Brain Dump

I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd do a quick brain dump in bullet form.

*These two boys wear me out EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Whew!  Raising boys is fun, but it is not for the faint of heart!

*We only have a few weeks left of summer, then it's back to school--

EIGHTH grade for this guy and I cannot believe it!

and back to preschool two half-days a week for this one

but never fear, this little one gets another year at home with his Mama!  

*Jacob turns 13 in two months.  We will officially be parenting a teenager and yes, we covet your prayers now!!!  :)

*Our family vacation is just around the corner and I cannot wait for some quality family time at the beach!  Woohoo!!

*Vacation bonus:  Richard Barlow Photography will be taking some family pictures for us while we are at the beach!  Yay, for super talented Uncle Rich!  I LOVE family photos.  Our home looks like a gallery for Richard Barlow Photography and I like it!

*Matt and I are facilitating a small group at our church this fall with a focus on blended/step-families.  I am so excited about this opportunity to minister to other families like us.  I'm praying God will move in a mighty way for all involved in this class and that He will get all the glory!!

*We've really enjoyed the pool this summer.  Jacob enjoys hanging out with his cousins and the little boys are having a blast jumping and sliding.  Abel is quite independent as long as he's wearing his "swimmies."  And, Eli is starting to swim without his "swimmies," which is super exciting for me, the former swimmer, to watch.   Here's a clip of Eli going down the slide!

*Baseball season will start up before long.  This will be our first season with two boys playing.  It'll be interesting juggling two schedules!!  Jacob is moving up to the "big leagues" and Eli will start tee-ball.  We even scored a pair of cleats and a pair of little baseball pants for Eli at the consignment sale.  We're ready!  

*Speaking of the consignment sale, Kids Exchange was last week and, oh my gracious, we outdid ourselves.  We bought 107 items, but got great deals and all three boys are clothed through the winter.

Needless to say, we're busy here!  And, with that said, I'm off to bake muffins with my little guys!