Sabbatical is OVER

I've been back to work 2 weeks now. I was thinking the other day, it has been a while since we've posted, the time has FLOWN by the past 5 weeks.

So, what have we been up to?

4 weeks ago, we were blessed with the opportunity to volunteer at The Community House which is in South Portland about 45 minutes from our house. It is a home for young women who get pregnant and don't have support (family, spouse, etc...) They pay for everything for the girls and help them learn the skills to keep the baby or put the baby up for adoption. We helped paint, build shelves, power wash the house, pick weeds, Goodwill trips, etc. It was a great experience.

The next week I took a class for the Program Management Professional Certification and then took the class. Jason did lots of yard work, planted some trees and cleaned up a bit. That weekend Lisa, Jason's sister, and Brody, our nephew, came up for Brody's 1st B-day. Jacob and Brody had a good time together, but I think Jacob has already assumed the bully 'older' cousin. Brody wasn't so happy with him - especially when he ripped his binkie out of his mouth.

Jason went back to work the next week and I had my free week to clean the garage and clean out the boy's clothes. All sort of fun stuff. We even got a great day to have a sprinkler party in the front yard before fall started.

Then I went back to work and am already planning my next trip to China...in 2 weeks! Crazyness. But I'm liking being back at work.

Jason liked being back at work so much, he decided to have back surgery today! Just kidding, we've planned it for a month or so. His MRI was looking worse now than before his last surgery 1.5 yrs ago. He was hurting alot so we just needed to get it done. They surgery went well and his spinal fluid sac stayed in tact this time, so the recovery is already better. He'll come home tomorrow. Thanks to all who have been praying for him. We are anxious to see how the pain is next week. I'm praying he will feel much better and actually be able to sleep.

Ethan is really coming into his prime in soccer and we have been really pushing being aggressive. It's been super fun to watch him develop. He's doing the choir at church and is due for a limo ride at school for his fundraising efforts. So, he's having fun.

Jacob is crazy, it is so much fun, he is climbing all over everything and is saying new words every day both verbally and in sign language. His newest words are Thank You and Bath. He started ball, cracker, milk, more, shoes, socks, cheese, please, bye bye, nye nye over the past few weeks, it is so cute! He is so smart.

This past weekend Jacob and I went to Colorado for a football game with my awesome sorority sisters. It was so much fun. We got to spend time with Tob and Tam and with my parents. They had a great time being Grammie and Grampie and he loved being with them.

OK, I think that's it for the update - sorry for the long blog. Just so much to say!