Adventures of the Supersized 6

It was just 7 days, but they were the most difficult 7 days I have had in some time. We bought the van on Tuesday. I get ready to call the insurance company and as I am looking at the contract and various papers from the dealer I see that they over charged us. We came in with an internet print out for one price, and the put down the lot price which was about $1,600 more. So Wednesday morning we called, and we couldn't get it fixed till Thursday. Oy. Friday evening Madie had a guest stay the night. There was a lot going on at once. Poppy got under Aaron's feet and he stepped on her. It wasn't good, her back leg was broken. I made a few phone calls and quickly found out that the average vet bill for this injury was about $700! Big oy! A friend suggested equine tape that doesn't stick to hair and forms a shell of sorts. It is used for racing horses. We taped poppy's leg and she laid around the kitchen for most of the weekend. By Monday it seemed quiet. Noah had his first day of school, he is now a big kindergartener. He loves school so that was easy. I got a call from Jake's teacher during the day to inform me that Jake is crying during class, and showing signs of anxiety. He hadn't been to recess either. He opts to stay in the class and try to get the work he hasn't completed done. Oh, and he had yet to interact with any other students. Fast forward to that evening and all the kids and I go to soccer practice. Afterwards we walk to the van and I realize that I don't have my keys. A quick look in the side window confirms that they are next to Annika's seat. A friend and her husband stick around and for about an hour tried with a coat hanger to get the door unlocked. Meanwhile my wonderful mother in law high tails it to Aaron's work to get his key. It was dark, the kids were tired, so they were running around like maniacs. They were playing in mud puddles, and the thick brush along the gravel drive that lines the fields. Just after 9 pm success, Tim got the door open, not 2 minutes later my mother in law shows up with a key. Tuesday was to be my last day of class for the summer semester. I had to give a persuasive speech on public smoking bans, and turn in my last written report. I had the kids all take a bath, and I noticed that Madie's cheek looked a little red. I chalked it up the way she slept, or the warmth of the bath. I had agreed to meet with Jake's teacher before class, so I was already rushed. It was 8:30 and I had to be at UC at 9. As I am getting ready to go (now 8:45) I am informed that I must take Madie home. Her red cheek is now a rash. I rush her home to Aaron and make a run for school. I get there at 9:25 and sign up to be on of the last to give my speech. I was not focused on class at all. I did my best to pull it together and get through an 8 minute speech. I thought I would be lucky to get a C. I got a B. Since my professor goes by a point system and you get your grade at the end of each class I tallied my points and I got an A for my Effective Public Speaking class. My first semester of college and I pulled off a 4.0? I never did that in high school! I can't guarantee that it will be that good every semester, but at least I can say that I had a 4.0.
That night Aaron came home and before he came into the living room to greet me he asked me to close my eyes. He then presented my with a bottle of wine and a bouqet of pretty flowers that I already forgot the name of. He has been doing the laundry, making dinners that I can easily re-heat for the kids, and keeping the house under control. He deserves the flowers and wine as much as I do. But to know that he acknowledged the week I had, was amazing. It was easy to overlook that he forgot his wallet earlier that day. At least I was going out to get Noah's new glasses after he broke his after a soccer scrimmage on Saturday. I think I will keep him. Madie visited the doctor yesterday and was diagnosed with poisin ivy. Her eye was swollen shut. She was given an assortment of medications and given a note that she can miss the rest of the week if needed. She is uncomfortable, and girls are sensitive to looking like quasimodo at school. So we will see.

I plan on staying home today.... For one day I don't want to leave the house. We'll see how that goes.


TLM

Yes Yes Yes!!
A new means of getting our family from one point to another! After much research and inspecting dealerships from south Dayton to Northern Kentucky (with very cranky kids!) we found a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan. As some have pointed out when we were in the villager we looked something like clowns exiting a volkswagon at the circus. And it really did feel like that as well. I was not only becoming clostraphobic, but the villager was pushing 150K miles. We were noticing new rattles, and leaks and clunks. It was time for an upgrade. We got an amazing deal, it has next to no miles and we were in and out in about an hour.
The kids call her Ruby, and love the power doors that open for them, and the back hatch that has magical powers to open and close on its own. Truth be told Aaron and I think it is really cool too!
It doesn't seem like much when people are out there buying $50K suburbans, or mustangs, but Aaron and I couldn't be more thrilled with Ruby. And it is something that we can actually afford. I would rather have a van payment then put repairs into the good old villager.

God provides what you need when you need it!

