THE FIBA CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE ON TOO LATE

I really can't believe that the end of August is coming. That it is here, really. We had our six month social worker meeting last Sunday, and to think that it had been that long already really blew me away. It was crazy to reflect on where we were three months ago, too, as the evolution of la familia Shinn is difficult to see while it is happening, but when we hear from someone who has only visited a couple of time, we realize just how much we have grown as a family. It is really very amazing. It was also good to reflect on how much joy the kids bring us. It's not as if we don't realize it during the mundane, day to day living, but it is so much more clear and much bigger when I take a step back and look at it all. The meeting went well, as our social worker was pleased with how things are going. All the post-adoption stuff seems to now be falling into place a little bit, which is nice. I am just so glad that Janine is so organized and on top of it all. I know that if I were in charge I would be floundering.

So tonight we ate dinner at our friend Josh's house. He invited us over and cooked up a delicious meal for us and had some ice cream for dessert. We had fun watching the kids play afterward, wrestling, goofing off, etc. They had a good time playing in a different environment and showing off, as they often do. Becky was not there as she has been out of town working more lately. Hopefully we will get a chance to do that again with both Josh and Becky soon. Thanks again for the fun and food, 7-Up.

Last night we had our Kids Club leader meeting. It was well attended and went well. I think that the changes that Janine is trying out are things that will be positive for the kids and the leaders, too. We will be trying to do more small group stuff, which will give us opportunities to connect better with a smaller group of kids rather than being so spread out with such a large group. I am excited about it and for being able to participate again this year, as Traci has volunteered to watch the boys that night. It will hopefully be a good year. We will see many new faces and we will miss some mainstays of recent years (Nohemi, Daniel, Jaylee, Arleth, Roberto, Lizbeth, Julianne, Junior...all moved). It is always hard to see the kids go, but that is part of the package that comes with ministering in this highly transient neighborhood. On the flip side, Johnny and his siblings came back after being gone for almost a year. I think we all had just about given up hope on seeing him again, then all of a sudden he shows up at church one day...crazy. It was good to see him, though.

Shirley started school this week. She is just like most kids in that she was not looking forward to it starting up, but it seems that she has taken to it well. She has plenty of kids in her class that she already knows, which is nice, and hopefully starting out with everyone will help her as she continues her transition into the system. I am really hoping that she likes her teacher (the kids will not meet their actual teacher until the upcoming week...they have a fill in until then) and that she is able to understand more of what is going on in classes and such. She has improved in her English so much this summer, so hopefully that will give her more confidence in class. She is such a social kid, so I can't picture her not enjoying school, I just hope that she doesn't feel out of place, especially after last year's debacle of placing her 1 3/4 grade levels above what she had last studied/finished. And I hope she makes good friends.

I went to Alejandro Escoveda/Son Volt at Red Butte Gardens (last show of the summer series) last Sunday. I have to say that it was the best show of the summer. Both bands wowed the crowd and basically were hitting on all cylinders. Josh, Josiah, Richard and Brad went with, and we all had a good time hanging out, relaxing, enjoying the music. We had some trouble with some knuckleheads who didn't realize that there were 100 people sitting behind them trying to watch a show. They decided they should stand for half the show. We were all getting a little upset, but eventually they sat down or at least got out of the way enough for us to see what was happening. I just don't get fools who have no perception of anything but themselves. They bug me.

The Tigers are tanking. And I don't really want to talk about it.

It is still in the mid to high nineties here. It is ridiculous. I hate the heat and I was looking forward to it cooling down a bit, but it really hasn't. We are about 6" low on our rain measurements this year and it doesn't look like we will catch up in the next month. I really can't wait for fall and winter. Summertime is not good for anyone.

My movie making friend has asked me to try to put together a soundtrack for the movie based on the script that I have read. I had started by picking songs that I thought would fit, ranging from Blue Mountain to Bruce Cockburn, but he wanted me to write the music and songs. I have never thought in that mode, but I told him I would give it a try. I am interested to see what I might come up with...is that strange, that I am curious to see what I do? It sounded odd when I wrote it. Anyhow, it should be interesting.

I could use some sleep.

Oh. T-shirts. We are in the midst of choosing designs and finalizing some drawings. We have priced things out and are getting close to ordering. I am hoping to plant some pictures (advertisements) on here and on my lame facebook page before too long. Josiah's artwork is going to be featured, with some things that I have done every once in a while. Stay tuned for more news. And get your cash ready for the deal of a lifetime...or of the decade...or of the day...
...and I still dream of coffee, but it is still on the back burner.

Anyhow, I hope all is well. Don't get punched in the face.