this, that and everything else!

It's hard to believe that the end of summer is approaching.  Yet we've had such an amazing summer! My kids would attest to that as well.  My summer class will be over next week, so I'm in the final stages of finishing up all the necessary papers, and am anxious for a two week break before I start with a full load in September.  I'm homeschooling Jacqueline and Colson, this fall, and have been perusing the internet for curriculum.  I think I've landed on what we will be using and am anxious to order it and get their school year set. Victoria will be in preschool (at home) and I found a cute little program for her at SAMS Club.  Saturday is Branden and Katie's open house.  We are excited to see them, Ben,Dave, Casey, Daniel and Elizabeth.  On Sunday we are celebrating Jacqueline and Colson's baptism of which Daniel will be doing the honors and then 3 of the boys birthdays.  Brad, Amanda and the boys were home last week as her sweet grandma stepped into glory.  We were able to spend some time with them and the kids, as always, had a blast with Wilson and Walker.  Our air conditioning still isn't fixed.  There have been a few days that were absolutely TOUGH, yet from what I've heard everyone's bill for July almost tripled, so. . . . .I'm very thankful our air was broke.  Not quite sure how we would have handled a bill like that! Thank you God, for sparing us and for blessing us!  It's finally cooler at night, WHEW!  our pint-size pool blew out last week; was hilarious and you should have seen how big the kids eyes were when it happened.  We laughed so hard!  I found a pool (Craigs list) and Brennan, bless his heart, bought it, paid only $60 for it and had no clue how big it was, 16x45! a definite "God thing".  I've worked out, 3x a week, all summer and am LOVING it!  I'm very anxious, sometimes over-anxious for God to open a door for us, somewhere.  It's hard not to get frustrated and question God! I had coffee with a young mom who was in our youth ministry in Lansing, on Monday! What a gift it was to spend time with her and to catch-up on her life! what an encouragement she was too, as her husband was without employment for four years! Thank you Bethany! love ya girl!!  Next week begins the emotional rollercoaster ride as Sunday, Monday and Tuesday the married children will be heading back to NC, ND and CO; Friday Brett will be heading back to SAU and Saturday Blake will be heading to MSU! Ben just moved into a new house in EL and will be a senior at MSU.  Thankfully Bryan will be here for a few more weeks, and then. . . . .there will be only 4 children left in the Lutz home! it will seem very strange too, especially since we will have 2 girls and 2 boys! crazy after all those boys! Ok I'm gonna stop now, tears are already welling in my eyes. . . . .enjoy your last few lazy hazy days of summer! I know I'm gonna treasure every single day thats left!