All About Me!

Generally speaking, I don't love it when all the attention is on me.  It makes me a bit uncomfortable.  But, if we are having fun as a group....  That is an entirely different ball game!  Lucky for me, my anniversary, mothers day, and my birthday generally fall within the same months time period.  And I get treated like a princess!  Hubby will take me out for dinner, and even take a selfie with me.

 And I get decorations all over the house for Mother's Day.

 And for my birthday last year, we just hung out with our friends.  And they brought over their tiny baby that they were/are still fostering, and just let me hold him.  Do they know me well or what?

So I suppose it is ok to be the center of attention every once in a while :)

Girls Camp 2017

Last summer, before we left on our big, cross country trip, Kari had the opportunity to go to her first Girls Camp.  For our church, starting at the age of 12, the young women are invited to spend a few days with other young women their age, learning survival skills in the woods, but also learning about spiritual stuff, and hopefully discovering a few things about themselves.  Growing up, I went to 4 years of camp, and enjoyed myself quite a bit.  I probably would have enjoyed myself even more, had it not been July, in Virginia, where it is 1000 degrees, the bugs are abundant, and it rains every afternoon.  

I can't tell you what she did there.  She did tell me, I am sure, but even if I remembered everything, it isn't really my story to tell.  I will say that when I got to the parking lot to pick her up, she was excited to go home.  I think she had fun, but at 12 she had never spent that many days away from us (especially without contact of any kind), and I think she was a little homesick.  It was touching and sweet, and made me glad that she hasn't grown up completely already.

 Because anyone who can still love their younger brother after being away for 4 days, can't be all that bad.

We are already gearing up to go again this year.  I think she is slightly more prepared this time, since she has already been and knows what to expect.  I hope she is still as excited to see us when she gets home this summer!

Drive Across the US Wrap Up

After spending time with family in Virginia, it was time to finally go home.  The drive from there was not nearly as long as the children had endured up until that point.  But it was still tiring for the little one.

 And I put almost 6,000 miles on the van in 3 weeks.  Thats a pretty good haul!

Its a good thing we got all our vacationing in at that point.  Because when we came home, it was time to pack up the house and get ready to move.  All kinds of fun trials and obstacles there!  But, having been in the new house for about 8 months now, I can safely say that the house is beautiful!

Gratuitous Swimming Pictures

One of our favorite things to do while we are up in VA is to spend as much time as possible in Aunt K's pool.  I swear, the children could swim all day, every day.

 Apparently, Kelsey doesn't even need to breathe!

 While I did take probably a bazillion pictures of them swimming, I have just a few fun jumping pictures to share.

Like this one.  Of Kari.  Apparently sitting on the water.

 And cousins Kaitlyn and Karley, jumping in on the count of three.

 And Kelsey, who can levitate.

 And Dylan...  And a possible poor choice of positioning.

 I love that the girls had all kinds of time to talk and visit and plan.

Because, really, what else are pools for?

Last Fourth of July

Yup.  I am almost a year behind.  And it is crazy!  And, unfortunately, I might not remember all the funny stories, or the good times we had.  Not gonna lie...  that is a little disappointing.  But, when things are going on, and you don't really have all the time in the world.... you do what you gotta do.  So I am going to play catch up.  Quite a few things have happened since, oh, July of last year.  Moving.  School.  Family visits.  Hurricanes.  I'll do the best I can :)

Last Independence Day, we were up in Virginia.  We celebrated with a few fireworks out on the cul-de sac.  For some reason, I love back of children shots.  They are so fun!

 And of course we had to bust out the sparklers!

 Because, what kind of holiday would it be without dangerous fire?!?!

 A boring one one.  I am pretty sure that is the correct answer.  

So happy independence day from last year!  Pay no attention to the fact that this years is about 6 weeks away.  :)

I did it!!!!

I did it!!!  I finished my first year of school!  I finished 2 semesters!  I survived.  My children survived.  My marriage survived.  My house may not have been super clean.  I may have been exhausted.  My best effort may have been less than my previous best efforts, but sometimes you just have to accept that.  I think I still even have friends!  They may have forgotten what I look like, but... they might still remember my name.

So maybe, I can catch up on some stuff this summer.  I'd love to catch up on my journaling, which is what I feel like the main purpose of the blog is.  Here's hoping regular life is more relaxing and semi productive!