The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for me. Amy Jo was here for two weeks, and we stayed pretty busy. Then, as soon as her visit ended, our week of VBS at church started.

I helped in the preschool class, and, let me tell you, that was an interesting placement for someone who really isn’t a kid person. I know, I know. I have, like, a lot of kids, but they’re mine. I’m not so much into other people’s kids. At least not little kids. I enjoy preteens and teens. I just don’t know what to do with little people who aren’t mine. So, anyway, I told the VBS director I would help wherever I was needed, and I guess I was needed in the preschool class. So I spent my evenings this week taking kids to the potty, wiping their snacks off their hands and faces, changing peed in clothes (my own kids’, of course), hot gluing stuff on other stuff, and saying “shhh” a lot. It was lots of fun. Especially the part where we hold up our hands and say, “Open them. Close them. Open them. Close them. Give a little clap! Now, put them in your lap.” so we can pray. That was fun. I didn’t know what to do with myself the first night, but, after that, I decided preschoolers can be okay. I had a couple favorites by the end of the week.

The kids that I really adore, though, are the preteen girls. I love ‘em! There are a few of them that come and talk to me every service, and I just love them to death. I’m thinking I need to have a slumber party or something for them.

Here’s a photo of me and my girlies:

Tonight, I missed the last night of VBS so that I could give my cousin and friend, Steph, a lingerie shower. I lucked out, and my Aunt Debbie, her mom, let me give the shower at her house, so I didn’t have to clean for it. I’m not very hostessy at all, but the shower turned out really well. We all had a good time, and only embarrassed Steph a little. Okay, actually, I think we embarrassed her a lot, but whatever.

I’m really relieved that VBS and the shower are over and done with. Everyone had fun at both, and I’m glad they both turned out so well. I’m ready to just be chill for a while, though, and not have to do anything. I have a whole stack of books to read, and lots of projects in mind that I’d like to get out of the way before school starts this fall.

The biggest thing we have upcoming is that Chris is leaving again. He got a practicum at Fort Jackson from July 22 to August 31. We’re excited about that. For those of you who don’t know, a practicum is where Chris will go and work with a Chaplain for about six weeks. He will be doing chaplainy (that is SO a word) things to train him for when he actually is a chaplain. I’m not sure exactly what he will be doing. I think it depends on the Chaplain that he works with. It could be stuff like counseling, preaching, talking with soldiers, etc. I don’t really know, but Chris is definitely looking forward to it. I’m excited for him, and I’m excited to be back at Fort Jackson for however many days I get to be there. One cool thing is that my friend Aimee is there right now for CH-BOLC, and I might get to see her when I go to visit Chris. Seeing my Springfield friends is always a bonus, no matter where or for how long I get to see them.

To wrap up this post, I should say something about my week in motherhood. My oldest baby turned six and lost her first tooth, in the same week that my youngest baby turned two and lost his paci for good. It surprised me how emotional all of that was for me. Amy Jo told me that Owen was not a baby anymore, and I kind of went off on her. I informed her that Owen will remain a baby until I have another baby. Steph says I have a problem. Maybe I do. For now, my baby needs have not been satisfied, and Owen will be in that position until he is replaced by a little brother or sister. So, don’t any of you people be telling me how sad it is that he’s not a baby anymore. He is a baby. He is! Sigh. I know it’s incredibly cliche, but it is astounding at how fast they grow up. Makes me kind of sad…and kind of happy at the same time. Thankful. That’s what I am. Incredibly thankful.