We are #3!!!

Some fun things come in threes...

 

And our favorite thing is this picture of great MERCY and GRACE!

So thankful for Jesus (and for a little movement in our waitlist number:)!

End of summer highlights...

 We had a fun trip to Grandma & Grandpa's later this summer & we got to try out their ice cream shoppe...a just right size table.

 These 2 are so funny...they are always trying a new Blizzard type mix of flavors & then split the treat & then analyze what they are planning to order the next time.

 Loving the ice cream cones.

 Buddies.

 Grandma is brave enough to let these 2 crack eggs for breakfast.

 And thankfully, no glasses needed for the boys again this summer.

 Back-to-school donut treat.

 This summer we were "free pool pass" junkies.  Its funny by the end of the summer it felt like we had been swimming a fair amount...and then I started realizing how many "free passes" we had used at various pools around the area...pretty fun for our 3 fishies.

 The kids did take swim lessons this summer...it is wonderful to have all 3 of them as independent swimmers now...it does make pool time way more relaxing!

 Every year we look so forward to the International Student Picnic...connecting Internationals that very recently arrived in America to Christian friends...the day almost takes your breath away at all the countries represented & all the opportunities for friendships

 BJ loved teaching himself to kayak & got to take Sister out for a ride

 Water-balloon volleyball with friends from around-the-world

And one of the things that I miss with the kids back in school...doing whatever in PJ's till whenever!
The boys are having a terrific year and it does feel good to be back in sync...but summer always hold a special place in our hearts!

Wait list...sorry for the confusion...

In my attempt to give a "good" explanation of what the "wait list" is & where we are on it a few posts back...I think it must have been confusing as I have heard from some "congrats on being #1"...so just to keep everyone up-to-date...we are NOT number #1...we are officially #4 for at this time...the last day of each month we get our officially updated number...and we can't wait!
Thanks for your continued prayers!

Finishing up a birthday...

 On our bucket-list for this summer was...teaching BJ to bake...it came easy and very deliciously!

 When Dad was back we celebrated BJ's birthday (again) at his favorite place...Panera!

What we have been up to...

We were so happy to get to have old friends get to stay with us last weekend...fun for our kids to get to be together & for the adults to have a great time together too...both the girls are "hairbow girls"...picture taken before the moms got the bows in..raw beauty!

Fun with cousins

BJ was our biggest fish in our pool this summer...he could spend forever playing in it...the other 2 usually got too chilly!

Last Farmer's Market before school starts...bummer, on the apple crop this year...still trying to get over that one!

Huge blanket forts in the basement

Brian & I got away for a night & enjoyed every bite at Maggiano's...it was delicious as I remember!  Great fun to be together..."table for 2"!

Voting for a Mormon? Ravi's insightful thoughts...

Gold Miners

A few days after we got back from vacation this summer...we headed into VBS week.  An amazing week...this year's theme...Answers to Genesis "Gold Rush"...very solid Biblical teaching in a fun kid-friendly format! 

There were fun skits

Neat crafts...BJ's is the sunshine

Ellyana was able to join the Toddler class...big stuff!

We were beyond thrilled to get to host Matt & Rebekah for his super mid-week talk & the week ended with the wonderful VBS picnic complete with special music!

We had lots of kiddos join us this year, so that was great exposure to the Word of God.  And one of my personal favorite parts of the week...seeing the church pull together...using a huge variety of gifts to make the week such a blessing...it is a God-thing!