We're all in this together...

I've been a little busier than normal this past week. I know you were wondering. Instead of running around in 847 different directions, I've been running around in 1,290 ones.

This week was the official start of RockSalt for our kids. It replaces Awana at our church. Good stuff.

This week was the kickoff of Women's Discipleship. I'll be studying the book of John. I'm so excited for this time. Good stuff.

We had football practice, choir practice, I met with a mentor, and tonight is Back To School Night. All good stuff.

And along with all these "usuals", I had the honor and privilege to show this lovey lady around town and teach her the lay of the land.

Isn't she a beauty? Meet my hubby's cousin...well, more like a sister really. Tia, as I will refer to her since that's what my kiddos call her, has come to live with us for a little while. She moved up here to go to school, find work, and establish residency before attending the more expensive if you live out of state bigger university near by.

Since we don't have any extra rooms in our house, Emma graciously gave up hers. I'm not exaggerating when I say she was thrilled to let Tia have her room to live in for a time. She's as happy as a clam in the bottom bunk of the boy's room, and the only issue we're having is that those pesky StarWars guys keep leaving their lightsabers laying around Barbie's house. It's best just to get used to it, dears.

The fact that Tia is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, is giving, sweet, a wonderful helper and great with the kids, just makes her a joy to be around.


Bonus: She comes bringing a plethora of girly, teeny, musical movies. Oh yeah. I've got a built in "Girl's Night In" when.ever.I.want!!! We're talking someone who, instead of rolling their eyes when asked if they would like to watch High School Musical, Pride & Prejudice, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Hannah Montana, Legally Blond, Anne of Green Gables, or Gone With The Wind for the hundredth time, will gleefully answer "YES!" and even join in when I jump up off the couch to pop it, lock it, polka dot it...

So we're pleased as punch to have her living here! We're praying she continues to feel God's peace about her move, praying for guidance, a job, His will to be revealed and for a close group of godly friends who will encourage her, spur her on, and support her.

We also pray that our crazy family won't drive her crazy...that she'll always be able to find her shoes after Linc's has traipsed them all over kingdom come, that her pillow will always be free of little people snot and slobber, that she will never discover the mice have been playing in her makeup (and by mice, I mean Emma...or Lincoln.), that she will never be walked in on taking a shower or changing her clothes, and that most of all that she will always know how much we love her and value her...even when we're all running around in our 1,290 different directions.

Because family is just...good stuff.

ALL of them.