End of summer fun

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over. This summer turned out differently than we thought it would in the spring. We had been so certain that Cardale would move in with Ryan and Jenn by mid June, at the latest. Obviously God has different plans. Cardale has spent the weekends with Ryan and Jenn this summer. We're glad he was able to spend that time with them, but I think everyone is ready to stop driving between Hastings and South Haven every weekend.:) Once again, I was so certain that the Winebrenner's license would open up this week, hasn't happened. We are going out east for a week and Cardale has to go to respite care. We really thought he would be with the Winebrenner's by now and he wouldn't have to go to someone else's home. Guess God has different plans again. Sorry if I seem kind of frustrated. I dislike feeling torn about our vacation. We had made plans to go now b/c Cardale would (most likely) be gone, Nate had the time off, and Caleb starts school after Labor Day. I know we can't bring Cardale with us b/c travelling with the 3 kids and staying in hotels, family member's homes, etc would not be relaxing at all. I just want God to tell us, "here is the date the license will open and when Cardale will move in with Ryan and Jenn." Have I mentioned it is hard to accept God's timetable sometimes?

In other news, we know that Isaac is still allergic to milk. I made mashed potatoes with milk and butter and gave some to him a couple weeks ago. His chin turned red and he started complaining that it itched. He has had a similar reaction to watermelon and cantelope recently. So now we try to eat our watermelon in secret b/c he really likes it! My sister isn't allergic to milk, but gets an itchy mouth after eating watermelon as well. I guess if you have seasonal allergies you sometimes have reactions to certain fruits. Isaac does have some seasonal allergies as well. Poor kiddo. I'm thankful though that his allergies aren't life-threatening. Usually some Benadryl clears up the symptoms right away.

Isaac did his first full-fledged nap strike today. He was in bed for 1 1/2 hours and didn't go to sleep. Even giving him books to read didn't help this time. Of course, he was a wreck the rest of the day. He is too young to do this! Although, I remember Caleb had nap-strike phases and eventually he started napping normally again. Have I mentioned that Isaac's vocabulary has taken off these past few months? People who haven't seem him for awhile are shocked at how much he's talking now. I love this stage of listening to him speak in sentences and describe everything. Of course, now he knows how to talk back too. :)

We are leaving on Saturday for Freeport. I am going to a Tri-County reunion. It is not going to be well-attended, which is frustrating since I've been planning it, but it will be fun to catch up with old friends! Then on Sunday we start driving to Rochester. We'll stay overnight at a hotel and then get to Rochester on Monday. After spending a few days with Nate's parents we're heading to PA to see his brother Reuben and family. Then we head home on the weekend so Caleb can start school on the 8th! We're looking forward to our trip out east as we don't travel that way very much. Should be a fun vacation!