Some summer vacation moments we don't want to forget. . .

Taffy sitting patiently on the edge of the pond, net ready to catch a fish.

Raising our new flag (thanks G & G Baird!) for the first time.

Carrying this beast, with Elder Bell and Elder Poore, up the hill to it's new resting place. . .

and then having Elder Bell run over our mailbox as they were leaving.

Caden and "his" mower, pulling the girls on the trailer.

Beautiful nights playing 6 square and Zombie tag.

These small hours. . .

Spring sprang all of a sudden this year in Missouri.

One week we were bundled up in coats and going to Timo's music concert,

(where he played a song from "Lord of the Rings" on the piano)

The next, we were trying to catch up on all the weeds that had come out of nowhere!

(Along with the blossoms.)

And now, all of a sudden. . . it's summer.

Today I was listening to the song "Little Wonders".

There's a line that goes "Time falls away, 

But these small hours, 

These small hours still remain."

It's the 4th day of summer vacation.

The days keep coming and going.  We don't have a lot of "things" to check off.

We just keep living and doing and interacting. . . one small hour and one small hour at a time.

"Let it slide, let your troubles fall behind you,
Let it shine until you feel it all around you

It's the heart that really matters in the end. . . "

"Our lives are made

In these small hours, 

"These little wonders,

These twists and turns of fate,

"Time falls away,

But these small hours,

"These small hours still remain."

So sorry. . .

Jeremy informed me that my gruesome nose has popped up on our blog for too long.

I apologize.

We've been busy.

This is the only pic I could get of Jaycie's last performance with the Southeast University Symphony.

They played a monster concert - an orchestra piece, 3 soloists, and a Haydn Harmonie Mass that lasted 45 minutes.  It was incredibly taxing on the performers AND the audience. . . an impressive feat to accomplish.  Jaycie just finished her junior year while juggling pole vaulting and the symphony.  She is a beautiful and diverse little gal. . .

 

. . . who also likes to stuff grapes in her mouth.

Taffy just lost her 4th tooth, producing the cute 6 year old gaping smile.

She was thrilled to go to school all day at the elementary school for "play day."

She is anxious to go there full time for 1st grade.

I will miss her dearly, but am grateful she stayed home for kindergarten this year.

She is a delight.

Sarah finished up 3rd grade with Mr. Wendel who told her a lot of scary stories that she passed on to her little sisters.

One day I couldn't find the 3 little ladies.  My search ended when I opened the door to the garage and heard muffled screams of terror from the car.  The girls were so scared from the stories Sarah had imparted that they didn't dare get out of the car to come inside.  Oy vey.  Thanks, Mr. Wendel.

Timo has finished up his elementary school career.  6th grade is in the middle school for next year.

He made some good friends and stepped up to the plate going back to public school.

Sports trivia of every kind has become his new passion.  This small town is BIG on sports.

Today we said goodbye to 2 wonderful Elders while eating at China House Buffet.

(Jeremy and the kids love that place.)

These Elders, especially Elder Poore, have become part of our family.

(Elder Bell even unconsciously called me mother on Sunday.  Am I seriously that old?)

 Elder Poore has been here 7 months - we've only lived here for 10.

We will miss him.

There.

Now my nose won't pop up. : )