A Smaller Labor Day Crowd

For the past several Labor Days we have hosted the Voorhees clan for the long weekend. This year, however, we had a smaller crowd.  Joe and Amy were homebound as they are expecting baby girl number 3 in a few weeks; Jay had a speaking engagement in Dubai; and John, Jake and Brea had to help Virginia Tech kick off their football season in Blacksburg. These are just a few of things keeping this busy family spread out all over the globe this holiday!

That left us with a few less people, but all the same fun.  We enjoyed our time with Carol, Matt, Marni, Carla, Reilly and Cole. We had beautiful weather, great food and even slept in late. It means so much to us to be able to have so many people we love in our home and the chance to share our Georgia life with them. We are thankful for anyone we can get to come down and we look forward to next year-whoever that might be!

Just a few examples of the love our family has for one another.

Another Happy First Day of School

Another summer over, another school year begins.  TWO high schoolers pulled off in the Sequoia this year bright and early while the middle-schooler and 2nd grade left with their now "working" mom. We all know the challenges that lie ahead; busy schedules, football games, studying and too many meals that begin with "may I take your order" and are eaten in the car. But we also know the joys that begin with every "first day."  Reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, cool fall weekends watching football on the porch, learning new things and discovering hidden talents are all part of the experience. We are thankful for great schools and a loving community and we are ready for whatever new adventures this year brings!

This year Geof had to make the first-day-of-school-cookies because I forgot and was working. So glad he remembered our annual tradition.

This girl was a little nervous on her first morning as a student at Buford High, but she came home with a smile and was happy to report that she never got lost and was able to open her locker on the first try.  Small victories are sometimes the most important! 

SEVENTEEN

Sometimes being Jackson's mom feels very much like what you see in this picture. I sit in the stands and watch as my son zips around the track, hollering directions at him that might help him take the lead. He can't hear me and wouldn't listen anyway.  He just keeps driving-way to fast. I can barely focus on him, but can tell that he is pointing at me, which I assume is my queue to cheer him on.  I wave my hands around a bit, but it's really just to warn him of the other cart driver that is about to pass him from behind or the wall that his about to run into or to motion to him to make sure his seatbelt is properly fastened.  I'm sure if I could see his eyes through the shield on the helmet they would be rolling. But that's OK, because that's life and this is the race that we are living with our oldest.  A race that I'm watching go by and all I can do is hope and pray that he stays on the track, trust that he will make wise decisions and have faith that God is ultimately the One holding onto the steering wheel. This year, on Jackson's 17th birthday, I am claiming the promise that He has a victory ahead for Jackson. I confess I'm scared to death to have a child only one year from adulthood.  Well, if I'm being honest, I've been scared since the minute the nurses told Geof and I we could take him home from the hospital. I mean-what made so many well educated medical professionals decided we were ready to raise a child? There are days when I want to yell back in time and say, "I told you we would screw this up!" But then there are the days that I remember that love covers a multitude of sins. No matter how many mistakes we made, we have loved Jackson from the moment we knew we would have a child.  He has grown into an amazing, talented young man in spite of us. He is such a blessing to me every day and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be his mom. Happy Seventeenth Birthday Jackson-keep running that race! God has great plans for you and I believe in you!

We went go-carting on Jackson's birthday.  The kids loved it. I did not.  It hurt my back when they would slam into me. I came in dead last, but Jackson won the last race. It was a fun day and I learned that all my children are little speed demons.