August 2010... we're getting closer!

Mid-August the kids started back to school! Nereida and Jose hadn't transitioned in to live with Dan & Tami yet, so we started school with all six kids lined up for the [of course] necessary "first day of school" pictures.

[I seem to remember getting progressively more skeptical and annoyed as the years passed and Mom took our pictures EVERY SINGLE YEAR... but now I'm thankful to have those pics, so these kids are going through the same! :)]

Above (l-r): Marcos, Aaron (check out his eyes... weirdo), Diego, Nereida, Candi, and Jose.

First Day of School pic #15 of 584... ;)

(that was an exaggeration, by the way)

Marcos turned 10 on August 3rd... wow.

This summer was actually a really healthy one... I saw a lot of maturation that definitely was not present at the end of the last school year, and for that I praise God! It's a lot nicer having a good example of behavior around than a constant battle. That's not to say that he is perfect... obviously none of us are, and he still has a lot of issues to work through from his past. But... Lord-willing... this growth will keep happening! Please keep praying for this guy...

On another note, he turned 10.

This means [segun this Bahr household] he can now drink coffee.

It has been quite the bonding experience for us... :)

And... I went home in August to surprise our parents for their anniversary (which is actually in July, but hey... it's the thought that counts)!

It actually worked really, really well considering our family kind of stinks at surprises... :)

When Dad saw Tif and I home (at 1:30 a.m. or so, after Chel woke him up to say that her dog had treed - is this a word? - some strange animals and that he should go outside right-now-this-minute) he just kept saying, "Well I'm just dumb... dumbFOUNDED!"

And Mom just knew that something was going on... yeah, yeah, yeah.... ;)

They were "good times"... thank You, God, for family!

A few days after school started, Nereida and Jose moved into the new house with Dan & Tami (officially called, "The green house" :). The four Soto kids are now the ones I take care of, and though we miss Nere and Jose, it's brought a new level of closeness to these four siblings.

Please pray that we can continue to grow as a "family," and that we would be God-centered and not materialistically or self-centered. And please pray that God would grant me love, patience, and wisdom as we follow His will for our lives.