Posted on November 2, 2017 by Shanda

Jacob and Ethan came home for a visit. They arrived Friday night and left Sunday morning. Ethan was busy with his girlfriend, but we were able to have a nice long visit with Jacob. Here he is with his girlfriend, Brittany.

Jacob has been away from home for several months now, and this is his first time living away from the family. He is almost 21 and is attending the same college as Ethan after living at home, working, and doing community college. He loves the campus, he and Ethan share a dorm room, Jacob is finishing up a football season and will be joining Ethan in wrestling soon.

We knew as soon as we saw him that he had gotten bigger. He wondered if he was taller than his dad, so I got something to stand on and measured them both against the wall.

And a milestone was reached.

Naturally, I had to measure David, Ethan, and Caleb, too. And then I thought I may as well also get added to the wall. As you can see, Ethan and David are the same height. Next one down is me (Jacob measure me and wrote Momma) and then, Caleb. (Seth and Sarah’s marks are down further and Grace wasn’t home to be measured so I’ll get her next time.) We also measured the dog.

When Jacob and Ethan went back to college, we followed behind. It was a nice drive to Vermont, and we watched Ethan’s wrestling team scrimmage. We arrived back home Sunday night and went to bed. During the night there was enough of a heavy wind and rain that trees and branches fell all over the town and surrounding towns, causing the children to miss two days of school and have a two hour delay on Wednesday.

This is the first quiet morning I have had at home since last week. It’s been chaotic, but God’s grace has been sufficient as it always is.

We were thankful not to lose our electricity for very long. It went off for about 5 minutes at a time. Other homes in our area have been out of power for days.

We had time for a nice pancake breakfast.

And some nice family dinners with sports practices cancelled.

**warm blankets and companionable cats**

**reading and turkey sandwiches**

I had to take a photo because the kids and I found it amusing that Samantha-Cat was growling at the boy-cats to keep them away from her canned cat food. They kept their distance and respected her.

I had to take Caleb to the doctors Tuesday because he has been limping. . .turns out the pain in his heels were only growing pains, so we were thankful that he hadn’t suffered injuries during football. We went to the Goodwill store where Sarah Joy found these two mermaid toys. She got them both for a dollar…..the reason this is worth recording is because when she got home, she took 2 hour long bath with them. She won the family record for bathing the longest. I kept knocking on the door to see if she was okay.

Then, I had to take Seth to the ER on Tuesday. He and Caleb were playing football on the neighbor’s yard and Seth ran out for a pass and ran into a big wagon wheel that they have propped against a white birch tree as a decoration. He cut his head above his ear –but back a few inches in his hair. Caleb walked him back home and I rushed for paper towels. “Here hold this on your head,” I said. “Ouch, I can’t move my arm!” he replied. Upon inspection I saw that his collarbone had a bump on it and I knew with the cut and the strange bump we would be going to the hospital for an X-ray. Sure enough, he had a fractured collarbone and now has to have his arm in a sling for four to six weeks. His head wound required 3 staples to close. He has been a much quieter boy since it happened almost 2 days ago. He’s had the wind knocked out of his sails, so to speak. When the Motrin wears off he is still in pain because of his collarbone, but his head hasn’t bothered him at all. I think it helps that he can’t see the cut or the staples. Today was his first day back to school. I wonder how it’s going. . . . . . .

That night, Rich took only Sarah out trick or treating. Seth and Caleb had already had “tricks” and weren’t going to get any “treats”. (Sarah did give them some candy when she got back).

Baseball cards are a nice activity for a one handed boy. Seth is right handed, which is the arm in the sling, so the next few weeks will be a little bit of a challenge for him. I’ve already seen him adapt with his left hand quite well. He even ate 4 tacos without making a mess.

Sarah is being WAY too thoughtful and helpful to Seth, offering to put his seatbelt on him in the car, telling him to be careful, encouraging him that he CAN go to school with a broken collarbone (she asked her teacher), getting things for him (“don’t move” she cautions), and so on. . . .it makes me laugh and irritates Seth.

In the meantime, I came across these two butter knives on the mantle as I was cleaning. David did it. He took them out of the drawer, sharpened them and put points on them like steak knives. I was not happy about my knives and told him not to take things out of my kitchen anymore. “The thrift store has lots of metal objects you can get for almost nothing. You can get some there and sharpen them.”

