Stick in the mud

Okay, so I have tried to figure Wordpress out and failed.  It looks pretty cool, but I am technologically challenged and don't want to take the weeks to figure out how to maximize its coolness.  So here I am again.  I am sorely tempted to pitch in all technology and take up a stick and draw in the mud, but my kids found the printed copies of my blog, and they got so much pleasure out of thumbing through them, I felt like I had to keep plugging away.  The big tangle for me was figuring out how to post pictures.

Here is a sampling of what I have been trying to post:

 Madie's birthday gift.  One friend commented "gnarly chest hair."

 Grandpa Tony came to town.  We were all very happy to see him for a couple of days.

 Not sure why this is sideways, but what can I do in less than 30 minutes?  Grandpa Wayne sent down some of the bounty from his garden.  Soren was so happy, not that you can tell that in this picture.  We are hoping to grow a few of our own here next year.

 Karsten got to run a glory race at St. George's.  For some reason they ran the sixth graders separate from the rest of the middle school.  Karsten came in first by a long shot, and had a big smile to show for it.  The big sand hill is a joy to run down in itself, but when you have a sizable lead it is even better.  Grandpa Wayne got to watch which was also a bonus.

 The sixth grade play was called A Fragrant Garden.  Karsten did a fine job, as did the rest of the class.

 Madie and Brooke got to run at the Bullpup Invite.  It was a perfect day, and we had lots of time to clown around between races.  We had two kids sleep in, so it caused a small panic on the front end of the trip, but we made it in time for the freshmen to run their race.  Brooke does much better when she is trying to beat the boys.  She ran a 21:44, which won the race for the freshmen girls, and would have put her in 17th for the varsity.  Madie did a great job as well.

There you have it, the many reasons I don't have time to sit at the computer and figure out how to make my life look glamorous.  We are in the home stretch of cross country.  Bronster finished her volleyball season last night with the final hit of the game to end an undefeated season.  It was a lot of fun to watch, but will be hard to follow up with next year.

The kids finish their first quarter of school this week.  They are polishing speech meet pieces, taking the psat, writing papers, doing geography projects, and reading more and more.  It has been a lot of fun enjoying the changing seasons with them.  Listening to them hide God's word in their hearts, and singing His praises.  It leaves me tired at the end of the day, but knowing I put in a good day's work.

#1111-1122

spongy ground filling back up with water

the sound of rain pounding against windows

chilly mornings

the smell of good things baking in the oven

sports seasons finished well

harvest

fresh tomatoes

fall flowers

red tree leaves

children reciting God's word

reading with children, enjoying my favorite books over and over again

pumpkin spice lattes