1/2 Way Through The Birthday Season

Today Marc turns 19.  He has come so-o-o far from the little boy who stopped talking at 18 months and had to learn all over again how to communicate and deal with sensory issues.  He's a wonderful young man and it's exciting to see how God is using him.

Tonight he is celebrating his birthday by attending the Drive-In movies with Matthew, Rachael, and Katelyn.  (Nathanial had to work).  Happy, happy birthday, Marc!

Graduation(s) Celebration

June 16th we held an open house for a combined graduation party for all 3 of the eldest.  Marc received his high school diploma from Dad...







Pastor Dave Steensma gave a few words of congratulations and encouragement.

The boys surprised me with a dozen roses.  They then presented Wayne and I with wall plaques thanking us for being their Dad & Mom and for home schooling them over the years.













Then it was time to enjoy friends, food, and beautiful weather...

Friends came from near and far...(John is our neighbor & Rich traveled from Connecticut to attend the festivities)

 It's amazing to see these two young men all grown up.  They've been friends for at least 12 years.  Jacob will graduate next spring.

Horsin' Around

The two girls have been helping clean out stalls and caring for the horses at a local stable.  They love being around the horses and having the extra blessing of riding occasionally.  We like the fact that they can get their 'horse fix' without having one on the farm!

Rachael and Katelyn keep us updated on the comings and goings of the horses by taking pictures and putting faces with the names  as they tell of each horse's antics.

 

Jumping into June...

 June starts out with our wedding anniversary on the 1st.  The girls surprised us with a delicious chocolate bundt cake to celebrate our 27th year.

The 2 youngest are doing their impressions of business men...

 A gentleman from our church owns this little firetruck and takes it around to various shows and parades.  Marc tagged along with him to a tractor show.  On Flag Day the 2 youngest rode on the 'little firetruck' at the Annual Unadilla Flag Day Parade.

 Dad took Jonathan to his last swimming lesson of the session and got some pictures of our little fish.  One of his favorite things to do in the pool is diving to touch bottom of the deep end (11 feet).  He's been successful several times.

 Ian turned 7 on the 6th.  Here he's walking around with his birthday money tucked in his hat as he tries to decide how to spend his 'millions'.








Katelyn had her last concert of the spring season with the Little Delaware Youth Ensemble.  She's looking forward to the fall season and returning to the stage with her friends.

The Merry Month of May...

 May is one of my favorite times of year.  Flowers are blooming everywhere and everything seems so green after the starkness of winter.  Here are a few of the blossoms from around the farm...

May is also the beginning of the Jackson family "birthday season".  Wayne starts us off and then we quickly go through all the gang with the grand finale at the end of July.  Here is Jonathan on his 9th birthday with Ian and their designer birthday hats...








One of Jonathan's favorite activities is climbing trees.  This little oak was just a twig when we first moved here.

 Memorial Weekend was extra special with a visit from our dear friends Phil & Nancy Perry from Maine.  Nancy and I have been friends since we met out freshman year of college (can it really be 30+ years!?!).  The weekend flew by and we hope they'll be able to come again soon.