He also shaved the side off a penny. I’m not sure HOW he’s doing these things. . . . but David is that sort of person who is endlessly learning and getting interested in things. For now, it’s knives (making, sharpening, etc), soccer, music, and sometimes mouse traps.

I’m currently reading this. . . .

….and drinking tea.

And I’m trying to fight a cold. Sarah and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon to go visit Grace for the weekend. I cannot wait. I think I need a weekend off.

*****

Corrie Ten Boom Quote:

Someone said to me: “When I worry I go to the mirror and say to myself: This tremendous thing which worries me is beyond solution; especially it is too hard for Jesus Christ to handle. After I have said so, I smile and am ashamed.”

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for the children

Posted on October 31, 2017 by Shanda

A wickedly lovely Halloween to you and you and you. . . . . .

I asked Sarah if she was a little witch today and she said, “You can be the witch. I will be your cat.”

Therefore, I’m snuggled on the couch with a Sarah-cat on one side and a real-cat on my lap. The real-cat is not Black. When I ordered him from my Witch-Supplies Catalogue, I was certain I had checked off “Midnight Black”, but when he arrived he was as gray as the most foggiest of dismal mornings, but otherwise the very best witch’s cat companion as could be, so we kept him of course.

The sun is slowly coming up in a cloudy sky, clouds as gray as my gray cat.

Spooky beings fly by the house, not on brooms, but in cars.

It’s scary out there.

But the most scariest of all??????

No school for my little offspring. “BOOoooooooo” they cry.

The weather was positively scary on Sunday night, the wind moaned and pushed, and as tree-pruning by wind power is most unpredictable, the roads are covered in debris— no school Monday or Today.

*********

So I write with inky words, the tale of Aunt Amanda-Witch’s Halloween Party.

Aunt Amanda-Witch

She isn’t scary ALL the time, just some of the time.

She planned and she planned, she visited a few stores and bought supplies 70 percent off! Good witches always spend their money wisely.

She set to work, happily making her party as nice as she could, and invited good little girls and boys to attend a most wonderful party. Good witches work hard and shower children with love.

A Black, Red Eyed Rat

ready to bite anyone who went upstairs.

Gorgeous light, draped in the blackest netting……….

The table was set with skeleton cups from the dollar store, pumpkins, black garland over a sparkly gold table runner, orange pumpkin paper plates. . . . . .

Cobwebs completed the look.

“Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.”
— Charles R. Swindol

“The soul is healed by being with children.”
— Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“I added touches of sparkles–they always pop at a party–and the kids love the little details, too.”

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These spiders could be clipped on anything and were a favorite item from Michael’s. She found most of her decorations at Michael’s and Dollar General. She bought the spray paint (must be oil based so it sits on the water for the hydro-dipped pumpkins) and the piñata from Walmart.

Come to the party, four o’clock on Saturday, said the invitation sent by Magical Text Messaging.

The children had so much fun! They hit a piñata, and either carved or painted their pumpkins.

Aunt Amanda-Witch thought of everything, she had even researched Youtube for exciting ways to paint the pumpkins. Search HYDRO-DIPPED pumpkins and MELTED CRAYON pumpkins.

And then there was a boys against the girls Bobbing for Apples contest!

They ate donuts off strings!

There was also Halloween music playing (iTunes kid bop Halloween), a cheerful campfire, string of lights, and yummy s’mores for when it became dark outside.

And a very spooky menu:

Mummy Hot Dogs
Veggie Skeleton
Ghost Fruit Kabobs
Zombie Boogers
Mummy Mini Pizza
Deviled Spider Eggs
Spooky Jello Jigglers
Dirt Worm Cups
Apple Cider with Eyeball Ice

At the end of the party, each guest received a special gift bag to take home, along with a caramel apple and their pumpkin.

Aunt Amanda-Witch and her husband Uncle Jason-Warlock really outdid themselves with this special party. The children absolutely LOVED it. When we had to leave, Sarah ran and frantically questioned Aunt Amanda-Witch if she was going to give any more parties sometime. I think Aunt Amanda Witch should consider a side-job in party planning, don’t you?

