Summer

Yes, I know it's been a long time since the last post!!! It's not that we've been so bored and there is nothing to post, but rather, we've been too busy to post.

So what has been happening??? Work, school, church, sports, house projects, sweating. Lots of sweating! It has been hot here since March! That is something different for us. The kids have been swimming in our pool since the end of March! Not that the water was warm yet, but the air was hot enough for them to think they should be swimming! Those first couple weeks, the "swimming" was actually just jumping in, getting out to warm up for 1/2 an hour, then repeating. But, hey, they were swimming! If you are in our area, feel free to see if you can drop by for a swim! I promise, the water is much warmer than in March.

A week ago, the church we just joined promoted the 6th graders to the youth group. We now have 3 in YOUTH! Charlie and Thomas aren't thrilled about Helayna being there, though. They'll get over it! Since we have 3 in youth, Joe and I decided to help out in there for the summer. They are doing a video series called, The Truth Project". It is to help them establish a biblical world view. They are going to have CoGro's (Community Groups) after the video to discuss the video in a smaller group setting. We are leading one of the groups. Of course, none of our children want to be in our group. What have we ever done to them?? Oh, yeah, we're parents!

We are also leading an adult small group on Friday's. Notice a theme here? Yes, we are firm believers in small groups! Our new group is beginning to gel. With it being a Friday group, we have been a little hit and miss on actually meeting. Seems like we may try to do every other week for the summer. God is working us into the body of this local church. We just joined the church a couple weeks ago. We are beginning to feel "settled".

After a disappointing season with the local rec baseball league, we started asking around for information on more competative ball for the summer for Thomas. A lead gave him the opportunity to try out this week for a select travel team. He made the cut!!! Now we will be busy with more baseball. Hopefully, this will be more enjoyable to watch than the spring league! Some of the games were a slow torture. Dropped balls more than caught. Players not even trying to catch a ball. It was a season of being encouraging to the other players for Thomas! Now he is ready for teammates more serious about playing.

Speaking of baseball, our Cincinnati Reds were in Atlanta last week! Charlie and I had a Mother/Son date and went to a game. Thankfully, we went to the game the Reds won!!!!! We splurged for seats 2 rows behind the Reds dugout! We got to see Brandon Phillips smile, up close!! It was a good time!