Just in Case You're Wondering.....

what that lil square is about on my blog--its Swagbucks. Swagbucks is a way to earn points as you search and use the internet. The points can be redeemed for gift cards or used in the Swagbucks store. Points can be earned when you search through Swagbucks. I recommend downloading the Swagbuck toolbar and using that to do your regular internet searching. Periodically, a screen will show that says you've earned a swagbuck. When you invite friends, you earn a buck everytime they earn a buck. Hey people! We are going to search on the internet so we might as well get paid while we do it! Christmas is coming soon so I can't think of a better time to join. Please leave a comment if you are interested and I'll send you and invitation!

One of "Those" Weeks

Yep, this has been it! First, getting stuck in the woods then...not an hour later...Lauren fell off of the boat into the pond!! We were so thankful that she was wearing her pink tutu. That's how Thad could see her when he jumped in to "save" her! I am so thankful that I don't have that picture in my head of the whole event.
Since then we have had a ripstick wreck, shower fall, and yesterday Lauren was stung on the head by one of those big, red wasp!!! Can you please pray for our family??? We need it!!!!

Survivor Woman.....

I AM NOT! You know how you watch those Survivorman/Man vs Wild shows and think. OK, what's the big deal or he's nuts. Well, I too watch those shows and I know that when you see him in the rain or filthy dirty or wet and col- we just don't get it. We are in the comfort of our home- not feeling the way he is about those things. With such an eventful week last week, Lauren and I got our survivorwomen experience. We headed out to the back where there are new dirt roads and trails to explore. We do this several times a week but we happened to find a new trail that we hadn't been down before. We were having a great time until we ran over a blue runner. I HATE SNAKES!!
This particular blue runner was about a foot away from me when we ran him out of the grass. I decided to make a hard right and ended up high centering our atv on some very old trenches. So here we are stuck in the woods-no cell phone and Lauren had no shoes. I tried to move our atv but was unsucessful so I began digging the dirt out from underneath while Lauren watched for the snake;) After about 30 minutes we gave up. It really stunk sitting there not knowing what to do which made me think of survivorman. I could walk out but I was thinking more of the snakes that I would surely step on if I went back the way we came. We sat for a while then decided that we should walk anyway. We were walking in the opposite direction when we saw "our boys" coming to "save" us. They had been looking for us for awhile but couldn't find us. Of course, they were able to push the atv out. Thank goodness for our boys!!!

School Update

I thought this may be necessary since there was some concern over the look on Aaron's face ;)
Aaron is loving school so far. He came home with a sticker today because he was so good. He had a hard time last week because like he said, "I just like to talk!" Yes, I know where he gets that from. He is doing super on those math facts so far. He is at the point where he just can't learn enough in one day. He always wants more. I love that about him!
Ethan is doing well but has developed a complex over the dreaded math facts. He really hates it when Aaron shouts out the answer before him. He is doing super reading and came home with a 105 on his science test. The five bonus points came from him memorizing and writing-I will praise thee;for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Love that too!
Brendan is hanging in there with jr high. He did come home concerned about a vocabulary test but he wasn't upset. I managed to help him with his algebra tonite since DAD isn't home. Luckily, there were plenty of examples and he only needed a "little" help.
Lauren was feeling left out tonite with mom doing homework with all of the boys so we pulled out the alphabet cards. She loved every minute of it. She did recognize her L and was very satisfied that she had some homework time with mom too.
So that's the update today. I figured that I still owed ya for not updating much.

Wow, its been awhile!!!

We have been really busy lately but I didn't realize that it had been so long since I blogged. Well, school has begun. We officially have a jr. high student! All is well in jr high so far. Second grade is going smoothly considering that E is adjusting to new glasses for reading. First grade is much better than Kindergarten was! Lauren and I have adjusted to life without the boys at home. We are super busy at the mission! It seems we are doing that way more than two days a week. She has been a real trooper allowing mom to spend so much of her time working. She usually watches a movie, colors or plays with the people there for the few hours that I work. I am so thankful that she can be happy without all of Mom's attention;) Here are a few pics of the going ons around here:

Pictures for Nevin

Family Pic minus me and Aaron







Took this as we were leaving...sorry about the glare!









That's Brendan in front of the new Airbus! That thing was huge!







Our future pilot!









Aaron learned to rivet!








Cutest pilot award







Not sure what they were doing but it was fun!

It's Been a While.....

Man, where has the summer gone? We have been so busy enjoying all of the summer activities that I have not taken time to blog. The kids have been fishing, swimming, doing chores, playing video games, riding bikes and watching lots of cartoons. The older two went to a daycamp at church every day last week. They didn't like the idea but ended up having a great time. They have had a blast this summer and do not want it to end. This will be our last official week of summer vacation. Next week is full of appointments for haircuts, immunizations and check ups. I put it off until the last minute so we could just soak up summer as long as possible. I'll try to put some pictures of all the summer fun on here next blog. Let us know how you've been!