I'm Back!

I don't know WHAT happened to the time since I last posted! Don't ask. You'd think there would be MORE free time during the summer. I'm confused.

Well, to sum up the summer, we had a blast (and some tears)! There was Hope's baptism, the Warren City Fair, trips up to Oscoda, Joe's graduation (brilliant and homeschooled, no less! go figure!), Kids N Stuff museum, Jackson fireworks, the Fourth of July family picnic, Paradox baptisms at Metro Beach, and lots of get-togethers with family (Mike's cousins came to visit from out of town).

The girls swam more than ever at Aunt Kee Kee's house, the Minelli's hotel pool and up north in Oscoda. They are big giant fishes, for sure! (The Minellis lived in a hotel for 5 weeks while their house was repaired from the elderly lady across the street crashing into it with her minivan.)

We were sad to say goodbye to our dear friends, Aaron and Jenn Gross, but so very proud of the work they are diving into down in Mexico! I can't believe one of my best friends is a missionary!!! So incredible! (You can read more about them and what they're doing on their web site: http://web.mac.com/aaronsgross/iWeb/our%20site/home.html.)

Trinity went back to school, starting with a half-day on the Tuesday after Labor Day. (She kept using her hand to divide her face in half, while telling people she had a half-day of school. Too cute.) It's been a few weeks, and I think she's finally back into the groove of the school day. I could tell she was enjoying school by the things she would say, but still the first couple weeks were filled with her asking if she could please be homeschooled again and that she missed mommy and daddy too much during the day. I told her that maybe we can try homeschooling again next year, but for this year she stays put. These last couple days, there's been no whining and when I woke her up, she was in good spirits, instead of dragging her feet. She told Mike and I that she won a race in gym class the other day, even against the boys. That girl is quick!

OK, I can't catch up all at once. Next post will be about me going back to school, the girls' medical tests, Cherry's schooling and Awana.