Hola!

It's been a while since I wrote sorry- I just can't believe how busy things get. Let me catch you up.

The wedding- The wedding was awesome! Katy, the bride, was a wonderful and beautiful bride and we all had a blast hanging out with her the weekend of her wedding. She had 4 bridesmaids and for our dresses, she asked us to pick out any black dress above the knee from the Black and White Market- a very classy store. I fell in love with a black strapless dress that I can easily wear again. The only "bad" thing that happened on the day of the wedding was that I ripped one of my contacts that morning as I was getting ready so I ended up only wearing one ALL day long. It wasn't all that bad, but I had to really concentrate on the way down the aisle because it was on a slant and I didn't want to trip and be embarrassed. Other than that, we all had a BLAST singing and dancing to Abba and Grease music.

On the way home from the wedding, Archie and I stopped in Normal, Illinois where we went to college and had fun reminiscing. Even though we didn't attend there at the same time, we still knew many of the same people and had fun sharing stories. We both updated our wardrobes and bought a new college t-shirt. We enjoyed a delicious lunch together and a walk around campus. We got back home Sunday evening and picked up the kids. Everyone seemed to enjoy their weekend and it was fun hearing all about what Grammy, Aunt Lori, and Aunt Julie did with the kids.

classes- Since we got home from our vacation, I have taken 2 technology classes to further my education. They have not been bad or hard at all, but they do take time away from the kids- especially before school starts again- oh well, my last class is Friday.

Madison's 5th bday-horse cake-- Tomorrow, August 14th, Madison, my baby girl, will turn 5! It's crazy to believe, but it's true. 5 years ago at this very minute, I was in heavy labor with our very first child. How time flies by! I made her a horse cake since she LOVES, no, is obsessed, with horses! My first attempt at it this morning failed because I did not let the cake cool long enough, and my man handling of it caused it to break. Ooops! But, my 2nd attempt was successful. Archie cut the cake the way the directions said to and I decorated it. It was a joint effort. . . .I hope that she likes it! Not too bad for our 1st time.

meeting my new teammates- Tomorrow I will be meeting the people that I will be working with for this next school year. I am excited to see who I will be working with and how our whole team collaborates and works together. My jobshare partner and I have not gotten together at all to discuss this next school year- and I am FINE with that. I am definitely learning how to be more flexible and relaxed with SOME things- I think that this next school year will be a really good one and I am excited for all the new changes.

Jenny moving- Sadly, I said goodbye to one of my best friends this past week. I have known Jenny since we were young- elementary school, but we didn't get close until highschool. She has been a rock for me these past few years with having the twins and learning how to go from 1 child to 3 children. We had MANY late nights together chatting and I could ALWAYS count on her to have a "Girl's Night" --out or in. Her last week here, we went to 2 movies with Julie, had some nice prayer time- and even a good cry together. I will definitely miss her. Jenny is doing a good thing so I would be real selfish if I asked her to stay- Jenny quit her job here with a very prestigious company and will be attending a college on the East Coast to get a degree in Children's ministry. From there, she hopes to go over seas and do mission work. I am very excited to see where she goes and who she meets in the future. Here are some pictures of her car fully packed and her hanging out with my kids (in Christian's crib) on one of her last nights here.

That's it for now. Tomorrow is Madison's bday and the family party and then on Friday the kids and I will be visiting my Dad and Marsha for the weekend. We will be going to a fair and celebrating Madison's bday together. Needless to say, I am not sure when I will blog again, but keep looking and I'll post again when I am able to.

Oh- and by the way- Christian is learning how to stand up for himself when Caleb tries to bully him around- sort of. Christian will still cry and scream if Caleb is mean to him, but now he has also learned how to pin him down, sit on top of him, and pull his hair- all at the same time! It's a sight to see, very comical, but I have to reprimand him for doing it. There's NEVER a dull moment around our house!

oh- one more thing- the kids all got haircuts this week. When Madison was sitting in the chair and the lady asked her how she wanted her hair- she said short- to her ears. What?! I thought that we were going in for a trim- I did not let her get it that short, but Archie and I agreed to her getting a "bob." We explained to her when it was cut that it can't be put back on again and that it will take a LONG time to grow back. She really wanted it so we thought that it would be a great lesson on cause and effect- and decision making so we let her get it cut. Her hair is cute, but when Madison was going to bed, she asked if she could "return" it. Isn't that precious?

I like all of you and am glad that you are in my life- just wanted to let you know! Thanks for reading!