Hopeless it is to try and catch this blog up.  First off, my main excuse is that our home computer is off right now.  It's caught some bugs, and needs to be purged.  Not working, and honestly it could be a blessing from God!  I only have computer access with Matt's laptop when he's home and not using it.  We do have a laptop for Johnny's RVA schoolwork, but I don't want to be using it for my surfing.....don't want it full of cookies and junk.  SO, the real downside to all this is that we have lots of pictures from the last few weeks and I can't download any of them yet.  Now that you are all used to seeing pics.  :(

I'm going to just have to touch on what's happened here lately and what's coming up.....for those whom this interests. 

1.  Sent my folks back to Korea.  It was great to see them, and Leah has mentioned them in conversation almost daily since then.  I'm glad to see some memories solidified a bit in her mind.  I am confident as well that they liked their little nest in the North Woods enough that we'll get them back whenever possible! 

2.  We have been getting our produce deliveries from the CSA farm weekly.  I've been cooking and enjoying vegetables that I'd never even heard of before.  Also loving the farmer's market on Saturdays when I can get there.  And because I'm never going to get around to posting about the books I read which sent me down this road.....I'll go ahead and say what I read.  "Animal, vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver.  Great read!  In fact, if I had to pick my best two reads of 2007, it would have been this book and the Marsden bio of Jonathan Edwards.   Anyway, AVM has turned me into somewhat of a "locavore" (eating locally grown food).  And with food and fuel prices what they are, it makes even more sense than when I first read it last fall.  Anyway, everyone should read it....it's not only informative, but it's actually a really interesting and enjoyable book as well. 

3.  Anna turned 6!  She is growing up a ton this summer.  It's frightening sometimes.  We had a small family birthday party for her....plus a few neighbors.  She and Johnny both have eschewed the typical birthday cake b/c they don't care for tons of frosting.  She picked a rich bundt cake called "Too Much Chocolate" and asked me to put a few frosting flowers on it.  It was SO good.  And she wanted Littlest Pet Shop stuff for her birthday, and that's what she got!  They've all been playing with it.  Oh, and she wanted a hula hoop.  They've all been doing that too, and it always makes me laugh to watch it!  We were blessed again yesterday when the family who was responsible for pretty much her entire adorable summer wardrobe in hand-me-downs showed up at family camp with 3 bags of fall/winter stuff.  And shoes!  The girl is going to be dressed to the 9's for the next year.    A. Beth sent a pair of shoes straight out of a little girl's dreams!  I'm going to try and post a link to a pic of them later.  So cute!

4.  It's family camp.  The time of year when Matt is out from morning to night....oh wait, he's been doing that for a couple months now.  It's been unusually cool.....I thought for sure we'd get some high 80s here in August, but it feels like fall right now!  It's so cold in the morning and evenings that we have to put sweatshirts on!  Crazy.  Anyway, at least I'm done in the nursery now.  We have 2 more full weeks, 2 short camps and summer will be over.  Wow, that really flew by.

5.  And lastly, we started school yesterday.  We're keeping it flexible b/c obviously we're still in a summer schedule and out at camp alot.  But, I felt like with 2 weeks of trips in Sept/Oct, we had to start getting the work done.  There is plenty that is going to be challenging about school.  I'll update soon.  But, it's going to be good for us I think!  The kids seemed to enjoy it yesterday.  Everyone had a positive attitude, including me.  We got everything done, even though we started late and ended up having to take Leah to the clinic where we discovered she has strep throat.    Poor Leah.  And poor us for having to go to the walk-in.  Ugh.  Actually, it was the quickest trip through the walk-in that I've ever experienced so far!  The PA was actually friendly and non-patronizing.  She agreed with me that it was unnecessary to make poor Leah have the throat swab since she A. had the rash all over her belly B.  had a nasty, nasty looking throat  C.  had a bright red, painful right ear that needed to be treated D.  had a fever for a couple days with no other cold symptoms and E. had our neighbor with whom she plays test positive for strep yesterday.  I appreciated that.  Typically the walk-in forces every possible test known to man on you, and if you balk at anything, they get their backs up and make you do even more!  So, I liked this lady.  And, so did Leah, who was in no mood to have her sore throat scratched.

Alright, sorry this has been so late.  I'll try and post more this weekend. 

I enjoyed stopping by and seeing all the pics you have from this summer on your blog. YOur little girls sure are getting big!

Carol

I can't believe our girls are growing up so fast. Rachel will be 6 tomorrow.

I hope you're enjoying the last part of summer, and that Leah is feeling better. I know that around our parts, anyway, there has been a lot more stuff going around than normal.