Kevin. It was so fun for the girls to see their younger cousins and get to play with all the cats. 

Whew... as I write this we are back home and the craziness of summer is about to begin. We are so thankful for the blessings of a good school year, a great year of Bible Study Fellowship, and the beginning of more time together as a family. See you next month!

May Slideshow

April 2022

 April showers bring...tornadoes...at least here in Arkansas. This month has been wild and crazy from the weather to our schedules!

Jeff worked 3 Saturdays in a row. He did two trainings for AP Chemistry students in Northwest Arkansas and gave his own students a mock exam. He also held several night study sessions for his students. He has gone above and beyond to make sure that his kids are as prepared as they can be for next month's AP Chemistry exam. He is a great teacher who loves investing in his students.

This month, Eli finally got his opportunity to go hunting. A gentleman from our church took him and a few other kids turkey hunting. He enjoyed the opportunity to go out, camp, and experience the thrill of the hunt. Unfortunately, they didn't hear or see any but he really loved the experience... even though the night temperatures were freezing... and can't wait to go again.

Eden had an epic month. She worked really hard to finish all her school books. She has had an exception year of learning. She also had Mommy come and read to her class at Grace Academy. It was fun for them both. Finally, she graduated kindergarten. Her class at Grace had a sweet ceremony. They quoted scripture, sang songs, danced, and were given awards. She has loved her time there and had some amazing experiences. It was also a blessing to have Daddy, Nana, and Papa be there to watch her graduate!

Easter Sunday was super special this year. Our family and the Andersons all attended Nana and Papa's church. Papa took the pulpit and preached for the first time since his cancer diagnosis. Needless to say, there were a few tears shed. It was such a blessed day to celebrate our Risen Lord and Savior with the whole family! We enjoyed having lunch together after church and then finished our time together with an Easter egg hunt. 

The following week, the flu bug bit several of us. Jeff went down first followed by the boys and then Leigh Ann. We had an awful time for a few days. Thankfully, we are better now and the girls never got it!

For the first time in two years, our swim team hosted an awards banquet. We joined the families of our swim team and honored all the kids for their hard work. The kids all received medals. Eli received a plaque. Both boys received awards for their state qualifying times in multiple events. It was a great night to celebrate the years of hard work and practice the kids have put in to make themselves great swimmers!

The final kids church event each year is a family outdoor fun night. This year the kids enjoyed boating, fishing, and picnicking outside with our church family. It was an absolutely gorgeous night and a great time was had by all.

We wrapped up the month with the purchase of a new (to us) van and an Anniversary date. Jeff and I are so thankful for 16 amazing years. We are also thankful for the 2014 Kia Sedona that is sitting in our driveway. 

We are thankful that in the midst of the wild and crazy month, God granted us protection. Protection from crazy weather that included massive amounts of rain, hail, and tornadoes. Protection from the sickness overtaking us. Protection from the sin and death that used to hold us captive. He is Risen!

April Slideshow

March 2022

March brought with it birthday celebrations, the state swim meet, piano festival, Spring Break, and more!

The month kicked off with Jeff finally getting his infusion medication. We are so thankful for how God continues to provide and for this medication that keeps Jeff's system operating well!

The first weekend of the month, Jeff and the boys headed to the State Swim Meet. Eli qualified to compete against the best of the best in the State of Arkansas. He did great, dropping more than a second off his fastest time. It was a fun adventure as the boys dined out and spent some time shopping at the Bass Pro Shop. 

That weekend was also the Mom and Student annual dinner and game night at church. We thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and getting to compete against other mom/student teams. We took 4th place this year overall and walked away with a gift certificate for some pretty amazing cupcakes. It was such a fun night to just be silly with the boys.

The following week, Jeff and the girls were rear-ended on the way home from swim practice. Thankfully, they didn't sustain any major physical injuries. They all walked away with whiplash and the girls struggled with fear and nightmares. The van ended up getting totaled and so now the search begins for another vehicle. We are thankful for the Lord's protection and for insurance!

Can you believe that Anna turned 8 this month???  Anna's birthday celebration this year consisted of a trip to Nana and Papa's. She enjoyed blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes followed by a Snow Tiger Cake and rainbow sherbet. She received many fun gifts as you will see in the slideshow. 

The next weekend the boys played before judges at a piano festival. Both did a great job under very stressful circumstances. It is so enjoyable to listen to them play! They have both become very accomplished musicians.

Next up was a crazy week with parent/teacher conferences, doctor's appointments, and therapy sessions. The kids all received great reports from their teachers. They work hard and do well in school. The girls also received glowing behavior reports. We are so thankful for wonderful teachers who set an environment where learning is fun! Marie and Anna love going to school. 

The boys had another set of tests done to check on their hearts, livers, and spleens. After analyzing all the tests, Eli's kidney function is just below the 50% mark. Thad's has remained stable at approximately 78%. Both boys have healthy hearts and will continue with their usual course of treatment at this time. 

Spring Break finally arrived. Jeff and I were able to get away for two nights by ourselves at the start of the week. It was such a blessing to have our friends watch all 5 kiddos so we could enjoy some alone time. We rented a cute cabin up near Rogers and enjoyed dining out, a trip to the movies, and taking long walks. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their time as they went to two different art museums that had hands on crafts, Sonic, and time with friends. 

During Spring Break the kids participated in several activities hosted by our church. There was a bounce around/fun day for the girls. The boys participated in biking, card games, and a movie. They all had a ton of fun!

