We found out on Sunday that our friend Stacy would be coming to our part of the country for work. Tonight we were able to spend a few special hours with her and although it wasn’t nearly long enough, we are so grateful for this time with her.
We met Stacy at Camp Sunshine several years ago and were immediately drawn in by her amazing spirit and love of life.
We love you, Stacy and miss you already. Come back soon!
We've been running non-stop this week and have had plenty of fun.
After years of saying we were going to do it, we finally took the kids to the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti. It was a memorable little trip and with the exception of mosquitoes, the protesters, and the traffic jam on I-15 at 1:30 a.m., it was fun.
Caleb had his pictures taken in his scout uniform for his upcoming Eagle Court of Honor by my very talented friend, Heidi. I cannot wait to see them!
We threw an end of the school year "Fun Dip" swim party for Caitlin and some of her classmates. I was prepared to let her invite all the girls in her class, but she decided to invite only her "best friends”. It was a low-key, no stress event for me and I loved watching how well they got along.
We had a fun time in Park City at a huge party my company held in celebration of our 10 Year Anniversary. We had lunch, too much cotton candy, and a blast riding the Alpine Slide and a roller coaster that weaves in and out of the trees, all the way down the mountainside. Fun!
We have been to two movies- Karate Kid and the much anticipated Toy Story 3.
We went to the Arts Festival and found some fun yard art (didn't buy it, just liked it).
We toured the model homes in the new village in our community and while it was fun, it made me rather anxious. I worry too much about making another housing mistake. Too big, too small, not enough space where you really need it, etc, etc... I hope when the time comes, we will find a "just right" home, for the right price, and will feel peace with our decision.
So... this was the first week of summer. While we've had a great time, I could really use some rest and at least a day to catch up around the house.
#3- Concerts in the Park- we saw Peter Breinholt
#4- Morning walks around the lake and uninterrupted time to visit with a friend
#5- The smell of fresh cut grass (and the 15 year old who cuts it; as well as the neighbors while he’s at it)
#6- Wearing flip flops
#7- Eating lunch or dinner (or both) outside
And just so you know, you may not be Kysa's favorite guy, but you are ours. We love you dad! Have a great day.
I know it’s not officially summer yet, but it is finally warming up and kids are out of school. I love summer. It’s my favorite season, with fall a close second.
Now and then I’m going to write what I love about this season. Tonight I have the first two.
#1- Clint’s grilled salmon with mango salsa. Yummy!
#2- Sitting on the porch during a rainstorm watching natures fireworks. We were not the only ones out, you could hear kids shouting out “Did you see that one?!?” and “Ohhhhhh!” up and down our street. We finally came in when the storm had passed to the other side of the valley and Caleb said, “Well, my life’s not in immediate danger anymore. I’m bored, let’s go in.” Oh, and I noticed I was the only one sitting on a metal chair.
This past week has been full of activity as school comes to an end (for one of our kiddos) and summer begins. This next month will be a little tricky as we are all ready for the slower pace of summer and yet still have Caitlin in school until July 2.
Last Saturday we went to a family reunion for my Grandma Edwards family. We had lunch, an auction, a Silly String fight, and a program and dinner for my mom’s aunt and uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was a nice day and we enjoyed catching up with family members we haven’t seen for a while. My little grandma is the oldest and smallest of her siblings. At 85, she isn’t able to see and hear as well as she used to, or sew and work on her garden with as much energy, but she still manages to show her family she loves them.
On Memorial Day we weeded, edged, mowed, and washed all the outside windows and the porch furniture. We also had a little barbeque and then went to Robin Hood once our work was finished. We worked hard, didn’t have to threaten the kids with bodily harm to help, and now it feels good to be caught up and able to maintain. Twice this week I have been able to relax on our porch (my favorite area of our house) and not feel guilty about all the work that needs to be done.
On Tuesday, Clint, Caitlin, and I went to dinner with our friends, the Cooper’s. We have known Jay and Maggie for a little over a year and have come to really enjoy and appreciate them. They have been the leaders of our Financial Peace classes and have been a huge source of support and encouragement to us as we work to become debt-free. Jay made the mistake of asking me about my job and that started a whole conversation about air travel gone wrong. I think he won with his tale of an emergency landing due to a tornado. I certainly have stories of my own to share (about other people) but I have to keep some secrets to myself, right?
Wednesday was Caleb’s 9th Grade Lagoon Day and my day to have lunch with my work friends before the kids are out of school for the summer.
Thursday was Caleb’s last day of middle school and our CCCF Summer Luau. It was fun to see our cancer friends and meet new families. We sat by a family who lost a little boy two years ago. They have the most unusual story as their five year old was diagnosed with a rare form of AML on Thursday and passed away the following day. There were no symptoms except for a bloody nose and then more severe symptoms the day he was diagnosed. The doctors think he probably had Leukemia for a week at the most. They are a really nice couple and I was impressed with their attitude and gratitude that their little son did not suffer through treatments that wouldn’t have saved him in the long run.
Today… Caleb left for Youth Conference in Manti and Caitlin did something I am so proud of… I am trying to encourage her to branch out with her friendships and today she went to a book club that some friends from school have started. She has really cute school friends and they have helped her, along with her teacher, to blossom this school year. Most of these girls will be in her class next year too, so I am hoping she will make some lasting friendships.
So that’s it. Looking forward to the weekend, to summer, to hopefully a slower pace and lazy days at the pool.
