Last Day of July Daybook

I've never done one of these in the morning.  Let's see how it goes.

Outside my window...
The sun is shining and the tank is clean.  ;)  Name that movie.  The sun is shining and it's about 72.  LOVING the weather here the past couple days.  It's getting me in the mood for my favorite season.  I'm even baking zucchini muffins today.  Zucchini muffins are fall baking items for me in case you didn't know.

I am thinking...
About a lady named Sarah.  She died Tuesday of a series of medical events starting with an anaphylactic episode from over 20 bee stings.  She was 21 weeks pregnant with her fifth child, Cecilia.  She did not survive either.  Sarah was 32.  Her birthday is Saturday.  Say a prayer if you can.

I am thankful...
for a week of downtime.  I was supposed to be ridding the kids of electronics and sugar.  Check on the sugar.  No so check on the electronics.  I am thankful for Kevin.  There are numerous reasons, but I feel so blessed to have someone accompany me on these crazy life adventures.

Learning all the time...
We haven't touched much school work since the whirl wind Canadians' visit, but we are learning about our new family members.  Meet Pumpkin and Cocoa. 

The top one is Cocoa.  Pumpkin is still trying to escape by hiding.  We picked them up yesterday from my friend.  She was finding them a new home, so she could have more time at her summer lake house without having to come home and take care of them.  Oh to have those problems!  The kids are getting adjusted.  You'll remember our cat, Moki, from a while back that didn't make it because our kids destroyed it.  We'll see if the same thing happens this time.

From the kitchen...
Again, I blame the Canadians or at least Drake.  :)  I made muffins today in what I hope will kickstart us back in the kitchen for healthier meal making.

I am creating...
Kindergarten room plans and decorations.  Lesson plans soon to follow!

I am going...
to get back to the gym next week.  It's been a long break, and my body can feel it.  So.tired.  Also, I get bloodwork before every chemo appointment to make sure my white blood cell count is high enough to handle the treatment.  WBC levels are supposed to be 4.8-? to be within normal range.  At my last appt., after having been Paleo for a while, my WBC level was the highest it's ever been at 4.2.  This past Monday, after going off Paleo for more than two weeks and eating like crap, my WBC count was 2.6.  Coincidence?  I don't think so, but Kevin does.  I told him I was going back to Paleo, and in September we'll see what my WBC level is.  If it's back up to the 4's, then he better believe it's Paleo.  I bet he still won't.  

I am hoping...
that I make a good teacher.  I'm really nervous and can be a little bit of a perfectionist.  Don't tell.  It's my biggest kept secret.  :O

I am praying...
for Sarah and her family; for my brother-in-law and his family, who are moving soon; for the new school year.

I am reading...
Nothing right now, but I have a new book coming that holds a lot of promise for good times ahead.  

I am listening...
To the kids watching Youtube videos about guinea pigs and how to not stress them out.  This makes me giggle, since they could do a video on exactly how to stress them out. 

Around the house...
I'm slowly making way through the rooms and cleaning.  The kids cleaned the downstairs, but it still needs a deep clean.  We got a lot of things we've been procrastinating on done when Ri visited.  That's always nice.  Now to get a pile going to take care of next July.  Ha!

Pondering these words...

"Yes, you can. With God's help you can make that little move towards Him which will open the way to further grace. Try. He will meet you more than half way. Try-and you will find the wall between you and Him crumbling down; your heart softening; His grace entering; courage returning. Then will come the brave resolve to set yourself loyally on His side by meek acceptance of His Will, patience, and trust."
-Mother Mary Loyola

I saw this on another blog and thought it was worth repeating.

Happy Friday, Folks!

And She's Gone...Again

Well, my seester left this past Saturday.  I drove her to the airport.  I felt like it was a nice closing, since I picked her up this time too.  Her stay was not as long this time, and that really stunk!  We still managed to get in some fun times and lots of eating.  I have never enjoyed a push fall from Paleo as I did this time with my seester.  

I don't know where to start, so I'm just going to post pics and explain them as I see fit.  Otherwise, it will just be a memorial to her and her family.

Opening Day

Dayce just started randomly lying on Kaelyn.  She just went with it.  It was cute.

Have I told you lately that I hate my hair?  Well I do.

We drove home from the beach that night, and all the kids waited until we were over the Bay Bridge to fall asleep in the car.  It was pretty funny.  There was a storm, and we heard the alert that no trucks were being allowed to cross the bridge due to high winds.  Once they were asleep, the rain started, and we came home to no power at 1130p.  It was a great night.  NOT.

These two were born two years and two days apart.

My seester and I got them each the same thing!  Just kidding...I bought them the same thing from each of us and she paid me back, but I'm sure if left to our own devices, we would've bought them the same thing.

My mom gave us money for when Maria came to stay with us for a little bit.  I texted her this pic and said, "Thank you for paying Doris to go to the zoo."  Of course I meant to say "for us" and my phone put Doris instead.  It was pretty funny.  My mom wrote back, "Who's Doris?"  :)

That's Logan with a bengal tiger in the background.  Get it?  His middle name is Tiger.

Logan had a map and said,"We're going to see a bobcat next."  Get it?  That boy has my sense of humor.

Blueberry picking!

Roy Rogers!

We started calling these two the twins...born 16 months apart.  

At the airport.  We did lots more than these pics, but I guess I didn't take pictures as much.  Maria did come up with this fabulous idea to have a sibling weekend in the spring.  Our eldest sister is on board, so we're trying to find places in between us...like Chicago or something.  We can start saving now and maybe our mom will put some money towards each ticket, since we're trying to do it around all our birthdays.  (*hint*hint*mommy)  

There is also talk of a family trip to Canada next year for Dayce's First Communion and Confirmation.  We're throwing around the idea of renting an RV and stopping by Niagara Falls and such on the way.  Can you imagine?  I've always dreamed of an RV trip, but it might just turn out to be a car drive and stopping at hotels.  We'll see which one is more cost efficient.  

Until then, I miss my seester.  :(  I think as you grow up, your family becomes more important.  And as we look for places to move to, I keep telling KJ that North Dakota or Montana aren't an option, but maybe I'm just saying that.  Maybe we can find some place between his brother and my seester.  Where would that be?  Anyway, it was a wonderful visit, and I'm looking forward to our sibling weekend.  Stay tuned! 

I MISS YOU, MARIA!

Kaelyn Goes to Maine and Rhode Island

Kaelyn went on a trip with her boyfriend's family.  There were lots of picture to go through, but I picked out the ones I like the best.  Roll film!

I can't believe she tried clams!  We're just happy to have her home.  :)