Where is summer going?

I can't believe that it is July 15th.  I'm already dreading the school routine which will be here in about a month!!  Our summer is just flying by!  Last week I sent Jacob and Jenna off to camp and this week Joshua has been at camp so things have been quiet and different.  I'm glad they get the chance to go.  Jack and I couldn't work getting away this year since they went on different weeks, so we went to IKEA on Friday and spend the day together (with Joshua close by our side:).

Far from perfect....

My kids are not perfect.  My boys are well......boys!!  Sometimes all three of my kids do something and I say "what were you thinking?".  Sometimes it seems like when someone needs to tell me something about one of the three of them, especially the boys, it's something bad.  Last week I had the pleasure of hearing two days of good!!  Last week Josh went to a friends house from school to swim.  I admire this family a lot.  They have some strong Christian values.  The week before he also went over there, but I didn't realize the parents were gone and the grandparents were there.  When I picked Joshua up I was talking to the mom and told her how much I appreciated them and for having Joshua over and over the prior week when they weren't home.  I told her I hope it really was ok.  She told me that the grandparents called her and her husband and said 'Zach wants to bring a friend over and we know how you feel about it, especially when you are not home".  "He wants Josh to come over".  Her reply was "It's perfectly fine....Josh is on our approved list".......I know something little, but it still means a lot to me and even in our discussion she told me how much she liked Josh and he was welcome over there any time.
   Next day....Josh gets his braces off.  Then we run over to the dentist after a quick lunch for his scheduled cleaning/checkup.  The nurse comes out and asks for Mrs. McLean.  I get up, but she proceeds to come to me.  I knew it was too early for him to be done and my heart started beating because I assume something is wrong.  She comes to talk to me because she wanted to tell me how much she loves my son and how nice he was to her....carrying on a conversation with her and above all being so polite and mannerly.  My first thought was "are you sure you are talking about my Josh?" but then I had a proud mommy moment and was blessed that someone told me something positive about my child!!  Still working on his yes/no maam at home, and to keep it all his elders,  but we are making progress and for once it was nice to hear some good things about my children instead of the negatives.
     Sunday my dad came over for lunch.  Jenna gets up from the meal and says "thank you mommy".  I'm so used to hearing it, but my dad noticed and made a comment to me about it.  Again, it made me feel glad that someone noticed.  All three of the kids are really good about thanking me for their meals and especially grateful if they get a treat.....donuts, frozen drink, etc.  Lord please help me remember that there are positive moments especially when we are faced with the times that are filled with negative/or training moments!!