It's Been Too Long

Since we haven't posted since April this will be a long one. You have been warned.

Well the summer thus far has been a busy one. The boys have been doing swimming lessons. Isaiah liked the first two weeks. Then the second two weeks Alex and Isaiah both took lessons and let's just say we are done with swimming lessons for the next session. We belong to the South Side Swim Club this summer so we have been enjoying going to the pool whenever we want to. That is where the boys have been taking their lessons. Phil and I will have to keep working with them. Isaiah won't let go of the wall, and Alex just wants to have fun. Natalie is all for going in the water. She jumps in continually and after each jump says, "More!".

Alex enjoyed soccer camp for a week where Ed taught this summer. What a great role-model my brother is. He did great and his coach told us he had one of the biggest punts in his group, along with a couple 7 year olds. He gave it 100% everytime he went, and looks forward to playing on a team in the Fall.

Alex has learned to ride his bike without training wheels. One day a few weeks ago, we took them off and he got on and just started riding like he had been doing it for a long time. He didn't need help at all. He rode around in the backyard a few times just in case he fell, and he did great! Phil and I are wondering if we waited too long to take them off.

As soon as Alex did something new Isaiah had to get on his big boy bike we bought for him back in May, he has not wanted to ride it at all, and he took off on that as well, of course that did have training wheels. Isaiah loves running around after the soccer ball with his cleats on, in fact he loves doing everything with his cleats on. He might even be faster than his big brother some day by the way he is running around now. He loves being outside, and going on bike rides. He also loves eating, all the time. He's running all the time, so I guess he has to eat all the time.

Natalie is learning to keep up with her brothers. She is showing off how she can run fast, and is riding along with the boys on her little scooter. She has learned the words, "Mine",and "No", pretty well. She uses them quit frequently, and sometimes at decibles the whole neighborhood can hear. She also loves singing whenever she is by herself playing. What a cutie! She loves her babies and taking care of them. She is a mommy-in-training.

We took a trip up north to Gaylord to visit with my Grandpa. He lives on a lake so that makes it fun for the kids. One night we went into Gaylord and there is this Elk viewing area we visited. The kids loved it! The Elk come right up to the fence for your viewing pleasure. We also went to the Chocolate Haus in Gaylord and picked up some candy for the kids and chocolate for me!

We are enjoying having Ryan, Aimee, and the kids home for a few months now. In a few more weeks they will be returning to Shanghai and then will be home for good in December, Lord willing. They have a new addition to their family. Rachel Grace. You can check their blog out at www.the-bowman-blog.blogspot.com

I(Beth) have enjoyed the ladies bible study at our church, Grace Church: Harvest Bible Chapel. http://www.gcwo.org/ We meet every Tuesday morning.
We have been going through the parent workbook for Shepherding a Child's Heart. It's a great book on disciplining your children under God's authority and according to His Word.

Phil has been busy at work, Hart and Cooley. They have moved out towards the Grand Rapids airport so he has been commuting these last few weeks. He has enjoyed running in the River Bank run which was back in May. He ran the 15K in just 2 hours. His knee has been bothering him so he has been taking the running thing easy since then. In his past time he is busy playing with kids, and being an awesome dad, and a pretty good husband as well.

August will hold getting Alex ready to start Kindergarten. I think I have to get him use to getting up early at least two weeks before he starts on Sept. 4(my birthday if anyone forgot). He is not an early riser. He is excited to go, but also nervous. Isaiah will be going to Zeeland Community Preschool, where Alex went. He will be going two days a week. He is so excited to go to school. Natalie will be turning two on August 24! I will enjoy alone time with her a couple days a week when the boys are in school.

Our house is for sale again. We listed at the end of May, and we've had a fair amount of activity, just no bites. Pray for bites. We'd like to move to Zeeland so we can be closer to Phil's work, and still be close to attend our church. We also need a little bit bigger house for these kids we just keep having.

Well, thanks for being interested to read this far. That was a lot, but now you are updated on the Phil and Beth Show. We'll try to keep things updated a little bit more frequently. Until later...