”When do I dance again? How much more time? Is that 4 sleeps? I can do EVERYTHING my teacher shows me. Watch!….” I love it. I love seeing her so excited. I love seeing her involved in something she loves and enjoys. I love hearing her angelic voice praising God as she sings The B.I.B.L.E. while twirling around the living room.

BLISS

And then I was kicked out of the room so they could start tapping their toes. I just can’t believe how much my baby girl is growing up. She is definately a BIG kid now.

We finally started the first day of school last week. Oh what a JOY! A joy for the kids and for me. Last year I cried all the way home, cried in my empty quiet house, and spent the entire 2 1/2  hours on the phone with my friend who reassured me that it would get better. This year, I was so disappointed my kids didn’t start school with the rest of the district. What is all that about anyway? So finally the day came and we all rushed out the door so excited to find what the day would hold for us.

With school, the rest of fall has begun for the Robertson household. The weather is just right for playing at the park with our friends…the first time in a long time we can come home from an activity that doesn’t require immediate dirt-mixed-with-sweat-or-chlorine removal.

 Even though it isn’t “officially” fall…although the weather and changing trees tell otherwise, we have started our fall sports and activities outside of school. We now are involved in soccer. We have started the AWANAS program through our church, which I have decided to volunteer in helping all those wound up children learn more about Jesus. Jessie is starting ballet and Connor is ready to begin taekwondo. A jammed packed fall, but this keeps us busy as we wait for Daddy to come home.

Speaking of daddy’s…this is for you, Drew. Jessie dressed up in clothes from my closet and said you would be so surprised to see that she is all grown up when you come home.

“…and when I grow up and get married, I am going to kiss like grown ups. Like this.” <cue smoochy face sounds>

Then after her 20th change, she said she didn’t want to grow up anymore. She just wants to see her daddy.

We think about you every day sweetheart! We love and miss you. We are so proud of you. We pray that God keeps you all safe every morning and night in our prayers. We believe in you and can’t wait for you to come back home.

Sure do miss that belly of yours and look forward to our trip out to Cheyenne!

This was our first trip out this year and we picked blackberries and peaches. MMmmmm! I had plans for this fruit. I learned how to make jam.

This trip was also special because it is the last family outing we will make before Drew deploys to Kyrgistan for six months. God gave us the perfect day with sunshine, storms, smiles, giggles, team work, holding hands, and good quality time together.

I loved it.

Off to pick PEACHES!

July has been jam-packed with family events.  I had my birthday, we visited my good friend and stayed at her house for three days, and then we went to a wedding, which the kids were part of. It was beautiful. The bride, the groom, the reception, and the bonus was that Drew came back from training that same day. LOVED THAT!

If you remember, I photographed a couple for their engagement a few months ago, Chris and Brittany. Jessie was their flower girl.

Connor was their ring bearer.

Brittany was beautiful.

Chris thought so too

I don’t think they could  have found another soul on the planet that would match eachother. They are perfect.

So, it’s official! Mr. and Mrs. Jackson for about two weeks now!

Congratulations Brittany and Chris! We love you both and wish you a world of happiness.

Connor has a love for every animal (species) he comes across. Instant attachment.

This is Robbie. He found the turtle and shared it with my kids. He also has a pet leopard gecko, tarantula, and an American Bulldog. He also goes frog hunting with the kids. Such a passion!

I let the kids use Crayola fingerpaints to paint the tortoise’s shell. They loved it! The turtle didn’t care that four little kids were hovering over it. It was really funny watching them try to paint while it slowly walked through the yard.

It was hours of enjoyment. I wonder if we could meet a tortoise everyday.?

The dogs were in HEAVEN!

I used to go crawdad hunting with my little brother when we were younger. I think I was a lot braver then, because it took A LOT of encouragement to show Drew and the kids how to pick one of them up. But, I did it. Noone was even willing to try. The kids thought I was kind of SUPER for holding it.

Connor found this GIANT ant walking across a log. He had to have it. He even asked if he could bring pet “Anty” home with us…UH, NO!

Jessie was chasing the swarm of dragonflies. They were everywhere! It was almost magical…kind of like the movie Legend with Tom Cruise. I loved it.

Such a great day. Logged in my memory forever.

You can use finger paint or chalk…or both. The kids opted for using the paint because then they could get all messy.

They had so much fun. They would paint, then hose it off and start all over. Such a creative way to let the kids do art.

Even Popcorn, one of our ferrets, decided she wanted to play in the paint.

She kept taking the paint bottle caps and trying to hide them…such a little theif! At least everyone can enjoy Crayola products!