it begins....

sam-5th grade.
max-4th grade.
jack-2nd grade.

wowsers.

first day. no verbal jitters from my boys. samuel was up at 5AM BURSTING with excitement. i think it may have to do with a little 4 foot something named emma?? :) max is thrilled because he has mr.cook this year who EVERYONE knows doesn't 'believe in' homework. jack was giddy because his very best friend, kaiden is in his class AND they even have desks next to each other!!
i decided that i could do without all the extra tears, which undoubtedly come every year when i drop them off in their classrooms. nothing worse for a new middle schooler than to have his MOTHER sobbing like a newborn. i love him too much to do that him and believe me, i would/do cry like that.(i'm sure they'll come a time when i WILL do that on purpose) plus, according to the boys, when you have a bus driver as cool as ours, why NOT take the bus on the first morning???!!!so, on the bus they went. the morning was exceptionally foggy so forgive the 'film' on the pic! can hardly believe that summer is here and gone. in one aspect, it flew by, and yet, in seemed to drag on at other times. as much as i LOVE having these little people here to spend my days with, it was time. time to get into a routine. time for mommy to have toilets clean for more than an hour at a time. time for all my little un-done projects to be done. time for the boys to hang out with their friends. time to re-learn all the things that have fallen by the wayside all summer. yup, it's time for ALL of us. my babies are growing up. this summer, at times i wish i could have 'bottled' this age. they are fun little creatures.
i'm so thankful that we have an amazing school here at Lynden Christian! these teachers go above and beyond to teach these children the important things in life! we are blessed....

my gina...

we have had the honor of having my dear, dear cousin, gina staying with us for 10 days. she was the easiest house guest that i have ever had. let me introduce you to her.....
she didn't ask for much. she felt free to invade my pantry at any given time. she stayed up late with me watching 'teen flicks' that my husband would never waste his time watching. she fit right in with my friends. she let my boys be boys. never complained (to me anyways) that they were too noisy. she can shop like no ones business. she is styling. always looks cute and put together, even when she wakes up. she takes as many pictures in a day as i do. she is kind. she has cute hair. she randomly cut my hair at weird hours of the evening, WITH A DULL KITCHEN SCISSORS. she is cool. she is trustworthy. she's going to be a total catch for some guy someday. she is dear friend. i am honored to call her one of mine.she is welcome back anytime. oh, i love this girl. i miss her.

done, accomplished, achieved....

i searched my Thesaurus and found many words that describe our emotions after the final brick was laid on our patio project....
*played out. tuckered out. fatigued. overtaxed. haggard. consumed. pooped (yup, that was in there!) sewed up. wound up. satisfied. content. joyful. gleefully. merrymaking. cheerful. PURE JOY!!! yes, we experience all those things. it was a labor of love and moments of asking each other, "what WERE we thinking"!! i posted a few pics of rye and dad laying the last bricks, just hours before the big party! i am so proud of them. thanks guys!
next year we start on the pergola over the eating area. don't tell rye, i haven't sprung that one on him yet. :)

reunion....

ok, so we love parties. a few weeks ago, rye's family had a massive family reunion. 2 of dad likkels brothers came from out of town with their kids & grandkids. since we were off camping that weekend we missed most of the festivities but were honored that we were asked to have the Saturday part of the reunion here. the day was filled with crafts and games for the kids, much coffee drinking, a healthy amount of socializing, an abundance of laughter. uncle stan & aunt lois even put together a grand game of lawn-golf. a true redneck game. (redneck in a good way! :)) the great news was that i had to do nothing but get our yard in order. i didn't have to cook...IT WAS CATERED!! :) i think the total count of folks that showed up was 114!! it was a blast! God has lavished His goodness on this family. from generation to generation He has cared and protected them. had dad been here, i'm sure he would have been proud. we sure do miss him.

i snuck upstairs and snapped a few shots. i'll see if i can track down a few more pictures from others. a good looking bunch i tell ya.

yup, parties, i love them.