4 Day Weekend

The summer cold skipped me but not husband. Man Cold Alert. Saturday Aidan coughed ALL. DAY. LONG. We went to visit Ashley and drop off a few things for her NEW CLASSROOM!!! Yayyyyy!!!! We took the kiddos on their very first fishing expedition. A trout farm. Pretty much guaranteed a fish-we were done in like 15 minutes. Sunday we went to church and I can't remember the rest... I think I let Mr. Man Cold nap all afternoon. Sunday night I went to see The Help with a girlfriend. Monday we went to the State Fair. Tuesday the kids got their back to school hair cuts and we met my friend Laura and her kids at John's Incredible Pizza. Tomorrow is our school BBQ, pep rally and drop off supplies/meet the teacher night. I'm totally in denial about school starting next week. These photos are completely out of order and I don't feel like re-arranging them. Oh and Abby lost another tooth.

Summer Colds

Look!!! We had all 4 kids under the same roof!!!

We went to the beach





I get beat up at physical therapy. Graston Tool. I posted about it on facebook. I HATE the Graston Tool.

and now the kids are getting over their little summer colds and I feel like I am getting it. I took next Mon and Tues off so we can go to the State Fair and do some last minute family fun before school starts. I've never been to the State Fair and neither have the kids....

Thinking....

Friday I cooked a meal and delivered it to a family I don't even know. I just heard people were needed to rotate making and delivering home-cooked meals. The mom is dying and they have three daughters, ages 16, 13, 10. My heart has been so heavy the past few days thinking of them. The husband and daughters. Not to mention the Mother. The anguish. The hurt. It reminds me of the lyrics in the Blessings song- what if the trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise.... and we know the pain reminds this heart that this is not our home.
Also thinking and praying about the suffering of others. So much of it. Everywhere. Cancer, children and families suffering in Africa, people who can't seem to find work, pay their bills, or get access to healthcare. Sometimes I feel surrounded by grief and truly raw emotions. What if that was us, or when will it be us, thankful and blessed, non deserving, inadequate, selfish. My mind just goes off the beaten path.

I started physical therapy last week for achilles tendonitis. I have it in both ankles from running. It's gotten to the point where I have trouble walking. The lump on the left side is bigger than the right although when she was working on the right side- it hurt far worse. Friday night the kids had a birthday party and Saturday morning was another birthday party. River rock was delivered to finish backyard projects. Oh and my mom took the kids back to school shopping last week- what a treat! The little man LOVES his batman raincoat.

Whew! What a week....

Abby's very first church (day) camp this week! She LOVED it. She was so excited she hardly slept the first few nights. They sent us a package of information prior to camp with details on drop off, pick up, field trips etc. One of the items included a box to have each camper do 'chores' around the house to earn money to raise for Haiti. Let me tell you, our girl is the best laundry helper EVER. She also has a big, big heart. She came in one evening and told me she wanted to give all the money she had to Haiti- which was $1.75. I thought my heart was going to burst right then and there.
Monday after work the kids and I had a play date/dinner so we were out late. Tuesday night I hosted our reunion committee meeting so another late night. Wednesday and Thursday I was able to get a jump start on house cleaning after work so that I wasn't stuck doing it all weekend. Although I have yet to decide what is worse, working all day and then cleaning house or using up your day(s) off to do it.
Rick had barkdust delivered and bless his heart he worked his hiney off all day Wednesday.
Friday Abby's church camp only went until noon so I worked a short day, picked her up, we got groceries and then picked up Aidan to get his stitches out. Quick dinner and bath and then hauled them back to the church for her evening celebration for the end of camp. Saturday spent at home- kids played and I had a huge to do list of chores and misc items I needed to accomplish. Today was Sunday School duty- we only had 6 kids!!! I've been feeling like I am coming down with a cold so I read the paper, made some salsa, and lunches for everyone and took a nap. We took the kids bike riding, ran some errands and then Abby told Rick that "Mommy needs a night off and deserves a break, we should go out for dinner." Although sweet, she's been wanting to go to Red Robin and she hasn't been thrilled with what I've cooked lately. I did get the night off so kudos to her!!!
This was on her door last week. I think it's meant for Aidan but I'm keeping it up. FOREVER.

Stitches out

Gets to take them home

First day of camp

New leveled front yard with new grass

wall he built

goose egg. In one week= stitches, super glued his fingers and whacked his head

last day of camp