And then he was teen....

Oh my goodness.  Who took my child and made him a teenager?  I am pretty sure I was just a teen myself and am surely NOT old enough to have birthed a child who is now a teen.  Yiekity Yiek Yiek Yieks!  So in the last two weeks said teen has...gotten a Facebook account, gotten a cell phone, run wild with his friends at the football game, shopped at Aeropostle , needed oxy clean for zits, started algebra...the list goes on.  My sweet, sweet baby boy...the one who changed my world in so many wonderful ways.  He is still wonderful.  Still responsible and sweet and truly a friend to me.  He is the perfect mix of his dad and I and brings strength to all those qualities.  I pray the teen years are good to him, because wow, what a great kid!

Still Alive and Kicking

I am still alive.  I know I sort of missed most of summer.  It really has been a wonderful whirlwind of fun and craziness.  I have written a million blog posts in my mind, but not so many here.  Life's pace has picked up considerably and it is great, but nuts.  So here it is in a nut shell:

Summer was good.  Great lake time with both sides of the family.  Time with my family of origin, by myself in Seattle, for my nephews most amazing baptism.  Hail storms and new roofs, carpenter ants and a garage demo, cleaning and purging and lawn mowing, minimal garden tending, children chasing, pool swimming, fire-fly watching, boat riding, water-ski-coaching all in all a good time.

The kids are all launched back into the fall routine.  Thank the Lord!  Good teachers for everyone.  Can't quite believe I have a Jr. Higher...wow.  Meron is in full time daycare and loving it.  She loves hanging out at "Beff's" house (Beth!) and has even started taking naps again.  WOW!  This weekend we will celebrate her 2 year Family day.  2 years ago, we were picking her up in Ethiopia.  It feels like a lifetime ago.

And then there is ME.  Yes ME!  I found ME again and it is wonderful!  For the first time in more years than I can count, I am remembering who I am.  Not mom, not wife, not maid, not cook but me.  I LOVE my new job and the people I have met and gotten to work with.  I love using my brain and going to work, by myself.  I love creating and thinking, and hanging out with my youth group kids.  It really is wonderful and I am loving getting to know me again.  I missed her!

So there ya go.  Life is good, kids are good, I am good.  :)  God is GOOD!