Allibration - Celebrating Allie Part 2

 Today is Allibration! As we discussed Allie's desires for a "graduation ceremony" she suggested a family trail ride. We talked a bit more and I suggested a BBQ where folks could share a Scripture, quote or song lyrics with her and we would pray a blessing over her together. She liked that idea, too. The logistics of doing it all in one day simply didn't work. Victory couldn't handle family and friends on a trail ride, and we didn't think we'd be back in time to host friends the same day. We planned for 24 and had 35....it was a fantastic gathering. 

So...today is Allibration  - the day we celebrate all things Allie. Although, in truth, we are celebrating God's faithfulness to Allie. We are giving special acknowledgement to the educational milestone she has worked hard to reach. 

We planned to have an outside BBQ and it began raining on Friday and into Today. Michael and Dad went to men's breakfast and the girls and I got busy cleaning the house so we could move everyone inside.  About an hour before people were to arrive we decided it was turning into a gorgeous day afterall and we'd pull out the picnic tables and yard toys from storage. People could be in or out. 

Stacia made this darling graduation cake. 

Zoom in for details

The notebook is for everyone to share their bits of wisdom and blessing. That basket was full by the end of the party. 

Setting up the trampoline. I am so thankful Michael thought to do this. The kids loved it.  

Michael, Allie, Nolan and Millie set up the trampoline

Michael was ensconced on the deck with the grill. 

Michael manned the grill 

Shannon, Lindsey, Allie, Joe, Jessica, Krista, Danny, Jennifer
Frank, Joanne, Mona, Mark, JaRissa, Stacia, Nolan, Arielle
Tim and Noah in the background

Alex, Joe, Larissa, Arielle, Jennifer, Krista, Joanne, Frank
Cory, Joisha, Allie

Allie surprised us by preparing a speech. It was very nice, but I'm not going to include the text here. She gave honor to those who walked alongside her and God. 

📷by Lindsey 

We had Allie share as soon as eveyrone arrived so she wasn't nervous about it as the day went on. Others played and visited until the meat was ready. 

Livie and Shannon and Lindsey's girls had fun together

Livie & Allie

This is just a "little bit of sugar"

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

Sweet cousins - Benny and Gideon

Lindsey, Shannon and Jennifer📷by Lindsey 

The youth began a game of Bocce. When they had exhausted it's thrills, some of the men jumped in. Ed carries a measuring tape with him. Allie says, "He's just like Padre."  Shannon won three games and MI hael won the game Shannon didn't play. 

Bocce

Michael, Ed, Shannon & Danny📷by Lindsey 

Luke and Danny set up a course

As the afternoon wrapped up we placed a chair in the middle of the yard, and called everyone to gather. This was a challenging moment for Allie, but she was forewarned and did great with all the people crowding around...seriously in her space bubble. I laughed when I heard a Gherkin say, "You'll get used to it Allie. It's a thing."  Most were sensitive and did the hover hand....🙂. Everyone prayed for Allie and it was a great moment. 

📷by Lindsey

The photo on the banner is from the evening we celebrated Allie's acceptance into UNCO. 

Allie and Stacia - Seesters

Allie 📷by Lindsey 

As the banner says, "We are so stinking proud of Allie!"  Today was the perfect compliment to The trail ride. 

In Step at Reflections Lake

Gather Women Ministry is breaking from corporate Bible Studies this summer. I'm sure several, like me, are enjoying the time to branch out on our own. I'm working through Psalms.  Instead of meeting weekly for study, we have a few active small groups. In Step - is a walking club/group...today was our first walk.  It was SO much fun, I wish we were doing them every other week, or weekly. 😊 The weather was perfect! High 70's, blue skies.  Stacia complained it was TOO HOT! She's going to have to turn in her "Texas born" card.

Reflections Lake

Our first walk was the loop around Reflections Lake.  We had 7 adult women, and their children. Here's a photo of 6 of the ladies (Nani caught up with us), and all the children except Harper. Harper was a great sport and took the photo for us. We have another one she is in which Arielle took.

Arielle, SiaKayle, Lindsey, Me, Stacia, Jen  and tribes
Photo by Harper

I was happy Arielle and Benny joined us. Arielle is part of  a Valley Walking Moms Group - or some such name - but she and Benny are usually up for an adventure and were happy to come along. We worked to tire Benny out so Arielle could come home and get school done. A well-executed plan.

This girl will finish her bachelor degree by August. 

 Daisy is our youngest walker. 

SiaKayle and Daisy

Yes, I'm still a baby snatcher

Arielle, Benny and Stacia looped us. That's what power walking will get you. They met up with Nani and caught up with us. 

Stacia, Nani, Arielle

After we navigated the loop, we found a grassy spot with a beach for a picnic. We had the area to ourselves. The girls had been asking me about perfect skipping rocks....and here they are showing Benny how to skip rocks....he didn't quite get the hang of it...but had a blast with the girls.

Arielle, Benny, Sidney, Harper, Penelope

Lunch time! 

Lindsey, Caleb, Jen, Josiah, Nani

It was only a matter of time until they got in the water. I realized anew, when my "mommy radar" went off , how happy I am to be in an Alaskan lake  - without snakes. 

