There's No Place Like Home

Much of our summer was spent at a campground in Bristol, Indiana, where the kids and I enjoyed swimming, biking, walking, visiting local attractions and , of course, patronizing the local library on those rainy afternoons. The camp site was just 10-15 minutes from the job site that demanded most of Jon's working hours throughout the summer. The campground provided a nice distraction and get-away, but there is no place like home.

By mid-August, each of us was ready and anxious to return home. Cleaning, shopping, preparing for school and catching up with friends and television programs occupied our days until school began.

So now, we are entering our third week of school and I predict a great school year!

N is a bright 7th grader who mostly tolerates school. His passions include youth group, LEGOS, all things Star Wars, music and art. Next week, he will enter the phenomena of teenager!

G is a highly determined 5th grader. She has grown and matured so that many new friends assume she is our eldest child (not that she minds)! G set a very high goal for herself to qualify for Avant Garde and was recently invited to participate in this prestigious program. Pulling her away from her summer reading was a challenge, so we were thankful for the times that she "Graced" us with her presence and engaged in face to face conversation. She awed us with reading over 12,000 pages this summer and enlightened us to the huge void that exists for engaging and appropriate pre-teen fiction for girls. Through it all, she is learning and exercising discernment. G definately has her own style not to be thwarted by peers, siblings or mom. A few weeks ago, I suggested she wear some boots, dress shoes or sandles with her skirt (anything but those tennis shoes) to which she replied "Mom, you're just going to have to get used to me being me!"

A is a confident 2nd grader. Some of her interests include music, reading, art and watching as much tv as mom will allow. She has her sweet, silly ways that make her unique.

When I think of our children, hungry for knowledge and thirsty for acceptance, I am reminded of the importance of the role of parenting. What a blessing to be given this opportunity to shape these lives and what a huge task!

Jon continues to work in Southern Michigan and Indiana. And I will begin tutoring full-time next week. We are continually thankful for God's provision of jobs we love!

As we enter into autumn, we are looking up and sensing the changing winds. What a great place to be.