Goodbye summer

 Life is good; interesting sometimes but good. Last weekend we had the Wiest kids overnight so their parents could go to a concert and then the temple the next morning. Emma was a wonderful hostess and set up all their beds for me and basically entertained them the whole time they were here. I just fed them dinner and tucked them in and that was about it. Then the next morning Emma and I drove them up to the zoo. The Wiests always go the Saturday before Petra's birthday so we met them there and Emma and I had fun with them; I especially loved the new bird house. It has been years since we have been to the zoo so it was good to go back and we only got to see half of it before we had to go. Lily had stayed home to help out at the dance open house and then she was hosting a birthday party with all her dance friends so I had to get home to be a responsible parent, even though I really did nothing for the party. Lily prepped all the food and set up the basement and had games and the movie ready to go. She had fun and Emma and I watched a movie and enjoyed our time together too. 

   

 

The boys were off in Williamsport at the Little League World Series for the weekend and they had a great time. In two days they watched seven games and even made it on TV during the Cuba/Australia game. The cardboard sledding was a little muddier this year but everyone had fun.

 

I had been feeling really unappreciated lately and kind of grumpy about some things so I prayed about it Saturday night and then at church on Sunday, I was reminded over and over again that when we serve others, we are serving Heavenly Father and Jesus and also we are keeping covenants. I shouldn't need people to appreciate what I do for them because that's not why I help or serve others, even though it is nice. I just need to stay focused on the why I choose to serve others and that as long as it comes from a place of love for them and for God, their response (or more likely lack of one) shouldn't affect my willingness. I appreciated the Lord hearing my prayer and sending me such a clear answer and I have tried to be happier and nicer and it has felt good.

Monday was busy with school open houses and Curtis had his first practice at Dorsey so we took a picnic and the kids played at the park. Tuesday was our last day of summer and we went to Annemarie Gardens. I always love going there and sitting under the trees while the kids play. I like the fairy walk and art lab too but now the kids are big enough that they did all of that on  their own and us moms just sat and talked the whole time. Joni was in town so she came to hang with Nola and Michelle and I and it was so fun to catch up with her. The kids were kind of awkward at first but of course figured it out and remembered they were friends and by the time we went to get milkshakes at Mrs. Moo's, we needed to switch up who went in what car so they could stay with their friends. It was a really beautiful day and lovely to be outside and chatting with friends. Everyone enjoyed their milkshakes and then we headed home to do back to school blessings before I left for book club. I didn't love the book but it was a good discussion and always fun to be with my book club friends. 

 

   

 

The first day of school felt oddly familiar since everyone is in the same school as last year. Lily is thrilled to be a sophomore and not a freshman. Emma and Brandon both had a good day and Emma is liking her math teacher more than she thought she would so that's good. Curtis is excited to be starting Spanish and already knew all of his other teachers. He is disappointed that all of his friends are on the other team though and really none of the kids have friends in their classes but I'm sure they will make new friends. Actually Emma made a friend with a girl who had just moved here from Texas and then we got to Curtis's scrimmage Friday night and turns out her older brother is on Curtis's team. The dad was so kind and came over and introduced himself and told us how happy he was that his daughter came home and said she had made a friend. They seem like super nice people and I'm glad we'll see them at all the games. 

  (no picture of Curtis because I didn't get up with him--Josh did and I haven't gotten the picture off of his phone yet)

I was very busy that day going to the gym and three grocery stores and then I cleaned out the pantry and the refrigerator. It feels nice to have it all clean and organized now that the kids aren't constantly digging around in there. Thursday, however, I gave myself the day off and literally read the entire time they were at school. It was really great to just relax and not worry about anyone or anything for a few hours. Friday I had hoped to go to the temple but the session I wanted was full so I spent hours planning out Christmas music for sacrament meeting. I am also in charge of the ward Christmas party so I want the music to be in a good place so I don't get overwhelmed. Now I just have to get all of the ward singers on board with my plan. :) 

Josh got Lily's new bed all put together yesterday and she loves it. Brandon had a long practice and then I cut the grass while the kids were cleaning up the house; I gave them each a room to be in charge of and was pleasantly surprised with how well they all cleaned. Then we went to get Wendy's for dinner on our way up to the Blue Crabs game. Normally we go on the library nights when we get free tickets but we couldn't make any of those so we paid for our tickets for the first time ever and had a great time. The Blue Crabs got beat badly but it was a fun game to watch and the ice cream was good and the weather was perfect and the fireworks were great.