Fun in the sun

It was hot today!  What is better than some pool play?!?!  The girls played, I sat in the sun, read a book, and got out my camera (literally the first time since middle of April).   

Such a goofball.

 Ripken decided to take a quick dip.  True retriever fashion.

My own little "bucket-heads"!

House

So, buying and selling a house, officially sucks.  (Pardon my French.)  I can't believe how much money goes into the transaction and not actually into either house.  Thank GOD, my father was the one that bought our current house.  Otherwise we would be in a pretty sticky situation, or possibly having to take our house off the market simply because we couldn't afford to sell it!  We have recently received some updates in our mortgage process on the new house.  Instead of closing in the next couple weeks (originally it was supposed to be the end of May) it's now been moved back to the earliest June 15-22.  Again, we are so thankful that my father is our "landlord" currently and we can "pay rent" to stay here as long as we need.  So frustrating however, knowing that the house is done and we can't move in. 
Anyhow, just wanted to give an update.  Someday I'll take some pictures again and post them on here. I haven't had my camera out in over a month.  Craziness, I know.  Life is a bit chaotic and stressful right now.  That promotion I mentioned for Justin, definitely not what we had hoped, as in no promotion at all, just added responsibility.  He's mowing like crazy but the mower is broken, my van needs new tires, brakes, and shocks within the next 1000 miles, and oh wait, we're moving sometime soon too- I hope.  Ha ha!  Sometimes life gets so crazy you've just got to laugh.  Or grind your teeth and fracture a tooth- yea, I've got a new crown too! ;cP  But, it could be much worse and as much as these things aren't in "our" plan, I'm already seeing how God's plan is so much better than ours.  Here's to remembering to have faith- oh and patience.  The girls are great, driving me crazier at times, but still good and bring us lots of smiles and laughs.  REALLY looking forward to a 3 day weekend with Justin being home 60% of it. 
Thanks so much to all of the service men and women out there that have fought for our freedom!  You are a huge part of why I can complain as much as I do about our issues!  I am very thankful (well not for complaining... :c))!

Hello Everyone!  I know I've been slacking with my blog posts as of recent.  Things have been so crazy that unfortunately, blogging took a back seat.  A few things that have happened since my last post (Not promised to be in chronological order):

• Live Out week with the Avalanche kids.  4 days living our "normal" routine, but at the Acton house, with 11-14 of our youth group kids, going to bed at midnight each night, Bible lessons, taking kids to school, food, food, and more food, music, prayer and lots of laughs.  Good time, but oh how exhausting. 
• Fred (Justin's Dad) has had not one, but two retinal detachment surguries and is currently recovering.  He and Sue could really use your prayers- thanks!
• Justin got a promotion- oh wait- maybe it's not what the boss said it would be.  He is still in the "trial period" and we are still waiting on details to be discussed.  It may not hold up to what we had hoped for. 
• Justin went from mowing 1-2 yards each week to 11, soon to be even more once he gets some much needed help from a couple of our youth group kids once out for the summer.  Hence I've been "single parenting" it lately, and will most likely be all summer.  Prayers for that too would be great.  Justin's a very hard worker, but I know he contemplates what's worth not being with his family during the week. 
• Mother's day was great.  Very relaxing, Justin cooked an amazing dinner of ribs, home made cole slaw, and sliced potatoes.  Yum yum.  And, I got a nap.  Good day!
• Papo and Phyllis came back to Indiana!  yea!
• Biggest news thus far, it's official, as of today- our house is sold!!!!  We are hoping to close on the new house the end of this month and then whoever is up to help move- we will be boxing and transporting the first couple weeks of June.  Life is about to get a little more crazy.  If that's possible.....

Ok, that's all for now.  I know more has happened, but I'm ready for bed.  I just realized it had been a month since I'd posted anything.  So, pictures will follow.  Not sure if I've taken any recently.  Life is crazy, but good.