Misc.

 Hiking with Aunt Sarah, handing out donuts for the first day of school and going to a Reds game with some friends!

Art Class and Haircut...

 A few weeks ago, we went to a beautiful Art Estate that had a beautiful landscape and the children painted a landscape.  Jeremiah did a great job.  Lydia and Josiah explored the beautiful flowers and pools around the estate.

Joely got his first haircut a few weeks ago.  His sweet little curls were cut off but they are coming back!

School Begins...

 And so another school year begins...  We are already on Week #5, hard to believe!  Lydia is in Kindergarden this year, Josiah preschool and Jeremiah is in 2nd grade!  The first week of school was hard for me as the mom.  I am finding that change is hard for me, even little changes of routine.  It is hard to leave the outings and pool time and friend visits of summer and hit school routine.  I worry about the isolation for me and the discipline issues and intensity of school and keeping up house, cleaning, laundry, cooking.  I struggle worrying about the year, am I doing enough for my kids- do I have the right curriculum?  Thankfully God reminded me of Psalm 3-  You, O Lord, are a shield about me, you are my glory and the lifter of my head.  The Lord has faithfully lifted my head in thinking about a new school year!

Tuesday Happenings...

 We are stocking up for the lean winter months.  We are doing our freezer corn and today the kids helped me can peaches and pears for when fruit is scarce.  I have some great helpers these days!

 I also went to an International Dinner the other night!  It was so neat to be with other International students!  I'm looking forward to getting to know some of them better!  I agreed to be an International Friendship partner this year and am looking forward to the girl or girls God brings to us that we might be able to get to know them this year!