First Day of School.

After a very HOT summer, we are happy to get back into the school routine. It has been a very busy summer. The kids have done many things and had a great time. But "all good things must come to an end". Here in San Antonio we have had over 60 straight days of 100+. This made it not as exciting to play outside and the house got a little boring. So thank goodness for school. We are very happy with all the teachers. I am very hopeful for a wonderful school year.

Summer Fun

In August Kinamo took Karley to Seattle. Karley had a wonderful time. She got to visit with Will's family. She also got to meet her cousin Piper. I hear they were inseparable.

While Kinamo and Karley were gone, Paula and Payton came to visit. We had a fabulous time with them. Payton is adorable and adjusted to the kids really well. We took all the kids to the Guadalupe River. This is such a great place for the kids to play. We spent several hours there and my kids wanted to go back the next week. We can't wait to see Paula, Payton and Mat at Christmas.

New Addition to our Family

No, I am not pregnant. But we do have a new member in our family. His name is Patrick. He has pink skin, looks like a human and has yellow hair. He is Ashley's new imaginary friends. She meet him in Del Rio and he shows up every once in a while. He really loves to go grocery shopping with Ashley and I. Today Ashley asked if Patrick could go to school with her. I said sure as long as he obeys the rules and keeps her safe. She jumped up and shouted "Yes". I am happy to see this friend brings her joy.
I have never had a child with an imaginary friend before, so I don't really know how I am supposed to handle this. So I just play along and enjoy him with Ashley.

Fasting

This past Sunday was Fast Sunday. I love Fast Sundays. Not that I love not eating for 24 hours, but I love the Spirit that comes from fasting. Every month there is always something worthy of fasting and praying about. This past Sunday I fasted and prayed about Karley. As you may know in Feburary Karley was diagnosed as having dyslexia. She has had a very hard time learning to read. She also has a difficult time expressing things vocally. During the past school year she has received tutoring by the reading specialist and well as one on one reading with her teacher. She continues to learn, just not as quickly as needed. Two days before school let out we were in the Library checking out books for the summer, when I met the mom of one of the girls that went to the reading specialist with Karley. This mom and I started talking and I found out her daughter is also dyslexic. She had found a wonderful lady to give specialized tutoring for her daughter. So we joined with them and Kaley and Katie have been going to this specialist 3 days a week all summer. This is where the fasting comes in. Now that school is about to start, I wanted to stop the tutoring. I couldn't imagine how I was going to get her to tutoring after school three day a week with my five kids. The tutor is 20 mins away and with traffic much worse. Also it is $400 a month. So I decided that she would just get the help the school offered. I took this to the Lord in fasting and prayer. The blessing of this is that the Lord turned my heart and showed me how Karley really needed this and how he would help me make it work out. I love the Power of the Lord and answers received in prayer.

Back in Del Rio

The kids have been begging to go to Del Rio this summer. Unfortunately the pool there had been closed most of the summer. So it opened and we had a few days with nothing to do. We packed our bags, booked a TLF and loaded the van. We had a wonderful time. We bowled at Cactus Lanes, swam at the Friendship pool, watched a movie at Cinamark 8 and played with old friends. Kinamo Jr has a great friend from the 3rd grade that he has kept up with. He spend each day with Jaime. You would never know watching them that they hadn't hung out in 3 years. It was great to spend 3 extra days that week with Kinamo. The kids asked him if he was going to stay with us or at his CP (crash pad). They loved to see where he lives all week. I am glad we went when we did because we were able to say goodbye to dear friends who moved that week. We all have wonderful memories of our years in Del Rio and I don't mind going there for a visit.

Star Scout

Kinamo Jr. has been working very hard in Scouting. He loves it and we are proud of his great desire to serve and help his fellow scouts. On July 15 he was awarded his Star rank at the Court of Honor. At this rate he will be ready for his Eagle next summer. We are glad he loves scouting. I also love Scouting and have been called as the Scout Committee Chair for both the Cubs and the boy scouts of our ward. It is a big calling, but I love it. And I get to wear the Scout uniform!!!