My life

I don't do the personal writing thing much simply because most of my life revolves around 3 other people.  But, I felt like there were some things to share and maybe you could help keep me accountable with them.  First of all, I've started RUNNING!  You heard me correct, it wasn't a typo.  Rhianna Garber has started running.  My friend Erin and I decided to start a running program called Couch 2 5K.  It starts out slow and builds up over 9 weeks and hopefully at the end I'll be able to run a full 5K!  I never in my right mind thought it would be fun to do such a thing but so far it isn't too bad.  We run around 9:15 p.m. after all of the kids are in bed. We have recruited some other runners (from Desloge) and we're trying to turn it into a competition of Bolivar vs. Desloge.  The details are still in the works, but all of us are running and there might be an actual race for us to run in at the end of October. 
Now that you have picked yourself up off the floor from my running statement, I'll share my other need for accountability.  Ellen and I are going to be starting a "home school" preschool on Monday.  I use the term home school VERY loosely!  Tim and I found ourselves haveing to make a decison that we didn't think was going to be that hard.  We had to decide what we wanted to do with Ellen this year, as far as school went.  She's old enough to go to preschool at the public school or at the private Christian school here in town.  If she went it would mean that she could go to kindergarten next year.  That would mean she would be one of the youngest in her class.  The teacher in me knew she would be okay, but could do so much more if we waited.  The "worldly parent" in me wanted to send her because everyone else was sending their kid.  After much prayer, we knew it would be best if we waited another year.  With all that said, I found an amazing Christian preschool curriculum online.  The best part is that it's totally FREE!  The site has everything that I would need including a curriculum map for the full 36 weeks.  (It will go right along with Tim's school year)
The program covers everything from character traits to bible stories/verses/songs to numbers, letters, and even tying shoes!  I'm really excited to get started with her.  I've been in the attic pulling out stuff that I think I can use over these next several months.  Ellen is very excited to get started.  She asks everyday when we're going to get to use the school stuff.  : )
So, please keep us in your prayers.  I know this is what God is calling me to do right now and I want to honor and glorify Him every day. 

Monkey See Monkey Do

Tim was doing push ups and sit ups last night.  Before long the two girls were joining in.  It's hard to tell, but both girls felt like they needed to take off their shirts to be just like daddy.  Oh my!

Nice leg work Ellen, Sophia needs a little work  : )

Later on I found them both reading on the couch.  She's turning into a real daddy's girl and I love it!

Daddy-Daughter Camping

Tim and his friend Carl had planned a daddy-daughter camping trip a few weeks ago.  Everything was set to go and the weather turned super hot!  So, they decided to turn a camping trip into a sleepover!  Tim and Ellen hopped into Tim's truck and went to Carl and Myleigh's house in Marshfield.  They loaded up their bikes and fishing poles, got some traveling music, and were ready to go. 

Tim and Ellen packed and ready to go.  Ellen was so excited to be doing something with her daddy.  She knew that daddy liked camping and that she wanted to do it too.  She looks up to Tim so much and I love watching him play/teach/work with her. 

Ellen and Myleigh playing dress up

Pancake breakfast courtesy of Mr. Carl

Brosius' Going Away Party

We had a going away party for our dear friends the Brosuis' at the park a few weeks ago.  The kids had so much fun despite the HEAT! 

Silly Maddie

Silly Cora and Maddie

The dirt was so much fun to play in

Sweet Zemma

Shanna and Baby Joslynn  /   Maisie

The kids on the merry-go-round

See ya later!

We were very sad to see our friends leave Bolivar, but we know that the Lord has amazing plans for them in Topeka. (Ellen calls it Peka)  I could spend a lot of time writing about the Brosius family but I'm not quite prepared to do that, so maybe in another post. 

We love you Luke, Laura, Maddie, & Zemma (and Meg)

Sisters are great!

The girls have so much fun in the bath together.  Not only do they have fun in the bath, but they are starting to play together really well.  It's so sweet to watch from the other room; as Ellen asks Sophia if she wants to come to her room to play.  I love that they are starting an amazing relationship that is only going to get stronger as they grow up.  Sisters are great!

Tomatoes

We have had tomatoes coming out of our ears!  Tim planted and we have received.  For the past few weeks we have been bringing in at least this many EVERY DAY!!!!  Amazingly enough they disappearing as quickly as they appear, and we haven't given that many away.  It's starting to slow down a little bit, but now we're getting the big slicing ones.  I guess we will be having a lot of BLT's soon.  BLT's just makes me think of summer!

Bible School

It's been a while since I blogged last, but there have been a lot of things going on around here.  The first thing that I wanted to post about was our AWESOME bible school.  This year we did

High Seas Expedition Exploring the Mighty Love of God. 

We had such a great time.  The kids had a blast and our workers were amazing!  Thanks again to everyone who was a part of this wonderful week.

Isn't that amazing!

These were the characters for the week.

Snacks

Ellen listening to the lesson.  She was big enough this year to participate with the preschool group.  She LOVED it!

The Sunday following VBS the kids led worship with the songs they had learned.  Ellen was super excited to be up on the stage.  We might have a star on our hands!  : )

By the way, she said she couldn't wear her red shirt one more time.  I wasn't willing to die on that hill that morning, so she wore a dress.  : )