I adore summertime. The warm weather really makes me happy. We've kept the kids busy so they haven't been at each other's throats too much. We got a trampoline this year and I have to say it has been wonderful for me because the kids and any number of their friends are entertained for hours on end. We also have a cheap blow up swimming pool that just fits perfectly on our back deck. So the kids jump on the trampoline a while and then swim in the pool and then go back to the trampoline. They are getting quite toasty brown although I do put sunscreen on JJ and Asher - Hannah rarely burns. I know, I know I should put sunscreen on her too but she tends to run out the door too fast for me to catch her before she is all wet. Aside from spending their days in the sun the kids have been going to the Lehi Arts Center for some classes. Hannah has been in play called Bugz. I think that at this point her love of the lime light and applause if firmly cemented. JJ took a drawing class and learned lots of new techniques for making the Pokemon he draws look more realistic. Asher attended a "summer camp" and was able to do lots of fun activities from making a rodeo clown costume to visiting the local fire station. JJ and Hannah also have been attending the Literacy Center to keep up on their reading skills.
Our chickens have started laying eggs! We have had 4 so far and one that the chickens broke before we got to it. I think that Asher's chicken Chickie is the one doing all the laying! Me and the kids are obsessed with checking to see if another egg has been layed. It is like getting a little present every other day! We can't wait till the other chickens start laying too. The pecking order has been established and Buttercup is low man on the totem pole. Fortunately, or unfortunately, she is the best at flying. When she gets picked on by Goldie or Jane she just flies up to the top of the fencing around the coop and into the back yard. We have some mesh netting to put over the top but haven't gotten a chance yet to put it up.
The other time consuming activity that we have engaged in of late has been helping my mom settle in at Charlie's house. It has been even tougher than I thought and I knew it wouldn't be a cake walk. The stress of change has really taken it toll on her and she has had great difficulty in adapting although Charlie and his family have been really patient and loving to her. I have spent hours listening to her crying over the situation and ranting about things that I can not for the life of me figure out why they are important to her. I know it has been tough on Charlie but I am grateful that he and I have been able to talk a little more openly and work together to try and help her. I think it has brought us closer together. Mom has her bad days still but she has a few more calm days - not happy, I would say, but at least some what calm. Her cancer is still a terrifying aspect of her life and she has by no means accepted it. She is fighter that is for sure and sometimes when she feels helpless to fight the cancer she fights the rest of us who are just trying to help her and be there for her. I tell her nearly everyday to just keep moving forward with faith and she is trying to do that.
Posts
