Static and a trampoline

Sixteen years of parenting, and we held off on a trampoline. Then Erin had one she was getting rid of, and we gave in. 

It’s really not big enough for the boys …. Or barely. But the girls love it. 

Tusculum Gala

Last night, two of my kids had the opportunity to perform at the Tusculum University for the Arts Gala. Here are two videos (linked below). Abigail performed a ballet number, and Isaac played an hour of piano during dinner: 

gala dance

Isaac piano

Abbi, Emma, Sophie, Ana, Hayley, Ay-la, Abigail and Ms. LoriAnn. In the front are Kari, Hannah, and Genevieve. 

Rapunzel

Brothers

Girls day out!

On Saturday, I managed to eek out a half day with three very dear friends: Aliceson (church and co-op friend), Natalie (church and hospital friend), and Cara (church and fellow mom of four kiddos friend). We went to Asheville. We went to the Grove Park Inn and had a delish meal at Edison’s and then saw the Gingerbread house contest … which is never seen before. It was such a lovely, wonderful, filling, blessed time!!! 

A stomach bug has been running through our house, but it didn’t get me, and I got to go! It was awesome!

Here’s a quick video I took just so you can see some of the fun!

gingerbread fun!

Happy Turkey Day

We had a TON of people in for the Thanksgiving holiday. Here is a photo of our group (below): I won't try to point out every single person but Anni and her Tris and her foster daughter were with us. The Shrader family was with us. My parents were here. Keith and his family were there. And Jacob took the photo! We took a bunch of pictures for the day. Here is a link to my Facebook album!

Ritter Reflections

My desire to please people ...

 ... is something I feel I live with everyday. How much we need people in our life. And yet how hard it is to have them all and please them all. Does it even matter that they are pleased? How much harder is it when the person is related to you? Why does it matter so much? Why did God make us need community SO much and yet community be so difficult to keep happy?

I cant tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone. Ed Sheeran

You wouldnt worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do. Eleanor Roosevelt

I cant tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone. Ed Sheeran

You wouldnt worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do. Eleanor Roosevelt

There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. Aristotle

 

 

World View Example

I’m teaching a World View/Logic/Thinking/Religion class with a dozen kids this year. 

I thought that this video: 

World View

Most accurately discusses what we are talking about in class. Our college campuses specifically have gotten lost in a quagmire of beliefs that really need defining. Sometimes Charlie Kirk gets a little condescending, but he’s attempting to create a conversation that keeps people challenging these assumptions. 

Final Dollywood Hurrah!

On Wednesday, we decided to use the last of our Dollywood Bring-a-friend passes and make a day of it at Dollywood. We plan, as a family, to let our season passes expire after this so it was going to probably our final day there for quite some time. 

Oh man, was it the most amazing DOLLYWOOD day we've ever had. The temperature was perfect (60's nearly the whole day). And the kids walked on rides THE ENTIRE day. From 11a-9p it was walk-on-rides. Isaac did at least 35 coasters!!!

The Dunhams joined us. The Shraders joined us. We also had two Kotysnkis (Ana and Kari) and two buddies (Micah and Elijah W.)

What a day!!!!!!!