Monday again...wow last week was FAST!

Amazing how quick the weeks are going by. Last week it was Monday and next thing I knew it was Friday. We had a good week. The kids are really getting into the school routine. They are all liking it. Each of them had a friend spend the night Friday night. We went to the JSL Kickoff Supper. It was fun. Saturday we just hung around the house. Our pool is officially toast. Scott had got the filter working for a few weeks, but as cool as it has been it would have been to cold to swim. Three years with a blue pool with poles from Walmart is pretty good I guess. We will definitely get another one next year. I love that the kids want to have their friends to our house. It is so worth it to me to know where they are and exactly what they are doing.

My parents got home Sunday. I am so glad to have them home. Life can now start feeling normal again. I think even all our dogs were happy to see each other!We grilled out tonight burgers and hotdogs. My mom and dad came over and ate with us. I enjoy having them across the street so much! Jess is helping more and more in the kitchen. She made baked beans tonight and did a great job.

Jacob missed football practice tonight to go out to Scott's lease to see about the deer feeders and tree stands. They are both so excited for deer season to start. My dad brought some of the fising gear they used in Alaska and had Jacob show us how he banged the salmon on the head to get them all the way in. Now that was a sight I am sure! I guess some of the people fishing in Alaska were talking about how good Jacob fished. He has that Troyer fishing gene that is for sure! Jordan likes to fish as well, I just have a hard time letting that happen. I know I know, but I just can't stand fishing. Hard for me to understand her wanting to fish. Jess is just like me. HATES IT! I am just not an outdoorsy kind of girl.

Scott had a wonderful report from the neurosurgeon Friday. No surgery. He is just going to continue with his scans and then if his neck and back hurt too much they will reevaluate. Hopefully it will heal on it's own. He gets to hunt with a crossbow this season and he is pumped about that. Funny the little things that make you happy.

I am really enjoying getting to know the new teachers at school. I think there is a good mix. I have so fallen in love with my kids. Amazing to me how quickly that happens. I was thinking about that this morning. Each of them is precious. Even the hard ones. That is how I know I am doing exactly what I was called to do. Even on my very worst day, I want to go back. So rewarding.

The pics are from the sleepover Friday.

New Church Format

Our church's new format of three worship services and two Sunday Schools is amazing! We were still packed in all three services. God is working at Immanuel. We had a Sunday School roundup last night, complete with seed spitting contest, three legged races, stick horse races, softball, and what roundup would be complete without a cow patty throwing contest. The grossest part of it was that I was taking pictures and when it was done ran my fingers through my hair and cow poo and nasty fell out of my hair. GROSS! I took a good shower last night!

The kids are chugging along in school. Homework has begun. They have all had quite a bit. Jess especially. I guess that is to be expected. She is in eighth grade. She had a slumber party this weekend for her friend's birthday and then went to Incredible Pizza and Lazer tag as a helper with the youth group Saturday.

Jacob has had quite a bit of homework as well. He had some science tonight that was pretty frustrating for him. He just didn't quite get it and Scott had trouble figuring it out as well, but they made it through. Jacob has football again this week. His first scrimmage is tomorrow night. Pray he doesn't get hurt! Jacob had a ball at the youth day Saturday. He helped Scott yesterday getting ready for the roundup. He is such a hard worker.

Jordan and I had a movie date on Saturday since everyone else was gone. We went to see Bandslam. It was very good. In the middle of the movie my mind started wandering and I about had a panic attack thinking about Jess being in eighth grade. Where does the time go? I am trying to enjoy every minute with the kids. Next year will be so strange not having Jess at Grove with us. Jordan was invited to go with a friend to the lake over Labor Day weekend, but I think she has chickened out. Fine with me! She is hoping to invite a friend over one night. I told her we can probably do that.

Scott is getting stronger and stronger every day. He doesn't get tired nearly as easy. He still isn't 100%, but he is getting there. His hair is still coming in more gray than dark. He is looking really good. His swelling from the steroids has gone down. His color is coming back. He has that spunk in his step again. Such a good feeling.

