My sweet kids

My sweet kids...this past Saturday and Sunday the foster kids were at day visits with their parents and so all I had were my own kids.  It was so nice and relaxing.  It is amazing how much more you appreciate your own family in a situation like this.  Before I had six kids, three seemed like a challenge at times.  Now going from six to three I realize how easy I have it.  

1st day of school

2 kindergartners and a 3rd grader!

The kids were excited to be heading off to school.  What made it even better, was that Chad took them.  I will say, having Chad take them made it easier to let them go.  Less traumatic....for me.

Questions run through the mind of a mother when dropping their child off for their first day of school.  Have I taught them all they need to know this far?  Are they going to be sad?  How are they going to do?  Well I feel the answer is, they are going to be just fine.  

As for the teachers of the world that is another story.  We pray for them.

Hope you are having a great first day Annie and Mom!

Danny Gans

Our good friends Darin and Anita called last minute and had tickets to Danny Gans, one of the best shows in town.  Kudos for Liz ,who watched our kids so we could go.   The show was amazing and so entertaining!  He did some of the best impersonations through comedy and song.  It was such a fun night.  Here is my thankful list.  

I am thankful for 

people with great talent who use that talent well,  

clean entertainment,

date night,

and great friends to share it with.  

Grandpa and Shane's Birthday

Even though the star of this picture is Chad's beautiful sister Annie, WE were celebrating Shane and Grandpa's birthdays.  It was so much fun to visit with Shane (Chad's brother) as he was really only in town for 2 hours as he was passing through for a fishing trip out of California.  He and his wife and their four adorable children live way out in Connecticut and we miss them sooo much!  As for Grandpa he just turned 97!  Wow!  

One of the standing family traditions in this family is when it is your birthday everyone takes a turn saying something that they love about you.  For both Shane and Grandpa there were so many.  Family can really make you feel special.

Bobcat

Ever since Luke turned 8 he has been loving being in scouts.  That was one major reason he was excited about being 8.  Here is Luke receiving his first badge, the Bobcat.  Apparently they give the hardworking Mom some recognition as well, in form of a pin that your child pins on you.  I am impressed!  I had Luke take a picture with Chad because he was the one that helped Luke pass everything off to earn the Bobcat.