What we remember from childhood
we remember forever —
permanent ghosts,
stamped, inked,
imprinted, eternally seen. ~Cynthia Ozick

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beavers near my house

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Shanda

The woods have been extra interesting lately with revived beaver activity near our place. Did you know that beavers are huge rodents? Yes indeedy, and they are on my list of “favorite animals”. How could anyone be afraid of a beaver or upset by a beaver? They are practically harmless. They’re too busy working to be a bother to anyone. After you see a photo of a baby beaver you’ll never be the same again. Those tails!

Anyone walking on our street could see the new beaver dam that I first noticed last week. It’s where the stream goes under the road, so obvious. It must be a favored spot because I remember years ago they made one in the same location, and the town dug it out. Consequently, if I hear a loud truck these days, I run to the window and look to see if the town is digging the dam out of the stream like they did last time, with my heart filled with fears and woe. I imagine all the work that the beavers put into their dam, all the gatherings of twigs, branches, grasses, stones, and mud. Everything gathered and collected by a large rodent! Imagine!

Here is the most precious sight; of a lone stone on top of the dam, placed oh so carefully by a beaver.

Well, and then I discovered ANOTHER ONE, this one is deeper into the woods in a place where no heavy truck or digging equipment can go. My heart is lighter as I ponder the beavers that live near my house.

*******

This morning I was cleaning the kitchen and there was a pot of burnt peas in the sink. They were burnt because Sarah and I were sewing pants for her doll and forgot about the peas. (True story) So I left them in the sink until this morning, and then I walked them to the chicken coop. Chickens are partial to burnt peas. Then I continued on my way, looking at how the ponds were filled up nicely after two days of rain. When I got to the stream I could hear the beaver again. Oh joy! It was about 8 am in the morning. I rushed to the house to get my camera, a towel to sit upon, a breakfast in a sandwich bag consisting of cheese, raw mushrooms, and trail mix, and I also put on a pair of jeans because I was still in my pajamas. Then I went down and sat. Very soon I heard a loud splash and then another one. Dang, I thought. There are at least two and they know I’m here. I sat and sat. Then, finally my dreams (beaver dreams) came true. I saw the first one. I saw the second one. And then, one more.

The third one allowed me to take its photo.

It was very hard, as it was behind branches and leaves, but I did the best I could.

It was silent the entire time. Silkily silent.

“A beaver’s forepaws are quite dexterous. They can fold individual leaves into their mouths.” Backyard and Beyond by Edward Duensing

gliding through the water….see the glimpse of the famous tail?

I encourage each and every one of you to visit your local library, go to the children’s section, and find every book you can about the beaver and check them out. Read them this weekend, look at photos that are actually clear and nice, and be amazed by this animal.

Oh I forgot to mention that this morning I also found their lodge. It’s by the stream under the old dead pine tree on our property. The first two beavers I scared ended up swimming toward the lodge and then they dived under the water to “go home and hide”, from me, presumably.

I found the perfect place to sit and stalk them, so conveniently at the bottom of our lawn, on a bank in the briars near the pond. No one can see me. I just have to remember to shut the dog in the house or he will stand and bark and scare everything away.

In fact, as I write this, I am filled with longing to throw the computer aside and run back down there. Typing as fast as I can…….

After many photo attempts, this one also eventually vanished under the water to the lodge. “Goodbye for now” I said. I sat for a little while longer and then got up as I was freezing in certain areas, namely my behind, hands, and nose. I ended up walking down the edge of the stream, through the woods to the bird forest, through the dam field, into the woods again, across the rushing stream (very exciting) back across the field, down the little dirt road to the main road, and up it to home again.

I finished cleaning my kitchen and then had time to blog.

I saw this sweet bird and several more just like it. Autumn is nice because everything is going to seed, there are berries, too, and the bird activity increases as they fly about looking for food.

See the spot of yellow?

I discovered a crab apple tree. They were at the end of their peak but maybe next year I can harvest some and make jelly. I did eat one. . . . .it was nice and tart.

reflections in the water

One last beaver quote:

“When alarmed, a beaver dives under water, its tail slapping the surface as a warning to other beavers. But in sum, beavers live unhurried lives.”

