TGIF !

Well, we got thru the first week of school-tropical storm and all...We are giving kudos to Taylor for trying out for volleyball when she has never played it before. That takes courage! About 20 girls tried out-so she said she is prepared to not make the cut( and not be upset about it.) Lindsay gets a big "high five" from us for wanting to be bilingual and therefore requesting Spanish 2 when the rest of her grade is only in Spanish 1. (She is finding out fast that WCS was way behind in the content taught in Spanish 1 compared to here-so she has a big challenge ahead of her). She is in her room making flashcards so she can catch up. Justin aced his spelling and Bible verse-a great start for him. Two family members that don't seem to be adjusting well are our dogs. They hate the grass here, and the weeds in the vacant lot next door have burrs that really hurt. They walk through the grass like they are walking on hot coals. Lacey has been limping off and on since we arrived. She hates storms and that is all we have been having here this past week. I can tell that she is not feeling well tonight. Maybe all can get some rest this weekend and be ready for more challenges next week. Thanks to the Severances for the gift of popcorn that was on our front step when we arrived home tonight...it cheered everyone up!

Everything's New

It sounds obvious that we would be adjusting to new things, but sometimes the sheer amount of new things gets the best of us at different times. Today I was frustrated turning too soon for a street I needed for Lindsay's oral surgery appointment. Traffic is always heavy on the main drag, and a mistake like that is costly. The kids are adjusting to new teachers, hallways, schedules, friends...and sometimes they get overwhelmed too. Thanks for the prayers...getting used to all of this is going to take time and patience(two things I don't have an abundance of!) We went out to our house tonight because Dave said the pool cage was up and the pool filled with water. Also, the carpeting was installed. Sorry to Jeanie for not calling you after dinner, I decided we would run out there before dark! As much as Cape Coral has new shopping and pretty views, now that I have to drive over the bridge at rush hour to and from school-I really can't stand the bumper to bumper stopped traffic for miles....

A Big "to-do" about nothing

Well, we have topped an Ohio snow day(calling school for 2" of snow)...we had a day off of school for a rainstorm. No thunder, no lightning, not really even a heavy rain. The wind was strong, 30mph with 60 mph wind gusts. We never lost power, so it was a day to catch up on laundry, sign school papers and actually take time to read a book. Dave's stores were open, so he went to work after making sure we weren't in any danger. Thanks for prayers for our safety. Today was the first "send money" call from Kyle. That must be some kind of record! :)

Hurricane's a comin....

I didn't know I would get to meet a girl named "Fay"! Lot's of speculation of exactly where she is going to hit landfall, but schools are already closed for tomorrow. We will be closing the hurricane shutters tonight and I bought essentials at the store today(water, candles, flashlights, food that doesn't have to be cooked). Fay is predicted to arrive around 8 am, and right now is said to be no more than a category 1. Winds will be high and lots of rain. The Cape Coral bridges close during high winds, so we will be staying put. No evacuations have been called for. We will let you know as soon as it is over how we did thru it all. Most of the locals call it a bad rainstorm. I call it one of the top 10 reasons why I didn't want to move here:) ! I owe many of you phone calls, between today being a half day first day of school, and getting ready for the storm I have only had time to sit and do this....talk to you soon...

College-WOW!

I had to split Kyle's college weekend into 2 parts because one part of me was sad, but the other was so excited for him and his new opportunity. The campus was beautiful, what a facility. Kyle's roommate Devin is so nice, and he has a small group assignment that do planned activities together. We spent Saturday unloading the trucks in the rain, setting up his room, running to Target for things we forgot(pillow?! razor?!)...going from table to table in the "Sac" (student activity center) to sign up for various things. It was exhausting. Sunday morning we went to an awesome worship service-great music, awesome message. Lots of laughing and some tears...what a blessing Dr. Rutland is to those students. Once again, the existing students and parents absolutely love the leadership and staff. Afterwards we had brunch at the campus restaurant which was gorgeous. You can pick from lots of types of foods-this is no cafeteria. There were mandatory meetings, which on one hand you wanted to have end-but knowing when they do you have to say "See you son, be good, study, don't leave your room a disaster, lock it, don't leave food out, do your homework right away, watch your language, pick Godly friends, blah,blah, blah, he has tuned me out!

Year of sad "See you laters...."

This has been a year of being separated from loved ones. The most painful have been the loss of Ryan and "Grandpa Tom". Though they are in the glory of God in heaven, there is a big hole left here for all of us who loved them. We also had to leave our neighbors whose kids have grown up with ours. We miss our Christian brothers and sisters from church and school. Friends, I still think I see your car when I am at school or shopping! Now we have dropped Kyle off at college, and his room is empty. Hard things...We were told to remember this verse as we left our sons/daughters at the university..."I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day....2Timothy 1:12 Our children are not ours, but God's. Kyle, we are praying for you and this opportunity that God has for you!

Campus

picture 5- the campus restaurant
picture 6-Kyle and his roommate Devin
picture 7-Bauer Hall-Kyle's dorm