Last...finally

This week on Tuesday, Adam was to go to the Orthodontist who is observing him.  She is watching the growth and changes in his mouth.  Last time we went to see her, we came away knowing that he needed 4 teeth removed.  Right before the oral surgeon appointment, one came out on its own.  I knew Adam had 1 more baby tooth in there.  I wondered what she would say about it once we were at the appointment.

Monday evening Adam came to me and casually held out his hand and so I put my hand out to see what he wanted to give me.  he placed in my hand his final baby tooth.  I guess there is no need to wonder what she will say about that any more!

That is the FINAL baby tooth in our house!

Old Macbeth Had A Farm

The end of last year, Adam brought a paper home to chose his electives for this school year.  He made his selections, and I didn't look too closely at them.  

When school started this year, I realized that he had signed up for drama.  I was a bit surprised because Adam has a quiet, introverted personality.  I spoke to his teacher in passing one day, and he said that there were other jobs (behind the scenes, lighting, etc.) so I thought Adam would take one of those.  When it came time for the play, I was again surprised to see that Adam had not only one part, but two!!  Well, maybe this will bring him out of his shell.  It's good to have new experiences, right?

He brought home a list of things that they needed into to have props (and costumes that fit) for the play.  He needed a plaid shirt.I started to think, then I remembered that a few months earlier His great grand father passed away.  I had asked Mikes mother if there were any shirts of Pop-Pop's that I could have to add to a quilt I'm making (one for each boy).   I chose 3 shirts.  I thought it was very special that Adam was able to wear his great-grandfathers shirt in his middle school play!

Adam played a farmer that was trying to sell some land to a Colonel Sanders type character.

He also played a messenger.  He looked very much like he belonged in the CIA!

I got a quick picture of him delivering his message.

This is the cover of the program.

And the cast...I'm most impressed with the 3rd and 4th from the bottom.

This play was a take on Macbeth, with a little side story containing characters that might be related to KFC.  It was a really cute play....

....And I am really proud of Adam for stepping out of his comfortable box, and trying something new.

Lamp

The week of our Spring Break at school, was national librarians week.  We were out of school, so our school decided to celebrate it a week early.

One of the great things they do is, during this week the librarians really try to encourage reading.  They buy about 20 fun/different lamps.  They have the lamps set up all over the library.  Then they give each staff member 10 die cut light bulbs.  If you see a student reading when it is not required, you can give the student a light bulb and they can turn that in to be entered into the drawing for a lamp. When you turn the light bulb in, you also were offered a piece of candy.  So everyone who got a light bulb had the option to get a little something.

Adam was reading a bit before his math class, one of the first days of this challenge.  His teacher gave him a light bulb. And his name was drawn.

The next morning he was able to go to the library and pick out a lamp.

Behind the Wheel of a Car

Sometime towards the end of September 2016, I was at work and got a text from my sister.  Her friend was selling her car.  It was a little older, had some miles on it, but over all would be a great first car.  Lana thought, "Well, Austin will be driving soon.  I wonder if Mike and Amy are interested..." I talked it over with Mike and we decided to go look at the car the beginning of October. (we did not let on to Austin what we were doing)  We took my dad, so he could thoroughly inspect the car.  Dad gave the final okay, and we bought the car.  We were not able to bring it home that night, so we took several pictures and headed home. We knew it would be a little till he could drive anyhow.  We just could not pass up this deal!

Once home, we found Austin sitting at the table doing his homework.  Mike and I told him where we were and what we got for him.

This was about as much excitement as I got.  

Then he had to pass the learners test.  

He finally got that precious piece of paper last week.

That evening he was ready...

...to start practicing with Mike.

And they headed out.

He seems to be doing okay so far.  I have gone with him once or twice, but still prefer Mike to do this stressful part of parenting.

Tribute to Pop Pop

When I met Mike, little did I know that I had met the man I was going to marry, but I would also marry into a family and gain a wonderful grandfather-in-law.

