I Survived: End of Year Extravaganza and June Recap

Kody graduated from elementary school.  The process was bittersweet as he felt all grown up and robbed because he knew with the move he would be another year in elementary school.  He felt excited to reach this milestone with his friends but sad to remember that he wouldn't be with them for the new school year.  Just like his experience with Doe Run graduation were the experiences we felt most of June.  It was a close to a lot of doors and an open to many more.  Emotions were all over the spectrum, but as always we moved forward with fortitude. 

Also three of the kids participated in the the local community theatre iStage production of Beauty and the Beast.  It was a first for Issac and Kody and a fourth I believe for Isabella.  As a silly girl and a theater lover she had so much fun.  For the boys they had fun all along the way, but it is clearly not their passion.  They were marvelous though.

 

Girls Camp was a raging success, mostly.  Isabella had a great and fun time.  Her fourth year hike was a success and she was fine despite her mild nervousness that she wouldn't be in shape.  She was able to avoid any of the drama that too many girls with too little sleep encounter at this age.  As a mom I couldn't have been more proud.

Swimming for Issac is a hit.  He is happy and enjoys it and can't wait to find more time to be in the pool with friends whether through lessons or just playing.  He is sweet to watch and I love to see him happy.  He excels in swimming, running, and all things music.  He really has no vision though of how he is good at these things.  His competence in this area means relatively little though as long as it keeps him smiling.

Last visits and excursions took place.  I had attempted to visit Coal Mine Number 9 previously without success but we tried again and it went well.  It was very interesting and as the longest continuously operating Coal Mine, it was filled with history and the tour guide was informed.  Kody may have had to pee in the mine in a back dark corner because despite the warning when we started the tour, he couldn't hold it any longer.  Afterwards we went to Centralia, longest burning fire from a coal mine.  The town has been condemned and there are crazy amounts of tourists.  Despite all this I was unable to see a flame shooting from the ground into the air, which is what I hoped for.  Some areas are smoky though, and we found the old abandoned highway, that is closed to the public, but walked on by hundreds anyway.  Graffiti abounds, talent is amazing, people's obsession with genitalia is astoundingly banal.  Good things to get off the bucket list and less to regret after moving.  Successes all around.

Summer Wrap Up and August Review

The summer flew by, faster than ever before.  I don't think I did much relaxing or vacationing or pool side sitting.  I also didn't do my typical summer curriculum for the kids.  So what did I do, I think I really just played chauffer to my kids and all of their activities. But Isabella did get her braces off in there, Issac and Kody still had plenty of time to play in the back yard with the neighbors and I got a nap or two.  It was a time warp summer.

This summer we did "summer swim team" that took quite a bit of time and commitment. Also with the kids getting older they each were gone for a week or so with church activities.  Isabella had girls' camp and youth conference, Wyatt had Scout camp, and the two younger boys went to Cub Day Camp, but it lasted a whole week.  So right there is 5 weeks of crazy.  Add in tons of things to prepare for and carry out the Philadelphia Temple Open House, Dedication and Cultural Celebration.  Then we added Band Camp and athletic training for Cross Country and Soccer.  Throw in two weeks to Texas, one to the Beach, and one week of family (William and Lacey and kids) being in town and boom summer is gone.

We're Halfway to Christmas...and Then Some

In June and the beginning of July we:

finished baseball season

rescued many newborn animals

celebrated our favorite dad

had wisdom teeth removed

witnessed many gorgeous sunsets

attended girls' camp

 

and Cub Camp

Girls' Camp - Holla'

Girls' Camp or more technically called "Young Women's Camp"

is the greatest adventure and most fun, I ever had in my youth

with my friends.

 

For one week each year from age 12-17, I attended.

We learned about the great outdoors,

grew our testimonies in Jesus Christ and

played hard.

 

Now my girls are old enough to be going.

It's a crazy, blow my mind kind of experience.

But I love that they are having this same great opportunity.

 

And I hope that they are learning the same things, even more.

Building the same skills, even better.

Having the same fun - I don't think that's possible. 

 

 

And in spite of the crazy weather,

falling trees and mild teenage girl drama...

I hope they always remember to keep their eye on the temple.

Shine their light and be a beacon to the world,

of goodness, of purity and virtue. 

 

Thanks you to every leader on the ward and stake level,

who dedicate your time and energy.

I hope you know how much you do really matters.

Lots of Love,

Me (and my girls)