Module 4

This semester my classes are divided into four modules. This week I enter module four in both classes, and I have four weeks left of actual class! Week five is for finals, and I'm convinced week five and a half is for baby! I turned in a major paper last night at 1:30 which was a major relief. I just wish I felt better about it, but I'm sure I would have if I hadn't started writing it after dinner last night. Oh well, I just don't have time for everything :) I only have two major papers left in addition to the weekly papers for each class. At least the weekly ones are easy to write.

In other news-
Micaela and Nathaniel went to the dentist yesterday. Our pediatric dentist quit accepting our insurance, so their last visit out here was with a stranger. I called several friends for recommendations, and this guy was great! He doesn't usually see such little kids, but they behaved excellently for him- so they both got a full cleaning! Their teeth both look great; although he's concerned that Micaela may need braces for (what I understand from Ian's explanation) a low frenulum that may keep her front teeth spread apart.

I stayed home with Gabriel while they were at their appointment. Gabriel has become a momma's boy. He likes to cling to my legs as I attempt to walk around, but all the extra kisses and hugs are encouraging.

Ian mentioned our family worship time in a previous post. This has been great. It has really helped focus our attention on our purpose as parents and as a family. We're using the basic format found in The Family Worship Book and reading a nightly story from The Child's Story Bible. I think the kids really enjoy this time too. Even Nathaniel has learned to sing a couple of songs with the right words (if not the right tune)!

Becky's Birthday- she's gettin old!

Ian's garden is starting to bear fruit.

Nathaniel is proud of his hat.

Momma's little helpers make pizza.

Micaela convinced Momma that she needed this bathing suite. Her reasoning- "Momma it's so very modest."

Today was Becky's birthday! We all sang Happy Birthday to her several times this week. Nathaniel is very sweet and sings it at the top of his lungs and off key until he forgets the words. Becky spent most of the day working on her college assignments while the kids and I played (and took naps). We took her out to dinner and then went for a walk along the beautiful Concho river. Everything is going smoothly with the house. We had a little bump with the termite inspector who didn't find any termites but tried extremely hard to get himself a job by telling us that we had "condusive conditions" for termites. I agreed to give the house a termite treatment for the buyer's sake, but the inspector will not be doing the work. As I called around I found out that this guy has had a record of fishing for jobs like that. No matter, God blessed us with more than enough profit on this sale and I do feel good about giving the buyer (newly married and first time home-owner) a good house. Micaela is taking very well to our family worship times every evening. She is learning the ten commandments, two hyms and is very interested in the Bible story reading. Both Becky and I agree that this time that we spend every evening is wonderful. The boys are still getting used to sitting in one place for longer than two minutes. Well it's bed time. We love you all.

YEAH

God is watching out for us! We got two offers on our house Saturday, and we're waiting to see the paperwork on Monday. From what we understand, the offers were made Friday- only one week from the day the sign went into the yard! One of the offers sounds really good. They'd like to close this month and they'll allow us to rent as long as we need, i.e. till after the new baby is born! It's wonderful to see God's faithful provision for us.

By the way...

Micaela and Nathaniel enjoy playing dress up. She had already confiscated his sash and bracelets. Maybe for his birthday some of you grandparents might consider a cowboy outfit or a fireman outfit or some other more masculine attire.

updates

Yesterday the we all went to the base pool to play in the afternoon. Ian had to take Nathaniel to an orthopedic specialist about his collar bone. The new PA in our clinic had been very concerned that Nathaniel wasn't healing enough. The orthopedic specialist laughed and said 'He's healing like gangbusters!' He said Nathaniel doesn't need the sling anymore, and that he should be fine. He's really doing better than expected. After his appointment, they brought us lunch at the pool, and Nathaniel got to swim. Micaela used a life jacket to swim in the big pool while the boys played in the kiddie pool. She jumped in by herself several times, but she wouldn't go down the slide. I got to visit with my friend De'Etta, and Micaela got to talk to her children a little. I actually thought Micaela was being shy yesterday. That may be a first!
While we were gone, the realtors showed our house again. This time it was a repeat visitor. The realtor said he would be talking to his bank yesterday and today, and that we may get an offer this week. Wouldn't that be nice?
I turned in one paper yesterday morning. One paper is postponed for an entire week!!!! So now I'm working on the other two and feeling like two is much more manageable. I took a final yesterday for the library science class every one is required to take. I'm glad it's at least over; although, it was an easy grade. The other two will end August 20. Nathaniel's birthday. 14 days before this baby's due date. My water broke with Gabe 16 days early. Someone please be praying that my water won't break till after my finals.....

Here are the promised pictures of my short-haired boys...Micaela is a camera hog! This would have been a great picture of Gabe!

Well, we've been too busy to update regularly since we've been home. We put the house up on the market, and we've had a couple of people come and look. Both sets gave positive feedback- both are looking to buy in our subdivision and can't afford the more expensive newer homes. Good news for us! We plan to schedule an open house this weekend as part of our commitment to Assist2Sell. We're not in the MLS (it's cheaper for us not to be), so that is how they advertise.

In other news- I have four papers due this week, but I only have to read one new play- Julius Ceasar. I've read it before- like 10 years ago. Any encouraging words are appreciated. Ian says his classes seem a lot easier than those he's taken in the past. How is that possible? He's almost done though, and we're thankful. His midterms are this week (I think). I don't have midterms. I never have tests or quizes- just papers papers papers. AGGGGHHHH

The kids enjoyed daddy being home for the long weekend; although, we didn't do anything special on the fourth. We did grill out, eat watermelon, and make a 'cookie monster.' Gabriel lost his hamburger to Mocha (really I think he handed it to Mocha) and only ate three slices of watermelon and a plateful of cookie and ice cream. Very healthy!

Trip to Tennessee

Nana and Gabey smelling the flowers.

Aunt Jessica and Micaela making a splash.

Micaela, posing.

Bubba driving Grandad around on "My Tractor!"

Donna meets Daisy.

Bubba drives Papa around on "My Tractor!"

Our trip to Tennessee went well. Ian spent the first week in Augusta "working" while the kids and Becky went on to TN. We visited many family members and had a good time. I'm not gonna write anymore, but I will post a bunch of pictures and comment on them. I'm too tired to write.