playing catch up!

Oo, wow, I took a little blog-cation as you noticed, but I am back! Here's a quick re-cap to a very busy few months. I will add some pics when I can either find the camera cord or steal the laptop back from my husband.

As you probably know, we were on a missions trip with some of our youth for 10 days in June. It was AMAZING! We worked with a wonderful missionary (plus daughter, plus intern), an awesome local pastor and wife, and got to meet some incredible people of Costa Rica. One of my favorite parts was seeing God work through the youth we took along and feeling like we returned home as a much more bonded group. It was also cool for Brandon and I because we will very likely be going back to this country (though in San Jose, not the jungle) to do our language studies. We felt like we got a sneak peek at our someday home. I could go on forever about the days spent there, but... I already did - on the youth blog that we set up for the trip (see previous post)!

this is us with the local pastor and wife - love 'em!

When we got back, we headed back to Dayton for the day to pick up Drew, who stayed with family while we were gone. We were pretty much dying to see him and it is great to have him back with us!! While there, we had a little family birthday party for him because he turned THREE!! He actually turned three while we were on the trip, which officially makes us the worst parents, but hopefully he will just remember that we did celebrate it! I cannot believe how quickly things happen - what a little helper he has become!

learning to hold up three fingers is kind of tough

We also took some time in Dayton to load up some more of our things that are in our friends' basement because we moved two days after we got back. Yes, a year later and we moved again. I wasn't thrilled when I first found out that we had to move because it is so much work, but at this point I can say I am glad. We weren't going to be able to stay where we were long-term anyways. (It was another church's parsonage and at some point they planned to take on a full-time pastor and offer him the house.) Our church had renters in our parsonage, but the lease was up and it was better financially for them to move us into it, so that's what we did. Now that we are here, we are enjoying a lot more space, nicer home and neighborhood. Now I just have to get off the computer and unpack! Make sure you get our new address because I love seeing all the cute cards and pics come Christmas time!! :)

A few days after moving, Drew and I RETURNED to Dayton to see my new nephew, Isaac. I was able to be in the room when he was born and it was amazing!! He's quite the cutie patootie and I already love him (and miss him!). I think that trip made a bit homesick because I realize that I won't be there to see him grow as much as I was my other nephew, Lucas, and reminded me that I miss out on the day-to-day stuff. So I snatched Lucas up and brought him back to New Castle with me for the week to make me feel better! :) Ok, so it was pre-arranged, but I was very excited. I thought it would be nice for my sis and bro-in-law to have a little time to transition into life with a baby, so Lucas came for a little vaca in PA (wouldn't be MY first pick for a vacation!). We all had so much fun with him and now that he's back home, our place is way too quiet. We went to see fireworks, the Cleveland Zoo, the pool and park (many times), Chuck E Cheese, the movie theater, the bowling alley - exhausting but great! There is a lot more laughter, noise, fun, running, fighting, farting, and even hugs with another boy around. I like it. :)

'lil brother, big brother cuteness

So that brings us to the coming week... Mahaffey Family Camp. Will let ya know how that goes...if I survive. :)