It's been a long time since there's been a Tuesday Ten...

1. The last day of August feels more like the first day of October. Cold. Rainy. Icky. I'm still holding out for some warm weather in September... but this weather makes me melancholy... I'm not ready for cold yet - I haven't soaked up enough warm!!!
2. Kyler started two-a-day practices last Monday... they do a single on Saturdays and don't run on Sundays... but in the last nine days he's gone on fifteen runs. Sheesh. He's pretty worn out. Those long practice runs make the 3 mile races seem easy and short... so I guess it's all worth it.
3. I can't wait for his meets... last year his best three mile time was 17:50-something... eager to see what he's able to accomplish this year. His best mile in the spring was a 4:54 mile... if he can keep even a 5:45 mile pace he could finish three miles in 17:15... we shall see...
4. Summer is way too short. The kids start school in two days. I'd gladly keep them home for a couple more weeks. We just never get around to doing all the fun things I wish we could do...
5. I'm going to have a sophmore, an eighth grader and a fifth grader this year. Oh.my.stars.
6. Our less-than-five-year-old fridge decided to quit working last Thursday. I got home from work and went to get some ice for my tea and the ice cube tray was full of water. I called a repairman and found out the compressor went kaput. Fortunately, the less-than-five-year-old status is key: the compressor is still under warranty (but only until the end of November... thank you Jesus!) Of course, the part the repairman needed had to be ordered... and then they didn't have an open appointment until tomorrow, so I've been a week without my main refrigerator. I have an extra fridge in the basement (which, consequently cost a third as much as my 'new' fridge and is fifteen years old and has never had a problem) so we didn't lose any food... but I'm so tired of going up and down the stairs every time I need something. I feel blessed that it all worked out and that tomorrow it will be fixed. I really cannot complain. I keep thinking about Tejan, who has no refrigeration at all in his house...
7. Speaking of Tejan, I'm in the process of applying to be a team leader to take our family and whoever wants to join us to Sierra Leone next summer. I'm beside myself with anticipation and excitement... THRILLED that we're stepping out in faith and taking this big risk together as a family. And SO excited to see T. again. You cannot imagine how much...
8. I get WAY too many magazines. Martha Stewart Living. Woman's Day. Family Fun. Scrapbooks etc. Real Simple. All You. Shape. Weight Watchers. Cooking Light. Healthy Cooking. Better Homes and Gardens. Sheesh. How did that happen? I can honestly say that I've never paid more than $10 for a subscription, but still. Crazy.
9. Just took these out of the oven... topping them with this... YUM!
10. We've had lots of goodbyes lately... a couple that we've been mentoring for four years is moving to Northern Ireland... so sad to see them go (especially because she is pregnant with their first baby!) and a dear young man who has been an especially good friend to the kids is moving to go work on Mercy Ships for two years... it's so hard to say goodbye... makes me thankful for friendship and how precious it is. We're going to miss you, David, Brynn and Jay. We love you so much.

Happy Tuesday, friends.