Meg's Memo

. . .writings from Wilmington.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Father's Day 2025

Happy Father's Day to one of THE best Dad's ever!

We woke up in Surf City. Jake had lots of thoughtful cards with kid's art as well as some gifts to open. We had homemade cinnamon rolls and fruit for breakfast.  We then enjoyed a few hours out at the beach. The beach house is booked this week so we cleaned it up and headed to Wilmington. We watched Lily's 2 ECVA volleyball games, had dinner at Crofton's Pretzels, followed by a movie night at home. 
The kids & I are so thankful for Jake. He is a wonderful father and leads by example.




 

Friday, June 13, 2025

Lily Anne, F I F T E E N

Happy 15th Birthday to Lily! 

My how the years go by quickly, I remember this day like it was yesterday. 
Today we celebrated Lily! It is so fun as she gets older and loves to create in the kitchen. She made us crepes this morning for her birthday. We did a few errands and shopping before she headed to a graduation party. Later in the afternoon we drove out to Surf City for the weekend. Dinner was at Fancy Sushi followed by an icebox cake for a birthday dessert.

Crepes for her birthday breakfast

Birthday dinner at Fancy Sushi

Icebox Cake created and made by Lily

Lily also invited her group of friends out for a beach day on Saturday. We did not get the weather we had hoped for but the kids made the most of it. It rained off and on ALL day, even stormed. They all played in the rain, mostly volleyball, and had a blast!

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

10 years at My Employees

Sunday June 15, will mark TEN years that Jake has been working at My Employees. A few times over the years, I have tried to find the post about when he took this job and each time I realize that I never actually did a blog post about this BIG job change. It did make Instagram. In hindsight, no blog post was probably due to being rather busy with little kids and also how quickly the transition was from a WCA teacher to the Art Director at My Employees. So on this ten year anniversary, I am going to write down this story. This blog is our family photo album, but also a way that we REMEMBER how God has directed and provided for our family. This was a major Ebenezar, stone of remembrance, for our family. Many times, while retelling the details of 2015, I have been struck with how 2015 was a crazy year of changes and transitions and experiencing God's faithfulness.


It was a Thursday evening in late May of 2015, just 3 days before Ella's 3rd birthday. The kids were in bed and Jake casually mentioned to me, "what if next year is my last year teaching." I was trying to not have a completely shocked face as I nonchalantly asked, "what do you think you would want to do instead of teaching?" Remember that in July of 2014 we took MAPP to become foster parents. In October of 2014, we decided that I would be staying home full time as we welcomed more kids. We did this as a step of obedience, but it also did not make sense on paper for me to not have a part time job, Jake is on a teacher's salary and our family is welcoming more children. Back to our conversation... Jake said he was interested in video production for a church, graphic design or possibly police work.  We decided we would pray about it; he would have a whole school year to look for options and plan. 

Well that Sunday morning, 3 days later, our friend Teena approached Jake at church. She told Jake that the graphic designer at her workplace was fired on Friday and Jake should apply ASAP. I was serving in the church nursery that morning. When Jake told me this afterwards, I was shocked. We had mentioned this to no one. It had only been 3 days. We hadn't really even had time to pray about it. Jake decided to pursue this. He called the employer, updated his resume, applied for the job, and started the interview process. He had some homework to do - a couple videos to create, to show them what he was capable of. 

The timing of all this can only be explained by God and His sovereignty. This was the only couple of weeks out of the school year that Jake was not under a teaching contract. The WCA school year had just ended. They were in the midst of out-service. When Jake's administrator asked him about signing a contract for the next school year, Jake let him know that he was interviewing for another position and would need another week or so. Also during this 2 week period, we were at a Child Family Team meeting and that day we found out that Serenity was on the way. Benny's birth parents were expecting another child and she was about 12 weeks along.

