Can you believe it? We are ALREADY in the last week of the summer break! Weren't the kids just counting down to the last day of school????

Teachers report Wednesday morning at 8:30 and while I will be in attendance for the meeting, it will not be as a teacher. To say that I am a little torn about it would be an understatement. However, I have absolutely NO doubt it is the right decision. (I will miss the students.... I was even going to teach a Jr High Class this year...)

The last year of our life has been a bit trying, to say the least. I will still be serving in areas of ministry at church, but will be spending much more time at home getting things in order. I am extremely excited about spending Q-U-A-L-I-T-Y time at home! Cooking, cleaning, preparing... you know... things I used to do. (if I could just get coupons in this part of the world like I did back home!)

I am also eagerly anticipating AND completely terrified about some training that will be taking place here on Elm Avenue. My kids are AWESOME. But to my shame, lack training in a few areas. You see, I have this problem..... I'm a bit of a control freak.

(Working everyday + being a control freak = results less than ideal)

When Saturday morning is pretty much the only significant chunk of time you have to clean house and do laundry (that is... on those rare Saturdays when you don't have a party of some sort to attend) it's hard to invite "helpers." I KNOW, I KNOW... I'm doing them AND myself and injustice.... believe me... I know. It's just easier to (say it with me my fellow control freaks) "do it myself."

Now don't get me wrong, they help set and clean the table, take the trash out, put away clothes, things of that nature. But they should be doing more. MUCH more. And I'm not talking about breaking any child labor laws or anything, I'm just talking about stepping things up a little and being a real contribution to the daily happenings here on Elm Avenue. And actually, its more about developing their spirit and character while helping around the house. But as most of us know, there's a lot of difficult territory that has to be covered to get there!

So... there's a brief update. School supplies, back packs and lunch bags have been bought and labeled. Come on August 27th!

Until next time~