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. 

Planting Things

I discovered this morning the monitor picks up out in the garden and greenhouse. THIS will open up more time when I can work outside. For now, it is fun to sit in the greenhouse with tea and Bible in the a.m.  As the sun rises earlier it warms up in here earlier. A win for all. 

 

I've been busy with seeds in various stages of growth.  Our last frost is slated to be May 30th - we'll be ready to go with lots of things to transplant. I hope. 

Brussel Sprouts

I am looking for time to start more seeds and to up - plant many of these seedlings into bigger pots. 

Unfortunately, the weeds are coming to life in the garden.....and we haven't made progress on repairing any of the other warm frames we used last year....and we need to get weed and feed down....I didn't get all the trees and bushes pruned....but hey...it's spring!  AND I have a greenhouse that isn't going to blow away. 

Grandma Time

We were a bit late getting to Bre's to watch the kids today due to a miscommunication. ugh.  We did redeem the time. LOL  It was a gorgeous spring day - a day made for bike riding. 

Stacia and the kids made up a play and had me film it. Unfortunately,  the file exceeds the limit to share...there was a princess in a tower, a dragon and a knight....

We even pulled out the tents....it was a good time. 

A Week in a Day

 Allie remarked, "It feels like we've lived a week in one day," yesterday.  It did. It feels like we lived another week today. 

Monday, the girls and I left the house at 0845 to take Stacia to a nanny gig she has. Allie and I then drove into town so she could keep a breakfast appointment.  I grabbed a take-out breakfast and tea and enjoyed it in the car. 

I was determined to get some sort of a workout in and so I walked 2 miles while Allie visited, and Stacia nannied. 

Walking downtown

 Allie wrapped up at the right time for us to head up to pick up Stacia.  I drove both girls home. Arielle and the boys were at the house as respite began an hour earlier. Michael and I ran to Lowes for some gardening projects. 

We rushed home with enough time for me to grab Allie and run her to her next engagement. Allie has been helping a friend with a high school film project. Monday was the LAST day she needed to be present for filming. I wasn't comfortable leaving her and I waited in the car with a book. 

When we got home we discovered the water heater had sprung some odd leak. If you're keeping track, I have an oven and fridge on order (takes a while to get things up here). Michael went out after dinner and found a new water heater. He was up past mid-night installing it. 

Yes, it DID feel like we lived a week in a day. 

THIS morning the girls and I left the house at 0800. At 0700 we discovered we had water all over the basement...Michael spent another day working on the water heater mess. 

Cory and Arielle have an hour-long weekly staff meeting at their church. It's Baachan time! I knew I would need a bit of help managing today's schedule.  

Danny & Auntie Allie love breakfast

Benny & Auntie Stacia enjoy reading time

There's another wrestler in the family 

Why did I need help today? Stacia and I had dental appointments at 0930. We zipped out for our cleanings, which were scheduled before Arielle began working at the church.  Allie stayed and played with the boys. 

📷by Allie

📷by Allie

Allie was amazed at how quick our appointments were. They recommend a Mother Daughter Visit to the Oral Surgeon. ugh....

Arielle came home early enough for me to drop the girls off at home. 

I headed to Food Co-op. I spent 4 hours volunteering. I dropped by Walmart on the way home. The girls made dinner. I was so thankful. We put away produce and our Azure order.  We ran out to share a bit of organic goodness with CoRielle and BreZaak. 

Lest you think there has been no relaxing around our home....check out the girls' afternoon. Hammock time! 

📷by Allie

Wow - it almost looks like Stacia's writing is divine!

📷by Allie

📷by Allie

We crashed and watched The Chosen.  Nolan kept Dad up ALL afternoon, we are hoping he sleeps well tonight...and we will all wake up refreshed for Wednesday. 

Allie's Great Idea (Graduation)

 We've celebrated graduation in a variety of ways in our 33 years of homeschooling. We've had formal graduations with co-ops in Alaska and Texas. We've rented a community center and had a BBQ with a private ceremony. We've celebrated at castles in Japan, Dairy Queen with friends, movie theater with family and we even had one who chose to do nothing ceremonial at all - 2020. 