God's blessing's are not always financial, but this new job was a big financial blessing as we went from a family of 4 to a family of 6 all in 2015. Another blessing was that Jake was home every single night for dinner. Jake previously had a lot of responsibilities with athletics at WCA and this kept him at the gym and field a lot of evenings and some weekends. We were also able to make some other changes for our family, that God had previously stirred in our hearts.

"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."  Psalm 118:23

Today, Jake was appreciated for his 10 years.




Sunday, June 8, 2025

Grandma's Visit

 

We just enjoyed 10 days with Grandma here in NC! A very fun visit since she has typically been here in the fall or winter. Grandma flew in on Thursday, May 28. We headed out to Surf City that first weekend and of course we hit Daybreak Donuts one afternoon.

Jake & Benny are building a small fishing dock.

We celebrated Ella's 13th birthday and remembered what would have been my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary. Also happy to report that we kept Grandma from getting sunburn with the help of an SPF hat, SPF shirt, sunscreen and our Shibumi!

Mom and Jake constructing Ella's homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches.

A birthday dinner at Sear's Landing.

Sunday, June 1, we did a tour of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital. The kids and I did this years ago, possibly 2017 or 2018. I am having a hard time remembering and finding photos. This was very fun and educational for all of us.

An afternoon boba date at Tap Tea Bar, here in Wilmington.

Shopping

Other fun activities not pictured: ALL the volleyball games we watched, many games of Life and Ticket to Ride, a pedicure date, walks at the park, and a second weekend with 2 more beach days in Surf City.

Dinner at our local favorite - Island Delights


We love you, Grandma! Come again soon.

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Ella Taylor, T H I R T E E N

Celebrating T H I R T E E N !

Birthday breakfast request: crepes

Opening gifts

A fun day at the beach - also GRANDMA is here!

She was also here the day Ella was born.


Birthday dinner at Sear's Landing


After dinner we headed back to the beach house. Kids had a fun evening playing with the neighborhood gang. They played volleyball, "killer" and any other creative game they could come up with. In between games, the kids came up to the porch and had homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches rolled in sprinkles, Ella's yummy creation.

Happy 13th Birthday, ELLA TAYLOR!


Sunday, May 25, 2025

My Employees Champions Trip 2025 to Clearwater, FL

 

Once again this year, Jake & I were invited on the My Employees Champions Trip. What a gift these yearly trips are; although Jake works very hard all year to earn his invitation on to the trip. We were counting and reminiscing that this is the NINTH trip we have been on with My Employees.
MEXICO: 2017, 2018, 2019
2020 Jake opted to not attend the fall trip to Boone, NC 
MEXICO 2023, 2024

This year the trip was to Clearwater, FL. We flew in to Tampa on Sunday, May 18. Enjoyed our 6 days at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater, FL and then flew home on Friday, May 23.

I was able to visit a Burn Boot Camp in Largo, FL on Monday morning. 
Just a short 10 minute drive from the resort.

Clear Sky Cafe was our favorite breakfast spot.

We enjoyed the beach every morning and the pool in the afternoon.


We love a good Poke Bowl.

Tuesday morning Jake found Parlor Doughnuts.
A 1 mile bike ride from the resort.


Tuesday night the whole group attended the Tampa Bay Rays baseball game vs the Houston Astros. Tampa Bay tied it up in the 8th inning and won it with a walk off base hit.

Wednesday morning Jake went golfing with the guys. That evening we ate dinner at Bavaro's, a yummy brick oven pizza place. It was very fun to basically walk everywhere that week. 


Thursday evening we had a group dinner at Island Way Grille. The food was absolutely incredible.


So proud of Jake and his hard work ethic. His job has drastically changed since he was initially hired. In fact, next month, he celebrates 10 years at My Employees. We are very thankful for his company's generosity and the time away we enjoy on these trips.

And while we were enjoying our time away; the kids were having a blast with friends.



A BIG thanks to Jacob & Georgia and Adrian!




Friday, May 23, 2025

Last Day of School 2025


Last day of School 2024-2025