1 Month Down...3 months and 3 weeks to go

Here is Joel with his team. He is doing well over there, enjoying his job, being challenged in his leadership skills, and training for a 1/2 marathon on September 11. He works long 12 hour days with one day off a week but his biggest complaint is the heat (up to 120 degrees) and humidity. We get to talk on the computer almost every day but only for about 20 minutes. Sometimes they are great conversations and other times they are chaos with the kids screaming and climbing all over. However, we are so thankful for that time everyday and the kids always notice if a days goes by and we haven't seen Daddy on the computer.

Here are our tomato plants after 1 month. They are looking great! But they have become a source of revenge. Jesse has pulled out a couple of Anna's and Anna has pulled out one of Asher's in anger. Does anybody know about tomato plant? Is it time to tie them to stakes?

This is Jesse coloring a picture to send to Daddy. He always wants to do what the big kids are doing.

As for me, I feel like I have somewhat gotten into a groove. My mind at least has stopped waiting for him to come home in the evenings and we have developed our bedtime routine (Joel usually does bedtime). I am clinging to the verse 2 Corinthians 5:14 at the moment. "And he died for for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." Every morning I attempt to lay myself down and live for the kids. It is a daily struggle to give up my wants and needs with a good attitude and I often fail. The Lord is guiding me and I lean on Him. Just please don't tell me the time is going to fly by because it hasn't. This past month has felt like a year! One day at a time.