Back to School 2024

Another school year is upon us and we're hitting the ground running with volleyball and team dinners and Jr. High and High School camp all the first couple of weeks of school.  The kids all seem excited.  Some say they like school some say they don't but they all come home happy talking about their friends and all the things they're learning.  

It's going to feel strange having them all in school this year even if it is only for a few hours a few days a week but I'm so thankful that they all get to be at Crosshill together.  As we dropped them off this morning I really was just so deeply grateful as I watched friends and teachers greet each one of them with smiles and hugs.  Many of the elementary teachers specifically have started to feel like family to us.  We've known many of them for a decade now which seems crazy!  The kids have all had them as teachers, and their kids are friends with our kids.  It feels like a special blessing in a world that seems to be constantly changing to have so much history with this community.   

High School

Sadie is a Freshman this year.  She's 14 but about to turn 15 and is already talking about driving.  She plans to play volleyball and run track this year and is most looking forward to her boyfriend Wesley being back at school hopefully this winter some time.

Jr. High

Wyatt is an 8th grader.  He is 13 and really enjoys junior high and youth group and generally any time he can be hanging out with friends.  He's also excited to have his cousin Payton in his class this year and he plans to play baseball in the spring.

6th Grade

Cooper is 11 and continues to love school and reading and video games.  He excited to finally get to use google classroom this year , he is on year 3 of playing the trumpet and he also plans to play baseball in the spring.

4th Grade

Hazel is 9 and so excited to be in Mrs. Hinderks class this year.  She continues to be our animal lover and the ringleader of our little girl pack.  She's trying to talk us into trying basketball this year and is learning to play the flute.

2nd Grade

Evie is 7 and is excited to have 7 new girls in her class this year although she really misses a couple of friends that are in the other class this year.  Evie loves the Owl Diaries and baby goats an anything sweet.

They humor me with photos.  I humor them with goats.

The smiles are just always better with animals. :)

First Day Round #2

Aubrey and Maddie started their first day of Pre-K on Wednesday and they couldn't be more excited!  They've waited and waited to get to join all the big kids at school and now it's finally their turn.  Mrs. Metzger has been warned :) but in all seriousness I think they're going to do great.  They're so ready! 

Pre-K 

Maddie and Dog Dog.

Aubrey and Sushi

These girls of ours.💗  We sure do love them and can't believe how quickly they're growing up.

Troyer Addition: Week 78-79

 August 24, 2024

Week 78-79: Siding and our first work injury.

Sunday Sadie worked in the Red Barn with her volleyball team.

Hannah, Bella, Zoe, Sailor, and Sadie

We've been plugging away on the siding a little bit every night and were really hoping to have the front of the house done heading into the long Labor Day weekend.  However, we were reminded again that while the heart of man plans his way, the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Tuesday night I dropped Sadie off to hang out with Wes for a bit and hurried back to help with the house.  I'd power washed the front of the house the day before and we were working on cocking around the siding and windows while Brandon hung siding and the rest of the kiddos played.   It was almost bedtime.  The little girls had just been sent into the house to get their jammies on when Brandon misfired his siding gun and the nail ended up in his knuckle.  OUCH!!!!!

So painful...so disappointing..so frustrating (mainly to Brandon) and yet were thankful that of all the injuries that could happen while working on a project as large as this addition this is what we're dealing with.  

Brandon and I headed straight to the E.R. while Grammy headed over to put kids to bed and get everyone settled.  Thankful she lives so close once again.

We spent the next 6 hours in the E.R., 2 1/2 in the waiting room and 4 1/2 more having the nail pulled out and follow up x-rays done.  Uggg!

Wes made us cobbler and he and Anna brought it over the next night.

Very thoughtful of them.

Thursday was back to school night.  Can't believe the summer is over just like that and can't believe all 7 of our kids will be at school together this year.  Not quite sure how I feel about all these kids growing up.  So many changes.  What I do know was it was good to be back on campus.  We truly love our Crosshill community and the twins are soooooo excited to start their journey in Mrs. Metzger's class.

Thanks big kids for humoring us :)

August 31, 2024

We said goodbye to all 7 of our baby boy goats on Sunday!  So sad but really fun that they all get to go to the same home.  Brother's forever!!!

One of my favorite things about having baby goats is that all of the kids seem to genuinely enjoy them and they actually ask to have pictures taken of themselves.  I get some of the most genuine smiles when goats are involved.

A photo from our girls in their new home.

Grace, Bambie, and Chocolate

And we ended the summer with smores!