life...

I'm missing Medellin today. I feel a void in my heart. A need to see luxurious greenery while on a walk. A need to laugh with Vicky, shop with Vicky, listen to Vicky's heart and sing with Vicky to Celine Dion's CD. I miss Vicky. Please keep her in your prayers as she's going through a difficult time right now. You can specifically pray for her sister, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer this past week. We know our God is BIG and wants to heal her. Bruce and I are praying for a miracle!

Everyone is gone from our home now. Mother left this morning. The house is an absolute wreck and my desire to pick it up and then clean it is pretty low. However, I must get it done today to bring some order to our home.

I took Josh and Bella shopping today. Abi loved the ride in the cart at Target. We got most of Bella's school supplies and Josh some new, school clothes. I can't believe they will be in school a week from today. The Summer months flew by. I can't remember ever being sad that my kids were going back to school. By the end of most Summers, I like school to begin for the kids...they do too! However, this year it's different. Josh and Bella feel they need more time with friends to play. I'm secretly believing they will miss me a ton. ;) I just want them near. I got used to these crazy kids being near and love the sweet memories we made each day this Summer!

Josh is officially taller than me. Mother measured him and he stood 5 feet 1 1/2 inches tall. He's passed me up by just over 1/2 inch. Bella is a whopping 3'9" and is wearing a size 5 in school clothes!! She finally graduated to the "big girl" clothes. I love that she's so petite! Josh is a bit nervous about 7th grade but after the first week, he will love it! He's a great student! He works hard and it shows! He will be in the band again this year and play percussion. Bella will repeat 1st grade this year at Waters Elementary and be blessed again with Mrs. Tickle as her teacher! She did well last year and passed but we feel that she benefit in taking 1st grade another year. She's excited!

Sweet Abi will (hopefully) attend Little Wings, childcare located in our church. I'm hoping to have her there on Wednesday's and so that I can attend Ladies Bible Study and have a day to run errands, have lunch with friends, etc. She went into the nursery yesterday (her first time at City View with us) and did great! She loves being around other children!

Speaking of Abi's first church service with us (at our church)...we arrived a bit late because the morning seemed to magically fly by me!

Let me back up...Saturday night, the night before church, our main breaker went out and was smoking. Mother took Josh and Bella to the Henthorn's and I started packing by candle light. We were all planning to go to the Henthorn's and spend the night. Abi was in her pack-n-play next to me and thought it to be odd that I was scurrying around her in the dark. Once I got everyone packed, the electrician had the air and electricity back on. I was beyond tired. Mom and Bella stayed at the Henthorn's. Josh slept in Bella's bed because the box that was smoking earlier was right outside his bedroom. He knew the techniques for a fire drill but certainly didn't want to have to use them. Abi slept in her crib! This was her first time and she did really well. She woke one time at 1:45am and was wide awake. We sat in the living room for a few minutes,then I put her back down. She woke at 8:15am!

Back to Sunday morning...I'd forgotten how long it takes to get a baby ready for church. I really didn't think much of it but somehow the time raced by. Bella had a horrible nose bleed. Josh couldn't find the shoes he wanted to wear! At 9:35am, while still in my jammies, I realized church started in 25 minutes. We arrived at 10:25 and got to hear the last worship song and the sermon. During the break, many people came over to greet Abi. She was kissed. She was praised. She was adored and loved. When church was over, MORE people came over and did the same. She's not real big on being touched and/or especially taken to be held. She likes it to be her idea. However, I was blessed when Rachel took her and said, "Oh my gosh! I'm going to cry!" With tears streaming down her face, she said, "Oh Abi! I love you! I've prayed for you for so long. I love you!" It was precious. By the time the lobby emptied out, Abi was on overload and asleep in my arms. She was a very good girl today.

Thankful our electricity has been completely fixed (this morning) and we are sitting in a nice cool home.

Better pick up the house before my tiger lilly wakes!

Love to all!