It is quite a shock to be talking about school starting up, but here we are – it starts in less than two weeks.  I realize we say this every summer, but it has gone way faster than usual.  School did not end until the last week in June.  A couple days later we left for Arizona and from there we went to Disneyland.  It was great having all six kids together.

We returned and kept to a fairly structured schedule.  Mornings were typically reserved for “Mom School,” with swim lessons, open swim, water polo, swim team, birthday parties, counseling, soccer and track consuming afternoon and/or evenings from Monday through Thursday.  The boys’ free time was spent mostly outdoors and frequently with their remote control cars (thanks again, Sarah & Kyle).  Fridays were reserved for outings such as the zoo, Wild Waves or Seattle.

We also had some great adult-type socializing, including catching up with friends from way-back and getting to know some relatively new friends.  There are several friends that we didn’t see much at all – let’s reconnect this fall (you know who you are; coffee is on).

Mid-July included a visit from Holly, a former Karshner co-worker now teaching in Thailand.  Vacation Bible School was the same week (on top of – not instead of – the other activities).  And Randy was horribly ill that week.  We are grateful for Holly’s willingness to step in and help.

While Sary-Jo and the boys were doing all that, Randy has had a busy summer at work.  His team has accomplished quite a lot and there have been some surprises that keep work interesting.  His job is a true blessing.

The first Sunday in August, we went to Al & Pam’s beautiful home & property for the 5th annual Edgewood Community Church reunion.  We attended Edgewood our first 16 years as believers, so it’s great to get together and share stories about how God is working in each of our lives today.  Steve & Cindy, who moved to Montana years ago, were able to join us this year.  This was the first time our Edgewood friends got to meet the boys because we were out of town last year (Janel’s wedding).  We had awesome weather and a wonderful time.

Last week Daniel played as a guest in a soccer tournament.  This weekend, David’s team has a tournament.  Labor Day weekend, Daniel’s team is playing in a tournament.  This soccer mom desperately needs a mini-van!  It wasn’t as essential when she was a dance mom.

Next weekend we’re celebrating Randy’s parents’ 60th wedding anniversary, and his dad’s 80th birthday.  The four siblings are hosting an Averill family reunion and it promises to be a lot of fun!  After that, we have just a few days to get in the routine for school.

I guess we’ll have to find another time to clean the garage, switch the boys into the larger bedroom, paint the deck, finish the landscaping, etc.