Could it be? Is fall here? It seems to have turned cooler outside. We don't yet have a chill, no need for a jacket. Still, it is amazingly comfortable outside. The gentle wind is refreshing and mild, a welcome touch as it caresses my skin and gently tussles my hair. We spent the evening working outside, my husband doing the bulk of the muscle work. Deflated balls, broken toys and the like which have suffered through the heat and childhood gusto of summer, now live in the large blue barrels and will be taken away tomorrow. The grass, shrubbery and weed imposters posing as shrubbery have all been cut away in hopes that next spring won't bring the hours of work that last spring required.  The out-of-doors with their gentle winds and sweet smell of sage mixed brilliantly with the odor of freshly cut grass seem inviting this evening. For a moment, however brief, I had the luxury of sitting beside my husband to survey the results of our late afternoon of labor, our children playing happily nearby. Stresses and cares faded into the background. All was as it should be. Greetings fall! We welcome your colorful arrival with open arms.

Thanks to those of you who have stopped by to view my blog today. I am new at this so bare with me, it will get better. (more interesting and I plan not to wear a shirt that is so big next time.eew)

I took some pics of the girls getting their haircuts. They really enjoyed it. Sorry about the size and quality, I used my camera phone. In the future, I will do my best to carry my digital camera along with me.

-Ian G

Today was a big day! We got lots of GOOD NEWS!

Jessica got to meet her 1st grade teacher this afternoon. We were standing in line trying to read the class lists on the walls and we saw Mrs. Andrews, her kindergarten teacher, waving and motioning to us. So, I told Jessica to go say hi, thinking that would give me an extra few minutes to read through all of the class lists. Well, when Jessica got over to see her, Mrs. Andrews sat straight up in her chair and shook Jessica's hand and said "Hi! I am Mrs. Andrews and I will be your 1st grade teacher!" Woohoo!!! Jessica giggled and I squealed! We love Mrs. Andrews! She is a good teacher. She has her bluff in on the kids already  She will know exactly where Jessica is starting this year instead of having to wait to get to know her, they can dive right in to learning. Also, Mrs. Andrews is left-handed so she understands what a challenge that can be and can continue to help Jessica learn to write correctly. I could not be happier w/ her teacher or her classmates. Her best friend is in her class and one of her classmates is our neighbor, she really enjoys standing in the front yard talking to her little friends about class so I am glad they will be in the same classroom again this year. I can't believe in just 9 hours, my little girl will be walking into school for her first day as a 1st grader. Wow...she is getting too big!

In other news! I have a new brother-in-law who is younger than at least one of our children. Little Emilio officially became Emilio Huber today. Congrats to all of the Huber's on the new addition. He is a sweetie!

Uhoh! I thought this was going to be a good news only blog. However, I just got a message from my mother saying she found out this evening that my cousin Jon will be leaving for Iraq next month.
Please say a prayer for him.

This morning I am thinking about being a mom, how much work it is, how much fun it is, it's challenges and it's rewards. Most of all, I know that it is a special job chosen just for me and given as a blessing from God. (This is a reminder for me to appreciate what I have when I really would like to complain and be grumpy because the kids kept us up all night. )
Tomorrow Jessica gets to meet her teacher. Then school starts on Tuesday. She is so excited to be a 1st grader! I will spend today doing chores, sorting uniforms and taking inventory and labeling school supplies. I plan to start this next week with everything organized so that I can give 100% of my attention to my daughter for the first few days of her new adventure.
Today, I choose to be cheery! (and go to bed early tonight) 

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Here is something by Erma Bombeck that I enjoyed reading this morning.
God Didn't Make Perfect Mothers
"May I go now?" the almost completed, eager mother asked.
"Not yet. There are essential parts and finishing touches to be added," her Maker replied.
"I look pretty good to me," she said, peering into the crystal pool at her feet.
"True, you're looking better all the time. But bear with me."
"What does a mother have to do, God, besides wash, feed, and clothe little bodies?"
God only smiled and continued working.
"What are you doing now?" the curious mother-to-be questioned.
"Tightening your anger valve. If this doesn't work, everyone is in trouble."
She watched as He reached for the container marked patience.
"And what do I need patience for?" she asked as He poured in quite a supply.
"After a week you will know, my child."
"And whatever could that be?"
"This is your bypass mechanism. It enables a mother to operate efficiently for long periods of time without compliments from her children."
"I'm sure I won't need that."
"I'm sure you will."
Then God reached for a bundle labeled insulation against loud noises.
"You can skip that," she told him. "I don't mind a little noise."
"That's nice," He said.
Seeing all the energy He was preparing to give her, she shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. "I wouldn't need all that energy in a million years."
"Little you know. You will use all of this and be begging for more before long."
"I didn't know there was so much involved in being a mother. You're not just putting me on, are you?"
"No, little mother."
With much apprehension, "Are you sure I can handle the job?"
"Quite sure...with help. I'm always available when you need me."
"I'm glad to know that. What could I possible need all these for?"
"A certain amount of pain, so that you will be fully equipped to sympathize with and minister to the needs of your children when they feel pain; tears, so that you will be able to cry with them when they are hurt; and laughter to blend with theirs for happy times."
The mother-in-waiting fidgeted while God attached yes and no buttons. "Wouldn't it be nicer just to say yes to my children all the time?"
"Definitely not. Good mothers need to say no--and often. Say it with kindness and they will respect you for it."
"Have you equipped me with this thing called kindness, Lord?"
"I have indeed."
"And what about respect? Do I have to respect my children?"
"Absolutely."
The anxious mother tried to be patient as God installed a question answerer, advice giver, get along without sleep, and a pretender not to notice.
"I know I wouldn't use one of those!" she said, as God came toward her with a let-go lever.
"Sure you will, though it's hard. This is a vital piece of equipment. Until this little lever is released, your children will not have room to grow properly, make their own decisions, or develop their own personalities."
"I guess that is important."
God stood back a few steps to appraise His work, then reached for a coat of love and wrapped it around her. "Wear this at all times, and you'll be a good mother."
"Am I ready now, God, to get on with the mothering bit?"
"You can go now," God said gently. "You're not perfect, but you will do."
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Another Little Cutie I found online.... It's funny to see what kids think of Mom's

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you Your mother & not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores? *

Why did your Mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between Moms & dads?
1 . Moms work at work and work at home & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but Moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.