Video

My friend Candy sent me this video.  Of course I love it because it has turtles in it so had to share.  Enjoy!

Winner!

I said I was going to report in the beginning of the year the things I win from contests I enter.  It's been a while since I've won anything.  However, this week I won a family four pack to the Iowa Irish Festival in Waterloo, IA the 1st weekend in August.  Checked the calendar and lo and behold nothings on there so we can go.   Up until today, that is!  Got something in the mail that we have to be at that same weekend.  So, hopefully I can pass the tickets on to someone who will be blessed by using them.

Catch Up

Well, where should I begin?  New home?  New job? New Kid?   I'll start with the new kid.  There is none!  Just wanted to see if you were paying attention!!  Really though I'll start with the new home.

While on vacation in Oregon Kevin calls me and asks if I want to buy a house.  After coming out of shock I told him I suppose so but could he not do anything until I got back a few weeks later.  After arriving back into Des Moines we went by the house that he had found.  Right in Pleasant Hill.  A house that the asking price was incredibly cheap and a nice house too.  All that needed to be done was painting and new carpet.  Well, after discussing it and making sure the boys could still go to Four Mile (house is in DM school district) we decided to get a realtor (thanks Becky!) and since then it's been a whirlwind.  Inspection is to happen on Tuesday and then if everything is okay with that closing will be August 18th.  Once we have possession of the house we'll paint and lay carpet.    Kev and I weren't really looking to buy a house but believe the Lord put this right in our laps.  Renn has been wanting neighborhood kids to play with for a long time.  There are several in the nieghborhood.   There's even a basketball hoop in the driveway for the boys to play!  Kev and I both realized that we could be investing in a house instead of paying rent, plus we would be paying less a month with the house payment.  So, now we sit and wait.  I do have to tell a funny story.  I was showing a friend the house last Thursday.  As I got back  into the van to leave my new neighbor just finished up mowing her lawn.  I pulled the van alongside the road and got out.  I introduced myself and told about the boys.  Just at that moment Zayvn hopped out of the van.  She took one look at him and said "I bet your an awnry one too!"  Now that was quite funny!!  Oh, btw, I'll have pics later once the house is "officially" ours.

Okay, now for the new job.  When we moved here almost two years ago I had put an application in with the Des Moines School District.  Never heard anything.  Until the week I was flying to Mexico.  I received a voicemail saying they were doing interviews for Nutritions Service (kitchen) and could I come in.  That was a bit hard since I was heading to Mexico.  They said to call back when I got back into town.  The Thursday before we left to come back to IA I called.  They just happened to be doing interviews the following week.   I scheduled it knowing that I would have to leave Kid's Camp and drive back to DM for the interview.  Did the interview and pending my background/criminal check I am hired.  I am what they call a general floater worker, going from school to school.   Within a few months I'll be able to go to one school and stay.    The boys school and my schedule are similar with Christmas and Spring breaks.  There's a few days that they have off I don't which isn't too much of a problem.   It's a great opportunity and I'm grateful for it.  This week will be my last week with Anna Mae.  The Lord has already provided a wonderful lady from my church to be Anna Mae's caregiver.   I'll show her the ropes this week.  Next week I'll start some orientation and training with my new job. 

Whew!  All this in a matter of two weeks time!  God is good and I'm so grateful for His presence in our lives!

Night Time Frog Hunting

We were driving home last night during a pretty incredible, wicked thunderstorm. Lightening upon lightening was just going at it. As we pulled onto our road we noticed all the frogs jumping. We let Renn get out and try to catch one. Most of them kept jumping away, too fast for his hands. However, as we got nearer the house this HUGE, and I mean HUGE, frog was sitting in the middle of the road. Renn oh so slowly snuck up behind it and snatched it. After much jumping around for joy he found a container. Here's Tony the toad as the boys have named it. He was still under the bushes when the boys went to get him today. We'll see how long he sticks around.

Home for Camp

We made it through camp. What a great week with the girls and boys. We had a ton of fun and wonderful times at the altars. God worked and moved through a number of our kids. No homesickness this year which was a great PLUS!! We did have one incident in the girls cabin but for the most part it was a great time. Here's a few pics.

Zayvn's 1st Wedding

Zayvn had the privilege of being in his cousin David's wedding while we were back in Oregon. What a handsome boy he was! Alyssa, David's step daughter, was the flower girl and they looked so cute together. He did such a great job and I couldn't have been more proud of him!!

Wedding

This afternoon we went to the wedding of Matthew and Daniell from our church. Matthew was just a young boy when we came to Berean 13 years ago. Kevin was to do just a small part of the ceremony. However, he got a call this morning and the othe pastor came down with gall stones so could not do the ceremony. Talk about last minute!! Matthew and Daniell were so happy and will make such a wonderful couple. What a privilege it is to be able to see "our kids" grow up and marry, more so to be a part of them. Congrats Matthew and Daniell!!

Zay turned 7

While in Oregon Zayvn celebrated his 7th birthday. I can't believe he is 7!! Time just really has flown by! He wanted to be able to celebrate it with his cousins and grandparents. Although most of his cousins could not be there he had a great time anyway. We had a pinata', played some games, ate cake and watched him open his presents. Grandma even made his birthday cake so he was happy about that. Since Kev wasn't there to help celebrate the four of us went to Incredible Pizza Company for a little party for him. We had a great time!

Almost Home

Well, in just four days the boys and I will be returning to Des Moines and our vacation will come to an end. I have to be honest, I'm a bit sad. I have enjoyed my time back here with family. It's been very restful and relaxed. The boys have enjoyed their cousins. We've had tons of fun: swimming, camping, movies, fireworks, weddings, fun with the nieces and much more. We will end our last full day in Oregon with a birthday party for Zayvn. We'll celebrate at the park with his cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. He is looking forward to that. Can't believe my baby will be 7 years old! Where does the time go? Once we get back to Des Moines Kev, Renn and I will leave for Kid's Camp. After Kids Camp we will have about 5 weeks left before school starts up again! Whew! Next time I post I'll be back in IA!!