Cub scout camp

I forgot to mention that Merrit and I went to scout camp this passed Friday and Saturday. It was a scout camp, but we invited families to come so we could slide through the loop hole that the church has about cub scouts having overnights. We went to an Oakland county park by Clarkston. It was pretty nice. We had rain Friday night for about an hour. It wasn't too hard of a rain so it didn't get any of our gear wet. Merrit had a blast, like I knew he would. I had an O.K. time. I don't really like camping and the weather was pretty hot and sticky on Saturday so that made it worse. I would've sent Charlie but I'm still the Welbos leader for our ward so I kind of felt obligated to go. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures so I'll have to try to get some from the cub scout leader. She tooks lots (she's better than me).

So I was at church yesterday and was talking to a sister in our ward who is a professor at U of M Flint. I just asked her, in passing, when her classes were going to begin. She said that it was this coming Wednesday. That blew my mind because, although I've been officially accepted to U of M, I haven't signed up for any classes yet. So I took myself to campus today and jumped through all the hoops I needed in order to get signed up for two online classes. I am so thankful that I was even able to get in them being that is sooooo late to be signing up for classes. I had to get an override for one of the classes, but it worked out. I really wanted online classes because I don't know if Charlie will be home during the day or not (I really still hope he gets a job and won't be). I know I won't be able to get my whole bachelors degree off campus, but I'd like to take as many classes that way as I can. It just makes things easier for my kids. It was interesting going to U of M campus. I've never been there and had no idea where to go or what I needed to do. It was almost like I had just graduated high school again, at least I felt that way. I'm glad to have that over with. Now I just have to get financial aid squared away so I can see if I'll need loans and how much I might need.

The kids start school on Sept. 2nd (which is when I thought my classes would start, I just assumed). They are excited. Charlie and I blocked out today, tomorrow and Wednesday so we could do a little family vacation before school starts. Because I had to sign up for classes today we didn't get to do exactly what we had planned, but we went up to Birch Run and Frankenmuth for the afternoon and evening and did some fun stuff. They have an indoor mirror maze that we did. It was neat and very confusing, but I'm not sure it was worth the money we paid. Then we walked around downtown Frankenmuth for a bit. What a cute little town. There is a flat-bottom river boat there that goes a ways down the Cass River (which flows right through the middle of town). The captain does a little tour and history of the town. It takes about 50 minutes. We did that. Everyone but Lexi thought it was neat. Then we got a quick bite to eat and went to see the movie Fly Me To The Moon. It's a computer animated movie that is totally in 3D. It was neat to watch, but the story line was not all that amazing (it is a kids' movie though). We had fun and hope to do some more tomorrow. We originally had planned on going to the COSI museum in Columbus, Oh. We decided not to so we could save gas money and we wanted to be a little closer to home just in case Charlie was called for an interview. He put in an application for two different jobs last week and we hope they call this week. So we think we're going to do Potter Park Zoo in Lansing tomorrow and maybe even Binder Zoo in Battle Creek too. We'll see how the day plays out. Here are some pictures of us on the boat in Frankenmuth.

New Callings

I thought I'd just pass on the info that Charlie was put into the bishopbric (sp?) today as the second councelor. We had his parents, my parents and his sibblings come to church with us and then his brother and wife and their crew and my mom and dad came back to our house for lunch. It was fun to have them over to visit. We aren't too excited about this new calling, but know that it's what the Lord wants. We are willing to serve in the ways He needs us to. I was put into the Relief Society presidency as the 2nd councelor a couple of weeks ago. I'm over enrichment. I think I'm more excited about my calling than Charlie is about his, but mine has more perks and is more fun I think. I'm the weblos leader too until they find someone to replace me. I should be O.K. with it for a little while. We'll see when school actually starts how things go. Hopefully I'll be replaced by then.

Speaking of school, I was officially accepted at U of M Flint this week. Now I just have to sign up for classes and I'll be a student again. I don't plan on going full time this semester. I haven't taken classes since spring of '06 so I kind of want to get my feet wet before I jump in. No job yet for Charlie. We still have hope. School doesn't start for another 2 weeks so there still is time, but we know the reality isn't all that good. With God all things are possible though, so we know it could still happen. Charlie will be going to get fingerprinted this week though, so he can start applying as a substitute teacher for the schools around here. He will be working somewhere, somehow, maybe just not the job he wants right away.

The kids are excited to start school soon. We've decided to put them back into the charter school they were at before in Grand Blanc. It's called Woodland Park Academy. Before they didn't offer hot school lunches. You had to pack a lunch for your kids. You also had to transport your kids there with your own car, car pool or pay for the city bus to take your kid there. But now the school is offering a scholarship to help with transportation costs and are providing hot lunches at school with the free/reduced school lunch program. Those things helped us to choose that school again. Otherwise we would've probably sent them to the local public school. My only hang up with the public school was that when we move, later on, in the middle of the year, (we don't plan on staying in the house we are in, we want to buy somewhere else) the kids would have to change schools (most likely). With them being at the charter school, they won't have to change schools, because the charter school doesn't operate within a certain boundary. I think it will be better for the kids this way. Now I'm just working on collecting uniforms for four kids. The school mandates that the kids wear a uniform. What a task! Especially when you are working within a budget. I actually like having the kids wear uniforms; they don't, but I do. I think it's easier, once you have the wardrobe that is.

Our famliy's new edition

No, we aren't expecting a new baby, but we have added to our family. We bought two bunnies last weekend. They are velveteen lops and the kids just adore them. I'm scared they run the risk of being loved to death.

Charlie built them their hutch. They are sisters. The one on the left is named Bell and the other is May. They look very much alike, but Bell has more white on her shoulders and May's white stripe on her forhead is longer than Bell's. Makayla got to name May. She's wanted a girl bunny named May for several months now (because May is her birth month). I got to name the other one. We think some day we might get enough for all our kids to have their own bunny. But we wanted to start out with only two until we get the hang of taking care of them.

Hi from the Allens

Hi Hillary, and Sara, Who else is on here that has abandoned us here in Racine?

I love hearing from Hillary about life for them there. Looking forward to an update from Sara and Daryn...

We are enjoying our summer. We got to go home to Idaho in July for James's baptism and to see family. We spent a few days in Island Park (just outside of Yellowstone). That was fun and it is so beautiful there! My sisters and I went to see the play, Oklahoma, at the Playmill theater. I have seen this play before, but maybe I forgot because I was shocked at all the KISSING! Wow! These college student actors from BYU certainly had a summer filled with NCMO. How fun for them. :) Seriously though, I was embarassed.


We also go to go to the temple open house in Twin Falls Idaho and my kids have never been inside a temple before so that was fun for all of us. We spent a couple days in Boise and a couple days in Blackfoot with my parents. We also went to Bear world and that was cool. Here are some pictures of our trip...

Cousins Reunited!

Jason's Sibs

In other news, our basement is starting to look move-in-able. We are so happy to be able to spread our stuff out a little bit. And Kiley loves her room in the basement.

Keep in touch and we love you guys...

Love,

Kerri