The REST of the Summer: Staying Busy

I hate when I forget about things. Like blogging. (poor journal) It's not like when I forget about the dishes, and they smell iffy and there's no clean spoons. Not that annoying, but still a little overwhelming to think about 2 1/2 months not-written-about yet.

Mostly the summer was hot, and we tried to find things to do to keep from being cooped up inside all the time. We tried a park one or two mornings, but by 8:30 it was pretty much too hot. We went to indoor play-places a few times, but my older two are really too tall for most of the mall ones. I still let them play at Fiesta if it's not busy (because it's a huge area) and we tried Chik-Fil-A and IKEA  (both have play areas for taller kids). But they're all a bit of a drive. We tried to swim a few times a week, and hit the Riverview Splash Pad twice, I think. Four kids is really a crowd! It seems like every time I did it, I always vowed not to take all 4 shopping anymore, but I just kept trying it. Errands are definitely more complex in the summer time, and swimming isn't bad, it's the getting ready and getting cleaned up that kills you. I think the kid's most memorable outing was when we went over to our mechanic's for free snow cones (they had hired a truck for the day). We don't do much in the way of sugary treats or extra dyes and junk, so they though they were in heaven, especially when we let them get seconds. :)

I have lots of memories of us trying to find something to do, but looking back through the pictures, we actually stayed pretty busy. One week we celebrated my niece Carlee's birthday (complete with the mega-Jenga-challenge, dressed like cows for our free Chik-Fil-A meals (and for something to do), and ate free pancakes at IHOP for their birthday celebration. And all this happened while Jeremy was in California at a mini-NUCCA training!

Shawn had a big month. He finally started sitting up (with support), started rolling all over the place (he started on that blanket), turned 7 months old, and we did sleep training. SO hard at first (I stayed with him next to the crib while he tried to figure out how to get to sleep not-attached-to-me) but within a day or two he was sleeping in his crib at night and only waking once to nurse. And two weeks later he dropped the night feeding and started sleeping 10-11 hours a night. After 6+ months of co-sleeping, with increasingly less quality sleep for both of us, this was HEAVENLY. Naps are still iffy some days, but both of us are so much better rested, and I was excited to "move back in" with Jeremy to enjoy our new king-size bed. After having our queen for almost 9.5 years, we were ready for an upgrade.

Another thing that kept me busy in July was our stake service project. I was asked by our RS President to organize and direct our ward's portion, and so I helped coordinate the collection of items to make up 3 "Welcome Home" bins for people moving into new housing for the first time. (mostly from being homeless or women's shelters) It was a lot of crazy, but it turned out pretty well.

I turned 32 in July. :-p Sometimes I feel older than that, but usually I can't believe I'm well into my 30's. My "shiny" hairs attest to it though. It was a nice birthday. I got to go shopping by myself the night before and get a few new things, and on my birthday we met with a few friends and family at Jason's Deli for dinner. And of course Jeremy spoiled me by doing a lot of extra cleaning so I didn't have to for a couple days. Love him. :) The day before my birthday I also got to see 3 of my old roommates from BYU days. Mindy was passing through and had a few hours to spare, Angela lives in the area (though we've never managed to get together) and Christina lives in Prescott Valley. It was so fun to see them and visit for a few hours! All the kids were a little crazy, but that's just how life is during this season.

The day after my birthday I headed down to Pima with the kids for one more visit before school started the next week. David & Nicole were there too, and Emily and her boys. It was fun to get to see Logan (her baby) finally and visit with everyone. The kids always have a blast seeing their Grandmas, Grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins! I took a LOT of pictures, but here are just a few.

I headed back to Mesa Saturday morning with just Shawn and Reilly. The girls were staying with Grammy overnight, but Reilly's best friend was having a birthday party Saturday afternoon that he didn't want to miss. It was kind of fun - as soon as he went to his party, we went on a date. (Anything that doesn't involve children who have opinions and questions and the voice to express all of that constantly qualifies) to Lucille's. Super tasty, and fun to just spend time together (with Shawn). :)

Busy, busy times, and Jeremy picked up the girls in Globe Sunday morning before (2 o' clock) church so we could get all settled in and ready for school to start that Tuesday!