- Lynsey and her boys came to visit for a week. Carnival, rodeo, crazy fun chaos with five little boys.
- Brian and I went on our Stake Trek as Ma and Pa. Walked 18 miles in 3 days. Loved our nine teenage kids. It was so neat to literally see them be touched by the spirit.
- Brian went to Clear Creek for a week.
- I attempted to do an olympic distance triathlon in Echo Canyon with my cousin Jourdan and aunt Susan. Almost drowned. But learned a lot from the experience and told myself I would try again...after I learned to swim in open water.
- Bear Lake with the Robinson clan. Two days was too short. We're going back every year. I love it there.
- Taught two district classes - one with my friend Michelle. It's always fun to talk to teachers and remember how much I truly love it. Wondered if the participants thought this stay-at-home-mom teaching them about reading comprehension and writing was a fraud.
- St. George with my dear friend Karen and her four kids. The two of us and our six kids took the condo by storm and finally were able to relax for the first time all summer. Brian and Jason joined us for the weekend.
- I left from St. George with the boys while Brian headed back to work and made the trek to Arizona solo. Bravery! Had a great time with my sibs and their kiddos. I really, really love my brothers and sisters. I drove the entire way back all by my lonesome. I haven't done that since college. The boys were SO good and I pulled over once for a "fifteen."
- The summer ended with a triathlon sprint with Brian in Bear Lake. This time I did not freak out in the water and had a great time completing the race with Michelle. I've caught the tri bug. I'm not fast and I'm certainly not going to win any medals, but it's been fun to get off my can and work for something. I have shocked myself trotting around in public in spandex. I never ever thought I would see the day.
I saw eight of my siblings this summer (everyone but Mark and Anne). Lynsey, Dave, Nate and their families all came to our house and we drove up to see Britton in Salt Lake. The rest we saw when we visited AZ.
In there somewhere, McKay learned to walk (about 14 1/2 months) and has several molars coming in. He then turned 15, 16, and 17 months old. Walking has been the best thing to ever happen to this kid. Now, over two months later, he is getting faster and faster and is pretty much running (with some biffs in there, of course.) He finally started to say mama (about last week) and says me, ball, makes sounds for an owl, lion, dog, car, and fish. You know what a fish says, right? He signs all done, more, eat, and drink regularly and can tell us what he wants with pointing and walking us to wherever that thing is. He's finally over the screaming-until-mom-figures-it-out phase. Phew.
Gavin and I have been doing "Mommy School." It's the best time of our day. We wait for McKay to go to bed after lunch and then we sit side by side. We are working from the Mother Goose Time kit where everything is prepared for me - I just have to open the book. I am lucky to borrow the stuff from my friend Steph and just pay $5 per month or two just for the craft supplies. Gav's naps are iffy - we're about 50/50 for how many days he will sleep. But he does do quiet time and will stay in his bed until I tell him the time is up. He used to kick and scream and want to come out. He's getting better about it. He is learning to do chores and is a big help (when he wants to be). On good days, he walks in and says, "What's my next job, mom?" Other times, he selectively ignores me and goes on doing what he was doing. Typical three, I guess.
With the start of a new school year and after this crazy summer, the school routine is just what I've been waiting for. I know I don't have kids in school, but I think my brain just functions that way. I know the free-for-all is over and it's time to pretty much stick to our nap schedule, get out and play, clean up, run errands, and be to bed at a reasonable time. I feel relief and am again reorganizing the house. Less is more is my theory these days. Lots of stuff is making its way out.
Brian is back to work at Summit and now is working Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5-10 to get his internship hours for his LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). I'm so used to him being home by 5:00 or 5:30, but this year and probably next I will have to get used to that change. It will be nice because then he will be able to work a few nights a week and be a therapist and bring in some extra money. He loves his job at Summit and this will just be a bonus for him.
And after all of that, I'm tired. Ready to move on and keep up and record the memories once again. Bring on the fall! I'm going to the crawl space to get the decorations right. now.
