FALL TEXAS TRIP: Day 16

We had another good day today, although Grandpa Jones and I are pretty tired trying to keep up with all of this young energy. It is difficult for me to even imagine going back to caring for small children full-time ... and holding down an outside job simultaneously ... it's kind of exhausting. Yet this is what Sabrina and Andrew do ... all of the time! Having said that, we have no complaints to make about these children whatsoever. They have behaved themselves marvelously, have helped out when asked, and have been a ton of fun too.

Grandpa and I had "tea" late this morning with a neighbor who lives down the street and around the corner. She attends the same church as Sabrina and Andrew and thought we'd enjoy coming to see her new house and being fussed over for a little while. We had a nice conversation with her, hearing about her remarkable life and the amazing things God has done in it. Other than that, we really didn't do much while the children were in school today.

When we picked Karis up from preschool, she came tearing out of her class all excited to show us her "treasure." They had played pirates today and went on a treasure hunt outside on the playground. She was SO happy she had found SO much treasure!

We sorted all of her pretty stones out when we got home on her beautiful pink blanket. She had to tell me where she had found each one and how she was a good treasure hunter, etc.

This is the only photo I was able to shoot of Livie this evening ... she is pretty elusive about cameras! She has been working really hard on her debate homework this evening, as well as studying for her biology test tomorrow. I'm a dunce at biology, so I haven't been very helpful.

The little kiddos played out back after dinner thinking up all kinds of interesting games to play outdoors.

Grandpa Jones ... was too HOT to play ... the heat here in Texas has really gotten to him. He never does well with the warm weather, even in Michigan. But it is quite unrelenting here in Texas and it has taken a toll on him.

But Jackson and Karis simply are not phased by the heat. They run and play ... with such energy.

Jackson and Karis were on a bug hunt for awhile ... and in Texas the bugs come BIG. The grasshoppers are HUGE. The beetles are ... like twice as big as I have ever seen beetles get. The crickets are ridiculous! I nearly passed out with the spider that was in the front hallway yesterday. Thankfully, Grandpa Jones came to the rescue on that one. Perhaps someday I will not be such a wimp. Anyway, watching the kids chase down grasshoppers this evening was pretty amusing.

It has been a completely unremarkable day, but still one to give thanks for! Two more days now and Andrew and Sabrina will be home. Hopefully, Hurricane Karl will not spoil the last two days of their cruise ...