I'm all alone!

Well, Juliana left yesterday with her dad to visit the Smoky Mountains and go camping. Then she will visit Nancy Ford in North Carolina for a week. So I am all alone for two weeks and I am not sure what all to do with my time. However, I have lots to prepare for with homeschooling and my semester at Southern both starting up shortly. So I guess that will just have to keep me busy. Juliana and I have found a new church and I am finally excited about a church here is Louisville. It is quiet different that Calvary back in Kazoo. It is more "Hip" if I may be allowed to use that word. It has a music scene, an art studio with local artisans doing art shows in the gallery that is part of the church entry, and it has small groups weekly instead of wend night church. The teens meet on tues night, so Juliana will get to start that when school starts back in session in mid August. Juliana went to it with me and she seemed to really like it, so I am happy because it is part of the Southern Baptist Convention which I need to maintain while here at Southern (and hopefully after Southern). The pastors wear jeans or shorts and flip flops and they actually use a bible! The sermons are not as indepth as I am used to with Pastor Monroe but I like the laid back atmosphere which is hard to find here in the "bible belt". And I think that they are scripturally sound from what I have heard so far. I finally feel relaxed and excited to go to church again! Praise the Lord! It has been hard these last two years not feeling connected with a church family. Believe me, Seminary is great but it can not replace a church family!

Well, we are half way through the summer break. Juliana and will have been here in Louisville, KY two years this August. It has been difficult at times and great as well. For starters, I love school. I have about 3 classes to complete but I will probably finish 6 before I graduate. I decided spring of 2009 would be better so that my graduation ceremony would be held outside on campus when things in Kentucky are really beautiful. I plan to apply to universities for my PhD.
Juliana has grown a lot while we have been here. She is about an inch or two shorter than me currently. She keeps trying to catch up and I think she will shortly. Of course, she is swimming and has come a long way. She will be trying out for a swim team here shortly. The team she is currently on is a summer swim team that runs 6-7 weeks long. But she intends to swim 12 months of the year. Yep, we have been watching the Olympic trials and we are excited to see the US swimmers compete this year.
Juliana has been home schooled here for the last two years. It has been great for our lifestyle and schedule. We live in Jefferson county and I don't think I would have been happy with her there through out all of this time. Last year she joined a wonderful home school group and she will be going back again this school year. Juliana enters High School! Yep, my little girl is entering the 9th grade! We have continually has her tested to she how she is performing in all of her subjects and she is always performing in the top 10%, so home schooling hasn't ruined her education. It has allowed her to pursue swimming which she must practice now about 5 days a week, so the time distribution works out well for that.
We have finally gotten used to Kentucky and feel at home here. It probably took Juliana less time than it has taken me. I hate driving around here and I get frustrated with new locations and traffic. But I am learning my way around more and more, just in time for us to consider relocation in another year....
We will be making a trip to Michigan this month, Lord willing. Juliana will complete her summer swim team soon and we will then have the time. Plus, Juliana is planning to go camping with her father in the Smoky Mountains and then spend some time with Nancy Ford in South Carolina before returning to school this fall. So we still have lots to do. Juliana has made friends from swimming, and at the Home school group which I should add is a Christian home school group, and at Church. Although, I am planning to switch to a new church here shortly. More info on our new church family in the future.....
I guess that is all for now. Missing Everyone!

Yep, Sugar got a lick! July 7, 2008; Our regular trip to Huber Farms in Indiana to pick raspberries!
This was during Spring Break of 2007, we went to Orlando Florida with Alison and Joie our friends from Kalamazoo that live here in Louisville too. This was at Rain Forest Cafe.
Juliana and Joie with jaw breakers at Sea World.(April 2007)
Juliana and Joie; Sea World 2007!

The Gators Swim Team had a pudding drop! This is Juliana after she removed her swim goggles! Juliana and her pudding drop partner, Lianna! I think Juliana got the worst of it. Of course Lianna was getting even because Juliana had pushed her in the pool earlier!
Here is Juliana at one of her swim meets doing the breast stroke.
Time for some icecream at the Fourth of July Crescent Hills event.
Sugar is waiting patiently for her turn at a lick!

Glen Oaks Country Club Summer Swim Team

Here Juliana is after her first swim relay race....we dont know how well they did and we dont care. She is just so happy to finally be done with her first race!

Here Juliana is with one of her new friends, Lianna. Juliana is happy to have found someone with such an unusual name as hers.
Juliana is doing an entry for the Freestyle race. Juliana was in 6 races, 3 were relays. The 3 individual races she places 2nd in Breaststroke out of 7 girls, 4th in Freestyle out of 10 girls and 9th out of 10 in Backstroke.
Juliana is the tiny person with the blue swim cap in the center in both pictures.....
I'll get better at pictures...I promise!

Memorial Day 2008

Where in the World is Hornersville?

Aunt Lora Mae, her daughter, Nana and Jay!
Look how we make our great grandmother do all of the yard work while we sit and rest!

Juliana and Nana giving the yard decorations some fresh paint!
What else can you do in Hornersville but sit on the porch and talk awhile.
Juliana at the Louisville, KY Zoo making friends with some meercats. Aren't they cute?