Reunion 2011

  

Qualls' Reunion Through the Years

2005

2006

2008

2009

New Neighbors

 (Photo courtesy of Ben Vogt)

Monday Morning Musings

As of today, there are only six more weeks until we begin the 2011/2012 school year.
So far, I've only marked one major thing off my project list for the summer...weeding out the landscaping around the house.
I haven't yet recorded end of year grades for 2010/2011.
I haven't planned out the coming school year.
The school cupboards are a disaster.
The scrapbook and pictures from our cruise are still waiting patiently for me to create something out of them.

The good news?
I have relaxed with a few good books and beautiful morning walks.
I've enjoyed time visiting with my parents, sister, nieces, nephews and good friends from Germany.
The half way point of summer break isn't here until Wednesday!
I still have time.

Daniel's Senior Pictures

Such a loving and protective big brother!

Graduation Day

 Celebrating with Cassio and Bethany

My Little School

Psalm 143:8,11

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, 

for in You do I trust;

cause me to know the way in which I should walk,

for I lift up my soul to You.

Revive me, O Lord,

for Your name's sake!

For You righteousness sake

bring my soul out of trouble."

Congratulations, Daniel!

Dear Daniel,

Congratulations! Today we arrive at the destination we’ve journeyed toward together for the past 13 years! And, today you begin the journey into the next chapter of your life. This chapter, I’m sure, will hold many successes, many surprises, some trials, and some challenges. But I am confident that you will be equal to all of these.

In Jeremiah 29:11 we read, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I believe these words are as true for you today as they were for the people of Israel over 2500 years ago. God sees the complete and wonderful picture of your life. He has blessings ready and waiting to pour into your life as you walk in communion with Him.

God has given you a vast treasury of people in your life to guide you, to encourage you, and to hold you accountable to the standard He has set for your life. He isn’t going to leave you stranded now, but will continue to fill your life with the support that you need. And He will diligently tug at the strings of your heart when stray from His ways. J

I’m excited for your future! And I’m excited to see the man you become over the next years.

With all my love,

Mom

Autumn Greets Winter

Autumnal glory feasting the eyes.

A kaleidoscope of color

clinging to the skies.

Red, orange, and golden

falling from trees.

The earth is carpeted

in a blanket of leaves.

Autumn Fancies

The maple is a dainty maid,

The pet of all the wood,

Who lights the dusky forest glade

With scarlet cloak and hood.

The elm a lovely lady is,

In shimmering robes of gold,

That catch the sunlight when she moves,

And glisten, fold on fold.

The sumac is a gypsy queen,

Who flaunts in crimson dressed,

And wild along the roadside runs,

Red blossoms in her breast.

And towering high above the wood,

All in his purple cloak,

A monarch in his splendor is

The proud and princely oak.

(author unknown)

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

Johann Wofgang van Goethe

Day's End on Sunrise Lane

Happy 12th Birthday, Moonchild!

24 Years Ago Today

Mr. and Mrs. Shannon Glasscock

Adrielle, Nathan, and Uriah

Beautiful 15

Ladybird's 15th Birthday

More from Abbie Deal

"There are many memories. But I'll tell you the one I like to think of best of all. It's just a homely everday thing, but to me it is the happiest of them all. It is evening time here in the old house and the supper is cooking and the table is set for the whole family. It hurts a mother, Laura, when the plates begin to be taken away one by one. First there are seven and then six and then five...and on down to a single plate. So I like to think of the table set for the whole family at supper time. The robins are singing in the cottonwoods and the late afternoon sun is shining across the floor. Will, your grandfather, is coming in to supper...and the children are all playing out in the yard. I can hear their voices and happy laughter. There isn't much to that memory is there? Out of a lifetime of experiences you would hardly expect that to be the one I would choose as the happiest, would you? But it is."

A Lantern in Her Hand, by Bess Streeter Aldrich

Echoing Abbie Deal

from A Lantern in Her Hand, Bess Streeter Aldrich

"And now, Abbie, thinking of what the girl had just read to her, returned thoughtfully, 'You can't describe love, Kathie, and you can't define it. Only it goes with you all your life. I think that love is more like a light that you carry. At first childish happiness keeps it lighted and after that romance. Then motherhood lights it and then duty...and maybe after that sorrow. You wouldn't think that sorrow could be a light would you, dearie? But it can. And then after that, service lights it. Yes...I think that is what love is to a woman...a lantern in her hand.'"

September Musings

In the first 10 days of this month I've:

• been to Toronto and back again
• visited a castle
• laughed with my Autumn Rain and Lavender Girl while being served by a humorous French waiter who was concerned about the salmon on the plate feeling neglected, cleared the landscape (aka the table) and brought us the documentation (aka menu) concerning dessert
• cried over saying goodbye
• turned 43
• completed week 2 out of 36 for this school year

Wonder what the rest of the month will hold?

Casa Loma, Toronto

Reflections of Toronto

Toronto at Night