Slacker!

Yes, I know. I have REALLY neglected this blog the past few weeks. Life has been incredibly busy - but it is looking as if it is going to slow down. What have I been doing? Basically sorting and going through things to get rid of. June 13th, Milford Park Bible Camp had their first ever Community Yard Sale. I was anxious to do it in an effort to get rid of stuff and make some money. I managed to make over $600! Most of that was from the sale of Longaberger Baskets. I used to be a consultant and had collected a number of them and realized I really needed to simplify my life by getting rid of some. I also sold a number of books and other odds and ends. The money I made is probably going toward several projects in the house. I was going to buy a camera that I have really wanted for a few years, but I think the projects need to come first.

The following weekend, June 19th-20th, was the annual SEARCH Conference. I love this conference because it has a huge used book sale and I needed to get rid of several boxes of books. I think I did fairly well with that sale as well. I went with nine boxes and came home with only three! So I was pleased. I won't find out how much I made for four weeks as they have to process all the tags and then write the checks and send them in the mail.

As a result of these sales, however, it has motivated me to keep going through things and put things in boxes to store away for a community yard sale held in Macungie then end of August. It is my goal to really clean out the house and simplify our lives. We have so much clutter. As we begin to put our house back together I would like it if it were clutter free and simple to keep up. With three kids, life is getting busy and I just don't have the time or energy to put into keeping it all together. Besides, it feels good to get rid of things and have more time to spend with the family, rather than cleaning all the time!

The kids are doing well. Last week, Matt turned 12 and Sarah turned 10! I really can't believe they are that old already! We didn't really get them presents as our trip to Disney was their gift, but we did have special dinners and went to see the movie "UP". They enjoyed that. I really enjoyed the fact that we concentrated on them rather than what we were giving them! I think I may adopt this "one small gift" policy and do an activity with them for their birthdays.

We have been on summer vacation for eight weeks and I am already itching to get back into a routine! I think the kids are getting a bit board as well! So, we are starting some math and English next week, July 1st! I can't wait! Matt is already fussing, but that is to be expected. He would fuss if we started next year! He will get used to it and I really think he is going to like his seventh grade year. I believe I have all his curriculum and will have to post what it is we are using later. Sarah is actually excited about doing math. She is board and wants to do something! She is really trying to have a positive attitude about this school year. I hope it sticks!

Thanks for praying for us! God is good - all the time! It has been eight weeks since we have seen a live bedbug. We are praying each day that we don't find one. We are taking it one day at a time. I actually put Blues Clues bedsheets on Daniel's bed (we have used white sheets for the past eight months) and he thought I went out and bought him new sheets! He was SO EXCITED! He thanked me and hugged me! He was so funny! I guess he really doesn't remember anything other than out bedbug epidemic since he was just three when it all started and will be four next month. Sad, I know. I hope he doesn't remember it forever. But God has taught us much and has demonstrated His faithfulness to us in unimaginable ways! Though I wish the lessons could have been learned in a much different way, I wouldn't trade what I have been taught for anything! Thanks, faithful prayer warriors. If it weren't for your faithful prayers, I would have gone stark raving mad and would have been committed! Thank you. You just don't know how much I appreciate them!