August!

August was a great month. We had a lot of fun. Below are some random pictures of life from this past month.  The girls are interacting more and more. It is so much fun to listen to their giggles as they play together.

We had an awesome outdoor service followed by a church picnic. It was a great morning of worship and fellowship. The congregation celebrated Zach's first year at our church with some kind words and cake!

So sweet.

We went to the zoo a few times this month- always a blast. And I find I always learn a few new things!

We had a family from Canada, whom we met while living there, move into our church parsonage while the husband/father attends seminary for the next three years. We helped them move and made Welcome Banners and meals for them as they were busy with the move and their four children. My friend, Anna, and I invited to take their youngest, Dana, to the zoo with us and our kids. Lydia and Dana have become fast friends. 

Lydia and I got to ride the camel!

We visited the bird conservatory. They give you a stick with some bird seed glued to it. The birds came right up to us and even landed on us to enjoy their treat.

As you can see, they liked my feet for some reason too- Eeek!

We also invited their kids over a couple times so their mom and dad could un-pack and get settled.

Another fun outing was visiting my friend, Heidi, who has a new beautiful baby boy. We hung out and Lyddi and Care had a blast playing with her older son, Colton.

Well, there are some highlights of our month!

House Stuff

Zach and I both enjoy working outside on projects. We've done quite a bit outside this summer: spreading mulch, uprooting 2 trees, trimming trees, landscaping detail...etc. Zach also has a beautiful garden in which he grew corn and wheat. We had our first taste of it and it is delicious! I'm also growing tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeños and lettuce (sorry no pictures of the garden).

Lyddi, our mulch spreading helper.

We also grew some basil, parsley, cilantro and oregano.

Another big project was building a sandbox! Both girls have enjoyed playing in the sandbox very much this summer. (Thank you Grandma Koots for the sand toys!)

Zach continues to LOVE making bread. He has come as close as he can get to perfecting the French Baguette. He is a gifted man, as well as "Dough Boy" as he is affectionately called by some family members. 

A beautiful sunset from our backyard.

Mastered.

This summer I took on the challenge of completing my capstone project/thesis for my Masters degree. This is the Big Daddy- the thing I'd been dreading since I started working on my degree 8 years ago. I was quite unsure of myself since research and writing are definitely not my gifts. But with the encouragement of Zach, and the realization that if I didn't finish the project the classes I already completed would expire and not count anymore, I took it on. 

I am beyond thankful and happy to say that I finished!....and got an A! 

I have probably spent 2-3 hours, six days a week working on this since March. Thankfully I had previously written a teaching resource book when we lived in Jarvis and I was able to use most of the information from that book for Chapter 3 of my project. (That book was about 8 months of work.) Had I not had that already completed, I don't know that I would have finished. Thank you Lord for giving me the desire and foresight to accomplish that a few years ago. 

My project is called, "Creating a Positive Classroom Climate." In a nutshell, I stated the problem that too much time in the classroom is wasted managing/discipling students, taking away precious instructional time. I based my research on Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of human needs as well as Haim Ginnot's theory regarding the effects of praise. I read numerous case studies to research the aspects, importance and validity of creating a positive classroom climate as well as how students respond to it. 

I also wrote a teacher's resource handbook with simple ideas that can be implemented to help create this climate, better manage students, and better engage students in the learning process. The ideas/strategies are under the following categories: Clear and High Expectations, Praise, Classroom Relationships and Organization. I've found much of what I learned can be implemented in a home environment while raising kids, which is a bonus!

Below is a huge chunk of my research. It felt so good to dump it in the recycling!

 I ordered mugs and wrapped them to give to all my classmates at our last meeting. I thought this kind of achievement needed a little something special to remember it. (Underneath the mug is my bound project.)

This project was an incredible challenge that taught me a lot about the power of blanketing challenges in prayer and positive thinking as well as the importance of taking a challenge one day at a time. Thank you to all of you who supported me in this by asking me how it was going, encouraging and praying for me, editing and revising, and helping with the kids. 