Henry Goshow, Mike's grandfather, died on February 28, 2017.  He was 95 years old.  

He was woven into the fabric of our lives in so many ways.

He offered the meditation at our wedding.  I remember he said, "Mike, I'm mainly talking to you. But, Amy, you can listen in."

 When Austin was born, it just so happened it was 10 days before Mike's cousin was getting married in our area.  So Pop Pop (as he was known to grandchildren and great-grandchildren) made a special stop to see the newest addition to the family.

 Each time we saw Pop Pop we tried to get a four generation picture.  I knew they would be special one day, but at the time, I had no idea how special they would be.

.

When Adam joined the family we gave him the middle name of Henry, after Pop Pop.  We reminded him of this every time we saw him.  I loved to see the surprise on his face every time.  I am so honored that we got to use Henry.  A name that is connected to such a special man.

We even got a few four generation pictures more recently.  With this picture I had to crop it close to Adam and Pop Pop.  

Pop Pop was at an age where he had lost several of his teeth.  Adam was also at an age where he had lost several of his front teeth (for a very different reason :)  )  I Love this picture of Henry and Adam Henry and their toothless grins.

Last Easter we went to Easter service at the Souderton Home, where Pop Pop lived.  We got our last picture with him that day.  I love that we spent that morning with him, and have that special memory.

Pop Pop lived on his own until just months before he died.  Last summer Sandy, Mike's mother and I went to his apartment (in Souderton Home) and she did a bit of cleaning for him, and made a grocery list of things he needed.  However, I did not see him that day.  He was a very busy man.  He spent time in the game room, he visited people, he was very often on the go.

At his funeral service it was mentioned that he had read book where the premise is that, while on earth you continually are climbing the stairs of faith.  Pop Pop, you have made it to the top of the stairs!

This past week I mentioned to someone at work that Pop Pop had passed the response was so comforting and true.  The response was, "He has Graduated...to Glory!"  Indeed he has!

Pop Pop, you will be missed! You have touched each one of us!  But, I am so happy for you that you have GRADUATED TO GLORY!

Henry Moyer Goshow  August 20, 1921-February 28, 2017

Something New That Adam Loves

My nephew, Eamon, is going to school to be a barber.  He needs to do a certain number of haircuts in order to graduate from this program.  Adam was in need of a haircut, so I made an appointment to go help Eamon, while helping us.

On the way to get his hair cut, I asked Adam how he wants it cut.  He said, "I want it like Eamon has his."  And that is what he told Eamon when he got in the chair. Eamon did a good job of making it like his own, yet making it fit a 13year old boy.  

This was the first time that Adam had his hair professionally washed.  He walked away a fan!!  When we got int he car he was talking about the wash that Eamon used to exfoliate his scalp.  (After that he washed, then conditioned, then he added a hot towel with lavender oil on it.  I can't wait to get my hair done)

I had to get a picture of Adam's first wash!

Finished product!  I have to say, I really like this cut!

17, 18, & 19

On January 3rd, Adam went to meet with the oral surgeon to remove the 3 teeth that I mentioned in the last post.  We met the Dr., talked about what would happen and went to make the appointment.  The girl looked at the schedule and said, "Can he come back tomorrow?"  Well, sure...Let's get this over with!

The next day we went back to the office.  He didn't have to wait very long to be taken back.  I had a few questions, so I went back as well.  Adam was asking some very insightful questions to the nurse, and to the Dr. (once he came in).  I left to wait in the waiting room.  It was not long, and the nurse came and told me he was done.

The medicine they gave Adam must have been really good because, on the way home he asked me, "Mom, did I sleep during the removal?"  I told him he did not.  Hmmm...I just don't remember much of it.  I'm thinking that may be a good thing.

Only one more baby tooth!

16th tooth...whew!

On Monday, December 19, Adam went to visit the orthodontist.  He has been going for some time now.  He has very crowded teeth, and she has been watching his dental developments.  On this visit, she pointed out that he has 4 teeth where the adult teeth are coming in over, or to the side of  the baby teeth.  I had no idea this was happening.  I guess at a certain age, I just stopped checking the boys teeth on a regular basis.  I know they brush, I know they floss, I know they got all their baby teeth, and I stopped.

