In Spokane- and still no pictures

I just wanted to write a quick update- since I haven't written anything for a while. And sorry for no pictures- my camera is still being fixed. Sigh . . .

Last week was actually a GREAT week and it went by fast. I am making some friends! Yea! (Thanks to book club . . .) We had friends from our new ward, and my old ward in Sunnyside over to swim different times over the course of the week. Brooke Whittle and her family are moving this week- so I spent some time with her and her kids. I am going to miss her so much! Marcus will really miss his friends Devon and Cameron . . . And Cynthia will miss Audrey . . . their whole family were amazing friends.

So - life is happy - - Jon is planting bushes in the front yard and things are looking awesome, things with the house are going well, and Jon is loving being a doctor (though LONG hours of working, taking home call, etc . . . ). The kids are doing good- and I am learning to enjoy having them home. I am currently in Spokane for the week having fun visiting Jon's family, my family- my sister Laura and her family who are in town, and even my cousin Melanie in Post Falls. I am just so sad not to have pictures because my camera is still getting fixed! Anyway- I will be here until Monday- so if any Spokane friends want to meet up- let me know!

Pool fun

This is from the 4th of July (I know, a bit late- but remember, my camera is still getting fixed!). This pool has saved our family for the summer! We have really enjoyed having it- the kids spend hours everday in it. Cynthia's swimming skills have dramatically gone up- she swims great under water and can swim the whole length of our pool (which is only 18 feet- but still!).

So again- there is an open invitation for ANYONE to come visit us and use our pool! We love visitors and to have friends over!

Memories

I have seen many other blogs with this Tag, and although I am TERRIBLE at doing tags I wanted to do this one, especially since I have had so much fun commenting on everyone elses.

So here goes:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I have together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see what memories people have of you. It's great to see the responses.

3. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you... either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you back!

I would love to hear what you guys remember about me!

I needed to get out of town . . .

OK- I was going crazy. Sometimes I feel like the worst parent in the world because I can't wait for my kids to go back to school. I am trying really hard to enjoy having them at home- and taking them to do fun things - - but it has been difficult in a new city (even though there is way more to do here than Sunnyside)- mostly because we only know a few people here- and everyone is busy with vacations, etc. I am also realizing that I don't get breaks from my kids like I used to. Our wonderful neighbor Margie from our last apartment complex babysat all the time and I didn't have to pay her much. I REALLY miss exercising 3 times a week with friends at the step class we were taking together (Margie babysat for $1 each time I went to exercise). I literally can't afford any class like that here in Yakima because of the babysitting problem. The YMCA charges an arm and a leg for the childcare, in ADDITION to the membership price- and the other clubs are not only high priced, but there isn't childcare available. So- here comes back all the weight I worked so hard to loose . . . I am so terrible at exercising at home! And who can go running with 3 small children in tow? Any ideas out there on how to stay somewhat in shape at home? Jon is off working LONG hours - - and I sometimes feel like I am going crazy.

OK- so enough of complaining. The great news is, I am starting to meet new people that I really like here in Yakima- I have to remind myself - I have only been here a few weeks! I also really love being in a house- especially one with a dishwasher, my own washer and dryer (no more quarters), the pool, 4 bedrooms and central air conditioning! Our view is great, and our little cul de sac (did I spell that right?) is perfect for our kids. Jon is happy and excited about the residency program (he works with great people) . . . so truly I can't complain! So why, after my son has told me for the 10th time that day that he hates me do I feel a bit loopy???

Saturday I looked at Jon with a bit of a crazed look and said- I need to get out of town! It was an ABSOLUTELY beautiful day so we drove to Mt. Rainier National Park and did some easy hiking in the cool, dark and fragrant forest. The kind of forest that you could picture a fairy floating by. The Mountain, as always, was spectacular as there was not a cloud in the sky. The kids (and Jon!) had a great time sliding down the melting snow (can you say wet bottom?) at the Paradise visitor center, and they also earned their Jr. Park Ranger badges. It was exactly what I needed to get the right perspective back- what an amazing life I have, and what a beautiful world we live in.


(These pictures aren't the greatest quality- but better than nothing- they were taken on Jon's new cell phone).

Mom my ride

I just had to post this really funny clip on what we mothers go through with our vehicles . . .
(Thanks Mary, for the link!)

Something happened to my camera . . .

Sigh- somehow the connection between the camera and my computer isn't working. It is also how the camera charges . . . so hopefully I will still be able to at least take pictures for a bit until I figure it out. I think Lillian knocked it off the computer desk last time it was charging and wrenched the connection, or something. Long story short- no pictures will be posted for a while- which is sad because I had some good pictures of our house and our pool.

Speaking of pool- we worked really hard to get our above ground pool up and running by the 4th of July- and all the work has been worth it! So- if anyone ever wants to visit and swim- we LOVE visitors!!!

We had a great 4th- we celebrated by having some Sunnyside friends (both sets of Whittles and the Bodines) over for a barbeque and the kids swam- it was a great afternoon. We then went down to Sunnyside for our old ward's swim activity at the Sunnyside pool- and watched fireworks at the high school. Lillian would say "Wow" when the fireworks would go off- it was so cute!

Summer is going well- though I sometimes feel a bit lonely, and it is so hard to even go to the store because all the kids are home, and Jon is back to work- with long hours! Am I a horrible parent for looking forward to when the kids go back to school? I am trying really hard to set aside the organizing and general business of getting our new home set up the way we want to spend time with them swimming, reading and playing games. . . . I hope I get better as the summer goes on. I hope everyone else is having a good summer so far!