Where Has July Gone?!

Somehow I feel like I blinked and July is already done and over with. In many ways I wish that life would slow down and I could freeze my children in the ages they are for just a little bit longer.

Madison is just my little chatterbox, who is constantly reminding everyone that she is a “BIG girl.” She is pretty well potty trained now and loves swimming, Mickey Mouse, Care Bears, organizing ANYTHING she can get her hands on, watching movies, and bossing her little brother around. She has become quite the little helper in the kitchen—loving to pull up a chair and “help” me cook, and she also loves to help me clean mirrors, sweep and mop the floors and vacuum around the house. She even came downstairs the other day to inform me that Robby was on the bathroom counter in Mommy’s bedroom playing with the toothbrushes (yikes). I just love her to death and couldn’t imagine my life being complete without her.

Jesse has now decided that Robby is on pacifier ban, stating that he is only allowed to have one for naps and bedtime. Consequently, Robby has started talking much more in the last few weeks. Some words he just learned how to say are: shoes, “nana” (banana), juice, and cheese. He now climbs everything and can frequently be found on tables, beds, the back of the sofa, etc. He loves balls, cars, trains (his favorite thing to say is “choo-choo” when he hears the train passing outside), and anything that Maddie is in the middle of playing with (he even has recently taken a liking to necklaces and most days walks around with one of Madison’s princess necklaces strung around his neck). I love his slobbery kisses he gives and he just learned how to blow kisses, which melts my heart. I sure enjoy his sweet spirit he brings to our house and I am so grateful for being blessed with the opportunity to be his Mother.

July 3-7, I had the opportunity to be the camp nurse for our church’s stake young women’s camp. Even though I was exhausted by the time I was done, I had an amazing experience being there. The staff was amazing, the food was fabulous (seriously), and the girls were a riot. Some of us up there even had time to play some card games as well: I learned how to play dominoes and a pirate card game compliments of Lisa! Other than getting dumped on with rain and hail, the typical girl pranks, and lack of sleep, it was pretty much a perfect experience. I missed my two kids like crazy towards the end of camp, but I would definitely go back next year in a heartbeat!

My dad had hip replacement surgery the day after I returned from girls camp. He is a trooper and has recovered REALLY well in the few weeks since the procedure. He just recently got rid of the walker and for a moment the other night, I actually forgot that he had just had surgery. Even though my dad has been recovering the past month, my parents have still allowed us to come us their pool whenever we like. We have been swimming as much as our free time will allow us to and both the kids have really turned into little fish. Maddie and Robby will even jump off the diving board and swim to me on the step in the deep end (I will have to get some pictures that my dad took of this).

Jesse's friend Danny came into town this month and we had a barbeque/swimming night together a few weeks ago. He brought his ALWAYS adorable 3 year old daughter Aleisa as well. Maddie just loves Aleisa and is constantly trying to get her to hold her hand. We had so much fun catching up on old times and just relaxing together. Thanks for the fun time Danny! We will have to do it again next time you are in town.

Jesse has had lots of fun in July with the boys in our ward (he is the Priest Advisor in our church—16 to 18 year old boys), but the highlight would have to be their super activity to Havasupai Falls. They went July 16-19, and hiked 11 miles down into the Grand Canyon, through the Havasupai Village-Town, and into the camping grounds by Havasupai Falls. I was glad he had the chance to do something fun like this and to get to know the young men better, but I was more than happy to have him back come Saturday afternoon. He came back with funny stories to tell from the experience! He sure loves being able to work with the young men in our neighborhood!

Since Jesse returned from Havasupai, it has been a lot of work, work, work for the both of us. We have been lucky to have such great family support that has really stepped in to help us out with watching the kids. I cannot say enough about how loving and caring they are. On that note...we are counting down the days until we leave for Rocky Point: three more!! After finishing a busy work week, I am now enthusiastically packing up swim suits, towels, sunblock, loads of food, fun books to read and I guess some clothes as well.