Joy

wow...two blogs in a day and then NOTHING for a month.  whoops!  there has never been a summer that has gone by as quickly as this one, which is reflected in my (lack of) blogging.  in times like this a short list of updates is more suitable than multiple paragraphs and an hour's worth of writing.  so in the past month...

*we went on vacation to north bed with luke, doug, mom, and their families
*kids had church kids camp
*i went on a maryland overnight
*went to maryland again for a family reunion
*i became an auntie for the 9th time
*nadia is daytime potty trained
*my hanging baskets died due to neglect
*i can now run over 3 miles without stopping
*reuben is a chunk and has two teeth
*kids signed up for soccer
*put my van up for sale for fun of it
*done more laundry that i want to think of (due to multiple vacations)
*judah shaved his head shorter than ever
*left my cell phone charger in maryland--sorry words with friends folks
*simone registered for preschool
*got an awesome deal on diapers and shoes.  140 diapers for $7 and seven pair of shoes for $168.

overall, i have this feeling of drowning.  the days go by, and i am just trying to stay above water.  dustin starts back to school today, and hopefully getting back into our school routine here at home will help me get on track with my life.

in the meantime i will continue to think on what james told the scattered tribes:

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, when you experience various test and trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  Let endurance do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing..."