Progress...

Today ALL four of my children went to VBS!  What a blessing the team of VBS volunteers (not to mention the fabulous staff - Chad & Randy as well as their wives) have been in welcoming our children's participation!  I enjoyed a couple productive and restful hours of solace in Tony's office.  I did send Amy on an errand to snap a couple pictures for us.  She was only able to make it as far as Angela and Jana's class...

They were in recreation participating in relay races...

I sneaked in to the back of the large group session for the older children to snap a few pictures...

I went to pick up my youngest, Victoria, first.  She proudly displayed her fish wind chime craft with lots of bells on it.  Precious...

Reunited after day TWO of VBS.  I forgot to mention that after hesitation on day ONE from the older three, they nearly left us in their dust this morning when we dropped them off.  They were excited to return.  That's what I call "progress"!  :)  AND, answers to prayer!  Thanks to all of you who are continuing to lift us up!

Following PBJ sandwiches and an hour of quiet time, it was time for swim lessons!  Although, I can't decide if the girls are more excited about swimming or the sweet dog named Jody - ha!

Angela and Victoria are my too timid swimmers.  HOWEVER, today they strummed up some bravado!  Here is Angela completely immersed!

Victoria went first with underwater survival swimming skills and then relaxed on a raft...

James is turning into quite the swimmer...

Will and Bran, meanwhile, were studying a website attempting to learn some Russian...

Post swim lesson photo opp...

Victoria loves to dance... 

James learning how to do a "cannonball" jump...

The splash is Angela!  She jumped into the deep end!  More progress!

Jana had to get in on the action as well... little more of a daredevil than her other two sisters...

Great day!  When we returned to the house just before 4 PM, the kids enjoyed popsicles on the porch while I cooled off in the air conditioned indoors.  Just before 5 PM, Olga came to visit with her adorable 3 year old.  My girls took Amarie outside to play on the swing set, shared a coloring book and then took her upstairs to play with their toys.  Meanwhile, James and Angela stayed with us so Olga could translate some things for me... clarifying some house rules and such, as well as giving them an opportunity to ask questions of us.  What a blessing to have a new Russian speaking friend!  We had a great time together and look forward to future play dates!

Thanks again for your continued prayers!