Introducing my freinds to my friends

One of the unique blessings of living in an apartment complex is the people you get to know! These two women played such a huge part in my life last year, and continue to do so. As I talk about these women, I thought it would be nice to have a face to go along with their names. So here they are-Terri and Char, two of God's special gifts to me! Terri is loving, oh so loving, full of joy, and so authentic. Char is delightful, SPUNKY and alive. I love them both so much and I'm just beginning to know them.

September First is coming soon!

My personal rule on when to play Christmas music: all months ending in "ber" are fair game. September is coming up and I am looking forward to breaking out the holly jolly tunes. Jackie boy loves Christmas music more than me and has been singing it all year long. Everyday at our family Bible time, we allow him to pick a song and every day he picks the same one. He doesn't really care if the month ends in "ber" or not. He's sang this song so much that he knows every word and I think he's too cute singing it. Thought I'd share to get you in the mood for September 1st!

Familiar Scenes from Florida

It feels really good to be in our home with no plans to move again any time in the near future. Our house is far from "in order" but at least we are stopping here for a long time, Lord willing. We had a really fun summer visit with my family in NC. As Andy said, our month long trip was like setting the reset button on life. Sometimes you just need that. It was really good for us to put down the paint brushes and leave the to do list at home while we enjoyed time with friends and family. I didn't go to the grocery store for a whole month. Now that was a vacation!!

Familiar scene #1. Andy is really glad to be back on his bike! Last year he had a 30 minute drive to work. But this year, like in China, he can ride to work. He is thrilled. Also glad to be back to a familiar scene are these two kiddos. Here they are on their first day of preschool. Jack started the school year with a bang. He fell into his big boy bed the night before school started. Pretty sure he was out of his bed and was running back to it in the dark because he thought we were coming. I think he tripped and fell into the side of the bed. OUCH and A. LOT. OF. BLOOD. So thankful Andy was home. A couple hours and a trip to the urgent care center later, his gash was all glued up and he was ready for action. He seems fine and will have a small scar. Both Jack and Grapes have wonderful teachers and they both had a really good first week of school. I'm so grateful. Grapes was the line leader this week and she loved that special job. One last familiar scene that we are enjoying is having international students in our home. Most international students are arriving this month to begin the school year. We've had a blast getting to know some of them. We had this group of Chinese students over this week for dinner. Turns out the couple on the right attended the university Andy and I taught English at in China. Small World?!!

One of the highlights of our time in NC was the time I got to spend with my cousin Brandi. She is an expert yard seller and showed me the ropes. I learned a lot about the ins and out of "good yard selling." This Saturday I am passing along the love and taking these students yard selling. We're on a mission to find the best deals in the state! Thanks Brandi for my shopping re-education. Hoping our international friends will love it as much as we do!

Thankful for the beginning of routine and a few familiar scenes!