first day of school…

 Today is the kids first day of school. We have a sophomore and 8th grader. Later we will take all their pictures and have the fun send offs while I run morning carpool, but right now, I’m just sitting in awe that we are at the start of another year that I know will fly by too quickly. This year Ryder will drive. Eden will finish middle school. I know they will both thrive. They each have every class with their best friends. They are excited, but also a little nervous for the work load. We all sat last night talking about how we are sad summer is over but knowing this will be a good year. I know I need to just be present, not looking too far ahead, but luke EVERY other year, they just ho so fast. So today I will send them off with love and prayers, then receive them home with love and snacks and a listening ear.

“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

Back to School Dinner 2025

 This last Saturday, we had our annual back to school dinner. We’ve done it since Ryder started preschool at 4 years old. We eat together while talking about the upcoming year and then pray together. 

We chose the verses Matthew 5:14-16, about letting the Light of Jesus and his Spirit shine through them. The world can be dark but His light can overcome it as we see in John 1:9, the verse we used for their 2019-2020 year…

This is our prayer for our kids: that no matter which classroom they enter, which field they play on, any conversation or interaction that they have, that the Light of Jesus would shine through and bring Hope, Peace, and Love to those places. We prayed for our schools, teachers, administrators, and classmates. 

Also, watching our kids pray over each other and bless each other with their words is unlike anything I have experienced as a parent. My heart is full. 

To this 2025-2026 school year, the Rae’s are ready for you! We are excited for what you hold…

Shaver Lake 2025

We had the opportunity to get a quick getaway to celebrate the end of summer at one of our favorite places! We drove up the night after the tournament and it was so nice to wake up in the cabin.

Our first day we took a slow morning of taking a walk and then Kit making his grandparents traditional aebleskivers for breakfast while we played hearts and asked each other questions from my base camp card deck:

Then we headed to one of our spots along Dinkey to swim, explore, fish, and swim:

We ended the night with taking the paddle boards out on the pond to hunt for bull frogs. There was a deer watching our shenanigans and that was very fun!

So much laughter thinking that they would tip over!

We measured the kids on the family walk too. I can’t believe how much they have grown!

On our second day, we hiked out to the Burn, a trail that ends with amazing fishing and swimming holes and natural water slides. It’s a full day of exploring and we love it!

The “face” they always greets us:

We ended the day grabbing dinner in town at The Hungry Hut and then playing Codenames boys vs. girls. Girls won 2-1.

Our last day was spent at the lake, just relaxing with swimming, fishing, paddle boarding, and enjoying the UV rays…(iykyk)

We had such an amazing trip before school started. I’m so thankful for this family of mine. 

Shaver, you were so good to us! We are already counting down until we can see you again!