This Summer so far....

Last summer was a really rough one. I can truthfully say we went nowhere. We stayed close to home. We lived off my paycheck which was sad and the kids went to the pool only a handful of times if that. The recession hit this house hard and it took a long time to get better. I can tell you I was seriously ready for this one. Even just going to the pool is good news. This summer is quite an adjustment with kids growing up. Everyone is coming a going at all hours of the day. We have one more member in our household-Justice Emilee. A lot going on always. While we work around Amber's summer school schedule and her college friends, Kelsea and Justice bonding and sometimes not and both girls are working at the mall, Kylee has a consistent babysitting job, Autumn is just getting started in babysitting, and Lee Joe's wacky schedule with his job-yes we are happy with the paycheck even if it comes with cow poop covered clothes and we never know what his schedule is until the day before-I am not farmer material by the way... This is what we have done-
*Went to Nevada for a several reunions at once
*Cut 10 inches off Autumn's hair and hi-lighted it. Now she looks like Melissa!

*Let Kylee hi-light her hair for the first time.

*visited 3 pools in Boise
*Gone to Roaring Springs with the 3 youngest.
*3 oldest went to Roaring Springs later
*tie dyed shirts
*Went to Cascade Lake on a day trip
*Went to Shaffers Butte for a shorter day trip
*Been to some cheap movies on Tuesdays
*Hannah and Autumn did the reading thing at the library and got a bunch of free stuff
*Amber, Justice, Kelsea and I all won gift certificates to sunglass hut. That is MY favorite hi-light of summer.
*Sewed and prepped 3 girls to go to Wyoming for their Faith Quest Trek. 3 days in pioneer clothes pulling handcarts and walking for miles. Remembering those who risked and lost their lives.
*Went on the paddle boats at Julia Davis park. I have wanted to do that for years and now it's out of my system.
*Took the 2 youngest to the zoo.
*Picture taking just for fun.
*Almost finished the bathroom. Not quite there yet.
*Learning or teaching self sufficientcy (made up word or just misspelled?) Mother fixed van-last blog and took apart and fixed the dishwasher.
*Teaching the girls how to love unconditionally. They do it easily. I am very proud of them all.

Especially when we tie-dyed. There was no fighting.

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This is what I still want to do but now time is getting short-
#catch up on photo albums that are more than 8 years behind now.
#Finish unfinished house projects. I am almost there!! I just need to finish it already.
#Use the free vouchers for Discovery center, ice skating, free meals out
#Spend some time at the mall because I like that place even if I don't buy anything.
#Clean the garage.
#have a yard sale.
#Go to Lagoon. Or just visit Utah again. But I don't know if this is happening this summer.
#Get all the kids pictures taken at JCPenney's
#Get haircuts. This one is the most ridiculous for me. It's not that hard to schedule a hair appointment is it? That's why my hair is always so long.

There is probably more. We have been waiting all summer for Lee Joe's new job to start. It's a better job with no cow poop involved, just moving hazardous material. More like contaminated dirt and they get to wear something over their clothes when they are near it. It was suppose to start June 1, then the end of June, then the beginning of July, then middle July, Now it's next week. But last notice he gave we found out on Friday that Monday was a no go. Contract work and hazardous material moving-lot of hang-ups. But Simplot still has kept him going they like him so if this doesn't work out they know he's good. Hoping for good news to pull through.