Count this as a favorite family activity to do with friends -- square dancing! We loved going to the Irons Mill barn and dancing to some friends' music -- with a real caller with a handlebar mustache and everything. Plans are underway to do more of these next winter!
Colsen: Mom! I'm so sheltered as a homeschooler. Today at school Mr. Kucks was asking us which movies we've seen and I hadn't seen ANY of them!
Me: I'm sure that's not true. You are definitely not sheltered. Which movies did he ask about?
Cole: There was one about some Free Spirit or something, and Chitty, Chitty, Boom, Boom.
Me:
Me: Well maybe you have been sheltered.
Ever since we moved to Grove City we've been anticipating going to the home football games (right across the street from our house).... but then Covid.
Last weekend, though, the team finally had their first home game -- albeit in a weird season -- and we got to attend. And not only did we get to attend, but we were invited to enjoy the game from the box seats in the announcer's building! (This was especially appreciated since it was quite cold that evening)
It was fun getting the perspective of the full field, and getting the background on the various players from Paul and Brenda, who have incredible minds for remembering details and getting to know people.
Very enjoyable evening. (GCC crushed the opponent!)
When we first met this girl, almost 4 1/2 years ago, she had to be picked up to go up or down a curb on the side of the road. Now she tackles this flight of stairs like it's nothing!
It's 69 degrees today. On March 10th, in Western PA, which is quite notable really. Everyone is breaking out the swimsuits and misting water bottles.
****
Another quote from Cole one random moment on a random day:
"Know what's really disappointing? I don't have a single cousin named Benjamin."
On Saturday the whole Wray Fam, minus Ellie, were able to spend several hours together. We all gathered in NC, first at Karin's school and then at Dan's office building to play games and party as part of John's Marine Corps retirement celebration.
At the school the guys all played basketball and football, and then just about all of us joined in a rousing game of soccer: 2nd generation vs. 3rd generation. The 3rd generation outnumbered us by something like 67 to 1, but we still dominated.
Then after a game of kickball it was time to go back and change into nicer clothes for the party at the FHG headquarters. Mom went all out with decorations and food plans -- red, white, and blue everywhere!
After dinner there was a slide show and a video -- and even a song by the Cousins Choir (who, for the record ALL willingly participated, even though it was optional!)
Then Dan challenged us to be like Joshua and Caleb -- and John -- and see the good that God promises us rather than the obstacles. And finally, at 11:30 pm, we all went home and crashed into bed.
This morning I walked out the door at 8:58, concerned that I would be late for my 9:00 doctor’s appointment. I arrived at the doctor’s office at 9:01. By 9:07 I had met the nurse for the first time, and had also learned her address (she lives on my street), and how she likes walking by our house each night, that her kids have played in our backyard, how many kids she has, how old they are, what state she lived in after college, why she moved to this town, the schooling options around here, how her husband had passed away, the promise she had made him that kept her here, where she wants to move next, where her extended family lives, that this was her last day in that office because she was going to start working in the ER, and the strange way her daughter had broken her foot.
****
This place is funny -- and fun.
