We continue to adjust to our life down here in the south.  My, it gets hot and humid down here!  I don't believe it's really been any hotter than what it gets in Dayton, but it's the humidity and the number of days it's hot.  I'm looking forward to the fall, which, I understand, doesn't really get felt until November, but still, at least there is a weather change to look forward to.

A couple of weeks ago, Brett sent me on a trip back to Dayton and my friends.  While there, I attended the CHEO homeschool conference.  The conference was much smaller this year, due mostly, I think, to the competition created by the Cincinnati Homeschool Conference, but as I went with some very dear friends, I still enjoyed myself very much.  I concentrated on writing seminars, and l.d. seminars (focusing on the dyslexia aspect, which I'm almost positive Emma deals with to some extent).

I really enjoyed seeing all my dear friends.  I stayed the first night with my friend Melissa, and unfortunately, I wasn't thinking clearly enough to capture the moment with a photo, but I'll remember it in my heart instead.  The next night saw me at the conference with Jeni and Mary Beth, and the following nights I spent back in Dayton, with my friends Sue and Tim.

While there, I really enjoyed going to worship at SouthBrook.  The new theatre is completed now, and I was able to see the fruit of so much prayer and labor over the prior years.  I had a lump in my throat for much of the time, frankly, feeling a little sorry for myself that I was no longer directly a part of it, but I know God has a plan for me, and I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be at the moment.  Charlie talked on experiencing God in everyday moments, and I am now revisiting a much loved book, The Practice of the Presence of God by brother Lawrence.  It is an excellent reminder about how God is always with us.

Here I am with some of my "core" friends at church.  They are all such beautiful souls!

And here I am with my first friend that I made in Dayton, Sue.  We're drinking (for those of you who aren't tea conniseurs) blooming tea, although I can't remember the exact one.  We had a blast watching all the "petals" unfurl, and the tea was quite good!

Here's a close-up of the blooming tea.

 All good things come to an end, and at last I needed to head back south.  I had much to look forward to, though, in that my children were missing their mom and my husband was missing his wife!  I bought the kids some t-shirts at the convention, and they were very excited to put them on.

The very next weekend was Independence Day, and our family had special plans to attend our first ever Nascar race at Daytona Motor Speedway.  We had tickets for both the Friday and Saturday night races, but decided to do the smaller Busch race, to get a taste of the race life, since they didn't start until 8:00 p.m.  We all had a great time, and were ever so glad we took along hearing protection!

Here's Emma, very excited!  Our seats were almost directly across from Jr.'s pit.

And here's a photo of the pit area.

Oh, and lastly, here's a photo of me.  I just like this photo, and I like so few, that I figured I'd post it!

Lastly, I wanted to share a photo of my little sock blocker keychain that I knit for Melissa.  It was such a fun little project, and took next to no time at all!