Choo-Choo Tractor

Ever heard of a choo-choo tractor? Well, Emeryk is an absolute believer! He came up with the term and says it all the time. I think he’s combining the best of both worlds. Too cute!

p.s. He’s also obsessed with cars. He kept saying, “sister, sister, sister” Clarity finally replied, “what buddy” and he said, “cars” pointing to the freeway. She then being the older and wiser one said, “I know bud, it’s called traffic”. Pretty funny exchange.

p.s.s Thank you Michelle, Wayne, Amesley and Asher for the Little Sprout shirt!

Clarity’s First Day Part 2

Clarity had a great day and we were all excited to see each other again! Emeryk kept asking about “sister” and when I would tell him she is at school he would say, “ooohhh”.

Here are some pictures from when we picked her up, getting an ice cream treat, and Clarity falling asleep during an after dinner drive. We didn’t even make it out of our neighborhood before Clarity’s eyes started to close (maybe 5 minutes) so we turned around and headed home for an early bedtime.

Our favorite thing Clarity said after she got in the car was talking about a note we left her in her lunch box that said, “We love you.” I drew a heart for love and wrote “U” for you, hoping she could decipher what it said. But, apparently she knew it was some kind of love note so she walked over to one of her new friends and said, “Here you go”. The girl apparently was very polite and thanked her for the note. But, leading up to the passing of the note Clarity said, “I looked in my lunchbox and sure enough there was a note.” Elliott and I cracked up laughing, “sure enough”. We send her to pre-k and she comes out talking like an adult. Too funny.

Walking out for pick up

We were so excited to see her and she was smiling!

Shoes and socks came right off.

Cheers! They both loved the ice cream treats.

Asleep in the car after dinner drive.

Elliott carrying her inside the house.

Emeryk showing us how tired he was from the day too (using Clarity's nap mat).

Clarity’s First Day School- Coram Deo Academy

Clarity begins at Coram Deo Academy which is a Classical Christian School. She goes two days a week and I work with her at home on the off days. We are super excited that God has allowed us to send her there this year. I have a little video of her first day. If you are curious, Coram Deo means in the presence of God.

The Pirate and The Princess

Clarity took “Little” Elliott on his birthday date. This was part of his birthday gift. They even dressed the part. We all had a great time! Clarity and Elliott sat in their own booth and the funniest moment was Elliott telling Clarity, “You sure are doing good on your food, Clarity.” Tricia and I about spit our food out we were laughing so hard. I love how Tricia worded this in her blog about Elliott’s comment, “I guess this lil’ pirate doesn’t understand that it isn’t polite to point out the quantity of food that a lady chooses to consume”. Ha! Here are some great pictures Tricia captured.

Emeryk and His Hats

I think this says it all.

Clarity’s 1st Day of Dance

Clarity was excited to start up dance. She looked so cute and did a great job! It didn’t hurt that their supposed to wear all pink.

Happy 4th of July

This is a little late but Elliott and the kids did such a great job decorating for the 4th, I had to share. We had a great time putting the American flags in the front yard, swimming with Nana and Poppy, and grilling out. Dinner was complete with Elliott’s famous smoked corn! Yummy!

A Joke by Clarity

We were all sitting around the table for dinner and a bunny rabbit hopped outside our french doors and we all stared. Then he hopped away and Clarity told a joke (all on her own) which was not only clever but funny too. Here it goes.

Shelley: “Where did that rabbit go?”

Clarity” “He went to the grass-station. Isn’t that funny!” she said.

And yes we thought that was quite funny and I’m still amazed she thought of that.

Threshold

So, it’s been a tradition that Elliott carries me across the threshold of our new home. I had to laugh and tease him on how many times he plans on carrying me across a threshold. This is our third home in the last 3 years and we figured out we have moved 9 times since our 11 years of marriage (5 apartments and soon to be 4 houses). I always thought it would be fun to have one of those stories of moving around except I kind of figured Europe would be involved somehow, definitely not Arkansas. BUT, every move has been God’s plan and we are grateful for whatever next adventure he has planned for us. So, here’s to another threshold.

Our Prayer of Thanksgiving

We thank Thee Lord for our new home
For blessing us in this way
For providing for us as you have
When there’s no way we can repay.

I ask that we may glorify you
Somehow with this great gift
That you would use it as you will
Please use it as you see fit.

Watch over and protect us Lord
Wife, daughter, son, and me
Guide us and direct us Lord
Please make us more like Thee.

I’m speechless Lord there’s no more I can say
No more words I can put in this poem
So I’ll end this prayer with a simple phrase
We thank Thee for our home.

Love,
Your Children (Elliott, Shelley, Clarity, and Emeryk)