Crossing a Finish Line

Well hello there! Goodness is this a busy time of year. Time to fill in the gaps for the last couple months. 

When we moved up here last fall, we started homeschooling full time and put Hannah on the wait list for a local Charter school call Trivium. It's very similar to the school she attended in Camarillo in that it's a hybrid program (three days homeschool, two days at school) and also a classical education format. Well, I got a call back in February that a spot opened up for her to attend the school! We were very excited and Hannah transitioned smoothly in to her new class. Also, we were able to keep using the same curriculum we started the school year with. 

This pic is from a field trip to San Simeon to see the elephant seals. We were able to join a wonderful local homeschool group and do lots of fun activities.

She just finished her last week of school, and it feels like a big finish line for me. I was so intimidated by full time homeschooling back in October. And let me tell you, it is no easy thing. It took took a lot of tweaking to figure out our daily schedule, and we finally settled on a routine that took advantage of Caleb's nap times. I feel like I have a better handle on it now, and I have certainly learned a lot along the way. I'm looking forward to second grade and continuing her schooling at Trivium.  

After basketball wrapped up, Hannah jumped right in to little league. She was the only girl on her team but didn't seem to mind. She had the same coach from basketball, and a couple of the same kids on her team too. She loved playing baseball, and says her favorite position is batter. And on defense her favorite is catcher or pitcher. 

Other happenings over the last few months: we moved again, but this time locally. The Lord gave us an opportunity to purchase a home. We closed escrow in December, and Chris spent three months fixing it up before we moved in. It's so awesome to see God's provision, and how he answered so many specific prayers we had for a home. One of the things we wanted the most was a friend nearby for Hannah. When we lived in our condo in Ventura, Hannah had a sweet friend in our complex just across the grass from us and they played together almost everyday. Friends are so important to her so we prayed for a friend nearby. Well, what did God provide? A six-year-old girl right next door. Hannah and Lydia play together almost everyday, and fortunately for them our fence has fallen down between our backyards so it's easy for them to get to each other. 

Chris is now full time at our church, Shoreline Calvary Chapel. He is also still making and selling Bronco Boxes. And, continuing to work on little house projects (there's always something!)

I was able to participate in another exam workshop for the California Architect's Board. It keeps me connected to the profession, and I get a couple days off of mom duty. I am praying about looking for some part time work in the fall when Caleb starts preschool. 

Speaking of Caleb, we celebrated his third birthday in May. My have three years gone by fast! He continues to live up to his name, wholehearted in everything he does. And, he talks non stop. We've decided he has no internal processing, he just verbalizes everything he's thinking. 

On a sad note, my grandmother passed away at the end of March. Chris and I went up to Oregon along with several relatives from the Mayes side of the family to see her laid to rest. It was a bittersweet time in that she is dearly missed, but sweet in that we got to spend time with a lot of family we don't see very often. And have a fabulous road trip to and from Oregon.

Cousins

Siblings, with a photobomb by the cousins

Last weekend had another road trip for me and the kids. We went up to Concord to spend some time with more family, my brother Jeff and SIL Lauren were out visiting from Indiana. The kids were able to play with all their cousins on my side and swim in Mimi and Papa's pool. I am so thankful to live closer to family and have the opportunity to make these trips. It means more miles on the car and spending a little more on gas, but it is so worth it. 

And, we got a cat. Meet Buster Posey (named by Hannah)