It's about time, right?

Is anyone even still checking to see if I've posted?

This may have been my longest break ever.

My computer is in the shop. Either needs a new hard drive or logic board, whatever the heck that is. Which gives us one laptop for 4 people needing computer access. Papers to write, emails to check, blogs to... well, blogs get put at the bottom of the list,obviously.

And, Matt's computer has no photo anything on it, which stinks because I have back to school pictures, Amy's baby shower pictures, and who know what else, to post and no way to do it. :(

So when I get back hooked up, we'll have a little catching up to do.

In the meantime, here's what we've been up to:

Katie started first grade and loves it. She's doing really well and when I asked her teacher about her talking (remember the excessive chatterbox from K.?) she said that she's not talking too much at all. So far. ---- She's a pro at tying her shoes now, too!

Jonathan (aka John) is enjoying being back in the routine of school. 5th grade is challenging him a little more and he loves it. He's written two papers already, one about fountain pens and one about sauerkraut. -- Can't say that he isn't his daddy's boy.

Opted out of soccer and is going to focus on basketball and baseball. He's got a birthday coming up and has big plans :)

Hannah is officially a high-schooler, though at her school, she's considered 'lower division' until next year. (7-9 and 10-12 is how it's broken out) Spanish is mucho fun and geometry, not so much yet. Her phone is going becoming a permanent appendage from her ear and her friends are numero uno, which means that she is a healthy, happy almost 15 yr. old.

Matt is teaching like crazy, both at Wildwood and Mo. Bapt. University (with Sunday School thrown in there for good measure) He loves it so much and is having tons of fun, even with being swamped. We've been doing the 30 day Shred together, which if videotaped could be awesome black mail material. He's got a *big* reunion -- 2.0. -- coming up which makes me feel like we are becoming ancient old people. 20 years. You have GOT to be kidding me.

and me, well, I'm just me. Busy in transition at work, taking on a big role that I'm excited about, but can't say not a little stressed. I've pretty much given myself a clean slate re: anything extra in my life. I've left everything that I was once a part of to start over, commitment wise. Bible Study on Thursday mornings, Grace Girls discipleship group, Upward Cheerleading, all that and more. It's really strange and really refreshing all at the same time. I've had to say the N word (NO) to a few things this fall, and while it was hard, it felt soooo right. See, Mom, I am growing up and I do listen to you!

I'm being very choosey in what I put on my plate. I was just doing too much that I was doing nothing well. Now I am ready to see where the Lord leads, starting fresh. I can already tell a huge difference with our evening, after school time. I'm much more 'present' and less distracted from what the kids need from me.

The balance is in finding what I need for myself. I need creativity. I need photography. I need Bible Study and fellowship with other women. I need fun. Those are things that I'm going to place back into my life very deliberately. And in time, I will find that balance.

so, by the looks of this post, you are getting kind of an all or nothing thing right now. Either I'm not here, or I talk your ear off. Can't leave though without photos. Here is an old favorite:

originally posted in Oct. 2006