Jack Goes to Camp

On Saturday, we picked Jack up from Pinecove.  As always, he had a great time!

This is my new favorite picture of him!

His counselor praised him for leading the Bible discussions, being the first to help, calling him "sir" even though he's only 3 years older than Jack, and being bold in his faith.  We are so proud of him and so grateful for his heart for the Lord.

Jackson loved his counselor.

We missed him so much, and we're so glad he's home!

Jackson's First Mission Trip

On Sunday, Jack left for his first mission trip with our church's youth group.  He got back this morning--at 5 AM!--and said he had so much fun!

The drove from our little neck of the woods to Florida, with a few pit stops along the way.

The did service projects with a local church and school.

They also spent a lot of time going out to evangelize.  Jack was so nervous about this part leading up to the trip, but he said that it ended up being his favorite part!  This picture...

...and this picture are my favorites!

We are so grateful that he had a great time and that he's safely back home!  We are also beyond grateful for his heart for serving and spreading the Gospel!

10th Grade!

On Monday, Jack started the 10th grade!

After school, and Dad got home, we all went out for the traditional "first day of school treat!"

Then, on Tuesday, I took Jack out on a lunch date at our favorite spot in town!

As we're looking forward to new school year, I couldn't help but reflect on some of our favorite memories from 9th grade!

   

We're so grateful for this kid and this time together!

Jack's Birthday!

We started celebrating Jack's birthday two weekends ago!  One of our birthday traditions, is that you get to pick out what restaurant you want to go to...and Jack picked a fancy seafood restaurant!  He loves fancy, and he loves seafood!

 

We started with fancy drinks.

Then, for an appetizer, we ordered caviar.  Jack has always wanted to try it.  And while it was definitely a one time indulgence, it was so yummy, and it made Jack feel so fancy and special!

For the main course, he ordered crab stuffed lobster tails.

And finally, for dessert, he picked baked Alaska.

He loved all of it!  And for a 15 year old who wanted to wear a tuxedo--complete with a top hat and monocle--on the airplane when he was a kid, there was not a better birthday restaurant!  We loved treating him and watching him smile from ear to ear the whole night!

Then, on his actual birthday, we made the homemade meal he requested--pork schnitzel, bratwurst, fries, and homemade lemonade.

And for dessert, nutella strudel.

Then, to cap everything off, Bryan took him to see a racing movie and eat at Dave's Hot Chicken--J's favorite!--this weekend.

We had a wonderful time celebrating Jack!  We still can't believe he's 15!

9th Grade

Last week, was Jack’s first week of 9th grade!

His favorite ice cream shop was closed on Monday, so we got our traditional “first day of school treat” on Tuesday!

We stocked up on books at the library, 

then visited a new coffee shop.

On Wednesday, he went to student night at church!

On Friday, we drove to Galveston for a little vacation.

It was a great first week of high school!