I don’t know where the time has gone.  Just yesterday it was August.  Let’s see.  I guess life has just been pretty busy since school started.  I have been spending a lot of time teaching, running and sleeping.  We finished our cross country season -with the exception of our end of the season awards get together.  I plan to keep running though to stay in shape (hopefully to get in better shape) for next season.  Our team did great.  We came away with 6 medals and 4 or 5 ribbons.  Our slowest runner broke 19 minutes -when she started her time for the mile and a half was around 24 minutes.  We also had another boy who thought he’d quit after the first practice, but his mom wouldn’t let him, who took over 2 minutes off his time to go from over 22 minutes to under 20 minutes.  It was really fun to see their confidence boost as they improved.  Our fastest girl took all 6 medals. 

Let’s see.  What else has happended.  Nola got to the top of the rock wall at R.E.I.  That just happened yesterday.  She had only gotten half way up before that.  I think the rollarcoasters this summer really helped.  Nola is liking high school.  She let’s herself in the house when she gets home.  She lets the dogs out, gets a snack and plays downstairs.  She also locks the door.  She really is growing up and enjoys the independence. 

Damon is going to be trying gifted and talented classes after break.  He is at public school this year.  He had a lot of students leave his school and other changes, as well, so we decided to have him go to the school where Mark is working.  He has met some good Christian friends already.  He just asks them if they area  Christian.  He also has some friends he can witness to, who don’t semm to know Christ.  We had his parent teacher conference and his teacher asked if he has been a good student in the past and if he has ever done gifted and talented classes.  We told her school has always been easy for him and that his school didn’t have a gifted and talented program.  We’ll see how he likes it. 

Mark is liking his job.  He occassionally gets kicked, spit on and has a kiddo take off all of his clothes in the timeout room, but other than that, it is going well.  He is also doing a men’s Bible study on Tuesday mornings, which he is enjoying.

I better get going.  Mark’s sister is visiting and we are going to the Royal Gorge today.

Love to everyone,

Laura