At the end of Spring Break we were blessed to stay at a friend's Lake House on Beaver Lake for two nights. During our time, we took the kids to a jump place for Eden's birthday. She LOVED getting to fly on the trapeze! The next day we headed to the Jones Center for ice skating with Elsa and Anna followed by swimming. We also dined out, played at a playground, and learned some new card/board games. It was a great weekend to be away from the hustle and bustle and just spend time together as a family!

For Eden's 6th birthday, she requested McDonald's and an ice cream cake. She received some fun gifts as well. She is excited to learn how to play the Ukulele!

As the month, comes to a close, we are so thankful for all the opportunities the Lord has given us. We are thankful for the safety He provided and the blessing of birthdays. Now to see what April holds...

March Slideshow

February 2022

Snow, sleet, ice, thunder, rain, hail, lightning, sunshine, heatwave. We experienced all these weather wonders in February. One hardly knows how to dress in the morning.

The girls and Jeff had a combined total of 5 days off of school because of winter weather. The first storm hit the first week of February. We had snow that allowed for sledding and snow man building. The kids took full advantage of the opportunity to play in the snow and then warm up with home-made donuts and hot chocolate...except Eden who doesn't care for chocolate. 😁

This month the boys participated in another swim meet and did great. Eli made state qualifying times in two events. He will swim against the best of the best next month. Having contacts has been a game changer for him in the water at swim. He can finally see the wall!

Unfortunately, Papa ended up in the hospital with pneumonia just a couple weeks after having surgery. Mama was blessed to be able to sit with him some and took advantage of the captive audience to practice one of her lectures for BSF. Thankfully, Papa is better now and continues to get stronger every day. That man takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.

We managed to squeeze in our family tradition of dipping strawberries in chocolate for Valentines. Jeff also brought me two dozen yellow roses. The boys enjoyed a trip to Candy Craze and the girls all had Valentine parties at "school". It was a "sweet" few days. 

The boys and Anna had check-ups this month. All are in stable condition. We are thankful for a great team of doctors!

Thad had the opportunity to attend a youth conference in Tulsa. SuperStart is always a blast and this year was no exception. He really enjoyed the music and the speakers. I love to see his heart for Christ continue to mature!

The girls and I took advantage of 70 degree weather to play at the park one day. I feel like I need to keep both shorts and sweaters in their dresser right now! 

The second winter storm hit this past week. This time it was raining, sleeting, hailing, thunder, and lightning...sometimes seemingly all at the same time. It turned our part of the state into a frozen ice tundra. You literally could ice skate in the streets. It was very dangerous for driving but made for a great time slip sliding around the yard. We decided it was appropriate to watch Ice Age for family movie night that week!

The last weekend of the month we enjoyed time spent with Papa, Nana, and the Andersons. It is the first time since New Years that we have all been together. We had an early celebration for Livi, Anna, and Eden's birthdays. The boys also had a piano recital that weekend. It was the first time we have heard them perform in public since before COVID. They are both doing great and will compete in a piano festival next month.

Well, I think that is enough about our very eventful month. Enjoy the slideshow!

February Slideshow

January 2022

 2022 is off to a crazy start...

After postponing our Christmas celebration with Leigh Ann's family, we finally gathered for a New Year's party. Papa, Nana, and the Andersons came to our house. We enjoyed eating together, a gag gift exchange, and much laughter. There were many creative gifts this year. Be sure to check out the slideshow to see some of the things that made us laugh out loud!

After a two week break from school, we started back into our learning routine. It is always a challenge to get back into the swing of things after enjoying so much fun time as a family but we were ready to settle back into a routine. 

The boys competed in two swim meets this month. They both improved their times in several events and Eli made state qualifying times in two events. The kids all work very hard on the swim team. It is amazing to watch them swim and see much they have all improved since starting. The girls haven't competed against other teams yet but they are getting close to being ready!

This month, Eli got contacts, and both Marie and Eden got new glasses. It was a busy month of eye appointments!

We were also blessed with snowfall for about one and a half days. The kids took full advantage of it by heading out the doors at 6:30AM. The snow fell gently and made for a beautiful landscape. Mac LOVED it and could been seen burying his face in the snow, eating it, and rolling around in it. Lily did not care for it and preferred to be in her sweater by the fire. By the afternoon of day 2, most of the snow had melted except for the remains of the giant snow queen the girls and Jeff built. She made it another few days before melting into the earth.

Eden finished her kindergarten reading book this month. She is doing great in school! Both Anna and Marie came home with all A's on their progress reports as well. Way to go, girls!

Mid-month, COVID cases started surging. Grace Academy cancelled Eden's classes for a week and we switched to virtual class for BSF. By the end of the month, COVID found Jeff. He ended up being home from work for 4-consecutive days. Longer than he has ever been off! 

We enjoyed having Papa and Nana over for dinner one evening. The girls and Papa played a rousing game of Trouble while the boys played Chess against each other. It was a fun evening. I am so thankful that we were able to be together because it would be the last time for a while.

Papa had surgery at the end of the month. Because of the risk of getting COVID, he and Nana had to quarantine the week before his surgery. Thankfully, the surgery is over, the healing has begun, and hopefully we can see them soon. We are praising God that his lymph nodes came back negative for cancer!

As the month came to a close, so did our quarantine. It will be good to get back into our routines. I am thankful that Jeff is feeling better. I am thankful for a big yard for the kids to play in while we are all home. I am thankful that Papa is on the mend. I am thankful that in the midst of all the crazy of the world, God is sovereign and that He never changes. 

I hope you enjoy the slideshow!

January Slideshow