Category Archives: Project 365

Flowers and a Green Thumb

My dad loved gardening. He was constantly planting new varieties of vegetables or exploring different ways to tackle the animals who seemed bent on getting into his garden. Flowers were another one of his delights. He even bought an expensive lutyens garden bench and has grown quite attached to it. One year he came for a visit, and we filled every possible pot or container we could find with flowers. It was beautiful.

Today my in-laws swept Sarah and me off on a little adventure. My mother-in-law shares my father’s love for gardening. Her landscaping creations are stunning – bursts of color, winding paths of beauty, and places (some hidden and delicate, others spacious and vast) to breathe in deeply and relax. For best landscaping service, click here.

“It’s a late Mother’s Day gift,” my mother-in-law smiled as we piled into the minivan and headed down the road. “I don’t often get to treat you.”

Awaiting a new home.

What could be prettier than fresh plants.

We arrived at our destination – Watsons Nursery – and spent the next hour wandering among the aisles. We picked out perennials for the front yard – Daniel gave me a Mother’s Day gift card of yard work, planting and the purchase of fresh bark. Then we selected a beautiful mix of annuals for the large barrel by the front porch.

“I know you must have some of your dad’s green thumb,” my mother-in-law stated hopefully.

“Um,” I stammered, “we can only hope.”

Actually, my hope is pretty much on Tim, Sarah and Rachel. Although he favors tomato plants and a vegetable garden over flowers, Tim has inherited some of his mother’s love and talent for gardening. Or maybe he just picked up a few tips and tricks over the years of being dragged into various landscape projects. He and Rachel planted several flower boxes for me last week. And Sarah is my faithful watering girl. So, I think I have things covered.

Planting things today!

Planting things today!

Not wanting to miss the chance, I begged Tim to help me plant the flowers tonight after our walk. They look so beautiful!! I am already thrilled at our flowering barrel. I can’t wait to get Daniel to finish digging up my front area. Oh, and Tim has a fantastic idea for using some stones he bought to surround the barrel and add some plants around it.

“Mom, you have so many flowers this year,” Rachel admired when she came up the walk way this evening.
“Why yes, I do,” I hugged her, “it’s beautiful isn’t it.”

Project 365 – Day 154
Kathy

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Homeschool Testing

Monday and Tuesday the kids had their annual testing. Washington State requires homeschoolers to either participate in standardized testing or an assessment by a certified teacher. We’ve used the CAT-5 test and the Stanford Achievement Tests over the years.

The girls - taking a break from testing.

The girls – taking a break from testing.

We join with other families during the testing, which does make the time a little bit more bearable for the kids. On the second day of the tests there is a curriculum sale. This is a brilliant way to gather moms together and share curriculum. This year I had a table and managed to sell several hundred dollars worth of books.

At one point I was managing a table by my self for three other moms. Two of the moms proctoring the test, and the third forgot a box of math curriculum and had to run back to her house.

I was so wiped out after a busy weekend and two days of testing, that I fell asleep in the recliner. I then snuck off to bed to take a real nap. Imagine my surprise at discovering Tim, who was supposed to be paying bills, dozing on the bed himself. It was obviously nap time.

I’m so proud of these kids! They work hard all year long. Such a privilege and joy to homeschool.

Project 365 – Day 153
Kathy

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Buildin’ a Gate with My Girls

Today Rachel and Sarah helped me build a double door gate as a new entrance to our back yard. Rachel and Sarah both used the drill with obvious dexterity. In fact, I think they caught on a little too quickly…

"Are you talking to me? Yes I do build gates."

“Are you talking to me? Yes I do build gates.”

I was afraid to lean in too closely

I was afraid to lean in too closely

Project 365 – Day 151

Tim

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Goodbyes are Hard

One of the joys of living in a military community is the amazing friendships you have the opportunity of enjoying. The beautiful, unique, special people who come into your path.

A sister friend.

A sister friend.

One of the greatest sadness of living in a military community is how those same people – those ones you’ve come to call dear friends – leave your path.

I still remember the first time some of our close military friends were moved to another state. The children were devastated.

“I’m NEVER going to love someone whose dad is in the Army again!” One of the children declared fervently. “It hurts too much to be their friends.” Silently I agreed.

But our hearts are meant to love. And the Lord has placed us in this city, going to an incredible church, full of military families.

And so we say hello and we welcome new people. And we love and, sometimes, too often, we say goodbye.

Today we went to a going away party for a beautiful family that we have grown to adore. Cynthia and I have spent the past two years meeting regularly as part of the mentor program. We have laughed, prayed, encouraged and shared DEEP struggles. Although Cynthia called me her mentor, she blessed me more than I can express. She lifted me up during some of the dark days of my parenting struggles, and she understood a lifelong battle that I’ve faced in a way that few people do.

Sweet family!

Sweet family!

These children have been part of our Sunday School class. They have served weekly with us in AWANA. They have thrown their energies into memory work, Tim’s drama program, and growing more like Jesus.

And so, when I feel a clenching of my heart, and I know I am saying goodbye to a family that I have grown to love, and a woman who has encouraged me to be a better wife, mother and Jesus follower, I stop and Praise God for the hearts and stories He is weaving into our family’s tapestry.

And I cling to the truth that we are called to stay here and be a secure resting place for those who come along. We keep our hearts open. We love freely and generously. We don’t hold back because loving and saying goodbye hurts. We let roots go deep because we know friendship is more than just living in the same city. We celebrate the pieces of our hearts that will travel to different reaches of the world. And we honor these families who have sacrificed so much to serve our country.

We will miss you, M. Family!!

Project 365 – Day 150
Kathy

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Garage Declutter

Oh my word!! What in the world has happened to my garage? How did it become the dumping ground for every bit of odds and ends in the whole house? And how have I possibly let it go this long?

This can NOT really be my garage!

This can NOT really be my garage!

Heh heh. Well, life is busy and full and so is the garage. I can’t believe I am willing to reveal these bit of hoarding horror on the blog. Not sure it’s really hoarding if it’s just our plain messy lives. Lazy, messy lives as we’ve obviously been ignoring the garage since Christmas. Yep, I don’t think any of the Christmas bins were put away, and two of them were opened and still unpacked. Ha.

Today it was warm and sunny and we didn’t have any evening meetings. It was the perfect time to start tackling the garage mess.

All those beloved stuffed animals!

All those beloved stuffed animals!

David and Sarah helped as best they could. David moved boxes and bins. Sarah took one of the extra twin mattresses out of the garage and up into her room. She also stacked wooden boards for me. We all loaded the van up with giveaway things.

But really, there wasn’t very much they could do. It was a Mama Job. And I made great progress. The kids have their annual testing on Monday and Tuesday. I’m selling a table full of curriculum on one of the days, so I hope to clear out more of the garage then.

This one had to be kept.

This one had to be kept.

One of my favorite things about the summer is having time to purge, declutter and organize the house again. Our schedules are looser, our days freer, and the weather perfect for clearing out cabinet, shelves, drawers and closets. Off you go, mess!

Hope this garage gets in shape quickly.

Project 365 – Day 148
Kathy

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