During the ...

You know how sometimes you are reading a book, and it shows the passage of time by putting in these little beauties-

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Unfortunately, there should probably be a lot of those in my blogging history. I feel like the whole story of my life will be summed up into 8 or 9 recaps. Sigh. I have the best of intentions. Maybe I should at least get back to good old fashioned journal keeping. You know- for posterity. And I can do that without needing to be at the computer. 

Anywho- considering that my last blog was at the beginning of the 8 week challenge I participated in, which ended over a week ago, this is another one of those catch up blogs.

Our summer flew by. I was worried that with Josh so anxious to start kindergarten the summer would creep by at an unbearable pace. But it didn't! July was over before we knew it. The 24th was different for us this year because Steve did not do his caricature sketch booth. He was able to walk around with the kids and see the other booths and enjoy a deep fried twinkie. And I was able to actually enjoy the day and not be stressed with disappearing children and mid-day tantrums. To be honest, I was a little happy to get July over with, because I was in charge of my 10 year high school reunion, and even though it was very casual with minimal planning, it still stressed me out until it was over and done. And, even with my iPhone, I still only managed to catch like 2 pictures of the festivities. Here they are:

Teaching my kids the tradition of marching with flags to John Phillips Sousa on the 4th of July

Josh at my reunion- yep, this is the only picture I took. Lame, right?

August flew by as well with Cove Fort Days (and I actually took pictures)-

This was Abby's favorite part!

My kids and my sister's kids

On the "cozy" wagon ride

-back to school shopping, and Abby turning 3. (See the Abby turning 3 blog). Then suddenly it was time for Kindergarten. I think I was just as excited as Josh- sure, it makes me feel older than I think I am to have a school-aged child, but I can't wait for all the new experiences he has waiting for him. No tears were shed by any of us at the drop off. It was a little sadder the second week of school when he decided he was ok walking all the way to class by himself, so he only needed me to walk him to the front doors. He is loving school, reading up a storm, and thinks it is pretty awesome that he is already learning "real math" (counting, sorting, etc.)

Walking brother to school

If only he was excited for school...

"Love you brother"

And now it is September. Phew! We have been so blessed. Snow College was bracing itself for very low enrollments due to the lowered mission age for the LDS Church, so the English Department let go all of the adjunct instructors (like Steve). We scrambled for a new source of second income so that I could still be home with the kids, and Steve was able to get a job at Kent's Market for the end of the school year and through the summer. With a few murals scattered here and there, he was finally able to save up enough money to buy a second car with cash- his parents Jeep Liberty. About halfway through the summer, the college contacted Steve and let him know that enrollment numbers were much higher than they had anticipated, so they would need him to teach not one but two classes for the Fall semester. What a blessing! He is busy as can be, but it is worth it to be able to have me home with the kids.

The kids are keeping me pretty busy as well- with soccer for Josh and dance class for Abby, our calendar is full almost all week long. I guess the next phase of life has arrived. Bring it on.

Oh- and here are some adorable shots of Lizzy as a reward for perservering and reading this whole novel.