The Last Days of Summer.....

I do not have a green thumb. I blame my mother but let's not get into that. Despite this, I still like to have flowers to enjoy in the backyard and plant some tomatoes we can enjoy about this time in the summer. This year, because we were gone for three weeks in July, I didn't want to invest in a whole lot of plants since I wouldn't be around to care for them. I decided to try planting some wildflower seeds in my half barrel out back. Zanna helped me sprinkle them and water them. And then we watched green shoots sprout up. I kept watering them. They looked like weeds. I thought maybe I was watering weeds. But it was a chance I was willing to take. We returned from our holiday during which my neighbor so nicely agreed to water my flowers. They were all alive thanks to her - and my barrel of weeds turned into lovely wildflowers!! What fun to pick a bouquet and bring it into the house for all to enjoy. Humor me.
Will enjoyed "Lego my airplane" camp at the Aviation Museum. This lucky boy got to play with Legos everyday for half of the day with other like minded boys (and one girl) and the other half was spent learning about airplanes and related things. The last day was highlighted with an actual plane ride that lasted for about 15 minutes. Will got to sit in the front, took lots of pictures with his camera and even a short video of the descent (sound like anyone we know and love? Big Will (my grandpa)!)

August always brings us 2 weeks of VBS between the 2 churches Wayne serves - in Ottawa and Quebec. We hosted Kingdom Workers from Wisconsin the second week as they volunteered their time and energy into the Quebec church's VBS. We loved having these young adults in our home, getting to know them and having them interact with our kids. What a blessing!! They did a great job and served their Lord faithfully. Our church's VBS in town ended with a community fun day with the bouncy blow up slides and stuff, carnival games and food. Wayne thought the sumo wrestling might be fun (inspired by The Office - Beach Day episode) and it was the highlight! Pictured here is our lovely family - good enough for the Christmas card, perhaps?
Last weekend we had our big reunion with the families we traveled to China with. (a few families are missing) It's been 31/2 years and look how they've grown! It was great to catch up, share memories and watch the kids play. They will always have a special bond!

Otherwise, we have truly been enjoying our summer break. It's a treat to sleep in, make a lazy breakfast, go for picnics, meet friends at the park, family walks, bike rides, read books, a trip to the new water park and lounging in our backyard (with a view of my flowers!).

Yesterday I even spent all day in bed! What?!! It's not as exciting as you may think. To recap:

February 2010 - intense pain in tooth

March - root canal

April - different tooth in intense pain - tooth pulled

June - braces off

August - temporary crown on root canal tooth

Permanent crown doesn't fit, another temporary

A cavity on an unrelated tooth is found

Yesterday - oral surgery to insert titanium post into space with no tooth, highly drugged experience, spent the rest of day in bed

So that's my story so far - looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds. It's getting pretty old. I try to be thankful for the care I am able to get, the technology available and a supportive husband. And medication. Thank you, Lord.