It has been awhile since I have posted anything about what is happening in our family. It has been a crazy couple of weeks.

The first week of August I helped with VBS at our church. I have helped with it every year since we started doing our own (we used to do the town-wide VBS) except for the year that I went to Mexico City on a mission trip. It was definitely a little more challenging this year with Levi to think about.

That week I also started seeing someone special from my church. It started with him bringing over sweet corn and us talking for 4 hours and took off from there. We have actually known each other for at least 7 years but he was away from the area for 1-1/2 years. He just returned to the area the week before we started seeing each other. His name is Bret and I have been so spoiled since he came into my life. He enjoys my children and loves to help take care of all of us. He went with me when Levi had his procedure just 3 days after we started seeing each other and then to every appointment since then. He helped me a ton to get ready to start the school year, cutting out laminated things and hanging things from the ceiling to name a few. Without him and Rachel, I would not have been ready to start this school year. He opens car doors for me and treats me like a princess.

The week after VBS, besides Levi's procedure, I had to try to get in and get my classroom ready. This years was an especially challenging year because of the roof fire at the beginning of the summer and all the other complications that arose because of the roofing.

The Friday before school started, Levi's 14 month birthday on the 14th, we had our last post placement visit. It is hard to believe that Levi has been a part of our family for almost 6 months. September 2nd it will be officially 6 months. Where did that time go? I was talking to Bret and another friend yesterday and sharing that it has been 7 years since my husband Brent passed away and that in this 7th year, God has brought great things into my life - Levi and him. In the Old Testament it talks about the 7th year being the year of Jubilee. For me, that has certainly been the case. I am amazed at how God has completely restored everything that the enemy tried to steal from me plus given me so much more than I ever dreamed of. Our God is AWESOME!!

Before I close this post, I would like to ask for prayer for a young woman from my church. Her daughter is in my second grade class this year. Her husband had just recently gotten a new job in Waterloo, IA and they were making plans to move there as soon as they had worked things out with her ex-husband in regards to her oldest daughter. Yesterday her husband had a heart attack in Waterloo and passed away. He was only in his 30's. I know that she must be devastated right now. My heart aches so much for her because I know what she is feeling.