TLM

Soccer is getting a good start for all involved. Jake is enjoying his practices, and Noah starts this next week. Madie and I are having a good time as well. So far we have 6 on our team, sounds rough for 5v5 but I am hoping that will change this weekend and we will have 7. The girls had to pick a name and color for their jerseys. Bethel's colors are Red so I gave them a choice of 3 shades, Red, a magenta/electric pink color, or powder pink. What do you think 6 little 6 year old girls would go for? Powder pink! With a strip down the shoulders with white piping. Black shorts and black socks. Then there was the name. I had found a list of soccer team names online. I printed it and gave them a choice of about 10 of those names. They unanamously voted for the Power Puffs. Oy... It is so girly I almost can't stand it. But if cuteness bears any weight on a good season then we are going to do awesome!

I am so frustrated with school I won't even go into that! It is not my class so much as it is my user error with my computer. And it wouldn't matter if I was using a PC or the Mac. The new Office 2004 is driving me crazy. I used to know what I was doing, not it has changed so much. I spent the better part of yesterday researching and typing my paper. When it came to time to format the way the assignment calls for... Well I was beating the desk and it took every ounce of me to not rip the key board off and throw it as hard as I could out my second story bedroom window. Aaron came home and sat there for nearly two hours trying to solve it himself. It is done, but still not the way either of us would like to see it. I guess there is something to be said for good out fashion hand written assignments!

Well I am off for an adventurous weekend! We are going to Coney Island for Don's company picnic. He is on the planning committee for it every year so we get in for free, and all the goodies! Horrayyy! The kids don't know, we are going to tell them that we have to help papaw with something for work and just show up there. We also have the third installment of the summer series "A Cousin's Wedding" to attend this eveing. I love that Molly is having her wedding at 7:30pm! You get to have a day before hand. Way to Molly! Congrats!!

TLM

Ok, so I blinked and it is now pushing the middle of August. As you may know, I have been pretty busy lately. My speech class is very demanding of me mentally. The first two weeks were very painful. This week got better. I have two and half weeks left so that is what is keeping me going. I did pull off an A in my history class, and so far I have been getting A's on all my speech assignments, so I am pleased. If I can keep it up for the next 5 classes then I will be in good shape with a 4.0 GPA for this semester.

Meanwhile back at the fields... I held my team meeting with the parents and girls who are going to be on mine and Madie's team. They are all adorable and the parents all seemed wonderful. They decided on being the Power Puffs, and our jerseys will be pink with black lettering, black shorts and black socks. Madie's pink and black cleats will look adorable. This is the way it is with a handful of 6 year old girls, it is all about pink, ponnies, and kittens. We start practice on Monday. I am looking forward to a fun season. Which is the main goal of doing this. To teach the girls something about the game, but to have FUN.

Ministry News... I recieved the curriculum we are going to be using for the new children's ministry. I had a meeting at my house this week and a few phone calls were made to families who had previously been in and out of the church. Some said that they had wanted to attend but the lack of programing kept them from coming. I am thrilled that we are putting together a solid program that will draw these families into what I hope will be a consistant attendance. When I placed my first order I based it off of the kids that regularly come, with the thought that I can always order more. But we decided to go ahead and plan for plenty of extra's so I have more stuff coming which is really exciting. We will start registration this week and that will give us a better number. The idea that we are going to offer children the knowledge of having a relationship with Christ is exciting to me. It is going to be a challenge. It is exhuasting to organize it all, I don't know how my wonderful father in law works a full time job and pastor's as well. I truly feel that when I sit down to focus on the children's ministry I have a burst of energy. I think it is God giving me the endurance to get it done and the excitment of what's to come. I am also looking forward to having a meeting with the youth to see what kinds of things that they would like in thier program. Luckily youth doesn't require as much exhuastive planning as the children. Youth activities don't require as many supplies. But we will see what God unfolds there as well.

We are also gearing up for school. Jake got a wonderful teacher and I expect good things for him this year. He is reading like mad. I feel like Raymond in the movie rain man. Jake will sit up front in the van and he will read every sign he sees while we drive. "Wendy's", "Tire discounter's", "What is bail bonds, Mom?"... Oy, you get the picture. I am not familiar with Madie's teacher but she is such a good student that I think she will do fantastic. Still no word on who will be Noah's teacher. I am nervous about this one since I had hesitations in registering him in the first place. But we will see about that one as well.

Well, I now have mountains of luandry to catch up on, and homework to get to today as well.
If you think about it, pray for us and all our goings on. That God will bless what we do, and who we are with.

TLM