August 2013

August was another busy month. We fit in as many activities as we could before Daddy went back to school. Summer vacation has ended and our lives have picked up the pace. Read on for more details.

We enjoyed several free activities in the area. The STEPS Resource Center that helps strengthen families hosted a duck derby at the "train playground" so we went and enjoyed the festivities. We purchased a duck and cheered it on as it floated down the "river" that the firemen made in the middle of the park. Our duck didn't win but we really enjoyed all the fun family activities. There was even a duck calling contest! On another evening there was a family fun night hosted by the local police, fire, and emergency services. The kids got a chance to dunk the police chief and sheriff, ride a pony, and play more games.

We decided to go hiking at Lake Fort Smith State Park one Saturday and started early to beat the heat. We finished our hike drenched in sweat so we headed straight for the pool for a fun time of cooling off. The boys are such fish that it is almost impossible to get them out of the water. Side Note: At some point this summer Thad grew taller and his head is now above the water in our pool at home!

Another trip to the zoo was in order and we had a blast looking at and even touching some of the animals. We enjoyed the sea lion show again and had fun at the petting zoo.

As you will see in the smilebox, Ms. Laura came and took the boys pics again. She is so patient and has such a good eye. Eli especially loved hamming it up for the camera! Many of the pics were taken at Pendegraft National Park downtown. It is a really neat place and has tons of great places for pics (the boys are sitting on a cannon in many of the pics and are on the back of train cars in others).

Our foster parenting journey continued and we had all our home studies done this month. The sessions were very intense at times and we are glad to be past that part. We were "approved" and now our house has to pass final inspection next week and we will be open! Please continue to pray for discernment so we will bring the right children into our home that will fit with our family.

Jeff started back to school the first part of the month. So far he is loving it! He has an awesome schedule and some really great students. Please pray that he would have good health this school year.

Eli is thriving in his studies. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect but I never would have guessed that he would be such a little sponge, eager to absorb everything I throw at him. He absolutely loves math and reading. I can't keep up with all he wants to learn! Praise God for an early love for learning. Please pray that I would foster that love and excitement and that God would give me creative ways to teach my children.

Thad likes to "do school" right along side brother. He is working on his letter sounds and pretends to read. He wants to do everything brother does and is not content to color in a book. He wants the same math worksheets and all.

We enjoyed a night at the water park with the home school group we joined. It was fun to start making relationships with other families in the same boat. We hope to start co-op classes in the next few weeks and make even more friends.

In the midst of all these activities we also visited with friends as much as possible and attended all our "regular" church activities. We are looking forward to being involved in several new ministries in September and the boys can't wait to do Everyday Heroes.

We hope that you all had a wonderful summer and we able to spend time with the ones you love. God bless!

Another free digital slideshow by Smilebox