End of Summer Blues

Wasn't it just yesterday when I was saying I didn't know if I could make it through a whole summer with Aidan home all day long?! I cannot believe how fast these last 3 months have gone by. I feel like I am just getting into a good groove with the boys, and now our world gets flipped upside down again. There was so much more I wanted to do with them. I hate it when my days feel so uncompleted! I am just not looking forward to battling it out with Aidan every night over homework. I know, I know, I should be more positive about it, and I really am with Aidan. But it's my turn to be grouchy, so there! :)

Although, I should note that Aidan said today he was excited for school to start. When I heard that I about fell out of my seat. What did he just say? He then clarified that he just meant he was excited to meet his new teacher and make new friends. Ok, but still, excited?!?! I can go with that!

Anyways, summer is almost over, and crazy life begins again. There are just never enough hours in the day. But somehow we will make it through the bleak winter and back round to lazy summer days again. Plus, we have our Disney trip to look forward to in October. We all can't wait!!! Just gotta get over the hurdle of transitioning back into school life. But hey, maybe it will be perfectly smooth and surprising!

Cherene

Oh My Goodness!

I cannot believe that my baby boy (Aidan) went to church camp today! And he did great! That makes me feel so old. Camp was always such a big part of both Chuck and my summers growing up. It just seems so insane that I have a child old enough to go! It was only day camp, from 9 AM - 4 PM, but it was worse for me than his first day of Kindergarten!!! I didn't cry, but I did get a little teary eyed dropping him off. I think it was because we were going to be over 30 minutes away, as compared to 5 minutes away from his school. It didn't even phase him that he had never been there (at least not since he was a baby) and he didn't know a single person there. I told him we were going to leave and would pick him up later. I barely got a goodbye! But that's good, it just made me realize how quickly he is growing up. He is ready to spend the night next summer.

On another fun note, we (myself, Chuck and Austin) got to go visit our wonderful friends Brian and Lisa Walter. They live about 30 minutes south of Lake James Christian Assembly, so we decided to stay in the area instead of going all the way home, just to turn around later to pick Aidan up. It was so nice to see them. I miss hanging out with them dearly. They were our closest friends at Great Lakes Christian College, and we were in each others' weddings. They have an 18 month old boy named Luke and a 2 month old little girl names Ella. I got to snuggle her, and Austin liked admiring her and trying to make her smile. Very cute!

Overall, we all had a fantastic day. Aidan fell asleep on the way home and then went back to sleep on the couch when he got in our house. They tired him out at camp! I am so glad he had a good experience.

Cherene

Aidan Is Growing Up!

Last night, while Aidan was getting ready for bed, he picked out a few books to look at in bed before falling asleep. He does this every night, but admittedly never actually reads any of the words in the books, he just looks at the pictures. Well, last night he spotted a book about trains that he used to love. He decided to take that one to bed, but this time he thought he could try reading it. He even asked if he could read it to me. Now, for Aidan this is a huge deal! Getting him to do any kind of school work, especially reading, is usually an enormous task, and one that I normally fail at miserably.

Well, instead of hurrying him off to bed and ignoring his request to read to me, I excitedly told him I would love that. Aidan then proceeded to read the entire book to me. I helped him in a few spots, but for the most part he sounded out all the words he didn't know all by himself. It was so awesome to watch because every time he read a big word, he got this sparkle in his eye and this look on his face like he was so proud! He also didn't stress out and lose it halfway through the book, pouting that he couldn't do it or it was too hard. The hardest thing was getting him to focus. He kept wanting to talk about the pictures or would get distracted easily by something else in the room. It was frustrating for me, but I tried not to show it.

I am just so happy that he enjoyed reading. I hope this continues into the coming school year!

Cherene :)

Restful Vacation

Well, we just got back yesterday from being up in Shepherd for a week. It was great! We got to sleep in every day (the boys slept until at least 9 AM every day!) and just enjoy being around family. It was very relaxing and fun. Thanks Mom, Dad, and Mona (who gave up her room for our family) for putting up with us in your house all week long. Aidan went early to have some time with Oma by himself, and he loved every minute of it. I think he would spend the whole summer up there without us if we let him! :) Cousins just got a trampoline recently, and our boys spent half their time in that thing jumping around for hours! It was nice to have them all "caged" in one place and not worry about where they were or what they were doing! I gotta get me one of those!!! Here are some cute pictures of our vacation with Uncle Murdoch and Aunt Jan visiting from Seattle:

Silas & Austin - two silly peas in a pod!

All 5 boys with Aunt Jan

Aidan and Gideon - Fun at the Isabella County Fair!

Aidan & Austin at the fair

Cherene

Murdoch & Jan

Two of my most favoritetest people in the whole wide world are visiting Shepherd this week, and we made the trek up to be with them. My Uncle Murdoch and Aunt Jan flew in from Seattle, and I love hangin' out with them. I once labeled my uncle as someone who "doesn't mind embarrassing himself in public." Granted, I wrote that in a report in the 5th grade, but I believe that is still the case! He is also an award-winning author and para glides in his spare time. Jan is a terrific woman (who also para glides!) and I could sit and talk with her for hours. They both shower the Marckel and Howard boys with lots of love and laughter. I am so happy to be spending time with them this week. Thank you Murdoch and Jan for sharing your experiences and love with me. Words cannot express how much you mean to me.

Ok, I had better end this before I get truly emotional and start blathering on about some obscure childhood memory with them. Maybe I'll save that for the next blog entry!

Cherene