Ah, we can learn from the beaver, can’t we?

a wonderful weekend for Grace

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Shanda

I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.
Ephesians 1:16

Grace’s boyfriend Caleb has been far far away in Texas. He graduated from Air Force basic training in June and then spent the rest of the time in tech school for security forces. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, Grace graduated from High School, spent the summer working, and began her freshman year of college, in Pennsylvania. Despite the distance, the two of them were in constant contact using their smart phones, even going through several books of the Bible together during their own personal Wednesday Bible studies, and using FaceTime and texting to keep in touch. But it just wasn’t the same. They missed being together. It had been too long. Six months and five days, to be exact, according to Grace.

So of course, this weekend, when Caleb was finally coming home to his parent’s house, Grace was going to try her hardest to get home, too, and had an AMAZING and GENEROUS friend drive her back as a surprise for him. He walked into his house Saturday evening and found not only a “welcome home” party with friends and family but also……coming in the side of the room last, as a surprise……Grace. As soon as he saw her, he took her into a hug and walked a few steps out of the kitchen into the dark hallway and….. there they stayed for quite a long moment. I wasn’t there to witness this, but I saw the video and showed it to her Dad, too. It made him feel awkward watching it as the seconds ticked by and by. “What are they DOING out there?” I laughed at him. Oh Grace. You’re in love and it’s sweet.

The next day Rich was away at our sons’ college in VT for a wrestling clinic. I had football games to attend for Seth and Caleb, and Seth was going to a birthday party that afternoon, too. I was able to spend some time with Grace that morning and then again, briefly, when I came home to pick up Caleb and Sarah.

As I drove back down the road to go to the game, I pulled over to take a photo of Grace and Caleb, who were out walking in the beautiful fall day with Tessa and Myranda (Grace’s excellent friend who drove her home).

Grace and Myranda had to leave that afternoon, and Caleb plans to visit her again next week. He’ll be based in New Jersey, which isn’t THAT far from Pennsylvania. 2.5 hours, according to Grace.

She sent me this photo later on in a text:

“If there is anything that is a miniature picture of heaven upon earth, it is a pair of
Christians happily united, whose children grow up in the fear of the Lord, and render
to them increased comfort and joy every day. Oh, how much some of us owe to the
gospel for the happiness of our homes!” ~C.H.SPURGEON

Grace, your Dad and I pray for you (and Caleb) each time you come to mind. You and your siblings truly bring us “increased comfort and joy every day”. Thanks be to God.

grandma wants to stay home

Posted on October 21, 2017 by Shanda

Saturday morning.

I have bread dough rising. I’m wearing a cute outfit and feeling young and healthy. My daughter Sarah is in her own little world on the floor and I hear her say to herself as she busily works at taking a fancy dress off her doll, “I’m going to teach Bitty Baby to do a CARTWHEEL.” I get the camera because she’s cute and she holds up her babies and sings, “Hi Grandma!!!!!!”

It takes me a second and then I realize.

She just called me Grandma.

I’m also annoyed because my dough has an hour to rise and my husband just told me I have to ride along all the way to the airport so he can pick up a big van from the rental place and drive it home. (I say annoyed but we are laughing about it. I’m whining, “I want to stay home!!!!” and he’s not listening to me and saying, “Too bad!!”)

seth was creative

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Shanda

I took these pictures of Seth at five o’clock yesterday evening. The boys were getting ready for football practice and Seth was taking much longer than usual to get dressed. When he appeared I took one look at him and noticed he had mysterious blue socks on….no one in the family has socks like this…..did he actually have the nerve to borrow someone’s socks?….no, wait….those aren’t socks….those are sleeves….did he cut the sleeves off his blue underarmour layering shirt??????????? He insisted that he had not. I started using my “tell me right now I need to know what is going on” voice (similar to an excitedly squealing pig). When it all became oh so clear, I took him outside to take photos.

“You better not post these anywhere,” he said.

“When you do something like this, it’s going to be on the blog,” I replied.

Taking his photo proved to be as difficult as IT ALWAYS IS with Seth. He cannot stay still.

