and still busy!
One day I went and picked 14 lbs of strawberries and then made a bunch of jam, froze some for smoothies and we ate a bunch. I went to book club one night and a baby shower another. I watched Joel one day while Leisa went on a field trip. We had baseball games and practices and dance and then my sister-in-law came last weekend. She was here Wednesday through Monday morning and it was a good visit. She and I talked and hung out some and she spent a lot of time with the kids. She came with us to baseball games and that was fun. Lily had her 8th grade dance and I was proud of her for being brave enough to go. She said the food was good and she was glad she went even though it wasn't all that fun. She didn't dance with any boys and just hung out with her friends.
Last Saturday was Emma's dance recital. She was very excited and did a great job. She loves to perform and smiled the whole time she was on stage. As soon as she was done dancing the boys left to get Brandon to his game but we stayed and chatted a bit with her teacher (so nice that she came!) and Noreen and her daughter Brianna came too. It was so kind of them to come and support our family; it meant a lot. Lily loved helping backstage and I'm amazed at how good she is with little kids. It is definitely a gift of hers. My friend Rachael had extra tickets for the second recital so Nikki and Emma stayed to watch it while I went to Brandon's game and I was able to see him bat and get a run. When it was done Brandon and I went back to the recital and snuck in to watch the second half of it while Josh and Curtis finished up some church cleaning. Then when it was all over and Lily was done with her volunteer duties, we all went to lunch at Fiesta Pollo, took lots of pictures at home and then had some chill time. Lily then went babysitting. Church was good on Sunday then we hustled home since Nikki doesn't come to church with us and we felt bad leaving her alone, then we had a nice evening together and then I took her to the airport Monday morning (four hours of straight driving--worst part of living here!). It was a nice visit and I appreciate how much she loves my kids.
Then I spent two days cleaning, grocery shopping, setting up beds and getting ready for our next set of company to arrive. The Myers were supposed to get here Wednesday night but their flight got delayed and their daughter was throwing up so they ended up at a hotel that night. I was busy teaching piano all day Thursday and they were hanging out at Dave's old work so I didn't see them until that evening when I got home from Brandon's game. I was nervous about them coming because it was a lot of people and I just want people to be comfortable and happy in my home but it all went so well and we had a great time. Friday I took Rosie and Lorelai with me to Emma's recorder concert and then we hung out and talked and then they took Emma with them to a work BBQ while Josh and I went to go see Top Gun, which I loved (Josh did too and had already seen it on Wednesday) and then we stayed up late playing games and talking. Our kids all really bonded and had so much fun together, which was so sweet. Saturday we did yard work while they were sailing with some other friends and then I hosted five families for a taco bar and that was fun and easier than I expected it to be. It had been a long time since we hosted so many people but it was fun. Sunday was church and Shelly and I went for a walk and the kids played and then they went to the Rays for dinner and we had some chill family time.
Yesterday was the ward picnic then we went to the pool and then Josh made pizza for dinner. We went to Brusters for ice cream then Shelly and I went to Sarah's for a girls night. We talked and played a game and it felt more normal and like old times than it has in years. We were all pretty sleepy this morning from such a busy and fun weekend but I got them off to D.C. for the last few days of their trip and have just been relaxing for a bit. It really was wonderful to spend time with people who are fun and who love our family and with whom we have a shared history. It was a great balance of being with them and taking care of them yet them having other places to go and other people to see too. Shelly and I were so close before she moved and she was my first friend here in MD and I'm grateful that we've been able to maintain a relationship since they moved six years ago. Now I have a couple of days to regroup before my parents come on Friday.
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