School is in Session...

Hello, everyone!! I'm going to attempt to come back to the blogging world. I've taken the last month and a half off as I recovered from my laminectomy, but I think I'm ready to blog weekly again. I will post more about my surgery and recovery in my next post. But today is completely reserved for my adorable kids.

Jacob turned eight this summer, and he started 3rd grade yesterday. I cannot believe my (not-so) little boy is getting so big!! Some days, he seems so grown up that I want to cry. His feet went from a size 3 to a size 5 this summer (Well his shoes did, anyways. I imagine his toes were hurting a little before we got him new tennis shoes.) He also doesn't fit in any jeans from last year, so we're going to have to make a trip to Target before it gets cool. I don't even want to think about his winter coat!!! (But of course I already have. :) I found one at Salvation Army, but it needs a whole zipper replacement, so I didn't get it. UGH!) Anyways....he's growing. Like a weed. I can't keep up with him, which is how he likes it. He's a wonderful boy, and I am so proud of him. He had to get glasses this summer and was also diagnosed with asthma (like his mommy), but he took it in stride and has such a good attitude about life. I feel very blessed to be his mommy.

Clarissa turned six last month, and she just started first grade. She's sassy as ever, despite my great attempts to get rid of that attitude. Don't get me wrong -- she's a fantastic kid, too...but only when she WANTS to be. She is stubborn and definitely gives me a run for my money!! This summer, she had her first ever sleepover -- and she went away for FIVE NIGHTS!!! We were worried she'd not make it the entire week, because she had never slept over anywhere before. But...she pleasantly surprised us and has already proclaimed that she's doing it again next year. She better hope my brother and sister in law want her back!! Clarissa is trying to find her "activity" which has been pretty challenging. Jacob always knew what he wanted to do, but Clarissa is still searching for her "thing." She liked dance, but she thought it was time for something else. She is getting ready to start volleyball again, so hopefully she'll enjoy it. She, too, is growing like crazy. Her shoes went from size 12½ to size 1, and none of her jeans fit her either. I tell ya -- these kids are so expensive. Who knew?! LOL.

See you on the Flip Side...

O.K., so I'm not really on vacation -- I'm just at home recovering from surgery. I will, however, be under the influence of heavy drugs, so it could be LIKE a vacation. LOL! I won't be updating my blog for a while because I'm going to spend my time recovering (and surfing SS). I'll be back, though.

Have a wonderful summer!

Prayers as I face surgery...

I've been feeling a little anxious about my upcoming surgery, and here are two things a friend sent me.

O God, the source of all health.
Fill my heart with faith.
Be near me in times of weakness and pain. Although I know You are in control, I am apprehensive about what faces me. You made me, loved me, and have provided my surgeon with needed skill to perform a miracle in my behalf. Sustain me by Your grace that my strength and courage may not fail; Heal me according to Your will.
Amen.



The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

To See. Or Not to See.

Three weeks ago, I took the kids to an eye doctor. Jacob thought it would be fun and couldn't wait to get there. Clarissa did NOT want to go...until we got there, and she saw the free water and cookies in the waiting room. Typically CJ!!

We were talking as we were waiting, and Jacob asked WHY they needed their eyes checked. I told him that I had a very strong feeling that he needed glasses. Wha?? That's pretty much how he looked at me. Then, he insisted that I was wrong and told me he'd prove me wrong.

Unfortunately for him, I was right. He needs glasses. He was SO disappointed, so I tried to focus on the positives -- like the fact that he would finally be able to SEE things clearly. We picked them up Monday, and when he put them on, he couldn't believe the difference they made. He can finally see all the things he didn't know that he couldn't see.

And all is just as it should be....

JACOB IS HOME!!!!!! YAY!!!!

Jacob came home from camp tonight. He had a BLAST and did nothing but talk until he went to bed. And when he put his head on his pillow, he was OUT. They said the boys were up until at least 11pm every day. Hopefully Clarissa will let him sleep in tomorrow. He made friends right away and had an amazing time.

He said he was a little scared the first night because his bunk was right by the window, which they left open at night. But, after that, it was fine. It rained on them a lot, and they didn't get to go to Lake MI because of it. They did go to the Dunes, though. He danced with a little girl at the dance last night, and he said that was really fun. He wrote Clarissa a letter while he was gone (the only one he sent), and at the bottom he wrote CAMP ROCKS really big. I'm so glad he had a great time. He has already declared that he's going next summer.







But right now, he's asleep in his own bed...so all is just as it should be.

Getting Beautified

Clarissa was feeling a little down that Jacob got to go away to camp and she didn't get to do anything like that. So.....I took her for a manicure and pedicure tonight. It was totally NOT in the budget, but I did it anyways. I had to be very creative with the meal planning these last two weeks to make it work, but I did it. It was worth every penny. She felt very special, and she was all smiles tonight. What fun for her.

My eight year old boy is in a car on his way to church camp. This is the first time he's been away from home other than a local sleepover, and they will be gone for five nights. He was SO excited that he woke up at 6am this morning. He ran in and asked if we could start getting ready for church. When we told him it was too early, he actually giggled and said he was so excited about leaving for camp.

So, after church this morning, we went out into the parking lot and got his stuff loaded up into the trailer. All the kids going to camp were so excited -- they were HYPER as all get out. (Made me very grateful that I can't physically take eight hours in the car so that I didn't have to volunteer to pick them up! LOL!!) I admit, I will miss Jacob A LOT this week. But honestly, I'm not all weepy or sad or anything. I thought I'd cry when he left, but I am SO grateful that we could get him to camp. I hope he makes it all week (he IS a little young for this, after all.) But even if he doesn't make it and has to get picked up, I'm so proud of him for wanting to go and having the courage to try it. I hope he allows himself to have a WONDERFUL time, because I remember how fun camp always was.

Jacob and Clarissa while the kids were getting their bags loaded. She misses him already!


Pastor Cave came out and prayed for the youth and adults on the trip.


This is Jacob and his little buddy from Sunday school.


When the youth director came out and said it was time to leave, the kids posed for one more picture. Then...they were off to Lake Michigan.