After that visit, I started calling different offices and checking on their appointment dates, and how much it is to have baby teeth removed.  Adam was having a hard time with the whole idea of this.  He had 2 baby teeth removed, to make room, a couple of years ago.  He felt like the Dr. lied to him.  They said it would not hurt, he said it hurt.  They said the teeth had not been removed, when in fact, they had.  Mike and I decided that since he was a bit flustered about all of this it might be better to go with an oral surgeon and let Adam "take a little nap" while this is being done.  However, with oral surgery, comes a higher cost! 

Friday, December 23rd, Adam came to me and showed me he had lost a tooth!  He only had 5 to lose yet, and I was really hoping it was not the 1 tooth that was not to be removed by the oral surgeon.  I was very elated to find, in deed, it was one of the teeth that was to be removed.  Now we are down to 3 that need to come out.

Total of 4 more teeth to come out now.

15th tooth

On Friday, December 9, I was talking on the phone when Adam came up and plopped his tooth in front of me.  I had no idea that he even had a loose tooth!  I guess we are getting to end of this road.  5 more teeth to go!

14th Tooth

Mike and I did not do many of the fictitious holiday characters with our boys.  Well, we only did 1.  We did the tooth fairy, although we did not it very well.

Adam had a loose tooth that had been bothering him. On November 2, he came to me, with the tooth in his hand.

I was so glad that he was able to get the tooth out.  I knew it had been bothering him, so now he would have some relief.  I made a mental note that the "tooth fairy" needed to make a visit to his room after he goes to bed.

The evening continued and life happened and I went to bed....with out doing my tooth fairy duties.  At about 12:30 I woke up and suddenly remembered the tooth.  I grabbed my phone, went to my purse and grabbed a dollar, then I went to Adam's room to make the switch.  Then I went back to bed.  I had no sooner got cozy, but I had the thought..."What if I didn't grab a dollar, what if I grabbed a 5, a 10 or a 20!  Ugh...so I got up, grabbed my phone again and went back to his room to double check.  Yes, it was a dollar.  Now I could sleep.

When Adam got up in the morning I asked if he got anything from the tooth fairy.  His response was, "I didn't check"  My first thought was, I did all of that in the middle of the night, because he usually checks first thing, and this is the time that he does not check.  Oh my!

Later that day, I was out running some errands with Adam.  I asked again, "did you get anything from the tooth fairy?"  He said, "Yes, and mom, I know about the tooth fairy.  The only thing is...I can't figure out if it is you or dad."

I guess there is a little mystery still left in the fun we have.  We will only be able to do this for 6 more teeth.

He's a Winner

Our area has a local summer fair.  I have gone to this fair for most of my life.  I have often gone through the exhibit building, and admired all the lovely crafts, baking, and woodworking that people submit.  I have always thought, "Wow! It must be nice to be so talented!" Never even thinking to try to submit something, because I always assumed others things were way better than mine, without even trying.

This year, however, Lana said she was going to have Grace bake some cookies.  I started thinking...Maybe Adam would like to try something.  We looked into how to enter items, and we made a plan. Adam picked a recipe.  I got the items we needed in order to make the bars.

The items were to be  turned in on Monday morning.  So, Sunday afternoon Adam got to work.

I 

I had to work that day, but my mom agreed to take the food items in and get them submitted.  Monday evening Matt and Lana took their kids to the fair.  It wasn't long and I got a call saying that Adam won a ribbon.  He got 3rd place.  

I think he was pretty pleased.

He even got a small monetary reward.

This is his first ribbon.  He is very proud of it.

And he is already thinking of what he should make next year.

Big Day

Earlier this week, we had an evening that was full of, "Wow, this is where we are in life?" moments.

