The air conditioning was not working this morning during the service at New Hope, but that is not what made me fidget restless in my seat. Jenny has been in labor all day and I got a text message about it just before we went inside. I am still restless, eager to hear that Jenny’s and Daniel’s little daughter made her appearance safely and smoothly into the world!Life keeps buzzing along. In the past few weeks Kirstie turned 16, Eden turned 20, and Emily turned 18 yesterday. On Eden’s birthday I took my final final for Chemistry and by God’s sweet grace completed my degree in Political Science through Hillsdale College. It has taken me a little while to settle into this new reality of not having nagging little deadlines always before me. Precalculus and Chemistry weren’t my most relished subjects, and being one of those people usually inclined to eat my brussel sprouts first, it was strange to end my education on such a note. I do love to learn however. I had more lack of purpose and confused restlessness after completing Precalculus than I have had now that I am really done. Now that I have obtained that little piece of paper I sought so diligently, I’ve been snatching up books with alacrity! One for girlish memories and old-times sake, one for theological insight, one for summer reading enrichment, another for family direction and personal insight, and I believe I’ve only just begun to cover all the bases.I don’t intend to neglect my precious charges. I almost regret that Joel will turn four this week! It has been such fun answering peoples questions about my children’s ages with simple counting 3, 2, and 1. Everyone tells me children grow up all too fast. I know it is true. Even little Aria is having her own occasional squabbles with her bigger siblings, realizing a squawk might earn back a toy. I so enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Wold’s fiance, Chris Peeler, while attending his parenting seminar. Sadly, it was while David was gone in Portland, so I had to take extra good notes. The training was excellent. I realized how important it is to keep our children’s hearts while our children are small and to instill in them desires for those things which are truly important. Children are mirrors into our own lives–sometimes magnifying our own sins and personal hypocrisy. David and I cannot talk our children into really loving the Word and the Lord, without being truly excited about Scripture and our Savior ourselves. Chris said several times that good parenting doesn’t cost much, only our lives! I left the seminar wanting to banish the nagging motherly worries for my children’s safety with an excitement about watching our children grow to do eternally significant things for God’s glory. Soon after David’s return from Portland, we enjoyed an early morning Panera’s date full of rich conversation. I am so proud of my husband. He has been advancing his new A David Creation marketing consultant business and working much more from home. Starting up a new business is never easy, especially in this economy, but I feel so at peace because of God’s blessing and David’s diligence and powerful drive to provide for our family.