Hanging On

With temperatures still in the 90's here, summer is fighting to keep its grasp on our area.  Fall is going to have to duke it out with Summer sometime in the very near future.  I can't wait to move back to an area where summer is the weaker season, and fall comes out on top.

How's It Going?

Things, as always, remain hectic in our household.  Mandy and Andrew are doing awesome in their school work, having some easier days, and some harder ones as well.  Mandy is zipping through her math, as she is currently repeating 2nd grade math only.  She will be in 3rd before we know it.  She is such a smart, attentive little girl.  Andrew is learning to take responsibility for his learning, as he does most of his work on his own.  I check up on him, and discuss what he has learned on a daily basis.  We are really loving Calvert.

Illness seems to be spreading in this house, as well.  First, Jeff was sick for a couple of days.  He actually refused to walk, which had us concerned, but is now back to normal.  Mandy then came down with a fever, reaching up to 104 at one point.  She is all better now.  I actually had a low grade fever yesterday, but seem to be on the mend.

My most pressing concern is, as it has been for some time, the health of my dad.  He really needs a lot of prayers.  Currently, we are praying that he is accepted onto a transplant list, which will be his best chance.  I know I should not pray for something specific like this, so I pray that God's will be done, and that He gives us all the strength to handle his decision.  Each life on this Earth has a purpose, guided by the hand of God.  I am not ready to say goodbye to Daddy, so I hope and pray each day for a positive outcome.  It really does not seem fair that he has his condition, and to see him struggle chokes me up.  It is so hard being so far away at this time.  I wish I was there to lend a hand every day.

That is what's up here for now.  I look forward to updating with better news in the very near future.  Please add our family to your prayer chains.  Miracles do happen.

In The Mail

I walked out to the mailbox in a drizzling rain, wondering what might be in the box.  Of course, the only thing that ever is in our mailbox is junk, or a bill.  Today, there was an invitation for Andrew to join People to People and travel to Australia next summer.  It all looked very impressive, and made it seem like Andrew was privileged to be invited.

As I did a bit of research, it turns out anyone can go.  All you have to do is fork over $5,500 for the trip.  Wow.  We are feeling really special for having the honor of paying for a vacation to Australia for 2 weeks at the bargain price of $5,500!  Can you tell?

There has to be a better way to see Australia.  That's all I'm saying.

A New School

This year, as I think you may all be aware, we have enrolled Mandy and Andrew in a Charter School here in South Carolina. Because we felt the local school they were attending was not meeting their needs, we have enrolled our children in the South Carolina Calvert Academy.  After our orientation today, we feel we have truly made the best decision!  We can't wait for school to start on Tuesday!

Today, Mandy and Andrew made some friends in their classes, met their teachers, and have their new school t-shirts to show their school spirit.  We got to attend orientation in Columbia, at the South Carolina State Museum.  It was officially their first field trip, and school hasn't even begun yet.

Best of all, this school will teach Mandy and Andrew how to take control of their own learning.  They will have much responsibility for their learning, as they have not before.  I think it will be a great experience for them, and for us as a family, as well.

A Whole Bunch of Random

I looked into Jeffrey's mouth today while I was changing his diaper and it became quite apparent the is cutting 4 teeth at one time! Poor baby.

Andrew was an awesome big brother today...he bought Mandy a treat from the ice cream truck with his own money. His friend next door did not do the same for his sisters. In fact, this friend was willing to let his sisters have nothing at all! I was proud of Andrew for being a great big brother when it would have been easy to follow the example set by another and be mean to Mandy.

Mandy was pretending to talk to Grandpa on the phone today. "How are you feeling?" was one of her questions. The other? "So, Grandpa, how's that magic coming along?" She is so funny!

Paul sold his first car yesterday! We think #2 is coming back in today. Not bad for a weekend. It did mean, however, that instead of coming home at 5 yesterday, he wasn't home until after 9. And we had friends over to celebrate his birthday. Oops. But hooray at the same time! Good thing our friends are really friends and very understanding!

That's all for now! Bye!