I really miss blogging!  All week I have wanted to get here, but time has just been too slim.  I am going to try a new tactic – a week recap.  There is soooo much that happened this week; it was a week of milestones for us.

I took my son to get his driving permit.  He wanted to get it while he was still 14.  He had been studying faithfully, but I didn’t know his desire until last weekend.  The morning was insane, we didn’t get out of the house to head to the DMV until 1pm.  I was concerned because history has proven the later in the day you go, the longer you wait in line.  However, God was so good! {of course!}  We got our ticket and only had to wait for 4 people in front of us.  We went in, he took his test {passed!}, got the permit and walked out within 30 minutes.  Thank you Lord!

The next day he turned 15…..wait.what!  My boy is 15! 1. We started the day making a radio ad for my dad. {remember that campaign thing I told you about? ya, it doesn’t care what the date is…}  2. Vince’s desire for his birthday was to go shooting & fishing. Right after making the radio ad we went to the archery range where Vince & Christine got to shoot for an hour.  3. Vince showing Christine how to hold a larger bow.  Her bow was too small & he’d brought two.  4. See that angled piece of 2×4?  Ya, guess who forgot the spatula to flip the burgers…  5. Vince getting to use his waders & fish in a creek.  6. See Vince’s fly rod?  He made that!  In Feb. 2011 he took a class and made it.  He was the only kid in the class, but he still loved every moment of making is own 1st fly rod.  7. My horribly ugly attempt at making an angry birds cake.  I hated this year’s busyness & lack of being about to do better.  First Christine made a gluten-free carrot cake, Vince wasn’t sure he was impressed :-D.  So, I bought a carrot cake, we pulled the frosting carrots off, and “decorated” it.  Not pretty, but it got the point across.  We had angry bird plates to eat dinner & smaller ones for cake.  8. This would be the path we drove into our picnic spot.  See that “dip-up”, ya – with my minivan.  I followed the step van in – not sure my dad realized how much lower my van was.  But, we still made it in – 4by’ing isn’t a normal activity for me, especially NOT in my van. 😀  9. The stream I crossed with my van….  10. Fireweed.  Let me tell you a few things about fireweed. First, it is our state flower.  Second, {fact/myth/reality} it is said, as the summer progresses, the fireweed blooms upward.  When it gets to the top, our summer is over.  uhhh, this one had less than an inch to go.  This is not encouraging; I believe you could count our sunny days on less than the fingers on both hands.  Third, I am allergic to it & this means I need to start taking allergy preventing stuff. Already.  11. The view on our drive home.  Look how the sun shines through the clouds over the mountains.  So pretty!  We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful state!!!! 

Another day Vince & I went to high school orientation.  Did you {hear} that?!  How on earth did we get to high school??????!!!!!!  I am super excited Vince wants to home school AND he has an interest in the classes he’ll take and mapping out his high school years.  I don’t mean this to sound prideful, but I am so thankful he is such a good kid.  I know it is only by the grace of God.  I also know that because God gave us freewill it can change at any moment.  Vince is thoughtful towards and kind to others.  He enjoys politics – the political system – the process of campaigning, elections, state government, and federal government.  It will be interesting to see what comes of this interest.

Another day was 19 hours long!  It included three trips into town, with one trip out being 12.5 hours long.  {My goal most days is to not leave the house, and if I do – only once for a couple hours.}  It was a day of campaign, life, friendships, and design work.  It was long, but good.  I even got a couple hours at a bookstore, all by myself.

My brain has been in denial ALL week – driving permit, 15, and high school orientation.  All in the same week!  Isn’t there supposed to be some kind of break between such huge milestones?  {UGH}  Is it any wonder I am exhausted at this end of the week?  I am still hanging onto the following verses.  I have emphasized for what they mean to me.  I am so comforted to know He already has a plan for each of us – and that plan is for our best.  Also, that He listens when we call on Him and pray.  And – the best.  He promises when we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13

Today has been spent working to figure out more WordPress, and taking in a campaign picnic – in the dumping rain.  So, there you go – that is a surface level recap of my last week.  I am tired, but He has a plan!

**I have to add I am horrified with the events in Aurora, Colorado.  I’m not trying to ignore what has happened; there just isn’t anything more to say.  My heart aches for the families whose lives have been forever changed.  I hope & pray this tragedy will be what it takes to put many on their knees before Christ.  That those who haven’t before bowed their knee or accepted Christ as their personal Savior, will see the fragility of life and chose to turn to Christ.  I have to cling to and believe what I know that I know – He has a plan, He will be glorified.  Even when it doesn’t make sense in my mind.  **