Zach was an incredible support during this project. Each morning he would leave me a note of encouragement. After I handed in my bound copy, I found this the next morning...

In case you can't read it, it states, "Morning Girls! KC, have fun working on your pap... wait a minute- you're all done! Enjoy the recycling! I love you. (Z) Dad.

Jarvis Visitors!

Vacation! We enjoyed a week out at Kasey's parent's cottage (THANK YOU Mom and Dad)! Our good friends, Chuck and Brandi, came for the weekend with their three sweet boys. Below are a few cute pictures of Care hanging out at the cottage sharing her sweet smile.

Here we are having fun catching fish one morning.

Too cool.

Colin's photo bomb!

Getting a picture with all the kids proved to be...a challenge. Carrie is in there- can you find her?

Whoe Care!

There it is!

The kids checking out the view.

Carrie loved the boat rides.

Our Captain Zach.

The fun days tuckered Lyddi out.

Bran and I enjoyed many good chats and we even walked around the lake together. That's a whole hour of uninterrupted conversation- now that's a gift!

Chuck and Zach got to go golfing together. Good times.

THANKS so much for coming guys. We had such a fun, refreshing time with you guys. Miss you!

Sweet Reunion!

Another sweet reunion was getting together with dear Dordt friends: The Kuperus', Bussis' and Olson crew. Sometimes it feels like yesterday when we were out in Iowa loving the Dordt life together. It's pretty remarkable that we each married men, one of whom attended Dordt, who are all friends through different life connections. Pretty cool, God!

The moms enjoyed a mani/pedi together while the guys manned the kids. It is always a treat to be together with these ladies.

After our treat, we headed back to help with the kids. Below Cambrie and Care (born within a couple weeks of each other) hanging out...future Dordt roomies and best buds (according to their moms).

All but one of the kids together playing.

Lyddi was pretty tuckered after a fun afternoon with friends.

Good-bye hugs. :-)

Random Summer Pics...

Below are just some fun shots of life lately... 

Our sweet Care all ready for church. 

Our girls adore their cousin Sarah. Below Sarah is holding Care at Sarah's birthday celebration. Happy Birthday Sare Bear!

Ice-cream is a big part of our summer... :-)

Care just exploring the world around her. "Mom look at this cool chair I found!"

A typical moment in our house.

Laughing Lyddi. 

Aunt Helen visited from Arizona. This was a fun shot of her and one of her nieces and three of her great nieces!

Check it out! All 10 grandkids listening to a book being read to them. Love it!

Lyddi loves to sing! Here she is singing, "If You're Happy and You Know it!"

Roo in Town!

Another highlight was seeing my dear friend, Roo, while she was in town for a visit. She was able to stop by and spend an afternoon at our place. We enjoyed coffee outside together chatting and connecting while Lyddi and Care napped. Her timing was perfect! 

Roo's name is actually Carrie. Below are my two dear Cares. :-)

Special Delivery!

This summer I had a playdate with a good friend, Heidi, and her son. She was due to have a baby two weeks from the morning we met. Well... she started having contractions while we were together and they intensified and got closer together VERY quickly. As she was leaving they were only 3 minutes apart! We prayed and she rushed to the hospital and had a beautiful, healthy baby boy only an hour and a half later!! Congratulations Heidi and Brandon!

Below, Lyddi and Colton are playing together before things got very exciting. (Sorry, no picture of the baby, Cameron, or Heidi.)

Cougar Bee 2014

My mom (the Hurricane), Aunt Cindy (The Coug), cousin Lindsey (Tuna) and I (The Bee) try to get together once a year (whether it be a weekend, a week, or just a dinner) to laugh, catch up and make fun memories. We've nicknamed our times together, "Cougar Bees." Laughter is so easy and happens very often with this crew.

Thanks for another super fun Cougar Bee! ...till next year. :-)