Before Church This Morning

Summer Rain

Ben and Emma

I wonder if these two are going to be the dynamic duo their siblings Zack and Anna were...

Emma Sleeping

Random Thoughts

• We've gotten used to not having Internet at the house. We almost went through withdrawals at first, but now, it's normal. Paul Jr. and I are amazed at how many books we have read since the Internet has been gone.
• The girls have finished their first week home since their long vacation. Most of it was good. :)
• Paul and I joined a gym and have been going about 5 or 6 times a week. It's hard. Very hard. But there is a satisfaction when you are done, knowing that you worked very hard for an hour or an hour and a half. I enjoy it very much.
• Paul leaves for Brazil a week from Saturday. He'll be gone for quite a few days. I will miss him, but I am glad I am not going. I think I would hate every minute of it.
• Emma is now a pro at walking. She walks all the time and is even climbing up on things now. She still doesn't say many words.
• Ben and Sam are busy being little boys. They play, wrestle, fight, and make loud noises. All. The. Time. But we enjoy their antics. (mostly)
• Anna is doing well in driving. I think she does a fine job. Don't ask her father.
• We have to get rid of our big dog, Sheba. She is too big and we cannot contain her. The kids are disappointed, but all of them understand.
• Zack is coming for a visit in August. Yay! It will be good to see him again.
• Ellie is not sure she is ready to start school up again. She has really enjoyed the summer, especially her vacation in Kansas with her grandparents.
• Life is busy and full. We are so blessed.

Messy Emma

Goodbyes.....

It's always hard saying goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma. :(

The Ride Home

We left Kansas Monday morning. It was only Paul and I and the three little kids, which made for a very interesting ride home. It didn't take us long to realize how much Anna and Ellie do for these little ones that we don't even think about. Putting them in their car seats, for instance, and taking them to the bathroom and a host of other things. It didn't take us long to realize it was going to be a long ride home.

This one sat in the back by himself and singlehandedly took every piece of dirty clothes out of the bag and every book and paper out of my bag. He also had to stop and use the bathroom many, many times and was always in need of food or drink.

These two were much calmer, thankfully.

We stopped for the night in Paducah, Kentucky, about halfway home. Emma loved being free in the hotel room, but she especially loved these closet doors that were mirrors. She spent alot of time in front of them kissing herself.

Ben enjoying the hotel.

And so was Sam.

Before we left Paducah the next morning, Paul let me go to the Quilters museum. I have always wanted to go and I finally made it. It was very interesting and enjoyable; however, I couldn't take any pictures inside, so these are the only two I got.

Home again- finally!

Emma taking a bath in the sink. She's almost too big, but it's so much easier to bathe her in the sink.