Allie is finished with her high school career. She did not want to participate in our charter school's graduation. As we talked, she came up with an idea which was uniquely Allie and would be special enough to mark the milestone well. She wanted a trail ride. She wanted to invite all the Gherkins and she wanted it at Victory Bible Camp, a camp about an hour away from here.  *I* wanted a cap and gown - but couldn't find it when I went to look for it. I am still not completely sure one of the kids didn't give it away.  

We called the camp and asked if we could possibly do this. They agreed. They could only take 8 riders and we had more than 8. They scheduled two rides. They also arranged a pony ride for Benny who was under 8 and not allowed on the ride.  We asked if we could picnic on the grounds and they said the ranch camp was ours to use. We were able to get this Saturday in May as we specifically wanted to wait for Jared and Larissa to be moved back to the area. 

JaRissa, Jamin and Cory had a bit of trouble finding the ranch camp, but eventually we were all in the right place.  First the safety briefing. 

Jared opted to sign a waiver and not wear a helmet.

Everyone else began the process of finding a helmet. 

Something was "off" with Jamin's helmet. Once he saw the egg helmet, he opted for another helmet. 

Once all were helmeted, they matched each rider with a horse and everyone mounted. The horses milled around eating. 

Carrie

Luke and kids didn't want to ride, but Luke was happy to meet the horse Krista would ride. 

Larissa

Jared

We found it quite funny when Stacia's horse was not to content to graze straw from the floor...she knew right where to find the good stuff. LOL 

Allie, Livie and Krista

Josiah (Cy) 

They're off! Josiah and Allie were in the lead. Check out the happy expressions! 

Livie! She did great! 

Stacia, Larissa, Jared, Jamin...

Larissa and Jared

Jamin 

Dad thought about riding, we vetoed the plan and he was really simply teasing us. We enjoyed time to relax outside on the beautiful day. We didn't give Dad an option to skip this outing and I think it was good for him to get out and explore. He often simply doesn't want to go out. 

Besides Michael and Dad, Luke, his 2 kids, Cory, Benny and I stayed behind. 

Last snowball fight of the year? 

Benny

In the end they added a horse to the first trail ride and everyone went at once.  Everyone had a great time. We told Allie she was officially graduated and she pantomimed flipping the tassel when they rode back into the lot. People laughed, and cheered, and just a couple of tears were shed. 

Finally, the moment Benny had been waiting for all day. Arielle was sick and she and Danny stayed home. Cory said he tried to talk Benny into staying home to take care of Mama and Benny said, "I have MY OPTIONS."  Cowboy Ben helps Benny get his helmet on. 

Benny listened carefully to the instructions, and though he had a moment when his eyes showed he may be a bit uncertain, he courageously jumped up on the horse when he was told to jump and had a great time.  

Luke and kids in the background, Benny on his horse.

Next on the agenda was a picnic over at the camp. They told us to enjoy the teeter totter. It was a bit muddy, but that didn't stop the fun. 

Cy and Livie discovered the teeter totter early on 

Doesn't it look like Jared is spinning a tale the girls aren't quite buying? 

Everyone worked hard to get Cy off the ground 📷by Carrie

The above photo was taken about the time Benny enlisted help for everyone to get this "giant, big man" off the ground. LOL 

Krista and kids

Look at that mud! 

Boots rule! 📷by Carrie

Cory, Liv, Benny, Uncle Jared
📷by Carrie or Larissa

Carrie and Josiah 📷by Carrie

Stacia, Allie, Larissa, Carrie 📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

Livie - 8 years old 📷by Larissa

Michael and Jamin 

Jared and I 📷by Larissa

The weather forecast called for 60% chance of rain. It was a gorgeous day. We got a bit of rain on the way home. This was a great outing....many of us had memories of past camps, retreats and events at Victory. We were able to make a giant, new, family memory together. 

Allie had a great idea! 

Click here to read Part 2 of our celebrations.