…my family comes first. Oh, and sleep. Did I mention that I like to sleep? So blogging has once again taken a backseat. I am also trying to get ready for the start of school, helping my husband as best I can while we figure out contract stuff (We lost all District 18 contracts, and half of District 1, which means we now only have enough work for 1 vehicle. The good part - I get to have hubby home lots more! I like that trade-off!), and finish up the household organization.

And as if I don’t have enough to do, in a few weeks I’ll be tackling a new project: building a triple bunkbed! We only have two bedrooms for five kids, so bunkbeds are in until there are some additions put on this house, and we can have more bedrooms. The three boys do pretty good in one room together. Initially we were thinking a regular double bunk with either a double bed on the bottom, or a single on the bottom with a trundle. I found some really great plans on-line for building a triple bunk. And thankfully, in a moment of rare serendipity, the boys ALL chose which bunk they want, and they are all different - Cole on top, Luke on bottom, and Brett in the middle. Thank You, God, for no arguments!!!

I also have to start planning the layout for the girls’ quilts. The nice thing is that they won’t need them for a while yet. Ellie is still in her crib, and I don’t intend to move her out until she starts climbing out. So far no attempts.

We got a trampoline at the Co-Op on Friday. $50!!!! I was soooo happy. And the kids have been happily jumping their days away. I so love where we live.

It is starting to feel like fall, all to soon if you ask me. Because most of my days since becoming a mother have been spent indoors through the winter, I often dread it coming. Summer is so short here. And we have not been getting much hot weather the past few years. However, I do enjoy certain things about fall and winter, and those are the things I will focus on. Things like fish chowder and chili, and apple crisp and pumpkin pie. Comfort food. Turtlenecks and jeans and warm socks. Fun hats and matching mitts. Crisp mornings and frosty windshields. And routine. We are a pretty laid-back family; able to do things spontaneously, and find flexibility comes naturally. But we are human. And though we love the care-free schedule of summer; of playing on our beautiful beach, eating lunch after a trip in the boat on the deck, or just lazing around in the sun, I know that not only am I starting to look forward to another school year, and all the fun things we have planned, but so are the kids. The boys are all eager for “school”, even Brett.

So tomorrow, I will complete my list of things to order, finalize the plans for our school space, and start to let go of summer. I have a hard time letting go, and the passage of time is difficult. I find myself panicking sometimes over how quickly my babies are growing. And I even grieve that we have such a short time on the earth, when life is so beautiful. But each day I determine to never wish away a moment; and that even in the midst of difficult situations, it is something to cherish. I feel so blessed with the life I’ve been given, and just want it to slow down, so I can truly savor every moment. The only thing that keeps despair at bay, is knowing that we look forward to life eternal. If it weren’t for Heaven, sometimes I think life would be pointless. Thank you, Abba, for the promise of more.