Pen and Benny

Matching salads.😏

Photo by Lindsey 

A picture of Lindsey and me. Lindsey is our sweet pastor's wife. 

Photo by Lindsey

This was a great time of fellowship...moving naturally in nature, building community, de-stressing....connecting....cultivating authentic relationships. Our next walk isn't until July 9th...but Nani and I are going to go out next week and scout the best part of the trail for the group to walk.....

We ended the night with Farkle. Arielle, the interloper, showed up at the table.😉 Benny took a few photos....this one actually has body parts it is proper to publish. 

Three games were played....that stinker, Arielle, won one, 😛 then Alex and Michael. I think Stacia and I are due! 😀 Or maybe Stacia has one and it's me that is due. 😅

Bre/Trudy's Baby Shower

What a sweet angel. Trudy is 3 1/3 months old!  Bre sent this darling photo and it sparked a memory....I need to blog her BABY SHOWER.... Join with me as we look back to Oct 28, 2022.  Lindsey and I wanted to bless BreAnne and a baby shower seemed the way to go! The thing is...time was getting close to Trudy's arrival, then folks were traveling, then everyone got sick...Yikes...but we pulled it off. LOL  It turned out to be a wonderful evening. Lindsey did the decorations, I did the food, Stacia did the cake and Arielle and Allie did the games! 

📷by Lindsey 

I loved the lights down here. It made the room feel much more welcoming. 

📷by Lindsey 

It was a great night of games, food, gifts, fellowship and fun. 

Allie made the pretzel rods

Bre and Lindsey 

Jenni and Stacia 

Stacia made the cake 

Nora

Jess, Krista and Ceceilia

Rebekah and Allie

Lindsey shared some words about Trudy and our hopes for her....

We circled up and prayed 

Thankful Thursday

I channeled my caterer friend and it WORKED. We had a jam-packed day. I didn't stress or snip at my family. I was able to relax and enjoy all the people. I envisioned a blog post that made perfect sense, but I forgot to take some of the key photos....I've decided instead this will be a day in the life....

I had done as much as I could early.  I finished things up in good time...for Lindsey and Shannon to arrive for brunch. Allie worked an 0600 - 1000 shift so she could be here for brunch and dinner tonight. 

Young pastors and less young pastors. ::snort:: 

We waited for the goodbye as long as possible. We had a goodbye church service, and a goodbye lunch, but they left the valley this evening, so the reality is today's goodbye brunch is our "see you later."  We DID discuss the possibility of one of the girls going to Evangel. ::snort:: 

Yes, this one hurts. My people just won't stay put! I so imagined they stayed put in civilian life. Bre had sent me photos of her Mother's Day rose earlier in the week and told me the thoughts she was having that went along with it. I looked this a.m. during my quiet time and MY ROSE IS DOING THE SAME THING!  The rose was beautiful...new and fragrant. Eventually the bloom began to look a bit bedraggled. Bre's died. Mine is still hanging in....She said this reminded her of her friendship with Lindsey.  (Stay with me). It's beautiful in its season. 

But look! From the STEM of that flower is growing NEW SHOOTS. As this season comes to an end God is faithful to bring new life in the new season.  It's a cool visual and I put the bedraggled flower in the center of my table all day as I entertained...to remind me...seasons change, and it's sad and you DO lose something...but new shoots begin and new life is worth being protected, cultivated and celebrated too. 

Shannon, Lindsey, Me, Michael, Stacia, GG, Allie📷 by Shannon

📷 by Shannon

The girls and I had an appointment to get our eyebrows waxed. We ran out and did that and delivered some stuff to Bre from Lindsey. 

The girls both drifted off for naps. I started in on a ham for dinner. I have never bought a ham with the rind/skin still on it. HOWEVER, that is what came in my click list. I was following the internet directions on how to slit and slide the skin off...when I, once again, filleted my thumb. The ham did turn out good. I saved the recipe and will give this another try. 

Cory and Arielle showed up and DID OUR YARD AGAIN today. What a blessing. I was planning on doing it tomorrow (as much as I could). We have several more engagements before Sunday and Michael is preaching so I knew he didn't have time to do it...but I really love it when it IS done...and as always - there is still lots I can do if I get the time....but this is lovely. 

They bring snacks for the boys, and they jump on the trampoline while their Mom and Dad mow. We invited them to stay for dinner, but they were heading home for pizza and movies. 

Benny, Little Buddy & Danny in the back 

We had new friends over tonight...Verdie and Cathy and Daniel and Andrea and their two children. It was a wonderful night as we sat around the table and shared some of our stories. I look forward to being part of their stories going forward. 

And so, we celebrated both the bloom and the new shoot today. I am thankful for both seasons. I am thankful for the people God is faithful to bring into our lives. I am thankful for the season past and the season going forward. I am so very thankful our story intersected with Shannon and Lindsey's story. God has done and is doing a good thing.  

Imagine people sitting around the table sharing a meal, laughter and life....I forgot to take a picture until I was cleaning up. LOL