Well...

I thought summer would mean lots of blogging time. I was wrong! We have stayed busy, busy, busy so far. And we are down to less than six weeks until school starts back!!!! Ahhh!!!!!!

So, this summer has been full of baseball, swimming, trips to the library, housework, and lots of other fun things! Here are some pictures from our recent fun including Avery's 9th birthday and our new bed. Remember my phone posts in random order, do sorry that there is not any sequence to them:

Pictures

It is summer break!!! I'll be back to blog more soon, but here are pictures of the past couple weeks:

Silas' Kindergarten Celebration

Last night was Silas' Kindergarten Program. He did such a wonderful job, and it was adorable to watch! His teacher had a lot of nice things to say about him and he said that he wants to be an actor when he grows up.

While we were at the program, my da took Avery to baseball, so he didn't have to miss their game. Avery ended up having an awesome game, and they won 10-7. Avery was awarded the game ball for catching two fly balls, making many of outs at third base, an for hitting 2 rbi's with no strike outs. Way to go to both of my big kids!!!

Here are a few pictures from the celebration:

The flu

Influenza A invaded our home last Monday night. Nolan started in with a fever, and we have had sick kiddos ever since. Needless to say, I'm ready for this bug to be gone.

Thankfully, Steve and I have managed to stay healthy through this. All four of the children have had it, unfortunately. Silas started with his fever on Wednesday, and Avery and Chaille started their fevers on Friday night. Silas has had it the worst, with such an awful cough. He wakes up gasping for breath each morning.

I'm praying this ends soon. I am missing work today, which I hate to do. But, thanks to a great friend and babysitter, I was able to work 3 days last week that I "should" have had to miss. Friends, if you will, please pray for healing for my children!!!

He doesn't even know...

There is this man, who lives somewhere in our neighborhood, who has changed my life. And the crazy thing is... He doesn't even know.

We have never exchanged words, and I am unsure if he even can speak. All I can say for sure is that his presence alone has made my life different the last two days.

Yesterday, I saw this man walk by our house, a cane in his left hand. His right arm was limp at his side and he barely bent his right leg as he walked, slowly, cautiously, somberly past our home. What seemed like a long time later, he finally labored back past.

I sat on the porch, able bodied, watching my healthy (well, mostly healthy) and whole family run around laughing and completely unaware of the man. Completely oblivious to the thoughts that filled my head and my heart.

I could tell he had suffered a stroke or something similar. And he was pushing along, trying to get back strength and stamina that he will never fully recover. I couldn't help and wonder how frustrated he was with his body. I thought about the days before he lost what was likely his dominant side. I wondered if he appreciated what he had before he lost it...

I sat, praying for his recovery, and asking God to remind me to be thankful. For every moment. For a body that works. For healthy children. For gentle reminders of life's precious blessings.

And, He reminded me today. The man walked by again. And once again, I stopped to pray. I can't stop praying for him. That someday I will see him stroll by without his cane. While he reminds me to be thankful for what I have, I want him to have that again too. I know he will fully appreciate it!

I want to feel as blessed all the time as I do in those moments of realization. That moment when I see someone who only dreams of having the chance to walk normally again.

Maybe someday I can tell this neighbor how he has inspired me. Maybe someday he will be inspired to know that his illness impacted someone's life! I can only pray...