apologies, apologies

for the time between posts, but this july has been crazy!  we came home from north carolina to vbs at my church and then straight to west lafayette indiana for presbyterian youth triennium at purdue university.  j stayed home and worked, while a went to texas for an extended vacation of her own!


my first vbs in kansas was really good - although i'm glad its over - and we had lots and lots of help and lots of kids learning about the old testament. 

 triennium rocked - primarily because its a small, small presbtyerian world and i saw friends i havent seen for years and stumbled upon old aquaintances.  (new hope presbtyery had an air conditioned dorm - ours was not - so i was very glad to hang out with some old friends from nc and share some great laughs - at each other's expense of course!)

this being my first year in kansas, i also got some good quality time with the youth at fpc and from the presbytery.  got to know them better and they got to know me.  always a bonus.  










ains seemed to have the best time of us all - as can be recounted in her turtle texas trip diary! (thanks to nana)

• Had a picnic lunch with Nana while Papa went to the doctor
• Saw many cows down by the railroad track at Aunt Kaky's and Uncle Tommy's
• Papa got close and rolled down the window and a big cow was right by A. (They're pooping, Nana!)
• Visited with Papa Hyman
• Swam in her own personal pool in Plantersville
• Played in her swing
• Played with her water flower from Norma.
• Accompanied Papa to the doctor with Uncle Mark then ate at Wings.
• Read about Hank the Cowdog
• Chased the guineas
• Rode in the truck with Papa and drove in the pasture
• Read about Laura and Mary in the Big Woods, Pa and the Bear
• Read about Laura and Mary going to Kansas and the house on the prairie (Mr. Edwards)
• Recited Llama Llama and Little Engine that Could (Indeed NOT)
• Saw a Nice Man with a trailer load of cows who let Papa show Ainsley all the cows in the trailer (Thank you cows, thank you Nice Man)
• Went to WImberly and saw Old Man Blanco River
• Played with the Phillips boys Bryce (5) and Cody (3)
• Seesawed with Cody all by herself
• Played nicely with Cody and Little Ainsley Phillips.
• Played in the sandpile at Cody's new house.
• Got stung by fire ants and did not cry. (what else can you expect from texas in the summer?)
• Ate ribs at Uncle Larry's.
• Went to church twice and behaved
• Is ready to go to "My Shawnee Mission, Kansas house and my parents."

(10 days in texas and she wants to do everything 'my own self')

we were glad to have her back and to get back in the swing of things.  hopefully that will mean slowing down some - and updating more. 

July has been good - but busy - and in just a few days j and i will be celebrating six years (6!!) of marriage.  

its hard to believe. but it just seems to get better - and worse - and better again.

:)