Graduation

It's been nearly a week and I believe I can now write about Jamin's graduation. I sound like a broken record, but it WAS BITTER - SWEET! We are so proud of Jamin. I won't even try to recreate here all that we shared at his graduation. However, we were told when Jamin was 3 that he would NEVER learn to read, write or socialize unless we medicated him. He was our first Feingold child. About 15 years ago a dear, older mother told me that I would one day take great joy in Jamin's accomplishments as I was currently paying the price for them. I was contending for his future.


Jared and Jenny Z (you'll hear more about our adventures with the Z family after Sunday - come back ::snort::) along with others passed out programs.

My friend Deja - yep - we DO clean up nicely, friend.
They walked in. Jamin gave the invocation.

It was SWEET to stand on the stage with Mike and him and realize that he could READ, he has written two books and published several articles in the paper, online and in print magazines...and he's usually fairly coherent. I began by sharing this...and then recounted some of the "fun" things that I remembered from his childhood. Below you see Jamin and Mike appreciating my wit. ::snort::

You NEED to know that I did not start crying during my talk. THEN Mike shared more funny memories. As I watched he and Jamin interact it HIT me. We will be leaving the young man in a week...we will be leaving 4 adult children behind and this is not a happy thing. Mike closed with saying, "Eighteen years with you in our home is just not enough. I love you, son." And at that point mine were not the only wet eyes. We ARE so proud of you, Jamin. We know you are going to do well in life....because you are a man of God who loves God wholeheartedly. We grieve that we won't get to watch you spread your wings and fly...but we'll be checking your blog, facebook and our email daily...or hourly.

Woot!
Ah....together again! We need to keep meeting like this. ::snort::

We picked this up after graduation reception.

What a gorgeous setting out here at the lake for a birthday party.



A traditional gift....with nontraditional wrapping.






Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Moving Day - 22 May

The day began bright and early. Bre planned to keep the younger ones at the trailer...but Zander woke up. We took him with us.

He shadowed the loaders....and they were great with him.









The blue blur is Zander chasing the trucks....a favorite pasttime.




The empty house...







Jamin, Bre and I broke to go decorate for graduation and for graduation rehearsal.I don't know...I didn't ask...I only reminded him of the many ER trips we've made over the years and suggested he may want to come down. ::snort::


We all relaxed at the playground with a rip-roaring game of 3 second tag.













Krista arrived at 11:00 p.m. and was snookered into a game of Acey Deucey. She later confessed she didn't know that he actually KNEW how to play. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Arielle's Birthday

Life is a blur and I don't remember why Krista and I went over to the house early on the 23rd - but we did.

We were determined to make a birthday banner and found supplies for that in the house. I thought it was pretty cute. Everyone signed it and Jamin told us to hang it behind his graduation table. He also got a birthday balloon for his graduation table. It was about perfect for our two introverts to share the day with each other. LOL

We went to Mr. G's for lunch.

This photo should be last.....woe to she who eats slowly...


Waiting for bumper cars...

Arielle and her banner...the pig hat is packed.

It was a blast to have the whole family at a table again....4 to be precise.

I've just been kicked off at 20 minutes because a military student needs the computer...it will be nice to be back at a family base. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Packing Day

I'm not sure WHICH packing day this was....I believe the 21st. Krista wasn't in town yet.

The kids enjoyed another playdate with the A family. It's rare to find someone who takes Zander in stride...and we have found that in Deja and family. He's a handful....he can try a person's patience...but she seems to find good in him as well....and feeds him the right food on top of all that. ::snort::

Farewell gifts from the A Team

Emma knitted this scraf for Arielle. It's to be a warm hug from Emma on cold, winter, Misawa days. Bre later told me she almost cried watching Emma and Arielle say goodbye (which turned out NOT to be goodbye yet. ) ::snort::

We thought it would be good for the younger ones to see their things in boxes, as practised.

Stacia said, "Wow! There's lots of hiding places now!"








Even Big People need to let off steam.

Note - I'm at the library and loving the FAST connection. I'll load all the photos that I've uploaded to PB and hopefully get to graduation pics before Saturday (one week late). You KNOW being behind is killing me! ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Locks of Love

Two years ago, BreAnne began growing her hair for Locks of Love. On Wednesday, 20 May, we had a girls day at Trendsetters. Bre's rather petite. Her only request was that Heather make sure she "look 24 and not 10" once her hair was cut short. Heather cut off 11 - 12 inches.

I think it turned out darling and was thrilled that Arielle, Stacia, Heather and I got to be a part of the culmination of the project.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today.....

I told a friend who called tonight that I guess we are going to continue to feel like we are making no progress whatsoever and then all of a sudden it will all be done. LOL

Bre is back in Spokane. Do pray for Bre. The company she works for is closing their mall outlets and so her plans are up in the air.

Josiah, Jared and Krista worked all day at the house.

Mike went to the office.

I took the little ones for a last playdate with the A family.

I got my wedding ring and my new ring resized. Oh, I don't think I've blogged about Sunday yet. ::snort::

Sunday after chapel we had a farewell dinner. It was sweet and touching....and I still hate goodbyes. ::snort::

We then went to have family photos taken. I'll upload some of our favorites when I can get photos to upload. Heather took the photos with our camera....this took care of the pack the tripod delima and allowed her to play with a Nikon digital. ::grin:: We got rained on, but did get some good photos. In my favorite family photo we noted that Stacia and Zander are messing with the older boy's hair...so we are still debating which will be "the one". LOL

THEN Mike took us to DQ. The kids gave me a Mother's Ring. I was totally surprised and blown away. I love it. It will be a tangible piece of them that I can take with me. I laughed. I cried. They snapped photos. LOL

Back to today...Mike came to the house after work and he, Josiah, Krista and Jared are still working. I made two trips to Lowes. I really don't like Lowes. They aren't the most helpful in this store and I ALWAYS end up with the wrong gadget that has to be returned and a new one searched for.

I'm not sure how long they'll be at the house. Josiah is making noise of an all nighter to get it DONE. LOL

I have zillions of photos but I can't seem to get a good enough connection to load them.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Hero - Fred & Jason Stoeker

{Note: Jamin planned to write a review for this book. With moving out of our home, settling in to the trailer and Jamin's graduation, our review will not be posted in a timely manner. Below is the publisher's review. We may post Jamin's review later - AFTER we are settled in Japan...or at least when we have reliable wifi and don't have to race around town looking for connections. ::snort::

Please also note, that I cannot get any photos to load on the blog with current wifi connections while traveling.}

Hero: Fred Stoeker & Jason Stoeker with contributions by Mike Yorkey

Publisher's Summary:

You already know it’s not easy being a single man in this culture today. But it is easy to be overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be.

But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them.

What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Be Her Hero is their motto. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insight and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place.

Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...