catching up on everyday life

• 

 2 weeks ago

BRITTANY GRADUATED AGAIN!!

WOO HOO

with her Master's Degree from BYU

She is now working as an assistant principal at 2 elementary schools...

and guess what?

she bought a house

NOT JUST ANY HOUSE

a new house being built at this very minute- 4 blocks or--- just 1 minute & 28 seconds away by car

(we clocked it)

I am so happy for her & thrilled for myself to have her close that I can hardly stand it.

Brittany is such a help to me- the thought of her being here, even just occasionally to help with Trent I'm just overwhelmed & frankly-- tears. Tears of joy. 

Brian & Laura went to her family reunion & Brian won a gold medal in volleyball at the family Olympics.

I wish our families had reunions, I think?

This medal is proof positive that sitting on the couch for 3 weeks straight watching the summer Olympics paid off- for at least one of us.

For FHE last week we played this darling game that Ethan, Wende, & Rich brought over for Trent's birthday. It's PERFECT for Trent!

And-- guess what?

It was actually really fun- it's kind of a get-to-know you game where you learn more about the people you play with. YES- Trent ended up with the cheese touch, but I told him I didn't mind taking it from him.

Miss (almost sixteen) Chloe started another year of ballet!

Despite her painful feet

 (she has been told she has the body, talent, flexibility of a ballerina-- but not the feet- so sad)

she just keeps going.

I add: she also has the determination- of a ballerina!

It has been so blasted HOT

that I find myself wishing away summer... 

This photo was taken at 8:00 PM

Oh heavenly day I hate heat.

On a happy note-

these are at the post office!

I LOVE them & YES they do make me smile.

Last week I sent Trent into the laundry room to put on his pajamas before bed. 

About 10 minutes later I realized he-- disappeared? 

Found him

asleep on his now messy laundry pile.

This is the display at Pottery Barn kids, just down from the store I work in.

We are getting LOADS of the cutest Halloween stuff ever!

REALLY -- you should check it out- it's so off the charts cool & cute this year.

I was there looking for really efficient diaper bags for Laura- 

She's going to need one- and this one doubles as a back pack!

We had company last Thursday, Friday & Saturday!

Kyle & Noah were here!!!

It was so wonderful to see them & meet Noah.

Kylie is my wonderful, talented niece. She is an art student at KU & is amazing!!

Noah & Kylie got married in May in the new Kansas City temple & we couldn't attend the wedding - which was a HUGE bummer. I will ask if I can post some of the photos- she was the most beautiful bride & designed the invitations & dress & everything herself-- (to perfection!) 

I was so over the top stressed out with Trent starting school this week- that I feel like I didn't spend the quality time with them that I wanted to. They were here for a wedding in Salt Lake, so they were busy a lot of the time- but still. I have not been myself.

***

Which brings me to this:

I realize that I don't post the reality of my life most of the time here.

Life is difficult for me- a lot.

But then, life is difficult for everyone!

Still- I feel like a fraud sometimes just posting about birthdays & babies & cupcakes etc.

but ya know...

I am coping the best I can AND I like to look on the bright side of life.

It's a good life- but it is a major challenge.

I have spent the whole entire summer worrying about Trent starting Jr. High (so productive) and yes it is turning out-- this week (it's only been 2 days, but such a hard 2 days) to be just as traumatizing as I thought it would be for him & for me.

 He is trying.

 He is learning & growing & I guess so am I?

If I could just stop crying.

Why- why does it have to be this way?

If you have a minute- say a prayer for us.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can

repeat