catching up on everyday life

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 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

I think it's my favorite...

Today I finished this little quilt for my niece.

I think it's my favorite....

but then

I always say that.

{konfetti for kylie}

My niece Kylie graduated from High School last year.

(I'm a little late... sorry)

She is an amazing artist & I wanted to give her something special.

I love artists.

I love Kylie.

I wanted to make her a little quilt-

a wall hanging or just something to go on the end of a couch or bed

but it had to be

just right.

Kylie is much to artistic to use a grandma looking quilt.

It had to be

-you know-

cooler than that.

I found this tutorial and knew it was perfect!

but then...

it was the hardest piecing I had ever attempted & I had a long line of projects in front of it... so it took me way too long to finish.

so lame

but it's so cool

I hope she will forgive me.

best friends?

Jack has no summer job---

His summer job for the past 2 summers - which we thought he would have this summer- has disappeared, gone, done, no more- because of "the economy."

The phrase "the economy," is really getting to me- in more ways than one. Kylie here- jack's cousin has a job up in Grandma & Grandpa's town.

she was scheduled to fly there from here today. Because of Gpa's back problems & the fact that he has been in the hospital for almost a week- not to mention a full week less than a month ago- Jack is going up now too. He will be in charge of the yard & the horses, etc. He's been up there every summer for at least a week & we are hoping he can help until his Aunt gets up there in a couple of weeks.
So Kylie- nice girl that she is- gave up her plane ticket & drove with her cousin. It's an eight our drive... I nagged at Jack- you know she has a plane ticket, she doesn't have to make the drive, it's very nice of her--- to which he replied-
"dang, that blows"
he is a real deep kind of guy.
They don't really know each other- have never spoken more than a few words.
That has all changed- for sure.
Jack is not known for being comfortable around girls...
I offered him & his buddy Zach $100 each to walk up to a girl on the last day of school- say, "I've always wanted to do this!" then kiss her right on the lips. I wasn't worried about my money NO NOT ONE BIT & loved hearing their plan on how to do it. hee hee hee, oh I am really an evil person can you tell? Jack is pretty much paralyzed around girls & comes off as a snot or stuck up, or just not caring, even though he does care- you know the type?
so- this trip with his cousin should be good for him. I don't know about her- but it should be good for him. A safe girl, a cousin- maybe he will lighten up a little?
Unfortunately I have been forbidden to blog about the fact I owe the guy....
$100

so maybe I will save that story for a year from now
when he is on his mission??

the last day of school, company edition

7:00 came awfully early on the last day of school this year...

after the all night party & all. None the less- it is a very important day!

Not to be missed!!

I stammered to get the gifts together for Trent's teachers & all the aids, etc. at school. Trent is affected by so many people- not just his particular teacher. I know all kids are... but really trent is more than the average student. With his asperger issues- they know him, & luckily I think they love him as well.

Being the room mom to his retiring teacher-

the kids in the class & I worked on some extra special gifts.

Lucky I got there before she left. Kristy called me & gave me the warning-
She was just running off to a wedding & darn it- I didn't get her photo! shoot golly- I know I have several somewhere...
this is trent & his special ed. teacher.
She is truly amazing- tears-
She teaches a little social class to trent & a few other students with aspergers- plus works on most of his core subjects with him. I will be eternally grateful for this woman. Trent adores her, which makes my life & his so much easier. She is a miracle worker.

I stayed for their annual end of the year patriotic program & flag lowering ceremony.
Love that.
Trent & I walked home together & talked about what a great year of school it has been & how he is now a fourth grader!
***
That afternoon Brett got ready to take off -up to his home town.
His dad is in the hospital again for some severe back problems. Brett has agonized knowing he has not been there to help & was relieved to get there & see what he can do.
Later that afternoon Jack ran to the airport & picked up my darling niece Kylie.

She & I had a delightful time visiting.
She is heading up to her grandparents house for the summer to work before going to art school. She is an artist- a real artist- with unbelievable talent.
(I am looking up some art here that she has won contest for... updated soon, I hope!)

We had a calm- unbelievably calm after the week we've had- night with nothing to do!

We had edemame, hot wings, & milk shakes for dinner, while playing cards- then went out & enjoyed a far off lightening storm on the front porch.

We lit off a few sparklers- just for fun.

Her parents flew in at 1:40 AM - another long night-

from Florida- they were headed to a family funeral in the morning.

We had breakfast together- her family & mine.

Her dad Cody-

I should have taken more photos- but they had to head out.

Just a few short hours later look who came by!!!!!

My sweet niece Johnna & her baby Drax!

Are they beautiful or what!?

My sister was with her too- but like a jerk I didn't take her picture either... I think the lack of sleep was getting to me?

So

Summer Begins-

It's officially here

company

fireworks

babies

and

all