Introductions.

It's hard to believe I have a little over a week left here in Ireland. I have had a fantastic time, with much thanks due to the Scherrers; so I thought I'd give you a much overdue introduction to the people who have been my "family" for the past 2 months.

Following the family on a windy day at the Hill of Tara.

Matt and Carole have served at Victory Bible Camp for quite a while now, so I've known them since my early teenage years. Matt worked with my dad both at camp and as a part of the local emergency medical techs and is himself a paramedic. He has worn different hats at Victory and is currently in a maintenance role. His diverse experience has helped here at Drewstown as Matt has taken the reigns in leading our little band of renovators. With an avid sense of humor, you can see where their kids have inherited the twinkle of mischief in their eyes.
Carole has also had a hand in the running of camp at Victory, but is usually a stay-at-home mom to their six children -a full time job in and of itself. She has jumped in on any and all of the projects with an eager attitude to learn, another trait I see being passed on to their kids. In my humble opinion, she is an amazing cook, especially when there are so many mouths to feed, and has been the scheduler and task manager for our entire stay. Besides mother, Carole wears a teacher hat as well, schooling the five kids still at home. Their oldest, Alaura, is off at her first year of college in Wyoming and loving it from the updates the family receives. Which brings me to the rest of the brood...

Wandering the beach in Co. Wexford.

This is Miss Karina the Elusive. She doesn't like posing for pictures, so this is as much of her beautiful face as I managed to capture. She is a mature 16 years and I have been enjoying her gentle and quiet spirit. Known for her knack for knitting, she is also a talented baseball player and musically gifted, playing the violin and singing in the Alaska Children's Choir with all the rest of her siblings. She loves her Packers and puts my meager football knowledge to shame.

Batting practice. Gotta keep up the skills. 

Standing at six feet and still growing is 15 year old Drew the Steadfast. He is also a baseball player with a pitch that leaves most of his family opting out of playing practice catcher. He enjoys watching and playing many other sports such as football, soccer and hurling, and has been quick to catch on to the rules of rugby during the televised games that we've caught while in Ireland. Besides choir, Drew stretches his musical muscles by teaching himself guitar and violin. He is one smart cookie as well, and his sharp whit and steady character contribute well to the balance in the family.

Tessa Grace.

Oh, Miss Tessa the Impetuous, I love this kid; I can see traces of my childhood self in her. She has such a sense of humor and enjoys making people laugh. Tessa loves horses and animals of all kinds and, like all the kids, misses their dog Jake who is 'vacationing' with the grandparents in California while the family is in Ireland. Tessa appears to have a healthy appetite for books; though somewhat less of an enthusiastic participant in schoolwork (I can so relate), she is very smart and has an acute attention to detail on activities she enjoys. Though she loves to be part of the fun, I feel she is the Observer in the family, she notices things others miss; another trait I can relate to.

Water boy.

Taking a breather. 

Clint the Inquisitive feels like an understatement. So many questions. About everything. All the time. Clint is a 10 year old ball of energy who is only still when sleeping -maybe. He has a sound effect for everything and is constantly singing or humming or making up a song to whatever phrase is stuck in his head. Everything for Clint is hands on. He has quite the engineering mind, loves creating new projects in the wood shop and is quite the helper when it comes to tasks in the house. When given the chance, he'll lace up his cleats and burn off some energy with a soccer ball.

My little tour companion.

Molly and Sparky.

Miss Molly the Spunky is the youngest Scherrer. Having just turned 9, she does her very best to keep up with all her elder siblings. She has a bright and curious mind and is also a book eater. On our recent trip south she and I took the tour at the Waterford Crystal factory where she had no trouble striking up conversation with our tour guide. I recalled a nickname given me when I was a child and thought it suitable to pass on to this kiddo: Chatterbox. Molly is a people-person and her love language is definitely touch -she's a hugger.



So these are the people who have graciously let me invade their family. I have enjoyed my time getting to know them more and learning the different personalities of the kids -for they are each certainly their own person. I have never been a part of a big family like this; it shall feel strange to go back to Alaska and have it be so quiet with just me and the parents. I might need to get a dog just to cause some ruckus from time to time.

And to the Scherrer Family: thank you for letting me follow you around endlessly. I shall miss it.