Journal

Oh, hi!

So much to report that I can't really think of where to start.  We have had a very busy July and beginning of August.  Swim lessons and more swim lessons.  The kids continue to become stronger swimmers.  We had a week off this week, so we went to the Park a couple of times. We have had lots of summery activities laced into our days as well. I am sure I will get around to posting pictures of those.

Here's what's on my mind lately:
I am starting to go into School mode.  I have got to get the kids school clothes inventoried and shop for what is needed and buy any school supplies we still need. I also need to get their rooms ready for regular schedules.  The kids have not slept upstairs all summer.  It has been sleepovers every night in the playhouse, basement or trampoline. Partly because it gets hot up there, but mostly for fun. There isn't even any bedding up there, just messy abandonment!

Peter is working every waking hour lately, literally.  This has been kinda hard on everyone, but there is an end in sight hopefully.   He is so sweet.  He comes home at night and crashes and then in the few minutes before he leaves in the morning, he does any urgent honey-dos for me.  The kids sure miss him though. We all do. I told him I feel a little bit like a widow lately. There was one night this week he came home by 6:30 and we went to Out of this World Pizza, so that was a nice change of pace.

I have been very focused on healthy eating for our whole family lately.  I feel good about it and found something that really works for us. I love it! My poor picky eaters may starve though!  Not really, but they are not happy with the changes.  I have had to become a major cheerleader. Think potty training type exaggerated praise.  It's working! Especially when I praise one child and the others want in on that.  I have 2 picky eaters, one child that will eat anything I put in front of him and the 2 are middle ground.  It is great that they will eat just to earn a high five though.(By the way,  migraines, foggy brain, depression and sluggishness, gone!)  I can't wait to see the benefits in the months to come.

Dallin has headed up operation save for a fish tank.  He has everybody pinching their allowance pennies and doing extra chores so they can get some fish.  Sounds good to me!  I guess if we have to have a pet, fish are manageable.  I told Peter we can only do it if we get one with pump for self cleaning though!

Peter's parents have gone to the Philippines to pick up his brother Luke from the mission.  We are so looking forward to them coming back on Sunday.  There are many family reunion type activities planned for the next 2 weeks to welcome him home.  It should be so fun.

Then we will be off to do the Hood to Coast, which will also be how we celebrate our anniversary!  We didn't notice that at first, but hey, we will be away for 2 days so I guess that works.  Right after that we will be heading to Idaho to visit my parents for a week and have a much needed vacation (especially for Peter) before school starts.

I have so much to do to get ready for all these things.  It is good though, I need to get more organized.  We have been waaaay slack lately, which has been nice, but we need to come back to reality.