First day at school

Today we went to my sister's new classroom to help her set it up. She will be teaching 5th grade this year. Yay! I'm so excited for this school year for her.

Annie got her first view inside the classroom of any kind and seemed to enjoy it. She didn't care for the chair so much, but was getting a grasp on grammar. You can see her contemplating the best helping verbs to use in her workbook. Watch out, world!

tmm

Grandfather Clocks

When Nate was in his early 20s, he and his dad were talking about grandfather clocks and how they both liked them and would love to own one someday. Nate said, "I'll tell you what. When I make you a grandfather, I'll get you a grandfather clock." Thankfully he had told me this early on in our relationship so it wasn't a surprise. But I did wonder if there was a creative way around it -- would a miniature grandfather clock work? What about a calendar of grandfather clocks? How about a grandfather clock kit? Nope, it had to be the real thing. We hadn't seen any around, but kept our eyes out (because how common are they?), even though I wasn't pregnant. 



At the end of September 2012, we found out we were pregnant! But since we're not very good at keeping secrets, we had to figure out how to announce it to our parents creatively yet obviously - and quickly. And there was the situation of the grandfather clock.

We stopped by a resale shop to see if they had any nice, affordable grandfather clocks. They had one that was beautiful, fairly understated, and affordable! After doing some measuring of it--and our car--we decided to get it. Hooray!

We decided to tell our parents in person by getting each of our moms Gerbera daisies to represent their grandchildren plus a red rose for their new grandchild. We gave a quick call to my parents to make sure they were home (they were) and to make sure Nate's parents would be home later that afternoon (they live about 2 hours away - they were planning on it). We stopped at my sister Lisa's and told her, then swung by my parents'. When we got there, we handed the bouquet of four flowers to my mom and told them they were to represent their grandchildren...all of their grandchildren. They counted the flowers and realized what it meant and were thrilled!

My mom with her flowers

We didn't stay long since we had to drive down to Nate's parents' still. While driving there, we called my other siblings to tell them the news (they were all thrilled).

In the meantime, Nate's family (his parents and sisters) had been pondering whether us coming down rather unexpectedly with "something to drop off" meant we had a grandfather clock with us...translating to another grandchild. Or maybe they were better off assuming it was puppy so they wouldn't be disappointed if we showed up with something not nearly as exciting as an announcement of an expected birth some nine months away.

While on our way, Nate's sister, Amy, called to tell us that she had to leave for church. We told her and she was thrilled to pieces to be an aunt again. When we arrived at Nate's parents', we got out of the car, went to the front door and were met by expectant looks of anticipation. Nate said, "You need to come outside to get it." Nate's dad hurried out to see what we had brought with us. Nate's mom quickly followed. Nate's sister, Karen, looked at me and asked, "Is it a grandfather clock?" "Yes, it sure is!" Hugs and tears followed. I also handed the bouquet of one dozen to Nate's mom.
 
Then the assembly of the clock commenced.

It looked like it was made to sit against their brick fireplace. And it has the most lovely chime.

Thankfully, Nate's comment about the clock only applied to his first child...because who really needs more than one grandfather clock?

Nate's mom with her bouquet

Nate and his dad with the grandfather clock

tmm

The Best Team Captain Eva...

My sister, Becca, was asked by her church's young adult ministry to write a blog entry for today. With her permission, I have reposted her blog below. You can see the original here.

the best team captain eva…

“Had it not been the Lord who was on our side….” (Psalm 124:2)

When I was a kid, I always knew who the cool people were. They were the most popular. I so wanted to be on their side. Their side was always winning. Whether it was in the game of kickball we were playing or the marker that was used to color a picture. It was the winning side.

But this side was so tricky. It only took a wrong look or word to cause me to be back on what was deemed the ‘wrong side’. That was one of the scariest places to be. It is so crazy to think that these simple playground rules can still be applied to our own world of which side to be on.

But now as adults, its more of a choice of looking at following the crowd or being on the side that does what is right – God’s side.

Recently I quit a job that was causing me a lot of stress and pain. I struggled for months about leaving. I worried how my boss would react.

Would I ever find another job?

Would my departure affect my resume?

Could I find work using my degree?

I had no idea what I was going to do. All I knew was that the Lord was going to provide. I needed to call upon Him. He was my help. Had it not been the Lord who was on my side I would have been in despair. Had it not been the Lord on my side I would have been swept away by the anger of others.

Do you make it through the day with the help of the Lord?

Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would have hit that car.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would have slipped on the ice.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would have spoken in anger.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side, I would not have gotten that interview.
Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side….

He sustained me through the tough time and showed me comfort while I waited upon Him. He fulfilled my need of a job. My thanksgiving still rings true. The only side I want to be on is the Lord's! My “help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:8)
-Becca Boyle, Connect Flock Leader





 


tm

Family Time (Part 3): All Together

Here are a few of the "whole family" shots that we were able to take. Aren't we beautiful? Haha!
Seriously though, it was wonderful to get to spend a little bit of time together this summer.

 

 

The McMillan Clan - August 2011