Out of hiding

Summer hasn't been the best time for blogging this year.  We have been away from home, and altogether too busy when at home.  And, not that the hustling will disappear, but it will be structured differently once school begins.  I have a 7th grader.  This year will be full of new experiences: our first time with multiple teachers (one per class), and different lunch schedules, and this year he'll be leaving almost an hour before his siblings, and be back an hour earlier as well.  Oh, and he'll be wearing his snazzy new glasses.  Yes, my oldest child needs glasses.  *sigh* And he's up to my height now.

Morgen has yet to find out who her 5th grade teacher is.  I don't have her user name or password (and the ones she remembers aren't working), and this is incredibly frustrating to her.  All of her friends know their teachers.  Plus she got sunburned at the lake on Friday, and is grumpy about that as well.

Hyrum's teacher sent us a nice letter, along with information to fill out for their VIP week.  He's all set, and excited to be seeing his friends again. 

I am a bit nervous.  I've been teaching the 9-10 year olds at church, with Jared.  We team teach, and take turns attending the adult class.  Last week, I was asked to accept a different calling.  I am now the 'person in charge' of the 12-13 year old girls.  This is intimidating and a bit scary for me.  I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing; I felt God's spirit approving this.  But the last time I was in this program was when I was one of the 12-year-old girls!  I very vaguely remember that age, and I am overwhelmed.  Thank goodness that my Heavenly Father has promised me the support and strength I am going to need!

Okay, family stuff:  we had our last Family Reunion of the year.  This one is for my maternal grandfather's parents and all their descendants.  We had a wonderful visit, and I saw some cousins I haven't seen in awhile.  My great-uncle Calvin shared some of the mischief that he and Glen got into as children, and told some funny stories about the family.  I am so glad to have that connection to my ancestors. 

Saturday, Jared and I spent a few hours driving around and looking at houses.  We looked at the houses that are currently available, and came up with two different game plans.  We found some lovely houses at the bottom of our budget, and they are all between 1/4 and 1/3 of an acre.  We also found a few houses that come with 2-10 acres of land.  Those are right at the top of our budget, or slightly over it, which would make it harder for us to meet our other financial goals.  So right now we're debating what would be the best decision for our family.  But *squealing for joy* we are finally looking for a house to BUY!!!  Hooray!

**this is in no way a solicitation for anything; just a way to let y'all know that you are welcome to participate in any way you feel is appropriate.  Myles' birthday is Sept 29th.  He would be 4 years old.  We're planning to take some new clothing to the LDS Church's Humanitarian Aid Center in Salt Lake City, Utah as a way to honor and remember our angel boy.**

Gratitude List:
* School begins on Thursday.  I am beyond thrilled to have a reliable and safe school environment for my kids.
* My new calling in the Young Women's organization. 
* The overwhelming love I have felt today from my Lord, Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.
* A husband who loves and supports me.  He is truly a gift in my life.
* I know I will see my son Myles again in heaven.
* I have 3 beautiful children to raise.
* My family isn't perfect, but I have no doubts that they love me and support me.
* Cooler temps here, and not as much need for the A/C.  This is balanced by the fact that we will soon need the heater on.
* Lots of lovely food to eat.
* Paper!  I love that we have so much paper to draw on, take notes on, make awesome paper airplanes with, wad up and throw at our siblings in church... Okay, maybe not that last one.
* Books.  I love books.
* All the music that is free, or that I can purchase.  Sometimes I feel spoiled by how much is available.