Another Local Wedding

A guard from our school got married and we were invited. This time, only Phil and I went and left the kids with a sitter. 

First Days of School

School started for the girls on August 19th, orientation started for Phil on August 21st, and he and John went full time on August 26th. Rachel also started with *M on the 26th (teaching our friends' daughter who is deaf every day for 3 hrs each day). We are all now in full school mode. The girls are both doing Liberty University Online Academy. We all really like the program a lot and all that they are learning. They are also both taking two classes at the school where Phil and John go. Anna takes PE and art and Kate takes PE and drama. PE was NOT their choice. :) We also go to chapel at the school every Friday morning. It is a good balance for all of us. 

The Only picture of Phil's "first" day. 

One Last Trip (before school started)

We took one last trip away with friends before school started. We went to a city about two hours away and stayed on the outskirts of the city. The house was beautiful, we had a beautiful view every day of the mountains, and we had a wonderful time with friends. We read books, played games, did puzzles, watched The Fiddler on the Roof (a little bit every night), and just enjoyed resting and being with each other. We took trips into town to get ice cream for the kids and also to a canyon about an hour away to let the kids play in the water. It was all so beautiful and so relaxing! 

Local Engagement Party

I was invited to attend the engagement party of a local friend. Her sister was my assistant this last year and she taught John's language class. It was very interesting. Having been to one wedding, I was curious how an engagement party would be different. Well, it wasn't. :)  Everything was exactly the same. The food, the music, the venue (loud music, bright colors, very gaudy), everything! The only exception was that the bride had on a silver wedding dress and the fiance's suit was blue. They will wear different clothes for their wedding in October. It was beautiful and the food was all very good! They do love to celebrate! I was happy to go support my friend! 

Gifts from the fiance's family to the bride 

We Moved! (3rd time's the charm, right?!)

Well, we moved. Again. We moved from a 12th floor apartment into a house not far from the apartment. Since living in the house (We moved in the middle of January.), we have experienced lots of difficult times with the landlord. We have heard from everyone here that a landlord really makes or breaks the place. I will not go into details, but it got bad enough that we needed to move. We were able to move into an apartment that has had expats renting here for the last 10+ years. Last year, two female teachers lived here, but one went back to the states and the other one moved in with some other women. The apartment is on the 2nd floor, it has three bedrooms, and a very large living area. We love it! It is a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. We can open windows and get a nice breeze blowing through. We are still very close to the school and to friends. Houses here have large walls around them which means you have to be really intentional to know your neighbors. We didn't realize how much we missed seeing people. We are all really enjoying our new place. 

First meal in the new place

We watched some friends' kids and were able to all sit at the same table. 10 chairs!!

Our kitchen...the best part is a great husband that helps do the dishes.

John in our living room.