The count down has begun...

Open house for Hannah and Claire is tomorrow night so the 1st day of school can't be too far away... so little freedom left for my poor girls! Hannah is beside herself with joy to actually be getting a locker - that's all we've heard about this summer! So, of course, her school supplies included lots of magnetic things to put in her locker:) I hope there is room for her books and backpack! Claire will move to the 7th/8th grade side of the building - big thrill. She is less anticipatory of the 1st day than Hannah since she knows her way around TCMS so well. Hannah is still a bit unsure but will settle in just fine, no doubt.

Don and I are excited for school to begin - less fussing in the mornings about getting up when you know you have NO choice! Plus, school somehow signals the beginning of cooler weather; not right away but soon enough :)

Not very beachy weather...

I had planned to take the girls and a friend each to the beach today for a "Girls' Day Out". Of course, right now it is very cloudy outside and, when we checked the weather map, it is actually raining at the beach and is supposed to rain most of the day! This was not a good day to plan a beach trip, obviously.

Don is working this morning so, maybe he can goof around with us this afternoon and the day won't be a total bust!

Hannah starts 12-hour day Band Camp on Monday thru Thursday and then, Friday and the following week, 4 hours each day. Open house at the high school is Thursday night of the last week of July and on Friday at the middle school. And then, MONDAY AUGUST 3rd -- Back To School!

Back together as a family

Don picked Hannah up from camp today. She had a GREAT time. I am so glad that, after tomorrow when we get Claire from Music Camp, we will all be home together! I have enjoyed being by myself these last few days but, I am ready for some noise and mess around the house again!!!

5 days of relaxtion and then a week to myself....

We are heading to the mountains for a long-weekend. Can't wait for some cooler weather and no STRESS! Don will leave Sunday afternoon to head for Annville, KY and his mission trip while Hannah, Claire and I will stay at the property until we take Hannah to camp Monday morning. Then, Claire and I will drive home and she will head to Norman Park Tuesday morning for music camp. Then, my REAL vacation begins!

Home at last...

I have been in Atlanta at the main DHR office since Monday for training and then, Don & the girls picked me up (Thurs.) and we have spent the last 3 days in Otto. I am SO glad to be home! It wears me out to be away for so long. I miss the dogs, the chickens, my bed, familiar smells and sounds and just being in MY house. There's NO place like HOME!

News from a new 46 year old!

Well, it has happened. I am now closer to 50 than I am to 40 - ugh! But, I had a GREAT birthday. I used my "spa" package from the girls and spent 2 hours being pampered and massaged and treated elegantly! On Saturday, Don is taking us to the Apalachicola River Inn for the weekend! The rooms are all riverfront with balconies and there is dining right on site. We will spend Saturday at St. Joe beach and then, on the way home Sunday, stop for the day at St. George. Then, Monday afternoon, we are off to Atlanta/Otto for the entire week.

Both the girls have been busy at VBS this week; Hannah as a Youth Worker in 4th grade and Claire as a participant (her last year - boo hoo!). I think they are looking forward to a week alone with their daddy (at least 3 days) and having a fun time swimming in the Little Tessentee River (COLD!!), shopping in Dillard and Franklin and sleeping in :) I am looking forward to seeing just how wild and overgrown the property is! If the rain up there has been anything like it has been down here, it will be a jungle!

June is busting out all over...

We had a scare over last weekend with my dad. He had a heart attack and has had to have a pace maker implanted. As of Tuesday, he was home, resting and feeling better. In about 4 weeks, he should be able to resume normal activities and should begin feeling "great", according to his heart doctor. We are so thankful that God chose to work in the situation and allow Daddy such quick, miraculous healing.

The girls have both been busy. Hannah is babysitting alot for the Clendenin kids and Claire is back to volunteering 2 days during the week at the vet's office. She also has worked 2 Wednesdays for me and has been a HARD worker! Next week is VBS at church and the following week I will be in Atlanta at meetings Tues. - Thurs. and Don and the girls will be at the property. They will pick me up Thursday night and we will all spend a long weekend together at the mountain house. I am looking forward to that!

Next Wednesday, I turn 46 - ugh!!! Pray for me that I don't start feeling too old and crotchety!