Although he has the looks to be one, he will never be a career fashion model. As soon as I “see” the perfect photo through the viewfinder of my camera, but before I can push the button, he has moved. I have to use high speed settings and much patience. However, I persevered this time and got some good ones, all to show you his creativity. Genius.

Notice the “SOCKS”:

THEY WEREN’T SOCKS

THEY WERE SLEEVES.

IT WAS AN ENTIRE SHIRT.

(and yes he went to practice that way)

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this morning

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Shanda

(woolly bear caterpillar on the road)

Amanda came over for a few hours this morning. She brought her dog Lloyd. The three of us went on a nice walk together.

The air was crisp and clean. The kind of morning when you want to breath deep.

my sister ~ my friend

scenes from the neighborhood

“For there is no friend like a sister
In calm or stormy weather;
To cheer one on the tedious way,
To fetch one if one goes astray,
To lift one if one totters down,
To strengthen whilst one stands”
~Christina Rossetti

“How beautifully leaves grow old.
How full of light and color are their last days.” ~John Burroughs

My sister almost stepped on a lizard!

I was so thrilled and promptly took photos from every angle.

I looked it up when we got home and discovered it was a “Spotted Salamander” and Connecticut’s largest salamander.

Just look at the spots!

Maybe it was trying to find a little warmth on the road? But the road is a very unsafe place to be, so I saved its little life by putting it in the leaves on the edge of the woods.

heading back home

I made pumpkin cookies this morning, too, from a 1972 Pennsylvania State Grange cookbook.

If anyone knows Mrs. Robert Conaway tell her I used sunflowers seeds instead of nuts, and I also included one egg. They were delicious.

friday

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Shanda

“Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.”
John Newton

sarah’s hair

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Shanda

Everyone knows that one of the many job descriptions of “MOM” is “HAIR STYLIST” whether she wants to be or not, it’s inevitable.

As I look through the recent photos I have taken with my phone I see a theme developing. It all started on Monday night when my young daughter/hair client came to me with a case of the grumps AND tangles.

“Get a brush, Sarah, and I’ll brush your hair nice and soft,” I said.

I brushed and brushed and she just loved it. It was very relaxing to sit and have a super wonderful mom hair stylist gently brush her long hair.

I admired how pretty it was, clean and sweet smelling, with little waves and a variety of color, everything from blond to dark brown.

I took a picture to show her how long it was getting.

I held up the blondest piece and the brownest piece and took another photo. I even called Rich over to look, “Rich, look how pretty Sarah’s hair is.”

We remember when she was a toddler and she was practically bald, it took years for her to get any length to speak of. In fact, her siblings called her “Baldo” now and then.

Sarah went to bed that night feeling much better.

The next evening after school she walked over to me and raved, “Moooooooom, Ariana came to school today with bluuuuuuuuuue hairrrrrrrrrrr.” Sarah had been quite impressed by it. I knew what was coming….sure enough, I found her five minutes later, digging through the crayons looking for her hair chalk that we bought a couple years ago. “I found it! Can you put blue and pink in my hair before school tomorrow?”

“Only if you pay me in a five minute hug, a happy smile, and a kiss on the cheek.”

(A good hair stylist ALWAYS prices her services accordingly.)

Naturally I had to take a photo to show my youngest client her hair and to make sure it was just what she desired. I only get paid if it’s done right. “It needs a little more blue, please.” I colored a few more streaks and off to school she went.

When she came back home, I noticed the pony tail was out and her hair was all over the place again. She and her brothers grabbed a snack and then ran next door to play with the neighbors.

About 45 minutes later, the Dad next door came to the house with Caleb by his side and Sarah walking a few steps behind looking distressed, with her hand on her head. They stopped to explain what had happened but Sarah kept going into the bathroom. I noticed a long piece of hair in Brian’s hand. “I was in the house when the boys came running to tell me that Sarah needed help. She was on the swing and her hair was caught in the chain. I got her all untangled but……yeah, she has a little bald spot on the top of her head now.”

Brian and Caleb left to go back next door and I reminded Caleb to come home in 10 minutes for dinner…………

Then I turned to go check on Sarah’s hair. I may or may not have been laughing. I encouraged her that it really wasn’t that bad and I knew just how to fix it so no one would know. Soon she was happily playing on the kindle with her hair brushed back into a pony tail, with lots and lots of hair spray in front.

