It's Been FOREVER!

It has been forever since I last posted!

I have tried so many times to sit down and write a post... but that takes effort.... and thought... and time, which is what I seemed to be VERY SHORT of these days!

I have so much to share...I don't even really know where to start. So, get ready...this may be a long one ~ well, I guess that depends upon how much time I have before one of my three children or my darling husband needs me for something.

Since my last post --- on APRIL 28th (I'm ashamed to admit) ---SO much has happened.

First, my MADDIE girl turned 8! Yes, eight! I cannot beleive it!

Our girls are growing up soooo fast! She is such an beautiful little girl!

She celebrated with her friends and had a bowling party and then with family for what was supposed to be a pool party at Grandma's house, but ended up not happening because of the weather. BUMMER!


But, it was such a good birthday and she got lots of cool and exciting stuff...mainly clothes, but honestly...that is what she is into! And, she is VERY picky so both Grandmas chose to take her shopping instead of buying her clothes and surprising her. They've learned that she needs to be involved in that process!

Second... I got a job! Which, explains a LOT of the reason why I don't have as much time to blog!

I'm working at VALMONT - Salina Galvanizing as their HR Coordinator. I was very excited to go back to work and to work in my field of study - HR! I'm working at a manufacturing plant, which is different than any other industry I've ever worked in, but I really enjoy it!

It's been an interested couple months as our family has adjusted to mom not being at home during the day. Brooke has adjusted VERY WELL to going to daycare! She goes to a friend of ours from church and LOVES going there to play with her friends. She is learning so many new things...she LOVES to sing and she is so adorable when she does.

Maddie and Ashlyn get to go to Camp Swat this summer at the YMCA! The LOVE it! They get to do so many fun things and get to visit some really cool places each week. They have been to the Crown Uptown Theater and Exploration Place in Wichita, Salt City Splash and The Cosmosphere in Hutch and the new water park in Salina...Kenwood Cove! They go swimming every day and Maddie has done so well she has passed the "deep end" test and gets to go in the deep end!

I think Chris is very happy that I'm back at work....well, lets just say that he is very happy that we now have a second income! However, he thinks I'm a happier person when I'm working AWAY from home. He might be right...I just don't want to admit it! I would love to say that I LOVED staying home. I can definitely say that I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to be a stay at home mom, but I think I do make a better mom when I'm working. It gives me time away from my house and my kids so that when I come home, I am fresh to deal with whatever they bring...and I WANT to spend time with them rather than being tired and frustrated and needing a "break".

This summer we have spent a LOT of time at the Lake! Chris' parents have really spent a lot of time and effort "beautifying" the lake and making it much more user friendly. It's so much more enjoyable this year, especially since we don't have to take the jet ski out there every time we want to go out. Chris' dad built a covered boat dock where we tie up the pontoon and all the jet skis as well as a really nice deck off the dock! It is just wonderful! We LOVE to go out there.

We spent the Fourth of July weekend out there with family. Unfortnuately the weather didn't cooperate, but we still stayed out there nonetheless. We were determined to spend the 4th at the lake. We stayed in our tent overnight...in the RAIN, yes, it rained my very first time in a tent...and yes, I know it's sad...but that WAS my very first time in a tent! But, it didn't spoil my desire to go camping. I still want to! However, it would be nice without the sound of rain pelleting ALL NIGHT LONG!

It cleared up a little on Sunday evening so that we could shoot off some fireworks. Thank goodness Grandpa and Grandma had bought some of our own, since the Salina Skyfire was postponed due to weather.


Here is Grandpa and his buddy West loading the fireworks to be fired...

lighting the wick...

and running for their lives!

Waiting for the real fireoworks to start, we had some fun with sparklers...

But then we got ready to watch the sky for fireworks...

We ended with a nice display in the sky and then went home for a nice sleep in our own, cozy beds! One night in the rain is enough for me!