Goodbye, Summer break and Hello, 2013-2014 School Year!

As a result of Michael's anti-photographing behavior, I have a pretty good collection of pictures of his ear/side profile. Sigh. I need him to outgrow this phase. AND soon (as in BEFORE school pictures are taken again!).

I can't believe it. Summer break officially ended today as I hugged my little 1st grader goodbye.  Michael waved and followed his teacher into the school building and I wondered all day how he was doing. After being in kindergarten for 2.5 hours last year, I wondered how he would handle being in school for most of the day! We expected him to come home exhausted, crying, starving and grumpy (we were told in orientation that this is normal for the first few months of school!) so I was prepared! Earlier, Krista and I picked up a Superman Ice Cream Milkshake and a mini pizza (thank you, Trader Joe's!) for him. But instead of a crying & grumpy child, Michael got in the car with a big smile and told us he had a great day! It was an answer to prayer!!!

Since the last time I blogged, a ton of things have happened!!! Let me list them in no particular order... 

1. Michael lost 2 bottom teeth (they were growing behind the baby teeth so once they came out, he already had a new set of permanent teeth in place!) after the school year ended.

2. Jacob accepted an offer with another company in the area (his stress level has gone down considerably!).

3. Krista finished two semesters of Chemistry in summer school (between her class and constant tutoring in Japanese, she's been very busy with very little time for relaxation!).

4. Michael finished a Lego robotics class, a hands on geometry class, a chemistry class for kids, an art class and a puzzles class over the summer (I'm convinced those three hour days trained him for the new school year!).

5. We flew back to California for a visit with friends and celebrated Krista's pre-16th birthday there (we had such a fantastic time with our friends in soCal & noCal!!!).

6. After completing the final paperwork for flood #2, I rediscovered the joy of making my own cards again (it's been very therapeutic and so much fun to create for friends and family!!!).

7. Our house was under siege by a gazillion of nasty flies whenever the temps were up in the 80's or above (I have ALWAYS hated germy flies. Having them invade our house is plain disgusting!!!).

8. The basement continues to be in a state of incomplete while we are contemplating our options (hopefully, we will find a solution before the next flood...!!!).

9. Jacob and I attended the Willow's Global Leadership Summit and left highly impacted & motivated (I can't wait til the next one!!!).

10. I discovered a great recipe for cake online that doesn't need eggs or butter (after discovering I ran out of both ingredients on the day I planned to bake!)! Of course I tweaked the recipe and made some mini chocolate cupcakes with chocolate chips inside and some mini raspberry lemon cupcakes and a strawberry whipped topping for both cupcakes.

11. Krista and I planned a baby shower for Melissa B with her small group that turned out great!!! What a God thing!!!

Tomorrow is a monumental day.  Krista starts her junior year (I'm praying that God will clearly show her His plan as she embarks on another exciting chapter of her life at GBS) and for the first time since in forever and ever, Amen, I will have nearly 6 hours of time to get things done. This. Is. Huge.

I'm in a new season of life now (it's the season of life known as "both kids in school full-time now!") and I can't wait to see where God leads me!!!

In Ecclesiastes 3:1 (The Message), King Solomon said it best, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven..."

Now, I need to sit and make a list of everything I want to accomplish...!!!