STOA graduation and super-sitters!

 Where, oh where was everyone else while the ladies went to NC??!!

We had some super sitters for the little boys!! 

They are so fun!! 

And where were the big men??

Super Senior STOA Ceremony!!  

 

You'll never guess who was honored for his FANTASTIC achievement and advancement in STOA this year!!!

Congrats to all the seniors!! 

Joshua is the first ever first year beginner to advance to the National Championship in SUCH a short time!!

We are SO PROUD OF YOU JOSHUA!!!

💥😎💪👏👏👏👏👏💥😎💪 

Bridal Shower beauty!!!

Natalie's sweet friend from childhood is getting married and Natalie will be a bridesmaid in her wedding, so we took a girls trip down to NC for a night to attend her lovely bridal shower!! 

It was SO BEAUTIFUL!!! 

The bride and some of her sisters opened the shower by singing! 

Everything, especially their singing, was SO LOVELY!! 

This family's home has always been one of my favorite homes in the world since we first met them 17 years ago.  It's literally the most magical, whimsical home with a surprise at every turn!  

The delicious spread was on their cozy porch...

 

The party and presents were in the living room: 

We had a wonderful time catching up with all of our old friends from NC and praying over the bride before she begins this next step in her journey!

💕💕 Natalie is so honored to be a bridesmaid for her precious friend 💕💕

💕💕 Bride-to-be, coming soon 💕💕

 

Project progress!! LIFE progress!!

Spring-time is for LOTS of outdoor projects!!

I am SO IMPRESSED with the progress this crew is making!!! 

👆This guy is AAAAAAMAZING!!!!!💥😎 

💪💥😎 Knocking out goals left and right!! 💪💥😎

Stunning work!!

 

💪💥😎 These two 👇 are AWESOME helpers!! 💪💥😎

We've got stump removal going on here...

They are in ALL the projects!! 

👇Here we are 15 YEARS AGO in the same spot👇!!!

(Different kids!!😂) 

See that ugly stump👇?!  It only has taken us 15 years to get rid of it...😂

Praising God for LOTS of progress over the years!!  

My how we've grown...💕💕

We are so blessed to have a home right 👆here👇now!!

 

It's still quite a crew here!

😎💪 Growing people, machines and capabilities!! 😎💪

A fond farewell party!!

We arrived early (gasp - totally unheard of!) to one of our favorite adorable restaurants to say goodbye to our friends that are moving across the country!  

(I couldn't resist snapping a few pics of my cutie-pies while we were waiting 😍😍)

We weren't alone for long!  

Friends crowded in to say farewell! 

We are excited for this new chapter in our friends' lives!

Treats for all the kiddos! So thoughtful! 

 We had a sweet time of fellowship and making plans to see them again someday!! 

YMA DC Bus Tour!! Last Stop: Falcon’s Landing Veterans Home!! Pt. 3

This performance is SUCH a special one that the kids and veterans alike absolutely adore.  

The music is extra sweet here, and the conversations afterward bring tears every time.  

There is something so precious about children rising up and honoring the elderly, most especially those that have served our country and fought for our freedoms, coming from young people that acknowledge and appreciate it.    

There was hardly a dry eye in the house when the gospel went forth, Amazing Grace was sung, and America the Beautiful rang out...it was so moving and received with such gratitude when given in such honor.   

 

 

 

And for some good old fashioned fun, "Bile 'em Cabbage Down" had everyone joining in clapping!! 

I LOVE this traditional American Folk song played in Bluegrass style!! 

SO fun! 

 

Next up, the Choir surrounded the Veterans and prayed over them, then sang the beautiful song "Hide Away in the Love of Jesus" as a blessing over them...

 

It was so moving and so precious...💖

 

Not many dry eyes left after that one!!!

SO PROUD of my gang!!!!

And lest anyone think it's all serious - there is definitely still the teenage silly fun going on too...

😂😂What.In.The.World?!😂😂

 

We got to stay and talk to the Veterans which is always a highlight of this stop.  

The stories. The laughs. The tears. It is all so moving to hear these elders interact with the teens.

 

💕💕 We got a copy of the write up in the Falcon's Landing News from several days after the concert and it was so heartwarming!! 💕💕

 

 

Here are some more random shots from the day that the kids sent me...and of course the surprises for the little boys when we got home the next day! 

 

Chickie had a VERY wild day out on the town and made lots of new friends!

 

Chickie even got a new friend 😁

Bus fun!

😂😂😂

 

 

These gals crack me up!!

Dinner stop!

What an AMAZING DAY!!!!!  

What a WONDERFUL senior year bus tour!!!  

 

I cannot believe this chapter of their life is coming to a close.  

 

What an incredible four years it has been.   

It was the happiest of days!!

 

 Mom had big fun picking out treats for the little boys at home!!

They are so excited to add to their DC Buildings and Monuments Collection of  not-Legos!! 

We added the White House, the Washington Monument and the WWII Memorial...

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅 And a Bald EAGLE!!🦅🦅🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 

What an incredible blessing and privilege this trip is every year!! 

We'll have a few years off before it's this guys👆turn!!