End of Summer...

Yes, he's done it. This past week Jesse started pulling to stand and he's getting faster and faster at it. He is all over the house now. Crazy!

Today we made Jonathan's "hiker" birthday cake. (you can see a picture at dropshots). We made Josh's birthday cake too, as we are celebrating it this weekend also (he wanted a summer birthday party). He made a pineapple upsidedown cake.

One week until our vacation and I haven't done much to get ready, as I had hoped. I did go grocery shopping yesterday and got most of our food for our trip. With this birthday party this weekend and my hope to close the pool, I may not get started on packing until Tuesday.

Check out drop shots to see more pictures and videos from this past week.

A Precious Sound

I love the sound of a baby's laughter. Rachel got Jesse going one night this week and it was so fun to watch. You can see it at dropshots. Poor Jay tried to do it and wasn't as successful. We are so blessed to get to hear these wonderful sounds that fill our house. (sometimes I forget that when the sounds get a little too loud).

Anyways, today we got some more yard work done. We put a rock wall around the mailbox and tree in the front yard. We even had a few rocks left over. We also cut back shrubs. It was a hot, humid day and I had to take a couple dips in the pool while I was at it.

This school week turned out to be fine. Monday wasn't great, but after that it was much better. There is always day like that, and I'm glad it wasn't more than one this week.

Two weeks until our vacation to the Smoky Mountains. James is looking over books and pamplets, continuing to plan our trip. I need to take some time this week to get out some winter clothes as it will be cool. I'm looking forward to cooler weather (although it has been a relatively cool August). We will close the pool up Labor Day.

Jesse is on the Move!

Jesse started crawling today. I had a blog post all ready to go and then something happened to it and I don't want to do it again. So I'll just say check out my dropshots site to see a video of Jesse crawling today. Also you can see pictures of the rock wall we've been working on. Today was a better day for us, thanks for all who prayed for me after yesterday's post.

Here we go

Well, our 3rd week of school has started off and I can't say it is going well. The last two weeks went well (as they did last year). I was wondering what would happen this next week, since last year the third week was an unpleasant one. Hopefully its just a bad day and not reflective of the coming week. The kids are acting crazy. I think they are sleep deprived from the weekend (not that we did anything that would deprive them of much sleep). Today is a day when I feel like I need about 3 of me. But I guess this makes me depend on my Father all the more. When I am weak (and today I feel especially weak) then I am strong, through Christ who strengthens me. I have to keep remembering that. Pray for me, that I'll keep on the things I'm trying to clothe myself with every day (compassion, kindness, humily, gentleness and patience).

http://www.dropshots.com/loribockhorst2

Camping at Hawn State Park

Last weekend we had a great time camping. The weather was perfect and it was a nice restful time away.

The kids had fun, looking into the creek from the bridge.

Look, I blog! I blog!

Since I've enjoyed reading other people's blogs, I thought I would try my hand at it. So here it goes. Maybe I can train Jonathan on it and he can do some of this. Today James and I are taking Josh out on a date. He needs new sneakers, as both James and I do. We are also going to buy glasses (an update for James and new ones for me, if I need them). I guess we are starting to age a bit.