A Great First Week

We all survived the first week of school. I cannot tell you how nice it is to only have one stop in the morning- and no extra stops in the afternoon! Leaving at 3:10 to go home is going to be such a blessing this year. We were all able to get back into the swing of things pretty easy. Derek and I are trying to be a little more diligent about getting the kids settled in a little earlier, and dance seems to be working out better this year. 

I have the BEST job in the world for a working MOM!! It is so nice to get to pop over and see Jackson in his Kindergarten class! He is always so surprised to see me; probably not as excited as I am to see him. He is doing great. We love his teacher, and she is so good with him. He has already had homework, worked on a story, and started writing words.

 Macey and Briley started back to Saturday afternoon rehearsals. I snapped this today when I dropped them off. I am so happy that they are close. I also celebrate that they both love to dance and encourage each other. They are off to a great start at school as well- both like their teachers and classes.

Friday was kind of neat around here. It was Jasper's last "first high school football game"; I happened to be pulling up to meet my cheerleaders when he was getting on the football bus. I LOVE his Gamecock shirt. He finally broke down and told me today that he would indeed miss us when he went to the University of South Carolina next June. For months, he has been telling us he will not miss us- HA! It seems crazy to me that just 4 short years ago I was so worried about him playing Varsity football his freshman year, and now we are on the college countdown!

A neat experience that my family was able to help out with last week- I came in contact with a family that needed furniture. Long story there, but they are basically starting over. Don't ever let anybody tell you that Facebook is not a powerful thing. I just happened to put on Facebook a request for any extra furniture out there- That was on a Wednesday. On Thursday, I received 2 calls that furniture was available- Derek, I, Lawrence and Jap delivered a UHAUL truck full of furniture to them on Saturday. It was such a blessing and a great lesson for Jap and Lawrence.  It is so humbling to be able to give to people, and share with them the blessing of giving!

I cannot believe we are at the end of August. My family is excited that Fall is coming. Around here that means festivals, football, holidays, and fun times with family. It was actually a little cool Friday morning, and it has only been in the 80's. What a nice Fall teaser.

Crazy stuff going on with tropical storms and hurricanes here- hopefully they will all bypass us and we will not have to miss any school! I do not want make-up any days this year! For once it looks like we have a great weather day / holiday schedule.

Blessings for a great week!

It's the Last Friday Off for the Teachers

 There has been a LOT of rest around here this summer! Everybody has been fighting for this exact spot! This guy usually wins though! And should you try to beat him, he has moves that will adjust you appropriately!

I think I may qualify for the worst BLOG poster ever! We had a major technology upgrade around here and it has taken awhile to sync all new phones, computers, and various other digital equipment! Part of me needed the break, part of me missed it, and FACEBOOK seems to be so much quicker! And Instagram- you have to LOVE that! One day I will do the link-up (I think!)

 Briley - up early EVERY morning ready to go!

 A Summer wedding for one of our long time friends- Macey and Jap kept themselves entertained with their phones- they are so important!

 Briley was actually in the wedding with her Dad- that was super cute!

 Excited to be heading to camp Macey?

 At Camp- Jackson is the BOSS-

 Jackson built quite a few Lego friends at camp this year!

 Eclipse and Lilo tolerating one another! Lilo just keeps saying "I'm glad it's not another cat!"

 This is what happens when Briley gets a hold of Jackson! BEWARE!

 Macey at camp - all smiles! This was her last year in middle school- next year she will be in HIGH SCHOOL Camp!

 Media Day for High School Football 2012- I'm not sure which face I like the best! They don't pose like my cheerleaders that is FOR SURE!

 Random Camp Photos! Jackson loves it here! I think it is one of his favorite things all summer!

Leaving Camp- going Home!

 Jackson is crazy and he knows it!

 Briley working to end world hunger at summer camp!

 Eclipse- our newest family member!

It has been a whirl-wind of a summer around here! We would not trade one second of all the fun and laughter that has been going either! It's so funny to watch your kids just "play"! Not with toys, or phones, or iPads, but just stuff around the yard, or in the garage, or on the swing set!

We have had some really HOT days around here, and lately LOTS of rain! I think my grass if finally happy! My bunny, not so much, but my gardens finally look well hydrated. The girls have discovered tanning, so it's funny to listen to them time the right time to lay out!

We are looking forward to FALL and some COOL air! We were in Lowe's the other day and there were already fall decorations (pumpkins and such) out. It's amazing how much consumerism goes into each new season. It looks like we might have a heavy hurricane season for the months of August and September. We can still use the rain. I think our aquifer is still 3 or 4 feet below where it needs to be. 

It's a little sad that the summer is ending, but with that brings some big changes for us- Jap will be a Senior this year! AMAZING.. I remember what seems like yesterday I was so nervous as I dropped him off at Wolfson his first day of high school. That time has flown by and he has flourished! We are so excited about his Senior Year! Football is in full swing, so his days are consumed with work, practice, eating, and sleeping!

Macey and Briley are already back at dance! Our schedule is a little better this year with a few more late starts! They like the routine and I think are glad to be back as well. The true test will come when they start school in 2 weeks!

Jackson is going to Kindergarten with me this year. He is super excited and so smart! It amazes me with how much he knows. His mind is just this big sponge. He is a great conversationalist too! Some of the things he says to me make me literally crack up. Today he told me that we would have to be nice guys if we wanted dinosaur sundaes after church Sunday!

I read some really great books this summer. I would strongly suggest them for some reflective and thoughtful reading:

The Resolution for Women, P. Shirer

bringing up Boys, Dr. James Dobson

Battlefield of the Mind, Joyce Meyer

Forgotten God, Francis Chan

One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp

Parenting Collection, Dr. James Dobson

It's great to read something and think- Wow! You are doing what's right!

We had some great accomplishments this summer- we helped a few extra kids, we learned a little more about being missionaries, and we saw what it means to love your family!