a big weekend!

this past weekend was big. and crazy. and full. and, goodness, this family of ours takes everything i have but i wouldn't have it ANY other way!!

pat and joshua spent thursday-saturday together. just the 2 of them. doing lots of fun "guy" things. AND going through the "passport to purity" getaway. i did the same thing with rebekah when she was 10 and thought the program was excellent. i was curious to see what Pat thought...he's WAY more critical than i am. but he also loved it and said it was so well done. it's not just "the birds and the bees"...it also talks about changes in their bodies, peer pressure, all kinds of things they need to think about as they become older! joshua absolutely loved his time with Pat. and i loved praying for them and letting it happen for them.

with rebekah away at camp, and pat and joshua away on their weekend, i just had these 4 rascals. that was a different combo for sure! i had a lot of good conversation with bailey. and, man, it's easy to take care of 4 when you're used to 6 kids!

we drove to a super fun playground on friday night. bet your friday night plans can't beat mine, ha!

saturday i surprised them and woke them up early from their naps and took them to the pool in our neighborhood that's mostly shallow water. and actually sat and read for a few minutes! but, in all honesty, i mostly watched them. because they are HILARIOUS to watch!

then we got to pick rebekah up!!!! we were ALL so happy to see her! she had a GREAT time, of course. and came home happy and tired.

that evening we went to a party to send off GOOD friends of ours, the Guthries'. they are moving to Australia (!!) and becoming missionaries! we've known them for 15 years...they've walked with us as we were newly married...and then had kids...we love them and appreciate them so much. it is SAD to see them go. but we are excited to see what God does through their family!! it was a bittersweet night for sure!

megan. i did NOT want to let her go. love you SO much, friend!!

that's only through saturday. sunday we went out to dinner as a family (which is a rarity.) it was a celebration of joshua completing his weekend...and rebekah being home! it was a sweet time!