I am enjoying my prek class so much. Today was a wonderful day. They are really finally starting to get the routine down, me too! It has been a big adjustment, more than I anticipated. But, I do love it. It is a great group of kids. I have been really tired. I read Psalm 62:5 and it really spoke to me. It says "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Aren't you thankful we have a hope and a future in Him!?

Wow, Wednesday

This is week is flying by. Jacob has football practice three nights a week, Scott and I had a dinner Monday night, church was tonight. This is a busy week. The kids have a band night tomorrow night to get their books. Friday night is Jacob's welcome to the youth group dinner. Saturday is OBU move in day, whew!

Sunday is going to be amazing. Our church is going to begin having three worship services and two sunday schools. We moved into our new church about a year and a half ago and have already outgrown our new building. God is at work at IBC Shawnee and if you are looking for a church, give us a try. We have an amazing pastor who unashamadly preaches God's word.

Scott moved his appointment with the neurosurgeon to next Friday. I will be glad to know what he has to say. He gave himself a haircut a few days ago. It is coming in, dark now as well as white. Still more white than black. He is also getting eyebrows and eyelashes again.

The kids seem to be liking school. They have already have gomework. We are very thankful for their school. It is probably the closest thing you can get to a private school in a public school. We have just over 400 students Pre-K through 8th grade. There are amazing teachers that really love the kids. I feel so blessed that they are there.

Jess is babysitting every day after school. She is doing a great job. She is watching a kindergartner named Emily. She is such a cute and funny little girl.

I am finally feeling like we are getting in the groove of school in my class. I now have 19 pre-k students. They definitely keep me on my toes.

I am so ready for my parents to come home! They should be home in about two weeks. I know they have had a great time. I can't wait to see all their pictures.

Have a good week!

Grandparents

We are so blessed. Our children have amazing grandparents. I was thinking about that last night before I fell asleep. What would we do without them?! They love our kids so much. Thank you for helping us out parents! It has been amazing to be helped with school supplies, clothes, shoes and groceries! Last week I had a big uh oh. I accidentaly left open our deep freeze. It is a huge commercial upright deal. The latch didn't catch and the lock prevented it from closing. We lost EVERYTHING. Several roasts, hamburger meat, ribs, and several things I had made ahead of time and froze to make life easier once school started. That just made me sick. Grandma and grandpa came yesterday and helped us out by buying groceries. Thank you. Thank you all for loving our kids. Nana and Papa, thank you for taking the kids to Alaska. What a sacrifice! Five weeks! They had a ball. They will cherish that time with you all forever! We love you all bunches and bunches!

Back to School

We all had a great first day back at school. I can hardly believe that we are back at it! The summer sure did fly by. I have a great little class. I have 18 prek kids! I do have an assistant and it seems like we are really going to get along. The day flew by that is for sure! I am so exhauseted tonight. I think I will try to go to bed very early!

The kids had a good first day. Jess is in eighth grade, which seems impossible to me. It just seems like yesterday she was going to prek with Mrs. Sims. This is her last year at Grove, which really makes me sad. She has lots of her friends in all her classes, so she is so excited. Jess is babysitting after school for a little girl from our church. She is in kindergarten at our school and will come home with us every day. She is very happy about that.

Jacob is now in sixth grade. Middle School. How did that happen? He is playing football this year and is so excited. He has had two practices. He will also get to start going to the youth group. Wow. How did that happen? Two old enough for the youth group now.

Jordan is in fifth grade and is so happy that several friends are in her class. This is the first year in a while that Grove has self contained fourth and fifth grade. So, Jordan is going from changing classes to staying in one all day. I am glad it has worked so far.