For some time now, I have been telling Adam that he might want to consider that he might need to start shaving.  He was really resistant (Unlike his brother who started shaving when you could barely see anything)  Not sure what clicked, but one evening he decided it was time.

It's hard for me to believe that we are already going down this road.

That very same day, Austin got his DMV book to start studying for his learners permit.  As he was studying I had to think, again, "I can't believe we are here already."

The boys are growing and I have to let that happen.

13th Tooth

A while back Adam mentioned that he had a loose tooth.  He never makes much of a fuss about his loose teeth, so I don't think I have heard much about it since that first mention.

This evening we were eating dinner with my parents.  Adam finished and walked away from the table.  That was fine.  The kids and do their thing, while we adults sit and talk around the table.  After a while Adam comes to me with a was of toilet paper in his mouth and something in his hand.  He hands me a tooth.  I was surprised, but then remembered he had a loose one. 

All I have is change in my wallet.  I hope he is okay with the tooth fairy give change instead of bills.

Beach Vacation 2016

In the cold of winter, we Kiser women sat down and started looking for beach houses.  It seemed at that point that the week we chose would be a long ways off.  However, it really did not take long for the last week of July to come.

On Sunday July 24 we headed to the beach.  It didn't take us long to head to the beach.

Adam made several "seats" in the sand. 

I loved seeing that he still loved to play in the sand.

On Monday we celebrated Adam's 13th Birthday.  He had thought we were staying in a hotel, so he kept telling me that we could have birthday "glop." That is marshmallows, pretzels, and other things that are thrown in a bag to make a sort of trail mix.  Then he found out that we had a house.  He decided on Chocolate cake, with Chocolate icing, and Chocolate chips.  He also wanted Oreos, we left them on the side (as not everyone loves Oreos, and it already had a lot of chocolate!) 

I got a quick snap shot of my 13 year old!

One day we got a paddle board and we all had turns on it.

Adam gave the experience a thumbs up!

I tend to err on the side of caution.  If I were a flavor of  ice cream I would be vanilla--not overly exciting.  However every now and then you need some sprinkles on that vanilla ice cream.  I got my sprinkles and got on that board.

Austin was able to stand.  I don't know how!  But he did!

 And he had a great victory pose!

Mike got on the board too.  He went out way further than I was comfortable with.  It was really easy to get out and not realize how far you were.  But, he came back in safely, thank goodness!

Mom and Dad were at the beach.  We got a really cute picture of them.

On Tuesday, we had family pictures done.  For being taken by us, they are not too bad!

The boys.

Our family picture.

The whole Kiser family.

 A rare picture of just Mike and I.

My guys! 

On Friday, Carol was going deep sea fishing with Eamon.  She invited Austin to come along.

Austin eagerly got out of bed at an early hour to head out to the boat. 

He even caught a few fish!

Someone took a picture of the 3 on the boat.  Austin, Carol, and Eamon.

There was one day that Lana, Mom, Grace and I were out in the ocean.  We saw lots of fish popping on the water.  We saw dolphins out in the ocean, and thought that was really neat.  Before long, we saw a dolphin come within 10 ft of us to grab some breakfast.  The fish exploded out of the water and went swimming in all directions.  What an experience!

I didn't get too many pictures because I did not take my phone to the beach due to the sand and water.  I gathered a few from other people.  I hope these are enough to help the boys remember the wonderful time we had.

We spent a lot of time in the ocean, sand and at the pool.  In the evenings, we played a lot of games, and laughed a lot.  We had a fantastic week.  We all came home rested, relaxed, and ready to to sleep in our own beds again.

Adam's Summer

Summer is a great time to do things that are a little out of the norm, a little educational, and a lot of FUN!!

There were several camps this summer that Adam went to that taught him a great deal and he had a great time doing them.

The last week of June Adam went to our local Technical Center and had a week of learning about Carpentry.  He made several small projects like a tic-tac-toe, and a pusher (so fingers did not get cut off in the saw).  Then they did a bigger project.  They framed a small house.

I do not know anything about framing, but I think it looks great!

