Busy and happy!

It's hard for me to believe that summer is nearing an end.  The kids go back to school in a week and I'm going to have three hours to myself four days a week while the littlest two go to preschool!  What will I do with myself?  It's a mystery.  Time will tell.

Anyway, we've been busy having fun.  We've been swimming, to the fair and rodeo, taking family pictures, doing reading and math everyday and driving to Ft. Collins twice a week.  However, we did our last big trip to "Ft. Fun" and now we'll just go monthly for maintenance until Kedzie hits a growth spurt.  It's already gone from 32 degrees to 17 degrees and up to 19 degrees.  It's going to be a long road for her, but what happened over the last five months in my mind has been a miracle.

We took our own family pictures.  They turned out so cute.  We included Mr. T because he's part of our family this year.  Too bad I can't post them, but you'll get a copy in our Christmas card when that time comes.  The kids are just growing up so quickly.  It's sad and wonderful all at the same time.

There's drama with Mr. T that I can't go into, but the process which has already lasted 15 months looks like it's going to continue into this next year.  It's so sad that he can't have permanence.  I hate to say it but our foster care system is so flawed and broken.

Anyway, here are some fun pictures of things we've done the last few weeks....

The Miller's came to visit and we had them for a whole two 1/2 days!  It was awesome.  

Wish they still lived here, but alas, no. 

Alex and Mr. T in their drama class this summer.  They loved it. 

Yup, I love my soda. 

Kedzie's before and after shots.  She got braces the end of July due to a cross-bite on her top teeth.  Between straightening her back and her teeth in the last six months, she should be all "straightened" out before she becomes a teenager. Thus, making her the best teenager ever right?!  Right! 

Adams County Fair.  I took four kids by myself to the fair and rodeo. Travis was crying because he couldn't go.  Rather, he was crying with joy because he has church meetings he "had" to attend.  It was wild evening for me.  

Travis took Kedzie and I on a date to Cirque du Soleil.  

We partied at Pirates Cove with the Bair's

My sweet young women complete 83 ordinances at the Temple one afternoon.  

The kids completed two weeks of swimming and loved every moment.  Ethan cried when it was over he loved it so much.  Swim team?! Who knows.  All four can swim and they are little fish! Notice the picture of Ethan in the air, diving into 12ft deep water! Awesome. 

Ethan with his good friends Jada, Jackson and Cora and J's bday party.

One of our family photos.  I love this girl.  I'm so grateful to have her.  I sense some of what my mom must have felt about having me.  It's quite amazing.  

It's been a great summer.  Every day, except for today, has been filled with adventures.  And even today we've cleaned and we're playing with friends.  We are truly blessed to be active and live in this area with wonderful activities and good friends.  Couldn't ask for anything better. 

School starts in 7 days and the only reason I'm ready for my kids to leave is because they are sooooo excited about going to school. New teachers, new experiences, new friends, new adventures.  I'm sad to see summer go, but we did it right this year.  Just enough activities, friends and fun.  I'm grateful for our life.  Here's to a fabulous school year!