REJECTS...............

A TRIBUTE TO THE SUMMER OF 2011

GOODBYE SUMMER....

I have tons and tons of photos of this summer. I have no energy to post them. I made them into a "tribute to summer" video in which I will post it sometime. I have to do it now...because I said I would. Summer was spent at home...enjoying each others company. We frequented the cottage a lot...and near the end....wished we had even more! Lots of fish were caught..and let go..except for one which Isaac is going to put on the wall! Many marshmallows were toasted and/or lost to the fire.. We frequented the zoo and the discovery center...went swimming...it went too fast, far too fast! I really mourn summer....but I know that seasons are necessary.

This guy is working so hard. I wish that I could give him a well deserved break! He has 4.0 and was officially accepted into the doctoral program....woo hoo! He has been taking doctoral courses all along, but it was under another name...I think it is called the Educational Specialist. So....now he must *really* know what he is doing! hehehe. He is looking for topics for his dissertation...one he is throwing around is dealing with motivation of students...that would be really beneficial to the schooling community as they deal with parents and kids who don't seem to care. Feel free to give him suggestions for topics...he would love that!

Isn't this the tiniest little turtle you've ever seen? Isaac found it while he was on the boat. He deposited it somewhere safe...very cool!

Wow...he is a handsome guy! Isaac is in middle school now....and flourishing. I was really worried about him starting, but he loves it, and he spends a lot of time with Cory...that must have something to do with it....let's face it...boys need their dads! Hoping you all are looking forward to fall, and the coming holidays. I've already started a Christmas gift...(Hey this is early for me!) Looking forward to a trip to the Alma Mater this Saturday....can't wait to sing "Fight Geneva Fight Geneva Fight Geneva Fight!"

WHY...HOW?...

I had to share this shot, because it is a strange thing to me. I told the kids to smile...and Gayle quickly "posed" for this shot...It is times like these that I have to wonder "what in the world"....and I have to be honest...I *think* that this was a reaction that she had and not something she was *trying* to do...she is just so unaware...and yet...look...ACK!

ENJOYMENT...

We were fortunate enough to be able to take some time to spend as a family....some of us...(Asher) spent it snoozing.

I love to take pictures at the zoo...they have so many picturesque places to pose by.

They had free face painting that day...

FAMILY TIME...

We actually started out the day before with a picnic....and some fun at a park.

We barely got anywhere....for the locals..we were just where they have the swans...and it started to pour....buckets. I can't remember the last time I ever got caught in rain like that...and I loved it...and was thoroughly soaked!

Look how bright it is in the above picture...not 2 min after this....the downpour. Below is day #2 at the Zoo.

36 YEARS YOUNG...

Happy 36th Birthday to my best friend in the entire world!

Blessed Indeed!

BEAUTY SHOP...

It was rather rainy today...so the girls and I amused ourselves by playing what Gayle likes to call Beauty Shop. I will not lie...I enjoy this game. I love make-up...sparkles, and anything girly. I usually let them apply make-up on me, but not this time.

Sometimes I get nervous....I can see what is to come, and feel like it is too close. I have always wished I had brown eyes like Esthers....

....Of course....Gayle has beautiful eyes as well..both of them....gorgeous and stunning without paint! Of course I am partial to my beauties :-)

DR of THINKOLOGY...

This guy is taking it day by day...he is realizing his next "break" (if you could call it that)..is right before Christmas. He has a full plate, and it would be great if you would say a few prayers on his behalf...I am really proud of him and his dedication--it is a labor of love for sure!

GOOD BYE PUMPKINS!....

