A Brand New Start

Hello, friends!  I tell ya, having such limited time on the computer is the PITS!  I just feel like I've fallen so far behind on my blogging and it frustrates me.  As most of you know, my main reason for blogging is to keep a journal of our family life for my girls.  We did some things this summer that I definitely want to share with you as time allows.  Chris is still looking for employment.  He's continuing to get lots of interest, if only we could find the right company to have him sign on the dotted line.  Oh, I know it will happen, but I'm beginning to get a little antsy.  I have to constantly remind myself that God is in control, not me.   

Well, my girls are both back in school.  Abby started HIGH SCHOOL on Aug. 8th!  I know, just doesn't seem possible!  Bless her heart, she has to get up at 5 AM every morning in order to catch the bus at 6 AM.  On top of that, they just changed her route, so she has to ride the bus for an hour and 15 mins. in the morning!  The good part about it is that she's the second stop off in the afternoon, so she gets home at 2:35 PM.  She's able to navigate around her school of nearly 4,000 students with little or no difficulty.  She seems to enjoy all of her classes and teachers, with Biology being one of her favorites.  She recently got hard contacts, as I may have mentioned, and has had a difficult time finding a pair that fit correctly.  We picked up her  3rd pair last week and they fell out when she was at school and couldn't find them anywhere.  They run $155 per contact!  Thankfully, her eye doc. is going to give us a replacement discount.  He doesn't think they fit her eyes properly, so he's put in an order for a pair of custom soft contact lenses.  Sure hope those work out!  I think she looks so much older without her glasses... 

   
We helped Brittany move back to college on Monday.  She moved into an apartment just off campus with two track runners who are, also, in their sophomore year.  It's a 3-bedroom apartment and each of the girls have their own bathroom, which is nice.  They have a family room, a full kitchen, and a laundry room. I think she's going to like it much better than living in a dorm room...it feels more like home.  Having to say goodbye to her this time around was a little easier than it was last year, though still difficult.  For those of you who've been through it, it's like when your child moves back home from college your heart gets fooled into thinking that they're home to stay.  So, it's a shock to the system when reality hits you in the face and you realize that they have to leave, once again.  What makes it easier for me this year is knowing how excited she is to be back in college...especially now that she's no longer running for them.  I think this year and the next years to come will be much brighter.  Here's a few pics. of apartment bedroom.  I think it turned out cute.

Of course, I couldn't resist having our picture made together before we said our goodbyes.  Yes, I cried, but I held it together as best I could.  I'm just going to miss her so much and probably won't get to see her until late October. One-day-at-a-time...that's all I can do!

           
So, my house has grown pretty quite these past several days.  That's always the hardest thing to get used to.  However, I'm just trying to stay positive and focus on all the blessings I've been given.  I've always said, "What doesn't break me will only make me STRONGER!"

Until we meet, again, my friends!