School Days

Today is the beginning of school for all 4 of our kids! I am so excited, and yet so scared. Madi is now in Jr. High, Tom is in 5th, Cali 2nd, and Bryan is in Kindergarten. I ended up being one of those moms who I have made fun of in the past (carma sucks). I held it together when he went into the room and then John took a picture and I could feel the tears well up and I couldn't stop it much longer. I held it together until I got in the hall, and let it go. Holy cow, I am so scared for him, well, for all my kids. Jr High, 5th grade...kindergarten. I worry that the kids will be teased, bullied, and have no friends. Since I have been working full time and I'm not able to be home I think I worry more. The freedom of summer is now gone. A schedule and regiment are now at hand. Time flies by so fast. A co-worker was looking at strollers, she is pregnant, the thing was $249.99!! I could not believe it. I took a sigh of relief that I don't have to worry about that anymore!! All I get to worry about is all my kids in school and no little tikes to worry about during the day, weird. A new chapter is unfolding for our little clan. I look forward to the next year.

August Birthdays

Well, here is August again...UGH. This means 2 birthdays, kids getting ready for school, school supplies, school clothes, new shoes, new backpacks, and dealing with who got who for a teacher. Cali Ann's birthday was the 14th, she turned 7. She wanted a princess party, she got one. With our limited funds we found easy, fun things to do. I think the favorite part is where the girls got to go play in Cali's room. The were so sad to leave. I really wanted them to stay too! We had a "day of rest" then, yep another birthday!!

Bryan turned 5 this year. We didn't have a party for a few reasons. My first reason is that he isn't able to tell me who to invite. With his speech delay I just can't bring myself to invite kids that I don't know and he can't tell me if they're friends. Sad, I know but on the day he can tell me who he wants to invite, I will throw a HUGE party and will probably cry my eyes out.

So, now I have the 21st to look forward to. John and I will have been married 15 years! The years seem to have flown by. I can't believe it. How blessed I am. Well of to do the stuff August is made of......things to do.

We went to girls camp on Thursday night to visit for the "Bishop" night. We packed the tent, 3 kids, all the fixings for an overnighter in the truck and off we went. We drove down to Soda Springs, back into 8 mile canyon. What an amazing, beautiful piece of the world. I am ready to move! We arrived, pitched the tent, watched the girls, had a great dinner, wonderful fireside testimony meeting and some great sleep. Next day, breakfast and breaking camp. I had to do a "tent" lesson because these girls did not know how to take down tents!! How do you get 15...3 years of girls camp under your belt and not know how to take down the tents?? So the Scout Nazi in me came out and the girls finally learned that Sister Dunn is passionate about camping and the outdoors. Most of them didn't listen, the others blamed that when they got the tents they weren't swept out and some underwear was left in them.

The tents were wet, so we drove home and reset up the tents. Another lesson in setting up the tents, seriously?....how do they not know this?? I was so upset and John was so upset about how the boys had left them for the girls and upset at the way the girls left them for the boys....we called up the boys and had them come take them down...properly....and pick up the underwear!! All in all it was great. Our girls learned the proper way, and the boys learned it too! I'll tell you what, when those tents are used again and inspected they will be in tip top shape!! I truly do love the outdoors. I love camping, smelling the pine, taking part in nature and then the hot shower when I get home. I hope that I am teaching my kids how to enjoy and do all that the proper way.

Here I am starting another blog because I cannot remember the last blogs name. It has been a VERY busy summer. I have been working full time and working on preparing for Wood Badge. Last year I was a participant, this year I was asked to be staff for Kevin Landon. What an amazing experience! I was the Troop Guide for the Fox patrol!! GO FOXES. What an amazing experience. I have to send out a HUGE kudos to my awesome husband John. I could not have done this without him. He is my life along with my kids. I missed them everyday, which isn't like me. I was so happy to come home and take them out to Craigo's. The kids had a fun time and when we got home I hit the wall and had to sleep. I had 4 fun filled days of scout songs, tears, gifts, and life lessons that would never had been received anywhere else. Now on for the next adventure.....setting up a fund raiser for a community church. It will take place in August, during the Jefferson County fair. I have no idea how to do this?? Now I have people wanting to donate homemade quilts and hair bows for little girls!! Now what? Please let me know if you have any ideas. Much more to come, stay tuned.