Still Busy in June

May ran into June this year. With everything we had endured, I was totally on the mental fritz. My mom stayed with us, helping to watch kids while I taught lessons and took kids to swim practice. With all the chaos I really need to thank my mom, sister (Janeal), and friend JJ for making it possible for me to pull off working and taking care of my kids.
Marc knew I was totally fried and did the best thing in the world... he took me away for my 30th birthday. Again, my mom watched the kids while we spent a day on the beach and another at Disneyland (alone!). He knows me well. Plus, I got to hang out with some Dysart girlfriends, using my birthday as an excuse.
A few sad notes about June.... our friend's the Mueller's moved to California! In addition, my buddy and hairstylist Sarah moved to Virginia. I am still totally bummed! We had an awesome trade system worked out. I am still trying to figure what to do with my hair!
June also gave us a chance to celebrate Father's Day, which Marc totally deserved. We hosted a Student Government Dive-in Movie. Also, we went up to Stoneman Lake to camp with Marni and John. Everything was great, except the bugs who thought Marc's legs were very tastey. The kids totally enjoyed romping in the forest and playing with their cousins.

Goodbye 20's!

Most of your life you never believe you will be 30! Most people dread it, not me I am perfectly content to welcome the 30's. Don't get me wrong, the 20's were good to me, good enough to move on. So I thought I would take a moment to recognize all the growth and experience gleaned in my 20's.
* The 20's started in college, lost and searching like 98% of 20-year-olds. I worked for the City of Goodyear coaching swimming and teaching water aerobics. I also waitressed at Cracker Barrel.
*At 21 I submitted papers to serve a mission, but my parents separated and I put the papers on hold. In the mean time I met Marc and we got married (Marc will be pleased I don't currently have digital wedding pictures to post.) I finally quite being a waitress and started working for Desert Schools Federal Credit Union.
* At 22 we bought our first house (enjoyed remodeling), I graduated from ASU, and landed my first teaching job (real money, well sort of).
* At 22-23 I served on a cadre and opened a new high school. Plus we bought our second house and moved to Goodyear. (We moved five times in three years)
* At 24 I had my first baby, Kennedy.
* At 25 I went to New York. I had my first (and last) Student Teacher! I also contracted the building of our pool. I started my own swimming lesson business.
* At 26 I left the perfect job, and my best friend, to become a librarian and started my Masters degree. I also started directing Diversity Camps.
* At 27 I had my first miscarriage.
* At 28 I took on Student Government, had my second baby, Carter, bought a car, and finished my Master's Degree.
* At 29 I spent most of the year adjusting to the growing pains of life, motherhood, supporting my husband through school, etc. Did I mention I got to go to Cancun! (If you ever see me zone out, I am mentally visiting the Mayan ruins.)
Throughout my 20's I cannot count the number of times I have willingly embarrassed myself (see below), moved, done something I thought I couldn't do, laughed, cried, and grown in ways I am incapable of describing. As tough as times are, I have a wonderful life. I am very blessed and the Lord has always taken care of me. Knowing this, I look forward to what the 30's will bring.

May Extravaganza

May was indescribably busy! We had Student Body Elections and Class Appointments. I taught a 40 hour Water Safety Instructor class for the City of Goodyear. Mother's Day and a family funeral. We had an unexpected family wedding May 23, with all of the preceding planning and celebrations. Student Government had our end of the year banquet. Kennedy started swim practice and of course there was graduation and sending off all of our Seniors. Kennedy finished her final days at St Thomas Lutheran Preschool. We all really enjoyed the school, her teachers and all the experiences she had there. She still talks about how much she will miss Ms Ehrenberg. She also got to be good buddies with a daughter of a teacher at my school. At the end of the year they put on a program and graduation that was really cute. The month ended with Memorial Day and the start of swimming lessons. I am tired just remembering everything we did!

Sneaking in a trip to Disneyland

We decided we needed to sneak a trip to Disneyland in the middle of the week. So we went April 23-25th. We also hit the beach before coming home. We had a really good time. But it was freezing!!!! The only person that did not seem to mind was Kennedy. Half the time I wanted to wrap up in my towel! On the way home the kids totally crashed. (Which, by the way, is the only way to travel.

Back in April

So we finally drained our pool in April for a serious cleaning. I was far too embarrassed to even take a picture of the pool before we pumped the water out. Marc spent a lot of time pressure washing the junk off and I spent about 8 hours scrubbing, scrapping, and even sanding the calcium off the tile. When we were done the kids had a great time exploring in the empty pool.

Earlier that same day I finally got the chance to hang out with Martha, my best friend from teaching for Dysart. It had been so long since our last visit, we talked for hours over breakfast. We had gotten together in honor of her birthday:) I got to hang out with her again in June for my birthday.

Warning

I have been on an intense blogging streak after a very serious drought. I think there are eight new posts!!! Sorry I am not very good at keeping up! I can't promise that anything you read will be all that interesting, but it is an update none-the-less!

Easter

The other day, Kennedy had school pictures and she was telling how one of the mom's had come to watch. So I said, "that's cool." Kennedy said, "but mom I wanted you to come." Then I started thinking I was kind of a loser mom and made plans to surprise her during her school Easter party. I didn't have long to stay, but I got to see the Easter egg hunt, story time, and some singing.
My mother-in-law hosts the funnest little Easter party every year. (Even though she was deathly ill this year, her party was a blast.) The kids enjoyed pin the egg in the basket, bunny bingo, a coloring contest, cake walk, an egg hunt, and lesson on Easter (by Addie). She completely took care of lunch, which was delicious: ham croissants and various salads. It was so much fun to see the cousins, aunts, and uncles, and especially Grandma and Grandpa. We had a great time, can't wait till next year!

Conference/Camping Weekend

Marc was so anxious to go camping that he renewed the conference camp out. We had a total of seven families camping up at Stoneman Lake for conference weekend. (Our most successful camp out yet!) We brought a satellite dish so we could still enjoy hearing conference.
The pictures taken show the sunshine on Sunday. However, looks can be deceiving... Friday and Saturday were freezing, literally. The pipes in our tent trailer were frozen most of the weekend and our heater died; but, we were warm. Our blankets were wonderful and we wore lots of layers during the day.
Every time we go camping I think of the pioneers. I have tremendous respect for what they endured. During conference President Monson spoke of the woman from Germany who had to travel a thousand miles in the bitter winter with her four young children; losing one at a time along the way. I know we were not nearly as cold, but it made it so much easier to understand what she endured. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many comforts.
If anyone is interested, we will camp again soon. Probably closer to summer... somewhere a little warmer.

Wendy

I just had to post this.... Doesn't she look like Wendy?