I feel sad....We had a beautiful pumpkin patch...at least 5 or 6 Pumpkins...of which were to be jack-o-lanterns for Fall....one day I noticed that the leaves on one stalk began wilting...then I noticed some leaves turning yellow...so I thought...maybe we should cut some of the dead leaves...stalks off so that growth would go straight to the pumpkins. I noticed the roots were brown and rotting...so I did a little research and found out that we were vistited by the Squash Vine Borer. So Cory and I went out to perform surgery. We carefully scraped off the "yuck" and then made an incision inside the stalk and killed any "borer" that we found...which incidently look like little maggots...ack!" Then we washed it out, and wrapped up the wound in nylons, and covered it with dirt. The next day...we pulled it all out! I was thinking about trying to start another patch, but it is most likely too late. pumpkins are expensive and they grow so easily...this was troublesome. At any rate...next year...I am going to plant them later in the year before they lay their eggs...which...incidently look like a smashed raspberry on your leaves.... I have also been told to coat my seeds in sulfur, and to add it to the soil during the season. I will try again next year. Everything else seems to be going fine...tomatoes seem late in ripening...but lots of green ones! The burgandy beans are growing SO fast...and the watermelon are getting bigger...hooray! Today I have to go out and pick off the yellowed leaves of my Rose of sharon...it seems that I have been watering it too much and now it has mold spores on the leaves...it will spread to the other plants if I dont take care of it now...on another note...I have a nasty chipmunk who dug up one of my bulbs....the nerve!

A NIGHT OUT!..

Yesterday Cory and I got to go out for the evening...without kids! We had been invited to a wedding and enjoyed ourselves immensely! He had just gotten back from the University the night before...so it was such a delight to be together for such an extended period of time. The reception did not start right after the wedding, so we had a couple of hours to kill, and it was just so very nice...Thanks to my inlaws for taking care of 5 littles for us while we enjoy ourselves!

GONE...

I am missing my husband...who has left me for the week. He is fulfilling his obligations at Liberty University. Every year he has to take what is called an "intensive class" . Normally classes are about 8 weeks long...but during the intensive it is an 8 week class shoved into one week...classes are 8-4:30 every day...with lots of work to do after class for the next day. He is feeling tired despite having no "little distractions" to deal with this week. I am proud of him and thankful that he is willing to pour himself out so selflessly.


Meanwhile....I am feeling tired, but am thankful that Thurs I will get a little break compliments of Corys Mom and Dad! I am also thankful that Isaac has really stepped up and started doing tasks that Cory would normally take care of...and without being asked! Just noticing that the trash needed taking out...and doing it! We talk a lot about showing initiative, and it feels like it is paying off! I was telling Cory just this morning how much I missed him, his company...my best friend. I also was telling him that I didnt enjoy being a single parent much, that life is so much easier when you are working alongside the person God designed you to be with...


Despite him being gone...we will continue to have a good time and work together to accomplish lifes daily tasks...And if anyone is interested in joining us..we are free on Friday...Come play with us!

GROWING UP.... QUICKLY.

This is Gayles new look. Her hair was really quite long, and now it is really quite short. I like it. So does she.

Esther got a perm. She needed a look that could be sporty and dressy depending on what was going on. She likes it a lot...and so do I!

Our little garden....growing quickly...lettuces, royal burgandy beans, watermelon, pumpkins, tomatoes, basil..we used to have sugar snap peas...Esther weeded the garden and now we dont...hehe. My peppers did horrible...Mom said to use Epsom salt...I never did, because the pumpkins grew over top of them......My tomatoes are not large plants, but plenty of flowers are appearing...that is what matters :-)

A NEW LOOK...

Yesterday I took the girls to get their hair done at the salon. This was a huge treat for them and me! I love girly stuff, and love my girls...so this was a delight! Scroll below to see the before pics of the girls....and soon I will post the after shots...I think they look so cute :-)

Also...I was behind on some posting....so Ive included some other things including our 4th of July/Happy Birthday to Mom celebration pics. I hope your 4th was as nice as ours. We slept in a tent for the 1st time as a family....it was not quite like I envisioned it. I was not prepared for the middle of the night soon to be 2 yr old standing up and singing Elmos World to all who would listen...over and over again. Not a whole lot of sleeping...but it *was* good practice for preparing them for camping...and me too :-( (Didnt I just say I was a girly girl?... perhaps I could at least get a small air mattress...?)

BEFORE.....

Gayle...Wow...her hair is really long. Prepare for the new do!

Esther....her hair is getting quite long too...no more cutting her own hair...she learned her lesson I think. Prepare for her new do!

4TH OF JULY HOOPLAH....

Asher...growing so big....so fast!

Gayle....just having fun!

FAMILY SHOTS....