Tired...

I have really been exhausted over the last few days and seemed to be lacking my usual level of energy. I went to bed extremely early yesterday and already am headed that way tonight. I hope to refuel and recharge over the holiday weekend. We are full force in the school routine with our bedtime set earlier than it was all summer. Caleb seems to be the only one fighting the earlier time. Last night, we went to close his door after he had been in his room in the dark for nearly an hour and we heard a little voice say "don't close the door, I am sleeping in here" Too cute! I love to hear some of the things that are coming from his mouth these days. He speaks very clearly and is using full and very complete sentences. I just have to cherish every cute little thought and word that comes from him. I love how when Halle gets in the car after school he says "so, how was your day, Halle?" or "what did you do today, Halle?" Halle is loving school and really taking first grade seriously. Her best friend has gone to a different school this year, but other than that she seems to be loving and looking forward to each new day and what it holds.
She comes home each afternoon and goes straight to her room to grab a stack of books and then heads to the back yard to read books in the grass or sit on her tire swing and read for quite some time. She is reading fairly well. She struggles with some of the harder words but is making progress and enjoying the journey, and hey, isn't that what it is about in 1st grade?-making progress and enjoying small everyday successes.

Tomorrow is her first field trip of the year with a picnic lunch at the park near the school and an afternoon of playing with both first grade classes. She is really looking forward to it and the best part-we get to participate, and even her brother gets to tag along! Things have been extremely busy on the home and work front, not to mention the real estate investment we made in the early spring (and all the time devoted to that project), needless to say I am looking forward to an afternoon or at least an few hours free of the cell phone, email, and cleaning rags. My fingernails are currently worn down from all of the scraping of grout, caulk, and paint from surfaces lately. Well enough rambling....I will post a few quick pictures from our weekend trip to Tiny Town-it was so much fun-as usual. The kids were the perfect size and age to enjoy every part of the experience this time around. I loved watching them ride the train in the caboose together while we rode in the car in front of them admiring their bravery and watching their reaction. Caleb was afraid of the train at first but came off smiling.

I am holding onto the last few days of summer before fall comes lurking around the corner. My verse for the day...Psalm 147:3-5 "He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we'll never comprehend what he knows and does." He is sovereign and nothing is too difficult for Him!

This first picture was in the tiny church and I told the kids to praise the Lord and this was their response...love the enthusiasm if only we would praise Him like that all the time.