Happy anniversary!

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Jeffrey, my love and my husband of 23 years. ~ Relyn

in the Ozark Botanical Gardens *cell phone selfie

woodland wildflowers

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Sabbath.  I am always so thankful that we keep the Sabbath as a day of rest. ~ Relyn

This is from our day in the woods a few days ago. 

still in the woods

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Summer school starts on Monday and I don't dread it because I get to write curriculum for two weeks. ~ Relyn

more woods wildflowers

in the woods

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a peaceful day at home, tidying up after a few weeks of company~ Relyn

We spent a day in the woods for Jeffrey's birthday.  We hiked and shot and had a great time.  

Mom's eye by Sloane Lawson

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long family walks ~ Relyn

Sloane has this thing for taking extreme close ups of friends' eyes.  This one is my eye, photographed by Sloane. *cell phone pic

Lawson Crew

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yesterday's picnic was so much fun & we got a great family picture ~ Relyn

at the French Fry Park in Springfield, MO

at the range

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time to enjoy family ~ Relyn

Cousin fun at Andy Dalton Conservation Area and gun range.

last 7th grade band concert

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a full week off before summer school begins ~ Relyn

The whole family will be back as soon as possible.  

last day of 7th grade

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Sloane and I had the MOST awesome walk with Dale tonight. ~ Relyn

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Sloane, yesterday morning at the start of her last day of seventh grade. 

winning

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This was, perhaps, the best last day of school ever.  I just really, really love my kids, and am so excited to have them again next year.  Best of all, Sloane was honored in an awards assembly today.  She won the student of the year award for English for her (126 person) Jr. High team, Grey Storm.  And, she was accepted into the National Jr. Honor Society. ~ Relyn

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This is Sloane and the three other team winners and their teachers. 

siblings

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our reading PJ party was wonderful today and my kids were so excited that I am looping ~ Relyn

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I love this one of Aaron and Lauren from a photoshoot a while back. 

biplane

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an amazing field day yesterday and a wonderful auction today ~ Relyn

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spotted on our walk this evening 

hangin' around

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God has given Sloane really nice girls who come from really good families to be her close friends. ~ Relyn

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Sloane and her friends hanging out before they go to a church youth even. 

Pumper 1

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I really do love my job. ~ Relyn

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a vintage firetruck owned by the Clever Fire Department, Pumper 1 

my dream car (one of them)

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It was good to worship with Dale and Ethel today. ~ Relyn

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a Nash 

the in-laws

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Today was an awesome day!  The car show was fantastic and it was so great to have nearly all the Lawsons together. ~ Relyn

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This is my father-in-law pushing my mother-in-law about a 1/2 mile from our house to the Clever Car Show.  

Color Run

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the second annual High Pointe Character Color Run ~ Relyn

Our second grade team, minus one. 

the what-is-it flower

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My students have been working so hard this week! ~ Relyn

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I spotted this chevron flower on a recent walk.  It is beautiful.  Te deep orange is in a chevron pattern around the outside of the flower.  

Gareth at the hospital

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Gareth, and my brother's love in making this precious tiger for his new niece ~ Relyn

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This is Sloane in the waiting room of the hospital.  Gareth has kept her company through every injury, tear, travel, adventure, and joy. 

spring blooms

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spring in Missouri is pure beauty ~ Relyn

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I do love spring. 

free recess

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the laughter of children ~ Relyn

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fun at school

Happy Mother's Day

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my mom, my mother-in-law, my daughter ~ Relyn

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Jeffrey and I have been richly blessed by the two mothers the Lord gave us.  My own mom was the one who taught me how to love, how to cherich, and how to make a home, among many other lessons.  She loves us fiercely and considers Jeffrey her second son.  My mother-in-law raised a rambunctious, curious boy intoa  gentle, godly husband and father.  She loves us wholeheartedly and make us happy just to be near her ssweet spirit.  

a Sloane selfie

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I am so thankful for my daughter and her courage. ~ Relyn

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Sloane took this selfie a few months ago. I am posting it today because today was all about Sloane and her grit.  Turns out she dislocated her knee last night and popped it back in.  Today it dislocated again and we headed to the emergency room.  After the doctor put it back in, it dislocated again.  Dr. thinks this is pretty bad.  She'll see a specialist Monday. 

pen cups

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One of my students' moms and her very real and loving sympathy. ~ Relyn

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One thing I always think of when I remember my Papaw's house is the way that he always had several pencil cups full to bursting just sitting in the middle of his kitchen table.   

Papaw's kitchen window

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cameras, I am so thankful for the ability to preserve memories on "film" ~ Relyn

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This is the kitchen windowsill in my Papaw's house.  

day is done

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We buried my Papaw yesterday.  It poured rain as 5 young men buried him with full military honors.  There was so much respect and love in their actions.  Tonight I am thankful for those men. ~ Relyn

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Taps.   

pallbearers

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We buried my Papaw today.  It was my honor to help carry his casket to the grave.  I am thankful to have been asked, and thankful that my husband was loved by my Papaw and consider his grandson, too. ~ Relyn

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This photograph was taken by my mom as my four cousins, my husband, and I carry our grandfather to his grave.   

one odd house

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long quiet walks with my camera ~ Relyn

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in Republic, Missouri

spring leaves

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long walks, holding hands and talking ~ Relyn

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a photo from our walk on Jeffrey's birthday

sisters

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Sabbath rest ~ Relyn

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Lauren and Allie

Lauren's eyes

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lots of kind comments on FaceBook ~ Relyn

Our family got WAY behind on posting during a really challenging time.  
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Oh, those eyes.