The Best Five Years

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be." -Douglas Adams Ahh. Now the writing itself shall begin. What a busy week. Not only did it seemingly go on forever, but it was filled with every imaginable kind of mischief. On Monday I was off for Silverwood with my youth group. It was a really fun and crazy day, waking up at 5:30 and going to bed past 1 am, but it was worth it! On Tuesday I honestly am drawing a blank for what went on, but it was good, nonetheless. I had a list made of different little conversations and such that passed, but I cannot find the list, and so shall try my hardest to do without. Tuesday night, I believe it was, we made a reward for the kids if they would sleep in their beds. We would not mind them in the same bed except to eldest two keep the youngers up, and they get sleep deprived. We told them that if they would sleep in their own beds, then we would take them to McDonald's for ice cream. Well, aft...

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen." -Hebrews 11:1 It has been a crazy week full of good, bad, and bittersweet moments. Now that the kids have fully adjusted to the time change, they can finally go to bed later than 7 pm without 100,972,300 breakdowns in the space of thirty minutes. It may not have been quite that much, but you never can tell... I have been given permission by my mother to post particulars, such as names, on this blog, and will now be referring to everybody by their actual identities, and shall enjoy doing so. This morning, at lunch, Ivan, the only boy, made a little mistake that accounted for a hilarious picture. I had a hard time keeping a straight face, for obviously, it was a waste, and should not be found entertaining, but it was pretty great. There, that matter being clarified, I shall continue in this monologue. I just want to shout out to my mom, who has been doing an incredible job these past few weeks. (...

"Arise and seize the day!" -Newsies, and also a famous Latin quote. The kids have arrived. I was not happy that I could not be there the minute that this happened, but it was not as big of a deal as I had thought. I thought it would be strange having them here, but it honestly feels natural. I suppose it’s just because I have imagined them here so long that it feels normal to wake up and see them. They are behaving well, and it has been a fun (though tiresome) two days. Today I, my cousin (7), my friend (my age), and the oldest girl went to the mall on the bus. It was nice to get to know just her and to spend time with all of them. Anyways, on the way back, we had some annoying trouble with the bus system. I am afraid I have given the oldest the wrong impression about buses in America. (The trouble was that we missed two buses and had to wait extra for another). She seemed to like the trip anyway. Both days we have gone to the pool. Everyone loves the lazy river, an...