summer has officially begun!

Our school year came to an end yesterday. I can't believe that I will soon have one child in 2nd grade who will be getting baptized in 9 months, another child in 1st grade, and a toddler and new baby at home! Crazy!

Abbie at Kindergarten Graduation

In any case, I'm excited for this summer. We have already left town for some much need family time. I picked the kids up from school yesterday and drove straight to Grand Junction where Jon was working. We met up and headed out for Richfield, Utah. I'll admit it's not the most exciting travel desination, but for us it is a meaningful one. Both of Jon's parents grew up here and they still have a lot of family in the area. Every Memorial Day the family converges on the area to spend time together and visit the various cemeteries where ancestors are buried. We decorate gravesites and hear stories about loved ones gone before. And we do a lot of eating, usually following a specific pattern of restaurants on specific days! For my husband, Memorial Day weekend in Richfield is like a second Christmas every year. He LOVES it. And, we have spent at least a portion of this weekend here every year since we got married, except for one. If I'm counting correctly, that would be 8 times for us, not including all his years here before we got married. What I love most is seeing my kids participating in a tradition that helps strengthen their ties to family. Here are some pictures from 2004. In looking back over the last couple years, I seem to have forgotten to take cemetary pictures in favor of carnival and swimming pool shots. I don't know what I was thinking! Not this year. My new camera will be in hand all day Saturday and Sunday to capture every bit of this tradition.

excuses, excuses

We're having a hard time with going to bed these days. Perhaps it is the promise of summer and an extension of the bedtime. In any case, I've heard the full range of excuses. I'm too hot. It's too cold. My bed is lumpy. I need a drink. My pillow is itchy. There aren't enough stuffed animals in my bed.

Yes, we've heard it all, or so I thought. Derrick, who has taken to sleeping in his underwear lately, came up with a new one tonight. "My eyes are too hot." So I pose the question, can eyeballs really get hot? I wonder.

by the numbers

I really enjoy when April does her "by the numbers" posts, so I thought I'd give one of my own a try. Sometimes it is easier to document the goings-on when I can quantify them.

2 days left of school, after today. I'm very anxious for this year to be over. Having one kid going full day and one kid going half day is rough. Next year will be wonderful.

46 invitations that I mailed yesterday for a Scentsy party that I'm throwing for a friend next week. I've managed to go my entire married life without having to throw a Pampered Chef or Stampin' Up party, although I have attended my fair share! I guess you could say that I'm due. In any case, all you sisters and sisters-in-law will be getting your catalog shortly. Of course I don't expect you to come, but if you'd like to order anything let me know and I'll tell you how.

60 bags of bark that Jon finished putting down around the border of our backyard over the weekend. It feels so much better out there now! We still have a strong dislike for the front yard, but that will have to wait.

18 weeks pregnant, plus two days. Still waiting for the yuck to completely disappear.

1 week until we have our ultrasound, and hopefully find out if we've evened out our numbers or not.

random

After some gentle prodding from Emily and a remark from Jon that he was "sick and tired" of reading about me being sick and tired, I realize that I must post. Somehow the end of the school year just seems to be busier than usual. Unfortunately, I cannot say that I feel better yet. I reached 17 weeks yesterday, and despite my hope that my nausea would disappear, it hasn't yet. I can't be too surprised, though, because it has gone on longer with each pregnancy, so if the pattern holds it will likely linger a bit longer. We have our ultrasound scheduled for May 27th, the day after we get back from our Memorial Day excursion to Richfield. We're hoping for a boy to even out our numbers, but of course we'll be happy with whatever it is!

On the church front, I survived my organ debut a couple weeks ago at Stake Conference. It actually went really well. A couple days before we actually got a brand new organ and sound system in the stake center. Not that I have much to go by, but I really like it. Of course there has to be someone to spoil all the excitement, though. A couple days ago I learned that someone stole a $1700 sub-woofer from the chapel. It really makes me sick, because it had to have been someone who had access to the chapel and knew that the equipment was brand new. I really can't see how it wasn't a member. And that makes me sad, and angry. Anyways. Jon got a new calling at Stake Conference. He is the new Stake Executive Secretary. I guess that goes to show that you can run, but you can't hide! Anyways, he now has meetings every Thursday night from about 5:30 pm until 9:00 pm. He seems to be enjoying it so far.

About a week ago we heard what I think is kind of sad news. The guy that Jon used to work with that passed away about a month ago...apparently his wife is pregnant. From what we understand, Shane died before she found out. Under normal circumstances, a new baby would be so exciting, but in this case I just can't help but be sad for her. Sad that he died without knowing, although I'm sure he knows now. Sad that this baby will never know their father in this life. And sad for his wife, to have to add this to what she is already dealing with.

Back to happier topics, on Saturday I went and signed the kids up for their summer activities. Both Derrick and Abbie will be doing swimming lessons again, although I learned my lesson about getting them signed up early, because all that I could get in to was the very last session in August. Oh well. Abbie decided to give girls T-ball a try this year. Derrick opted for tennis, which makes dad very happy. I think they will both have a great time. I especially hope Derrick will like tennis. He has had a hard time in the past when his team doesn't "win". He is still interested in team sports, but I think an individual sport may just be right up his alley. That way he is in control of how well he does.

I must go attend to my house now. I took yesterday off, and Jon had gone in to work at 4:00 am, so he was really tired all day. That means my house got severely neglected and needs some TLC. More timely updates soon.