Summer

We have had a busy few weeks of summer. Lots of playing, crafting, going to the park, Vacation Bible Schools, bike riding, running around outside, bonfires and s'mores and just enjoying the freedom of no school and lots of daylight. Here are some pictures.

Testing

To do Today

I have so much to blog about and so little time! I WILL get some things posted today - I promise! With nice weather and a houseful of kids (2 extra 3 days a week and a 6th last Friday), it's been a bit tough. And I don't have a laptop -I know, I'm one of the very last not to have one, but our desktop is still doing great (barely, but I can't afford to replace it right now!!); the only problem is that it's in our bedroom and when I would take the time to blog, Duffy's gone to bed and the last things he wants to listen to is my typing away!!!

So, be patient. I will have posts and pictures today. Or, maybe tomorrow!

Why is it that when you start a project, it snowball's into about 15 other projects????


We decided to move Zoe into the guest/craft/sewing room 2 weeks ago. It's been a good move because all the girls seem to sleep better (not talking at night, waking each other up at the crack of dawn) and they are trying to keep their own stuff clean up. The problem is, there is still a bunch of my stuff in Zoe's new room. I go in to move something, realize that I need to clean out and reorganize the hall closet to accommodate what I'm moving and 2 hours, 10 interruptions later, I've moved one, rather small thing out of her room! At this rate, it will take me a year to get her some room in the closet!!

And of course, her room, the smallest of the two, is where everyone wants to play and hang out, making it that much harder for me to do anything! I'm too embarrassed to even post a picture so you'll just have to wait until it's totally finished. Check back next year!!

Things Teagan says...

While getting ready this morning:

Teagan: I combed my hair - do I look like a princess??

Me: Yes, you do. But you know, it's not really about what you look like on the outside. It's really about what you are like on the inside. Being kind, polite, being a good listener; loving your sisters, your family, God.

T: I love God.

Me: I know you do.

T: You have big boobs mommy.

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T: Have you had your tattoo for a long time?

M: Yes, I got it in college.

T: WOW! Will you have it when you are an old lady?

M: Yup. That's why you think really hard and get something that you know you will love for a really long time.

T: I want one of those real tattoos.

M: Yeah, well, you need to wait awhile.

T: Yeah, like when I go to college.

Ahhhh

I had a vision for how I wanted this morning to go. It went something like this:

• Sleep in until at least 7am since we've been up super early every morning this week (anywhere from 5:40am - 6:30am)
• Make yummy coffee and enjoy it in a leisurely fashion, maybe reading a bit while the girls watch cartoons, color, etc.
• Have all my children wake up happy, refreshed and ready for a good day that involves playing nicely, getting along, enjoying time inside and outside

So far, it isn't going like that at all. Harper woke up at 6:30am and the big girls shortly after. They started out in good moods but that quickly changed, and for what reason, I do not know! They are picking at each other and whatever one does, the other cry's/yells/tattles or stomps away! I've made coffee but never get to enjoy the entire cup while it is still hot!

We are heading outside because I'm going to mow the lawn and the lawn mower will drown out the sound of the fighting!

Family Dynamics

This past weekend (Memorial Day) we went camping. Well, sort of. We camped our trailer in my grandparents yard and enjoyed the comforts of their dry, warm house! We got to spend a lot of time with brother, Bethany and Izabella - It's been awhile since we could just hang out and not have a bunch of stuff going on! I'm so thankful that we all get along, have so much fun together and the girls get to grow up together - it just makes me sad when it comes to an end because I realize how far away Portland really is!

We also got to spend some time with a lot of my extended family. It's been a really long time since we've been able to spend more than an hour or two with my aunts and uncles, cousins and their kids. I love that my girls can't wait to play with their cousins and I love watching them all grow up together.

Sunday was spent celebrating Duffy's 36th birthday! He got to sleep in (a rarity at our house), play Cabella's Big Game Hunter (how he could fight of the mountain lions and not have a heart attack, I don't know!!!) enjoy great BBQ and yummy food prepared by all the great cooks in our family. His cake request (cupcakes in ice cream cones) was a big hit with all the kids and even some of the adults! At one point, we counted 28 people, including Duffy's parents (it was also his mom's birthday!!) and brother's family. We feel sooooooo blessed that our families are close in proximity and relationship to share in birthdays and holidays - it makes things so much easier when time is limited!! And I love to see everyone together - it makes my heart happy.

Now it's back our real life. Teagan finished with school this week and Zoe has 2 weeks to go. We have a busy summer full of Vacation Bible Schools, having friends come and hang out a couple of days a week, weekend trips to Grandma and Grandpa's, vacation with Dad in August (maybe another camping trip....), and oh, yeah, Harper's First Birthday in July!!! Fun times ahead!!