(As this was a true need, I didn’t request payment.)

Here is a photo of Sarah’s bald spot before school this morning, right before her most talented hair stylist worked on it.

And here is a photo of her happy smile afterwards; priceless.

depths and riches

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Shanda

Our daughter Grace is doing very well at college. To no ones surprise she is handling things with cheerfulness and above all, quiet confidence. She enjoys her classes, has a pet fish named Snape, recently got a care package from her boyfriend, joined the volleyball team, has time to read her favorite books, was asked to volunteer once a week as a student editor in the english department, and has had achieved high grades on her writing. She is a secondary English education major.

She is attending a Christian university in Pennsylvania and before she left I told her it would be the most wonderful experience…..to be surrounded by classmates and teachers with the same foundational beliefs. There are still many many differences in personalities and non-essential beliefs (which is a good and wonderful thing) but to be with so many others who first and foremost love Jesus….wow what a blessing. She is learning so much.

I knew she would love it because before Rich and I were married I was able to squeeze in one year of Bible college at a local school in New York. I lived on campus and had such fun. In fact, that is when I met my forever friend Joanna. She was doing the same one year program before marrying Steve. We had a lot in common and got to know each other throughout that year.

One of the blessings of my Christian college experience was the dorm Mom. I absolutely loved her…..instantly I knew she was someone I could trust and talk to about anything. And all of us girls felt the same way. She was an older lady with grown children and a husband who was a Professor on campus and she took all the students under her wing, especially us girls. She talked with us about Jesus, showed us the love of Jesus in her care for us, and also talked to us conversationally about what it meant to be a godly woman, wife, and mother. I remember sitting under the trees outside as she spoke gently and with a great sense of humor and love to a handful of us engaged girls about practical “newlywed” type of information….everything from laundry to the bedroom. Even thought I also had the best upbringing of my own dear mom, I appreciated it Mom P’s extra knowledge much. She was an excellent dorm Mom. In one of her notes to me she wrote, “I do not push myself on anyone, but any who want me, can have me.” And that is certainly how I felt around her….”she’s a friend, she loves me, she cares.”

After I was married I continued to keep in touch with her. When Rich and I had our second child I experienced Post Partum Depression. At the time I didn’t have the name for what I was feeling –but it was terrible–and my dear Dad encouraged me to go and talk with Mom P. So I did. I remember sitting in her office and soaking up her encouragement and love. And most of all I remember how she took newborn Ethan in her arms and we walked downstairs to the cafeteria where she happily showed him off to everyone.

After Rich and I moved away from the area I sent her Christmas cards and I believe I talked to her once on the phone, or maybe in an email, asking for a church recommendation, and we had a nice time catching up.

Then FB became a “thing” with people of all ages and she and I found each other on Facebook….she continued to show an interest in me….asking about the kids, loving the photos, showing true interest and joy in my life.

She and her husband retired a little while back and moved further south and I felt a twinge of sadness knowing she “wasn’t there” at the college any longer. To me, she was something of a college institution and should never leave it. 🙂

This story is getting longer and longer, I just wanted to tell you a bit about Mom P, because I had the best surprise last week.

In each dorm building at Grace’s school there is a set of “parents” who are there to provide any type of basic need that a student might have in the dorms….a married couple to stand in the gap for the students who are away from their real parents for probably the first time. I met Grace’s dorm parents when we moved her into her room and it was a good feeling to know that they were there, living with their young daughter just down the hall from Grace and all the other dorm girls. I saw a bunch of photos that Grace’s dorm Mom took of “her” girls on their first few days of school.

So imagine my complete and utter surprise when my own Mom P. sent me a message on FB on October 3rd:

Hi dear Shanda, I just met your sweet daughter Grace. She is in my son & d-I-loves dorm. They are wonderful with the girls if I do say so. Grace is so precious and beautiful like her Mom!! Look forward to seeing her more this week!! God bless you all!

and from Grace:

“My dorm Dad is Mrs. P’s son. I just met her and she told me all about how amazing you are.”

OF COURSE after laughing and crying at the same time I BEGGED FOR A PHOTO: