Bubbles

As I mentioned earlier, our friends from Sweden, Birgitta and Emil, were here a few weeks ago. We had such a great time with them and so did our girls. They absolutely love children and are so good with them. My girls just ate up the attention and could convince Emil to do just about anything (including ride their bikes, climb trees and Selah's favorite, blow bubbles). On more than one occasion, we found Emil outside blowing big bubbles for the girls to catch and pop! They loved it!

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Keenan's history camp

Last night the girls and I had the opportunity to go see Keenan perform in a reinactment. All week he has been participating in a history camp that is part of Covenant Life School. They learn about a particular war that took place in history, this time being the French and Indian War. Each boy involved takes on the role of a solider and learns what life was like in the 1700's for the men who were in battle. I could not have been more impressed. They had a whole military camp set up, the way it would have been in 1775. Keenan was part of the British army. The girl and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

After it was all over, the boys camped out in tents for the night. But Keenan ended up calling home at 2am...because he had gotten left alone in a tent, tried to sleep outside and was getting eaten alive by mosquitos. Poor boy! But overall, I think this will probably be one of Keenan's highlights of the summer.

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Cousins at play

W: The fun begins!

A: That's my toy.

A: I want my toy.

W: You can't have your toy.

W: Look what I have, Addie!

A: Ouch!

A: Mom...

Save me!

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Williamsport

About a month ago, we had the opportunity to go up to Mark's mom's huge historic house in Williamsport, MD for a cook out with the whole family. I've been wanting to see it for some time. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the grounds, seeing the huge 7,000 sq. ft. house and all the little out buildings. The kids had an absolute blast and talked about it for days on end!

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4th of July

Our wonderful neighbors, the Reynolds, hosted a 4th of July picnic this year...

Later we all headed over to watch the fireworks in Gaithersburg!

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Catching up

So much has transpired over the last few weeks. Some wonderful happenings and other more deeper, challenging things that have helped me unpack what I'm clinging to, where my hope lies, what I'm living for, and also if my hope and faith are genuine.

Life has been a flurry of activity lately. We had a very spontaneous opportunity to get away for a few nights 2 weeks ago. Dave's dad owns a timeshare and wasn't going to use half of his week. So, he offered it to us. It was a wonderful free getaway. I only had about a 24 hour notice and had to pack up all our food and clothes and necessities....all on top of getting ready for our friends from Sweden to arrive the day we returned. So, we went away and came home to welcome Emil and Birgitta. They came to the States again for a wedding and it was a treat to spend more time with them.

Dave continues to travel almost every or every other week right now. And when he is home, he is often working late. It's been a very demanding season at work for him and for us at home. Things have been tough for us financially, much of it ripple effects after losing Alivia.

On top of all this, a few weeks ago we had to have our HVAC system in our house replaced. A big expense. Then, just a week later, we found out the transmission in our van is going and needs to be replaced, making it one of the most expensive things that can go wrong with our van! I think only a new engine might cost more! So, for the past few weeks we have been without our van. We have managed. We borrowed one to get away a few weeks ago, but other than that have been staying close to home.

With all this, I have not had much time to catch up on my blog, and with Dave gone, life can be especially busy. I literally have been spending almost every free night, studying homeschool stuff, reading up on what to get Addie next for her rash and how to make her creams/lotions.

Just the other day I was thinking back on the past number of months, which have been challenging for us in so many ways. When we moved here, I felt whole, was enjoying our home and my family and for 5 very short weeks, my 3 beautiful girls. Then forever my life was changed. That was the start of a journey we are still on and added to it many more deaths of loved ones and trials to bear. Now, I feel broken. And as I looked out the window thinking these thoughts recently, I realized, I am very broken...BUT I always was. Broken and needy. And Christ has saved me from my brokenness and provided for my greatest need, the salvation of my soul. We know that the Lord is at work in us and through all that we face, He continues to be good and sovereign. As the days pass, the events in our lives become more mysterious and my understanding fails. Even in this there is an underlying hope that carries me on...even on days when it seems so much easier to give up.

So that's been us lately! I hope to do better in the coming days, posting pictures of what we've been doing and of the girls.

Today, I'm grateful for my husband who is strong when I'm weak and trusts the Lord, not what he sees. I'm grateful for my girls, and although this summer already is very different from what I had planned and expected, I am thoroughly enjoying having them at home with me. I'm grateful for my sister, who sticks to me like glue and is committed to caring for me through the thick and the thin. Most of all, I'm grateful for my Savior who literally picks me up and carries me through every day because I have no strength to carry myself. He continues to lift my eyes above this world and helps me to fix them on what awaits me in heaven.

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What if...

That's a question that I've been regularly tempted to ask lately about a multitude of areas on our lives right now. "What if this....and what if that...?" It leaves me fearful and scared. It seems that things in our life have consistently for so long gone from hard to harder to yet even harder.

So, what should I do with all the "What ifs?" This...

"Do not forecast the future, but take each things as it comes to you, then look upon it as the present expression of the will of God concerning you; and thus receive your day piece by piece from Him who remembers you need strength for every piece.

Often, when you have almost fainted in spirit the thought comes 'What if...' Put it far from you! It is a faithless thought! If you need more strength, you will have it - be sure of that! Leave the future in His hands, the hands who will be sure to do the best - the very best! -for you." - Priscilla Maurice

Thanks for the quote, Kristen!

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More on Selah's birthday

I am slowly working through all my pictures from the last couple of weeks. Last night I put together a little video since I had a good many from Selah's birthday celebration.

Selah's 4th birthday from Heather Castro on Vimeo.

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Homeschool

In just a few days Mckenna will be finishing up Kindergarten. I can't believe it...it seems like just yesterday we sent her off on her first day and I cried. She has had a wonderful year at Covenant Life School!

Next year she will be in first grade and we have decided to homeschool her, as well as do some things with Selah for preschool. I am so looking forward to having more time with Mckenna and, yes, learning with her. The past week, I have spent every spare moment doing research on curriculum and reading a ton, late into the evening, trying to wrap my puny brain around all the different options out there. Thankfully, I have some dear and experienced friends who have wisely guided me in this endeavor, so the job has been much easier than it could have been.

I've made some key decisions, but still need to decide on a Phonics program.

I have so many pictures from Selah's birthday and our time up at Williamsport with the Ploons and Mark's family. Hope to go through them soon to share.

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Happy Birthday, Selah!

Yesterday, June 3, was Selah Grace's 4th Birthday. It was a flurry of activity, from the moment we awoke until I put my head down on the pillow near midnight. And today we are getting ready for a party (Luau theme!) this evening. Simple but fun (I hope). So, while I have a few minutes here, just wanted to say what an immense joy this little girl has been and continues to be to our family. I can't imagine life without her. She has brought so much happiness to our home. I love you, sweet girl! Happy, happy birthday to you!

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