Scott's hair is coming back. I need to get a picture of him at this stage. It is really fuzzy and started out as WHITE WHITE, but is now starting to look a little darker. He is feeling really good. He still has to see the neurologist, but everything seems to be doing wonderfully.
We have heard some great stories about the kids Alaska trip. They told us their favorite things were (the girls) white water rafting and the dinner theater and Jacob says he liked fishing the best. I guess mom and dad's dog has had some brushes with death on the trip, the last being that the girls were walking him and he found some bees. He is a Jack Russell and is a jumper, so he was jumping on the bees and eating them. They didn't think about what could happen with him eating the bees, they just thought it was funny watching him. Well he was being stung multiple times. He had to have benadryl because his throat was closing up. My mom lost it I guess. She was saying to the girls, what were you thinking. Don't you know he could die from being stung like that, and on and on. Finally Jess said, Nana I guess we are just idiots. I guess that stopped the lecture! Thankfully, Hank is fine.

Well, I am off to soak in the tub a few minutes and heading to bed! Have a good evening!

Two More Hours!

I am so excited to go pick up my kids! Only two hours til they are back with us. Scott and I had a great time in Ft. Worth. We went to Cabelas three times! I got to go to Sam Moon and got a purse, wallet and two necklace/earring sets. We went to eat Friday night and stayed at a really nice Marriot Golf Club. Too bad neither of us golf! It was so nice to get away together stress free. Saturday we went to Grapevine and saw Julie and Julia and shopped a little. I was on a mission to get a pair of black capris for school. I found them at Marshalls. We then headed home. I got my class list. I have 18 in my class. 10 girls and 8 boys. I have always been boy heavy so this will be interesting! I am very excited to get started on Wednesday. Two more hours, may be the longest two hours of my life...

Port Is Out and Michael Jackson!

Can you see the hair starting to come back?
Ready to go! Funny guy!

This is when he was doing his funny talk!

Scott's port removal went well. We got there at 7:45.They didn't get us back until about 9:00. They took him back and the surgery only took about 20 minutes. So, here is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time! He was being wheeled into recovery and he kept saying in a long drawn out, drugged voice, "IIIIII'mmmmmm dooooonnnnnneeee!" Then the anesthesiologist was teasing him before they took him back that she was giving him the same drug that Michael Jackson had when he died and that maybe he will be able to Moon Walk. And boy did that stick! He wouldn't stop talking about Michael Jackson. He went on and on about that the anesthesiologist said he would be able to moon walk. He wouldn't shut up about him! Then he asked if there was any left over chemo in his port and if there was he wanted his money back! Oh my gosh was he ever funny! He also kept asking how long everything took. The sweet nurses were so nice and answered every time. I took a few pics and he got mad. Then when we were driving home he asked if I had videoed him? I said no way you were mad for me just taking your picture, there is no way I was going to try to video you!!! He will go back to the dr in a week for a follow up visit.

Our AC went out last night. We are so frustrated. The one good thing is our house is only four years old and it all should still be under warranty. Please pray that it is. Very frustrating. We are staying over at my mom and dad's until it is finished. Thank goodness they live across the street! Thanks for praying for us. One more hurdle, the neurosurgeon and then we should be home free!

I don't know why I am so amazed at God speaking to me, but I always am. Last night my Bible reading was 2 Samuel 22. It reads:

