It was a week...

Last week was one massive roller coaster. Some things came to an end, some hard things are beginning, and good things are beginning too...

One thing that came to an end was Ethan's Kindergarten year! His last day of school was a fun one full of water gun fights, getting gifts from his sweet teacher, and playing outside. His first year in school has been such a wonderful experience as he's had a fantastic teacher and has made such sweet friends. Oh, and he's learned a ton too. I'm thrilled to have a few months off with no homeschooling and no where we HAVE to be, but I am sad this year has come and gone. I think he's already looking forward to 1st grade as he said that his new teacher is "so sweet and full of smiles"!

Another thing that came to an end was the "G Court Era". :) Some of our dearest friends, the Crawfords, that have lived 2 houses down the street from us for the past 4 and half years, have moved to a different town. We've lived a lot of life with them, and all of our children view each other as siblings; we're all feeling their absence. I think we're going to feel it most around 4:00 in the afternoon when we usually met them outside to play and wait for dads to come home. Man, that "witching hour" is going to be tough alone!

They came to say the final good-bye to the neighborhood on Friday, and it was only fitting watching the kids all play together in the cul-de-sac. Xander and Ethan, per usual, had an initial rough time compromising on what they were going to play together (first borns), and then they made up and walked the entire length of our block holding hand and talking. So sweet. As they were getting ready to go, it started pouring. The kid's shirts flew off and they all had a blast running in the rain. It only seemed appropriate! I could probably make some comment about heaven was crying that they were moving, but I'll spare you. :) Crawford family, you will be missed greatly!

(from the Crawford's good-bye party)

This summer break is already taking a different shape as we learned of a good friend's illness last week too. I'm thankful we serve a kind and loving God who will give us feet for the path. We're heading into Summer of 2013 anticipating seeing The Lord at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us, and us making lots of good memories along the way!