Light Bright Brother

Katriel made an image of herself and Nigel.

Nigel’s baptism, 2023

While I was driving home from NY and John was in Italy, and Stewart was in NC, Nigel was baptized.  Thankfully, friends were there to take photos and support him.  He was baptized in 2018 at 15 years old, but made this profession of faith today.

 

 

Honduras 2023

I don’t have a lot of info to go with the photos, but Nigel went to Honduras again with a missions team from church. 

Twenty-one-derful years

My preemie has come a long way.
He generously agreed to celebrate his birthday a few days early so that the family could go to NY on Saturday and have the chance to go to PCC on Sunday.

I love this boy so much.

WE LIKE SHEEP!

Katriel got to play Whitey in the church musical. 

Nigel graciously played the role of the Shepherd.

It was so stinking cute.

And I got to help with some of the corralling.

the way things ought to be…

The boys’ bestest buddy from NY graced us with a week long visit.  I can barely dig up the words to articulate the joy it provides me to see these clowns together.

Yes, they are playing Bible Outburst!   Not sure who won, though I got yelled at more than once for “helping.”

New blanket for Nigel!

Tab and I started this blanket… wait for it… back in late 2020 or early 2021. 

Then we did this thing where we moved.  And she had new things to do in our new land, and I proceeded to take the better part of a year to finish Katriel’s blanket last spring…

but I finally got back to it.

And finish it, I did!

I am sure it will come in handy on those dozen cold nights a year we have.

Nigel in NY

All American Girl

It was Patriotic Day at co op today.  While most kids were wearing red, white, and blue, Katriel donned Nigel’s old Benjamin Franklin (or is it George Washington) costume.

Nigel got the outfit for Christmas in 2012… so it is older than she is!
I had to iron it and sew the straps on better this morning.  But it was totally worth it.

Nigel and the FIFBC missions trip.

Early… VERY early… on Sunday the 18th, Nigel left with the team for their week in Honduras.

Late… VERY late… on Sunday the 25th, Nigel returned from his trip.

I don’t get much for photos, but he had an incredible trip.  They built a Sunday School classroom next door to the church that the group had helped build a few years ago. They also made desks for a school that meets the needs of special needs students.

God is good.  All the time.

July 2nd–Nigel is 20 and Fountain Inn Fireworks

The day started with some cake making!

And hours later we celebrated our not-so-little boy.
Twenty years ago tonight we were in the hospital waiting for him to go to ICU…

Tonight – it’s cake and presents!  God is so faithful!!

Nigel wasn’t interested in fireworks, and Stewart was in NY.  The rest of us headed to downtown Fountain Inn for a while.

it was hot
not everyone was patient

But then the show began

And they were actually better than Magic Kingdom’s!

When smoke gets in your eyes…

It isn’t always mom’s cooking.

Sometimes it’s Nigel’s mist machine that he is practicing with for an upcoming movie.

Mt. Airy weekend

Two years ago, Nigel and John had their first trip to Mt. Airy (a/k/a “Mayberry”), NC.  They had hoped this would be an annual activity.  After missing last year, they decided they would wait until we were settled in SC to visit, as NC is much closer to SC than NY!

Stewart was able to join them this year.

Nigel is Nineteen

My requisite former-preemie-is-now-X-years old post.

He’s come a long way.

Doing birthday without Dad is sort of weird, but at least we had chocolate cake.

I’m so proud of this guy.

Graduation Garbage Plates

Nigel is low-key.
Under the radar.
Keeping it quiet.

BUT – HE FINISHED HIS ASSOCIATES DEGREE!  He’s 18.  He did GREAT!

And we asked him how we might be able to celebrate the accomplishment.

He didn’t have any requests, but he was more than happy to share his favorite meal with Mama and Dad. 

We went to Mac’s Philly Cheesesteak for Garbage Plates.

This is mine. It was my first Garbage Plate.

I ate about 40%, and felt AWFUL for two days.
It was my last Garbage Plate.

I can’t even look at this.

Found treasures

While I was cleaning in the pantry, I found an old folder of art that the oldest three kids had done a long time ago.

I wish I could get art classes for the younger kids. 

I wish we could get any classes for the younger kids.

Is this nonsense over YET?