Summer has officially started in the Burstiner household (well for 3 of us at least, Sorry Richard). Summer means sleeping in (sometimes), naps (everyday), playing with friends, Bible studies, going on short trips and long trip and last but not least swim lessons.
I have been off for 2 weeks now and we have already had a lot of fun. We have played with friends, gone to a water park, had picnics, gone to the Sacramento Zoo two times, Fairytale Town, and lots of playing at home.
I guess the best way to catch everyone up is update about each of us. I will start with the girls first because we all know that is who you want to read about. :)
Evelyn: She is almost 5 yrs old (I still don't believe it) and will be starting Kindergarten in the fall (her first day is August 8th). She is reading all kinds of books and words. Just this morning she read the word "fresh." She is so interested in learning and we try to continue to foster that. She is taking swim lessons now with Camille. We are hoping by the end she will put her face in the water. Small steps for some but BIG for us. She is starting to stand up for herself and others when there has been an "injustice". If you know Evelyn, you know this is BIG. She is finding herself and her voice and I love it.
Camille: Camille is 3 1/2 (can't forget that 1/2). She is doing good. Her speech is getting better but it can still be hard to understand her at times. We will go back to speech therapy in the fall. It seems to be helping with her communication and lessen some of the anxiety. She can write and spell her name by herself and is noticing letters all around. Camille is growing like a weed and is about 38lbs. I love it! She is trying new foods and growing into a great little girl.
Both girls are going to Church with us and attend Children's Ministries at Rolling Hills Christian Church. They are loving learning about God and Jesus. We are trying to bring God and Jesus into our homes more on a daily basis and as a way to teach them right from wrong and how to love all people. It has changed our family dynamics in a great way. We pray together and the girls are now learning to pray on their own. It is great.
Richard: He has made some BIG changes in his life and it all started when we decided to start going to church in January. He jumped right in with going and was interested in learning more about Christianity. He joined a men's group that he goes to regularly. We also joined a couples group that he has been able to ask a lot of questions to. It has been exciting to watch him grow, question, seek and find the Lord. It was an amazing day on May 20th, when Richard accepted Christ as his Savior and then was formally baptized on June 2nd. I am amazed by him and am so thankful to have him in my life and to share eternity with him.
Mandy: Not much has changed with me. I am out of school and this year I saw my first group of students get promoted. That was a great day and sense of accomplishment for me to see my work come to fruition. I am teaching 2 weeks of summer school. I am lucky enough to have a friend watch the girls for one week and my mom for the next. I am excited that the girls get to have some good 2 to 1 YaYa time. They are looking forward to it and so am I. I get to see her for some good catch up with mom time.
I am in the couples group with Richard and have met some amazing women that share my love for Christ with me. I am developing some great relationships with them and am happy to have them in my life now. I also joined a woman's group. There are some amazing people in my groups and their love and understanding of Jesus and the Bible amazing me. I pray that someday I have their understanding of the Bible. As we have started going to church and diving into the Bible, I realize my relationships with my husband, family and friends have changed and all for the better. I am in a better place and am so thankful.
Lots has been happening and things are busy but we are still here, happy, and growing together. Looking forward to the rest of the summer and even starting back to school in the fall.
 |
| Catching Up 2012 |
