Will is off this week, so Parker has had two parents to dote on his every whim. He will be attached to daddy all week! I met with my MOPS hospitality committee this morning - what an amazing group of women! We planned the games and festivities for all of our meetings this fall. Talk about grown women getting pretty silly. What a true enjoyment. I turned down an offer too work part time for the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas today. I only get the chance to be Abby, Morgan, and Parker's mom once. I don't want to miss a minute! What a blessing they are!

My sister tagged me to list 5 idiosyncrasies. That was about a week ago. It took a lot more thought than I was ready for. I think we tend to push our idiosyncrasies under the rug and its about time to embrace them. Here goes nothing!

1. I bounce when I sing or talk in public. Whenever I sing at church, read the lessons, or have to talk at my MOPS group, I bounce and rock back and forth. I also rest my right foot on the back of my left ankle. I thought I was weird until I noticed my dad doing the same thing one Sunday. Of all the things to inherit!

2. I give Parker a bath just to smell his head. Whether he needs a bathor not...he usually does however. There is nothing like the smell of baby shampoo on a young child's head. Plus the other alternative is cold sweat, which I don't enjoy nearly as much.

3. I am ridiculously punctual. Ask anyone who has to go somewhere with me. If I am late I go into panic attacks. If I'm not there 10 minutes early, I'm late.

4. I won't start a cleaning project unless I know I can finish it. This doesn't go for basic housekeeping, but on big projects I won't touch it until I know I can finish it. Unfortunately, that means I have storage areas that go untouched for a VERY long time!

5. I buy crayons compulsively. This has come on more since I have had children. I buy crayons every time they go on sale. I buy 10 boxes every time they go on sale. 10 boxes at 99 cents are better than one box at $3.99, right? I have about 25 boxes of crayons right now...unopened. Anyone need a red crayon?

There it is. My dad is new at this blogging thing, but I suppose I should tag him to do it next. http://pastordavesjourney.blogspot.com

Today we officially start our fall schedule of events. Nutcracker auditions. Nutcracker auditions, rehearsals, and performances are all a huge part of our autumn identity. It doesn't quite feel like fall until we have all of our wheels running at the same time. My dad, Dave Fulton, has added his own blog to cyberspace now. http://pastordavesjourney.blogspot.com His site should be interesting and no doubt full of insight. As we enter into a new phase of the year, may we remember the central parts of our lives: our family, our friends, and Christ our Lord.

Well, the teeth are out and I can safely say everything went ok. Not much swelling, but I feel like I was just in a prize fight! I am so lucky to have good friends. A few ladies from my MOPS group brought my family dinner last night and lunch today. Laurie Jackson is bringing us dinner tonight. I am so lucky to have such amazing women in my life. Thank you girls!!!

This will be the last post for a few days to be sure. I am going to have 5 wisdom teeth removed tomorrow! I have a feeling I will be out of commission for a few days. Please keep me (and my family) in your prayers. Will is going to be taking over housekeeping for a few days - God help us all!

The storms sure were brewing yesterday. We got more than 4 inches of rain in Topeka last night. This picture was taken on our way back from Lawrence. The shelf cloud was only about 150 feet off the ground. I don't get freaked by much when it comes to Kansas weather, but driving under that did it. This picture was taken at about 5 in the afternoon by the way. A little dark. Our main roadways were flooded on the way home from getting the girls. Wanamaker, a major stretch in Topeka, was flooded and without the benefit of streetlights. The power, strength and majesty of Christ is evident in these storms. I love living in Kansas! Hope you all have a little more uneventful weather this weekend.

Today was registration day for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). The kids are reconnecting with their friends from school, so its time to reconnect for mom too. You can't underestimate the importance of friends when you become a mother. The people who won't laugh even if you come with baby spit on your shirt or cracker crumbs in your hair. The girls are enjoying school this week. They have been in bed and asleep by 8 every night (yeah)! I hope all of your weeks have been as fun and event filled as ours!

Today is the first day of school. The girls were up VERY early. I think they would have been showered and ready to go at 3am if possible. I love that they still get excited about the first day of school. As you can see, Parker needed his backpack to drop off the girls as well.

Abby Marie is in third grade. She can't wait to learn cursive handwriting, multiplication, and division. She hasn't seen some of her friends all summer. I imagine she'll spend most of the day trying to catch up!

Morgan Beth is in the first grade this year. I think she already has her teacher charmed. She only went through 4 outfits this morning before we left the house. She had to perfectly match a new pair of shoes!

We are definitely entering a new year. Things change every minute. I only hope I can save these precious memories of excitement forever. God keep my children safe in your loving arms on their first day of school.

Last day before school starts...what a bittersweet time. I think Parker is ready to have his mom back to himself and the girls are really chomping at the bit. I suppose I am the only one not ready to see them go. It seems like just yesterday Abby was crawling around the house. They are all getting so grown up. Look for pictures of the first day of school tomorrow and know that mom is crying a little behind the camera.

It's early and its raining...what a beautiful day! A few quick housekeeping things. The first day of school is Tuesday. The girls can't wait! My wisdom teeth are being removed on Aug. 23, any help with the kids would be appreciated (wink, wink). We also have enrollment for ballet and Nutcracker auditions the same week. It should be crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way! The rain is really coming down, and new life will follow. God is great!

My sister Kerry has been visiting Kansas this week from her new home in Columbia, Missouri. I had the opportunity to eat lunch with both of my siblings. This is a task not often achieved! As we have gotten older and have children of our own it is nice to reflect on those who have shaped my life from the very beginning. I owe much of who I am to my immediate family. To my parents who have always loved and supported me, to my brother who annoyed the heck out of me, and to my sister who was always there. I am truly blessed by these amazing people. Sitting around the table, having lunch with my siblings, I realize how important and amazing these people really are. Thanks guys!

Well, here it goes. This is my first attempt at blogging. I suppose its time to enter the 21st century. The summer is coming to an end. Things are winding down. We spent the summer at dance camps, theatre camps, swimming lessons, and on vacation. I don't know if we were busier during the school year or on summer vacation! The kids and I had a lot of fun and were able to spend some quality time together. The picture is from our trip to Colorado in July.