September Begins

So, that catches us up on summer and the beginning of the school year.  I had lunch with a friend at the end of August and when she asked how I was doing I told her that I was just waiting for September to begin so things would slow down.  She kind of smiled, laughed and said, "I've been saying the same thing for about 20 years."  She has 4 children, the 2nd oldest of which she just took to college at BYU and her youngest is finishing up elementary school this year.  I realized she was right, life will not really slow down.  So I changed my tune and just said that I am just waiting to get more settled into our new routine for the school year. 

A little break from our new routine was Labor Day weekend.  We went camping with some of our "Girly Girlz" friends.  {GG were a group of friends that we met when Audrey was just turning 2.  All the girls are within 6 months of each other and we've almost all remained pretty great friends these past 4 years!}  We went up to the Mogollon Rim and stayed at Woods Canyon {just past Payson}.  Same place we went in July with Paul's family, just a little lower on the mountain.  We stayed 3 nights and 3 days, and I survived!  We used Paul's parents' mini RV and Paul did the meal planning and cooking, so it really was a vacation for me!  I even went fishing on a canoe!  I also got to finish reading a book I'd been trying to finish for months.  When I came back and looked at my calendar I actually wished I was still camping.  And for me, that is big!!!  ;o) 

O with Papa and his buddy Garrett.

All the kids thinking they are going first on the canoe!

Fishing Friends

O watching everyone fish

Audrey & her friend Scout waiting to go out to sea!  {ok, the lake}

Girls trying to catch minnows, crawdads, and whatever else they can.

Paper was even cooking out in the rain!

Camping Cuties!

 That catches us up to now...

• Audrey is busy with 1st grade work, is becoming a great reader and is excited about the Talent Team {singing/dancing/acting} class she has started.

• Owen loves preschool and will be starting a soccer class next month.  He just turned 3 yesterday, Sept. 10th.  So there will be a birthday post up next!

• I am getting used to doing lesson plans and weekly parent newsletters again.

• Paul is working and enjoying the time he does get to spend with the kids & me.

Well, it's September 11th today and I think we all will stop and think about this day 11 years ago...where we were, what life has been like since, and how things will continue in the future. I think of that day and realize that I am so blessed to be here, being busy with my 2 healthy kids and a healthy husband who supports us. It's because of the many people involved in the events of that day that allow us to do what we want and need to do to take care of our families. I know life won't slow down, even for the small moments when we wish it would. But I can make the most of what I have, while I have it.