It’s been awhile since I have done a little family update, so I wanted to take the chance to write a quick post detailing three things about each of us. I am really hoping to get back to blogging on a regular basis, but I first need to get into the routine of teaching school (during a pandemic) and incorporating this next big responsibility into my life. However, school or not, life keeps trucking along and this a long overdue update!
Ezra
- Ezra is TROUBLE. I say that in the most loving way possible, but this kid will have many of his stories told in future Hines folklore. In recent weeks, he has stuck a screwdriver in an outlet, put an electrical drill down on his foot, run into the street, and generally given me a run for my money. He is a HANDFUL. For my previous children, I thought it was consistency, discipline and good parenting that got my kids to listen to me so well. With my other two, if I told them not to go into the street, they would not even dream of going into the street. With Ezra…nope. God sure is serving me a big piece of humble pie with my realization that some kids are more of a handful that basic parental training and consistency can guarantee.
- Ezra is also everyone’s favorite. I mean…c’mon! How can you resist? He is so sweet and so blonde and SO CUTE. He is adored by one and all.
- Ezra LOVES to help around the house. He is so good at following directions and will frequently retrieve things for me that I ask for. His favorite chore is taking out the compost, and my IG followers have LOVED seeing a daily clip of Ezra carrying out the compost. I don’t know what it is, but there is something about a baby enthusiastically doing a job that brings so much inspiration and delight!
Hezekiah
- This kid is funny delightful. He is constantly saying the wisest and silliest things, and he keeps us all laughing on a regular basis. He is guaranteed to get a smile out of anyone.
- Kiah is incredibly talented in his gross motor skills. This summer he picked up a scooter and just started riding it around. The thing is like the same size as he is and yet he managed to figure it out on his own. He is incredibly good on his balance bike, but I think that he is ready for a pedal bike. He runs extremely fast and can also hop, jump, leap and climb extremely well for his age!
- Kiah is the exact definition of a morning person. He always rises with the sun, even if his room has light blocking curtains. We’ve tried it all, but he just likes to greet the day as soon as he possibly can. Thankfully, he is learning how to entertain himself for the most part while everyone else takes their time getting going in the morning (or just wants to be alone).
Tera
- Tera just turned 6 years old yesterday! I cannot believe that she is 6! For her birthday, she got a big girl room, a bath bomb set, pink hair and some dress up clothes. She’s extremely independent, responsible and is really growing into an excellent leader. She is very outgoing but mostly stays on the sidelines and observes all that is going on around her.
- Tera can now read but hasn’t taken the plunge to read to herself. She still likes for me to read with her, and she will only read if prompted to. But we are frequently driving down the road and she will read road signs or the bulletin at church, so I know she can read. I’m just waiting for that day it clicks and then if she’s anything like me, I probably won’t see her for the next 10 years.
- Tera loves animals and has spent many hours this summer catching any animals that she can get her hands on. The list includes frogs, crayfish, a bird, a nameless amounts of bugs, a goose at the park, and I’m sure I’m forgetting things. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a the greatest track record for actually keeping the captured animals alive, so we will work on that next.
Suzanne
- I am SO excited to begin my new teaching job in just a few weeks! This will be my first time officially having my own classroom and although it’s a tad bit overwhelming, I am mostly extremely excited! Here’s to hoping we can navigate a new job, COVID restrictions and being a working Mom.
- One of my new-found hobbies during the coronavirus pandemic has been picking up cross stitching again. I have done some small pieces in the past but had abandoned it in the face of motherhood and fast-paced social media. As I tried to spend more time putting down my phone, I started on a cross stitch pattern. It is massive and may take me an entire year to complete, but I’m so proud I have already stuck with it for this long!
- I think I survived the worst summer of my life. Guys. It was really stressful. I have never been in such a bad place mentally. I was struggling with the fear and the unknown of both a pandemic and my husband’s job in law enforcement. I was struggling through some major medication side effects and just generally down in the pits. I’ve never prayed or journaled so much in my life, and I think that my hope may have dried up entirely. Praise be to God who never abandoned me and has led me through it. I don’t feel 100%, but I feel a lot better than I did one month ago!
Theo
- Most people want to know how work is going for Theo. Many people also assume that since there are no active protests, work has returned to normal for Theo. Well, the truth is that things are just really difficult for police officers right now. The best way I can explain it is that moral is very low. There is little support and little motivation to do well on the job. They feel hurt, ostracized and insulted on a regular basis. Still, Theo continues to perform his tasks with diligence and patience. He continues to find strength in the Lord and encouragement from outside of the job.
- Theo found a true hobby this summer…buying and fixing up rental houses! We worked together a lot, but Theo did ALL the behind the scenes work and most of the fixer upper work himself. He has an incredibly mind for business and budgeting and finance and it has really been put into practice these past few months!
- Theo tore his hamstring one year ago this month. He still walks with a limp and has some significant pain in leg, but for the most part is back to 100% normal activity. We are so thankful that the tear was not as bad it could have been and did not require surgery.
