Our News

Well...
we are adding to our family.
But not in the way some of you were thinking.

I have a friend that is dangerous to know.
You know those kind.
The kind that talk you into being PTO president.
When you just got done being youth sponsors at your church.
And thought you might have a little more time on your hands.
And you have a nine month old.
And then end up having another baby while you are president.
That was a few years ago.
And I've recovered.
And forgiven her.
Haha!

But now she's struck again.
We got a message from her on facebook recently.
The subject was: Room at the Inn??
Oh, boy.
I knew what was coming.

Wanna know what she does?
She places exchange students.

Apparently we can't say no to her.
Or, more importantly, to God.
The Sunday after we were asked to host.
While we were still deciding and praying.
Our pastor had a message about loving others.
Reaching out.
Opening your home.
Ok, ok.
I get it.

So...
We are going to be a host family.
To a teenager.
From Germany.
For ten months.
Her name is Lara.

The kids are excited.
Brookelynn especially.
She is going to have a "sister."

I've tried to tell her it will not all be roses.
She will be sharing her room.
She likes her space sometimes.
She will have to sit in the back of the van.
With her brothers.
She hates sitting back there.
But she thinks the good out weighs the bad.
Ryan and I agree.

Oh, and I'm going to count this as my
"learn something new to me" goal
that I made in January.
I have a feeling I will be learning plenty.
About Germany.
About parenting a teenager.
About myself.
(that's the scariest one of all)

We sent her this most recent picture of our family.
Think it will scare her off?
Our adventure begins in August.

Just Letting You Know...

I'm still here.

I thought there would be more time to blog this summer.
Oh, silly, silly me.
We have been going like mad.
I haven't taken pictures in days.
This is only the fourth time I've been on the computer.
Not today.
In nearly a week.
That's just crazy.

We have VBS this week.
It starts at 8:30.
In a town 20 minutes away.
I'm teaching.
Also picking up two of the kids' friends.
And dropping off Jobe at Grandma's.
Which means we are leaving the house before 7:30.
In the morning.
Insane.
Isn't summer supposed to be for sleeping in?

We had a soccer tourney last weekend.
One this weekend.
Then we are done with soccer.
Until August.
Not counting soccer clinics.

I still don't have a garden in.
******************************
Ok.
All that above the line was written on Thursday.
I got interrupted.
Haven't been on the computer since.

The second soccer tourney is over.
It was HOT.
No shade.
Close to 100 degrees.
But still fun.
A trip to DQ at the end helped cool us off.
A little.

A soccer clinic begins today.
At our house.
Which means I should be cleaning right now.
Twelve 10 and 11 year old girls in our backyard.
Pretty sure someone will need to use the restroom.
That means they will need to come inside.
Wish we had a port-a-potty.
Or they were boys.
We have plenty of trees.
I'm thinking the girls won't go for that.

Still haven't taken any pictures.
Except a few with my phone.
Still don't have a garden in.
Beginning to wonder if that will happen.
I will really miss it if I don't.
Still don't have all my flowers planted.
Some of them have died.
I can't seem to keep up with the house.
Or the laundry.
I did a couple loads Friday.
They are still waiting to be folded.

I have never experienced a summer like this.

We have so much to do.
We also have some exciting news.
But I'm waiting to share that.
I will soon hopefully.

Take a guess.
Bet you won't get it.
Family and a couple of and friends already know.
Shhh.
You guys can't say anything.