Earlier in July, Adam went to Highland Retreat for a week.  He always has a good time there.  He went with a good friend from school.  However, in his cabin he met another boy, who goes to his school.  So far, he and this new friend have not had classes together.  But it could  be that they could see each other at lunch, even if they don't have classes together next year.  It's always great to have more friends!

This past week, Adam went to an enrichment week that is put on by our local school system.  You get to choose a fun class that  you would like to explore further.  Adam chose a class called "Flip, Morph, Distort."  He got to take his picture and ....

put it through several different filters. Then he took the same picture and did an over lay of his name.

Then he took a picture and did some photo shop to it.  

I'm not exactly sure how he did this, but I think it looks great.

I am so pleased that our local area provides these opportunities to explore different interests.

I kind of wish that programs like these were offered when I was growing up.

Baptism

Shortly after Easter, there was an announcement in our church bulletin that they were planning a baptism class.  On the way home from church that day, I asked the boys if either of them were interested in being baptized.  Adam right away spoke up and said he was!

When I got home I sent a message to Pastor Deb.  He was added to the list.  

Adam went to the class in May.  

Usually our church does baptisms at the church camp out in June.  We had some conflicts that weekend and we were not going to be able to make it.  Another factor, that I thought was very sweet, Adam really wanted my Dad to be at his baptism.  My Dad cannot be in large crowds, so the church baptism was out.  We decided it would work well to have a private ceremony.

We planned to have the ceremony at Riven Rock on June 28th at 6:30.  

This  has to be one of my favorite pictures.  

 

The weather was perfect!  I was worried since we had been having a lot of rain, but it worked out perfectly!

We invited all 4 pastors from our church, my parents, Carol, Lana (Grace and Glen), Mike's Parents were able to make it, and we invited Trey Loker who is Adam's church mentor (He also brought his 2 youngest girls). It was small but meaningful.

Pastor Deb had a beautiful bowl that she used to pour the water into Pastor Duane's hands.  After the baptism she handed the bowl to Adam.  Apparently, the day that they met for their class, the kids got to each pick out a bowl to use for their own baptism.  Then they got to keep the bowl.

 

How meaningful and special to have this bowl that was used for his baptism.

When I got baptized we planted a tree to symbolize us taking root in Christ and growing and flourishing in him.  I think about that when I see trees being planted.  I wanted Adam to have something like that, but not a tree (I don't do plants).  I talked to Adam and we decided to have Ice Cream sundaes, and I would link the Sundaes to his baptism.

This is how it was linked:

We are having ice cream sundaes after Adam's baptism.  Yes, it is a good to thing celebrate, but it can also correlate to his life with Christ.

Ice cream is cool and creamy.  It is soothing and refreshing.  There are so many times when you will need to rely on God, and it my not always feel cool and creamy at first, but in the end you know He was there taking care of you.  And THAT is very soothing and refreshing.

Fruit is naturally sweet and healthy.  It is good for your body and yummy to eat.  Your walk with Christ is also good for your body.  It allows you to hand your stresses in life over to Him, which makes it so much easier on your body.

Chocolate Syrup is NOT a natural thing.  However it is, again, very sweet and yummy.  It is an added bonus.  Choosing a life with Christ is also an added bonus.  It is a choice, but  you will find your life is sweeter and more full of "flavor" with Christ in  your life.

Nuts are optional on your sundae.  However, they are not optional in life.  Sometimes your life just gets plain nutty!  Trust in God and He will truly help you through these crazy times.

Whipped Cream is a creamy extra that goes on top.  In good times, God is the whipped cream.  Sometimes it is hard to see in the bad times, but in those times He is also the whipped cream.
 Mike and I got Adam a study Bible.  This will be something that he will probably use more as he gets older, but it will be there for him when he is ready.  Trey got him an adventure Bible.  This Bible is written in comic book style.  Adam started reading this Bible immediately.  Carol got him a bracelet that said something like "stand strong". 

It was not a traditional baptism, but it was meaningful and special.