Carissa...

Carissa's artwork for school...

What can I say...she is ALL girl!

Daisy Scouts and Life

Carissa and I went to a meeting last night introducing her to the Girl Scouts...as of 7pm last night, Carissa is now a "Daisy Scout" She is pretty excited about it and so am I! I always wanted to be a Girl Scout, but it just wasn't really in the cards for me--I guess.

I'm traveling down a path that I hadn't put much thought into until recently...I DO NOT want to have my children SO busy that they don't have time to just "have fun" doing what they want. I have held back on her joining everything out there, but Girl Scouts seems to focus on how she can work with others, for others, and learn different things throughout her time as one. I think I will be helping with her "troop" because I am excited to see what they have to offer for young girls.

Jocelyn and Carissa are enjoying dance/tumbling/tap classes...Jocelyn is LOVING school, Carissa is LOVING it even more I think! I'm happy with what they are learning, excited to see what the future brings and elated that God is working in our lives on a daily basis.

Quiet...What is It?

Today is only my second morning of "alone" time at home...both girls are at school on Mondays and I haven't had time to sit and just "be" in the quiet that is our home.

I am amazed at how much goes on in our house...even with no children around. The phone keeps ringing, the A/C kicks on/off, the dryer runs it's cycle...and so on. I know it's always been like this, but I don't think I've ever really been here when it's been this quiet for more than an hour. I love the sounds of the girls playing, meals around the table together, the rush to get out the door in the morning, and even the little arguments that often erupt from the living room or the girls' bedroom. However, when all is said and done, I don't know if I'm going to ever get used to the quietness of the girls being gone on a daily basis. Never thought I'd say it, don't know if you'll see me say it again on here, but it's out there!

Today, I've handled some bill-paying, some phone calls that needed to be made (without anyone talking in the background on my end!), started everything for supper, and washed the dishes. My plan was to read my book for tomorrow, but I've become absorbed with housework instead! I will get into a routine, but it's kind of nice only having to worry about me. I worry daily that the girls behave, have fun, stay healthy and learn something new each day, but I know that God is watching over them and that they have had a good, Christian foundation in our home...is it always peaceful here? NO! Is it always sunshine and rainbows? NO! Do they know that we love them? YES! For this I am thankful...

Got a picture of the girls this morning before school...they are GREAT!

The Fair

So, tonight is the last night of the Tri-County Fair...we went with the girls to ride the rides on Friday night and then again last night. Thanks to my friend Pam, they got to go two nights (she had free wristband passes). And we didn't do to badly with too much "fair food" for any of us.

The girls rode quite a few rides last night, but one shocked me! Carissa and Jocelyn had both always had us slide down the big slide with them~not my favorite, but I do it for them! Well, after we (Carissa and I) went down once, she said, "Mom, I want to go down again~BUT by myself!" What?!?!?! Already?!?!?!?!!!!!! So, I reluctantly watched her climb the stairs by herself and she LOVED going down! She got to the top, waved to us, and down she went! She grinned the whole way down! I just couldn't believe it!

My girls are growing up...becoming more and more independent...I'm ready, but I'm not...is that wrong? I want them to learn how to do things on their own, but it all seems to happen so quickly!!!

The week was busy, fun, and exhausting...all at the same time! Brown County is one of my favorite times of the year and we're upon it! I love the time away, the time visiting with family and friends, and now I'm enjoying watching my children have fun with the same traditions I grew up with along the way!

Happy September Everyone!!!