Random pictures

This is Peter's reaction every day.  Usually we don't see it until he gets off the bus. He shouts, "YES, yeah, WOO HOO!" every day.  The people waiting in cars behind the bus usually smile at him and sometimes honk.  They must understand the sentiment.  I guess he wanted to just pose before he got on the bus the first day of school.

Sam ready for his first day of 7th grade.  He gets to ride alone this year.  I think it's his first time in a school without another Fulton--well, a blood relation Fulton.

Fred and Ben on their first day of school--Fred as a senior and Ben as a freshman.  Fred drives in order to save us the trip to pick him up every day after practice.  Ben decided on taking the bus home over football practice.

The boys, led by Zachary, discovered that poke weed berries make great body paint!  Thankfully, it also washes off pretty easily.  I imagined them going to school the first day stained purple. 

Sam had a 13th birthday party with many of his friends.  I have to confess that this was the first birthday party I'd ever been to where wresting was one of the main attractions.  I can't imagine how I missed that in the list of party games!

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One of our pictures from a birthday showed Fred puckered and ready to blow out someone's candles, so now this is the running birthday joke. Sam handled it well at his birthday party.


There is some new format for this blog that I haven't figured out.  I thought it would be easy to write a little post.  I was wrong.  When I click anywhere, I get moved to a random picture. Yikes!  I hope I can figure it out before I start hopping to other people's pictures.  I'm guessing you can tell that by the fact that there are three of the same pictures posted.  I tried to edit this and get them out, but then the bottom picture disappears too.  I give up.  I'm sorry for the triple pictures.  Help me!

Blessings

These are some of the blessings in my life right now:

Late summer/early fall--It's my favorite time of year.  The sky is azure, and white  cotton balls dot the scenery.  The sun is so bright, but the heat isn't oppressive.  The mornings are cooler and crisp.  Gloaming (I love that word--it means dusk) is earlier so I can enjoy it while I'm still awake.

Football--I think it's because I have a vested interest, but I just love watching Mountain View play.  I love their energy and their will.  Sitting in the stands or walking through the stadium and seeing old and new faces makes me feel at home.  The band is amazing this year!  Another football mom was talking with me through it, so I didn't want to be rude, but when the entire band turned toward us playing Ode to Joy, my heart skipped a beat.  It was beautiful.

School--Back to school was and is one of my favorite times of year.  There are meaningful things to do each night.  There are papers to fill out, teachers to meet, books to read.  I'm excited for Ben.  It's his first year of high school.  So far he is liking it. 

Cyrano--Sam is trying out for a play with a local Christian theater, so he has to memorize and recite a monologue.  He's decided to use the scene from Cyrano where Cyrano is insulted and gives the man more ideas of how he could have more eloquently insulted him.  Sam has done a great job and he's so funny to listen to.

Just some of my blessings on this difficult day.