To all my xanga friends, I haven't died.  Yet. :) The workload at Faith Builders is kinda crazy.  I think I'll adjust, but this first semester is going to be tough.  Xanga is blocked at FB, so I've pretty much switched my allegiances to facebook.  If you want to hear about my life, you'll have to look there.  Right now I'm home for the weekend because we had communion at church, and I ought to be finishing homework before driving back tonight.  Last weekend I was actually home, too, because of my grandpa's funeral, so I'm feeling a little detached from life at Faith Builders.  And I'm feeling the need to do school work!  I can't keep up with my assignments without getting lots done on the weekends.  My family was really good to me this weekend!  They helped me schedule my time so I'd actually WORK while at home, and Sonya even gave me some lessons in chemistry so I could catch up!  In another two hours, Lynell and I will be on the road, heading northwest!  Thanks to all those of you who support me with prayers and friendship!  I probably won't be home again til Thanksgiving.  Enjoy autumn! 

My fat  golden retriever was helping me fill some of my free time!  She even listens to Crystal, too!

I'm leaving for FB in a few weeks, so I thought maybe I'd let you all know how my summer vacation has gone/ is going.  The past 2 months have been incredibly relaxing.  I've been working about four afternoons/evenings a week at a little restaurant just a couple miles from my house, and the other days I've been spending with friends or my family or a good book.    Yes, luxurious!     In 3 short weeks I'll start TAP, which will bring my blissful vacation to an abrupt halt!   Tomorrow my family's going to the cabin for the week and after that I'll be preparing to leave.  I already said good-bye to Maria (leaving for Poland on Wednesday), so right now life feels full of change.  It's always a little scary to change, but- as Maria said- we wouldn't want life to go on forever as it is right now!

Crystal, Sonya, and I went with Ginger and the boys to Good's when they had their petting zoo out in the parking lot.

Caleb got scalped. :)

I should probably post more pictures than just my nephews.  Before I leave, I'll have to update again with other pics since I don't think I'll have access to xanga at FB.  Keep enjoying summer!

Today I ran out of work before the end of the school day.  And I couldn't find anything that needed done after 3:00, either.  So I went home.  And on my home, I wondered what I would do with the next 4-5 hours.  Probably most of you can understand how STRANGE it feels to have nothing to do.  Or to having nothing that NEEDS to be done.  This is definitely a GIFT from God.  We have 10 more school days at WMS, and they look pretty manageable.  THIS year I'm not saving the grading of all 40 research papers til Memorial Day wknd.  Smart.  

Here are some pictures that are a little outdated.  We went to Baltimore for our field trip on April 15.    

We got to help change the enormous flag at Fort McHenry.  It tired us out. :)