Family Came to Visit

(Matching bracelets from Ghana)

Tyler’s kidnapping and showchoir camp

Happy (early) 11th Birthday, Alayna!!

Happy 11th Birthday Alayna!

We ended up celebrating Alayna’s birthday early since she wanted Marisa here when we celebrated!  She also invited her friend Clarissa.

We started off with a pizza lunch and then headed to the movies.  All the kids saw “Monster’s University” while Bob and I saw “Pacific Rim” which was wicked awesome and I loved it!!!

Then, Alayna and Clarissa went to the pool for 4 hours while Kayla went to work, Tyler went to a marching band kickoff, and Bob and I made 12 jars of salsa!

Then, we had cake and ice cream and opened presents.  She said it was a perfect birthday!

Volleyball and Marching Camp

Alayna has volleyball camp each day and really enjoyed it.  Got a new ball and met some new friends.

Tyler started marching band camp.  He was completely worn out the 1st day.  Two days this week he has marching band AND show choir making 13 hour days of craziness for him.

Registration

We got all the kids registered for school.  Alayna had her 6th grade orientation.  She is on Team C and I am thrilled and she is excited.  We took in her school supplies and she was able to practice opening her locker several times.

We got Kayla’s cap and gown ordered.  Can she really be a senior??  That just seems crazy to me.  We need to get working on senior pictures, senior announcements, and college applications!  She has been working hard on her personal progress and I wanted to share the really cool wall she created for it!

News from Brazil

We finally got news this week that Marisa’s Visa has still not come through.  So, instead, she will report to the MTC in Provo on August 21 at 12:30.  We are hoping the Ribera's can pick her up and drop her off.  We are excited about this last week with her and excited for her to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

What happens when you have teenagers?

Their car gets “post-it noted”.

 

Work

I had another great but extremely busy week at work.  I still have so much to do.  New teacher orientation is Friday and then I just found out both schools have “Back to school” nights on the 19th that I need to be at.  I am sad I wont get to see my kids after their 1st day of school until 8:00 at night.  I guess that comes with having a mom that works full time.  Hopefully I will be able to find the balance I am looking for.

I would love any feedback you have on my book blog and newsletter.  I am still reading like crazy.  Wish I could get more reading in.  I can’t wait to start buying more books to update the libraries.  The girls are going with me tomorrow so we can try and finish off the middle school.

(My 39 clues display at the MS library)

Before and Afters

1. Before (office area and checkout counter at the high school):

After (I moved the desk around the corner and made the shelves a display that will scream “wowza!)

2. Before: Fiction Wall

After: (I got the chair from Rockwell surplus.  Some kids made the benches out of old library shelves, and I put books on them to display.  I have a matching bench on chair on the other side of the room as well.  See the display shelves in the middle I made?

3.  Before: Hideous old books- you should have seen the atrocious greenery on it that I ripped down 1st thing.

 

After:

4.  Before: Nonfiction wall

 

After: I was appalled that they had 5 graphic novels.  I will be changing that.

Van load of stuff I took to the schools:

New Books starting to arrive:

Busy Busy Summer…

Osaka!

Last time before Brazil…

We also tried out a bakery…

Hey, we actually have something about Bob’s work this week.  he and his team all accidentally wore red shirts on the same day!

My parents made it home safely from Ghana!  Welcome Home!

We have been preparing and ordering stuff for Marisa's mission like mosquito netting, mission shoes, laundry tabs, etc.

Made lots of salsa…

Finally got a new grill (after 9 years of a crappy one)

Grilled steaks and potatoes and watched the dogs for 5 days

Tyler scrubbed and cleaned my car yesterday and it looks awesome.  The motivation? Cash!

I will do another post of before and after pictures at work.  I have been working long hours and getting lots done, but there is still so much to do and I am exhausted.  Here is a picture of very old books weeded last year that we will try to sell to get money to buy more new books.  wish me luck!