David's Song of Praise 1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, 
 my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation. 
 He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— 
 from violent men you save me. 4 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, 
 and I am saved from my enemies. 5 "The waves of death swirled about me; 
 the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 6 The cords of the grave [b] coiled around me; 
 the snares of death confronted me. 7 In my distress I called to the LORD; 
 I called out to my God. 
 From his temple he heard my voice; 
 my cry came to his ears. 8 "The earth trembled and quaked, 
 the foundations of the heavens [c] shook; 
 they trembled because he was angry. 9 Smoke rose from his nostrils; 
 consuming fire came from his mouth, 
 burning coals blazed out of it. 10 He parted the heavens and came down; 
 dark clouds were under his feet. 11 He mounted the cherubim and flew; 
 he soared [d] on the wings of the wind. 12 He made darkness his canopy around him— 
 the dark [e] rain clouds of the sky. 13 Out of the brightness of his presence 
 bolts of lightning blazed forth. 14 The LORD thundered from heaven; 
 the voice of the Most High resounded. 15 He shot arrows and scattered the enemies , 
 bolts of lightning and routed them. 16 The valleys of the sea were exposed 
 and the foundations of the earth laid bare 
 at the rebuke of the LORD, 
 at the blast of breath from his nostrils. 17 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; 
 he drew me out of deep waters. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, 
 from my foes, who were too strong for me. 19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, 
 but the LORD was my support. 20 He brought me out into a spacious place; 
 he rescued me because he delighted in me. 21 "The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; 
 according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD; 
 I have not done evil by turning from my God. 23 All his laws are before me; 
 I have not turned away from his decrees. 24 I have been blameless before him 
 and have kept myself from sin. 25 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, 
 according to my cleanness [f] in his sight. 26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, 
 to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 27 to the pure you show yourself pure, 
 but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. 28 You save the humble, 
 but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. 29 You are my lamp, O LORD; 
 the LORD turns my darkness into light. 30 With your help I can advance against a troop [g] ; 
 with my God I can scale a wall. 31 "As for God, his way is perfect; 
 the word of the LORD is flawless. 
 He is a shield 
 for all who take refuge in him. 32 For who is God besides the LORD ? 
 And who is the Rock except our God? 33 It is God who arms me with strength [h] 
 and makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; 
 he enables me to stand on the heights. 35 He trains my hands for battle; 
 my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36 You give me your shield of victory; 
 you stoop down to make me great. 37 You broaden the path beneath me, 
 so that my ankles do not turn. 38 "I pursued my enemies and crushed them; 
 I did not turn back till they were destroyed. 39 I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; 
 they fell beneath my feet. 40 You armed me with strength for battle; 
 you made my adversaries bow at my feet. 41 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, 
 and I destroyed my foes. 42 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them— 
 to the LORD, but he did not answer. 43 I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; 
 I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets. 44 "You have delivered me from the attacks of my people; 
 you have preserved me as the head of nations. 
 People I did not know are subject to me, 45 and foreigners come cringing to me; 
 as soon as they hear me, they obey me. 46 They all lose heart; 
 they come trembling [i] from their strongholds. 47 "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! 
 Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! 48 He is the God who avenges me, 
 who puts the nations under me, 49 who sets me free from my enemies. 
 You exalted me above my foes; 
 from violent men you rescued me. 50 Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; 
 I will sing praises to your name. 51 He gives his king great victories; 
 he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, 
 to David and his descendants forever."

Wow. How amazing is God to give me this passage at this time in my life! I read the enemy as cancer. God has delivered Scott! I am so thankful!

Bye Bye Summer

It is so hard for me to believe that summer is winding down. I pretty much have my room finished. I have a couple more little things to finish, but nothing major. It is going to be so hot when we start. That will make it hard on the little ones. They need to go out, but it is almost too hot for them to. I went with my friend Marcy today to get a pedi. I had a great relaxing time. Thanks Marcy! Scott asked me tonight if I want to run to Dallas this weekend. He needs to get some stuff for church. We will probably leave Friday night and come back Saturday evening. I say let's go! I have been wanting to have a get away all summer. God is so good to answer even the most trivial wants in our lives! Scott's big day is tomorrow to get out his port. I am ready for that to be done! Just one more step to "normal"! He has to be there at 7:45. We should be home by 11:00 or so. The kids have been having a good time. They went on their private boat tour seeing whales, porpoises, icebergs, and did some fishing. They are back to the fishing camp now. They will be traveling to Anchorage in the next few days. Then Sunday they will be coming home! My parents plan is to stay another month. I hope they come home sooner. I want them to have a great time, but I am missing them so much! How did we ever make it when we lived in Georgia? God's grace I guess! We had an amazing church service on Sunday. The music was so amazing in the morning and at night. We had a night of praise Sunday night and wow. We have some amazing talent in our church. Scott preached Sunday morning and did a really good job. I love hearing him preach. Hope everyone is enjoying their last few days of summer vacation! Hugs!