Okay. First of all I apologize for not having post anything for three weeks. Those of you who know what youth ministry summer schedules are like will likely understand. We just got back a week ago from a 8-day trip to Glorieta, New Mexico, for Centrifuge 2003, our summer youth camp. It was an unbelievable week! It was a long trip, though, and has taken me about that many days to recover since we've been home. Here's a brief update on what's happening with the Ediger family ... First off, Emerie is doing great! She found her lungs while I was away in Glorieta and has become a little more vocal than she was before (not too much, though). She seems to be getting bigger by the minute. I felt like she had grown so much in the 8 days I was away! I'll try and get some new photos posted this week so that you all can see our baby girl!

Josiah & Micah finished their first round of swimming lessons a couple of weeks ago. Josiah loved it - Micah had mixed emotions. I think Micah only finished one week and big brother went for another week. We had a friend in our church give them lessons which was nice having the personal interaction & attention for them. Both are enrolled at Tyro Christian school for the Fall - Josiah in Kindergarten & Micah in a 2-morning 3-year old preschool. Both are already quite a ways past what they will be learning, book-wise, in the classroom this year. Micah knows his numbers, letters, etc. Josiah has been reading for quite a while now. Preschool will be good for Micah, however, in learning social skills (interacting with peers, responding to authority other than mom & dad, etc.). Both are pretty excited about it all.

Andrea is doing well and looking as beautiful as ever. She started Weight Watchers again about a month ago & is doing well with that, and has been handling being a "mother of 3" very well. We are both enjoying having a little girl in the family, and knowing that this is our last child makes it even more special. I think Andrea can't wait to "accessorize" with Emerie, buying her the little 'extras' such as hair bows, shoes, hats, etc. In fact, I think this has been the general feeling of our friends & family (many of you) who have seemed to enjoy buying 'girl clothes' as much as us! She is definitely the cutest baby around!

Andrea & I celebrate 8 years of marriage tomorrow. We'll get a sitter to watch the kids and probably go out for dinner/coffee for a little while. We're waiting to celebrate until the weekend when Pappaw & Mimi watch the boys for a couple of days for us. It's hard to believe that it has been eight years already (we've known each other for ten years this past June). God has definitely blessed us with a wonderful life together thus far & I'm excited to see where He leads us in the future.

I just finished up another curriculum series for LifeWay and am getting set to write an article for a new "Leading Student Ministry" magazine LifeWay is getting ready to release. This past year has been a great time in the area of writing. God is so good, as He has blessed me with these opportunities that I have always dreamed about. I think writing will always be a part of my life, no matter what direction God leads us in the future. I've also, as of last week, hit my target weight with Weight Watchers. I have officially lost 30 lbs. & am feeling better physically than I have since college. Hopefully I can get into some kind of exercise routine now.

I think that about wraps it up. I'm sure I have missed details here & there (3 weeks is a lot to remember!). Drop us a line sometime & let us know how you are doing - we'd love to hear from you!