It has been so nice reading the comments from all of you. It's always nice to get news from home. Brian has posted a few blogs letting you all know what's going on with him. I thought I would fill you in on the kids and myself.

Blakley and Jacob started school last week. They both have wonderful teachers that they like and things seem to be going well. We got off to a rocky start, but it has definately gotten better. The first day of school I asked Jacob who he played with at recess. His answer about made me cry. "Nobody," he said. I asked why not and he told me it was because he didn't have any friends. But he and a boy in his class, Xavier, have really hit it off and I am so glad. Blakley, of course, had made many friends her first day. The only problem we had with her on the first day of school is nobody could find her when I got there to pick them up. I was starting to panic (this school is twice the size of the one they went to in Benton). After 20 minutes, 4 teachers and the principal looking for her, and me worrying myself to tears, she comes running out. She didn't know anything was wrong until she was told that her mom was looking for her. Then she got upset. That is a fear that I don't ever want to feel again. EVER! Things have been great since then though.

Christian loves getting all the attention during the day. But he also loves waking up from his nap and seeing that Bubba and Sissy are home. He likes having Brian and me all to himself, but he misses his brother and sister, too. He wants to go to school so bad. He shows off his abc's and numbers to just about anybody who will listen. Walking through WalMart, all we hear is "A-B-C-D-E-F-G..........." People just smile and keep on going. He's pretty cute.

I am finally getting to where I know more than one way to get places. I'm still not always comfortable going someplace new, but it's getting better. Saturday night I went to Home Depot for a workshop they were having. I did just fine getting there, but I got lost coming home. Which, if you knew anything about Columbia, you would laugh at me because Home Depot is right on I-26. I got turned around and went about 20 minutes out of my way. I had to find a part of town that looked decent so that I could stop and ask for directions - it was night time and I didn't want to just stop anywhere. I finally got home - after Brian had to call and ask where I was because he was worried about me. Boy, did I feel bad for not calling him. But he forgave me, as he always does. Ha ha!

The boxes are getting close to being unpacked. I am so glad. But what will I do with myself after I'm unpacked? Just kidding - there is plenty to do. I am teaching the beginners in Sunday School and the same age group in Awana on Sunday nights. I am really looking forward to it. This is my first experience with Awana, and I must say that I was somewhat apprehensive about it at first. I'm not going to go into all that here - if anybody would like to hear more about what I have discovered about AWANA, all you have to do is ask. I'd be happy to talk about it. We voted at our July business meeting to start a Ladies Auxiliary and monthly men's meeting. We do so much with the youth at our church because in the past, that's really all we had. But we are getting more adult members that don't have children, and we would not be doing our duty as a church if we did not provide for their spiritual needs as well. I'm excited about this as well. It will be nice to be able to fellowship with the other ladies in the church without the kids around. I've been missing that.

I better wrap this up. It's getting long. Thank you for taking the time to read it all. Our prayers are with all of you while we are apart. Please drop us a line whenever you can.

Grace be with you all,
Christel