Chopin Nocturnes

That's what we're listening to right now, at 11:08pm, before going to bed (very soon!). Calming, soothing, and classy. Today was the last full day of school, and it included a Middle School award ceremony. We were excited to receive a brief email yesterday intimating that I might want to be present to witness said ceremony as Jason would be getting something. Well, I was tickled pink that he ended up going up on stage four times to receive various awards. Three were ones shared with many others in his grade, but one was only given to two people (a special Effort Award based on teacher nominations). Way to go, Jason! Dad and I are so glad we're your parents and can see you work hard and flourish.

I picked a bunch of daisies from our back lawn this afternoon (during a refreshing hour-long phone conversation with my mom) and placed them in a periwinkle vase on the kitchen counter. They witnessed Emily doing almost all of the assembling of a pumpkin pie, while I went out to actually purchase some cans of pumpkin (without which we would certainly have had to change the name of the pie). I couldn't believe we didn't have any. I don't know how that happened. We typically keep it in stock; I was so happy they sell it here in England (as opposed to France). Anyway, the pie turned out very nicely. Good work, Emily!

Tomorrow the kids get out for the summer at noon. One entire school year completed in our latest country of residence. It seems impossible that we've already made it through. Thank you, God.

Two passages I'd like to learn to live out in daily practice:

Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim 6:6)

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances...
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13

(The sunset photo is from David's and my marital getaway trip to Spain in early May, near Málaga; that was the view from our room. Accommodation courtesy of David's mom, childcare courtesy of my mom - two lovely, supportive ladies who remember what it's like to be full-time parents and spouses at the same time and understand the value of getting away as a couple as often as possible.)