School Is in Session

After being away for two Sundays, we were glad to home.

The prayer for rain is a constant plea, so we stop to watch when our prayers are answered.

Spontaneously, three wrestling matches broke out.  Look how the girls are winning!

Sunday games.

Sunday mud clods in Grandma's road. 

Peru was filled with pom-pom garlands.  I enlisted my children, and they helped me make 72 little pom-poms.

We hung them on the chandelier.  They make me so happy.

Look at these twin eggs!  Twins seems to follow us lately, and we like it.

Maddie is a freshman.  She went to the high school all by herself for "Freshman Day;" she was tickled.  We sure missed her.

Nick decided to go through his clothing in preparation for school to start.  Look how much he's grown.

First day as a junior for Nick and second day as a freshman for Maddie.  They drive off to seminary every morning together.  Siblings are the greatest blessing.

Another morning.

We were home alone, and we felt lonely.

Saturday we actually swam as a family and floated the river.  This time we actually floated and barely paddled.  Maisie serenaded.  Nick went down rapids backwards.  Maddie swung on the rope swings and didn't get wet.  Eddie dumked himself several times.  Ryan expertly manuevered his craft.  Molly skipped from boat to boat.  Austin rows like he does everything -- perfectly.

She read in the shade in my hat.

These big girls help me every night with dinner.  They're so well trained.  Maisie plays and sings us all her T. Swift songs.  She then gives us all her T. Swift factoids and details.  

Meg's babies are growing -- she needs to send me a current photo of her belly.

Elder Babcock's report:

• 65 baptisms mission wide (record)
•  MLC meeting was his comparison of the leadership between King Benjamin and King Noah.  Then he gave the challenge to make a positive environment for those we serve.
• President Galland told him that it was the best MLC, ever.  Sister Galland gave him a "mother's squeeze" afterward.  "I was overall pleased with it, because I followed the spirit."

Preparation

Not to fear, I was in charge of the the stake youth service project.  We cleaned up the AHA school grounds for two hours one boiling-hot morning.  Only a few youth knew how to work, but luckily I'm really bossy and really loud.  And, luckily my children were awesome contributors.

Nick and Maddie head to swim practice every morning from 6-8am.  Nick drives them, so they are a well oiled machine without me.  Nick then comes home and heads to his landscaping job for eight hours in the heat.  Maddie teaches swimming lessons for two hours.  Both of their bank accounts and are buldging and also their muscles, so it's working.  They crash into bed before 9pm.

Monday night our FHE activity was just a lazy vibe.  I can't get enough of summer evenings.

I spent the first few days of the week preparing for our trip.  Melijah arrived Wednesday night, and we left first thing Thursday.  Thursday morning I taped the agenda and schedule.  Molly made one of her own; Meg promised to make all her dreams come true.

Spa Day

Pool Day

BBQ Night

Boy Dinner (they prepare it)

Girl Dinner

Movie Night

Play Day

BBQ Night

Hug Day

Pool Party

Chill

Chill

Chill 

Chill

This week was Andy's 20th birthday.  He's been serving for 18 months, and we miss him.  He looks older and sounds so much wiser and more mature.  He's still as handsome as ever, and his face glows with light and love.  My newborn baby boy is forever progressing.  I often find scriptures that make me think of him.  This was his birthday find.

Also, his 20th birthday was on Sunday.  That morning my phone was blowing up, but I just let it and spent my time relaxing. When I finally checked it, I found this picture:

My brother, John, was in Nashville for work, and attended the exact ward in which Elder Babcock was serving!  John reported that Elder Babcock was serving with exactness, and they barely had time to chat because Andy was off to participate in another ward.  I love this tender mercy so much. On further inquiry, John passed two other ward buildings, because he liked the location of the one he attended -- this was no fluke.

Good Summer Vibes

Lazy summer Sunday afternoons are always filled with family games -- Ryan makes sure of it.  Nick won this round.  Molly and I played dollhouse and dollies.

Maddie banded Ryan's hair.  The sensation of running your hand over his doo was quite terrifical.

In preparation for Machu Picchu, was hiked Mt. Humphries again.  We were home before lunch, and instead of insane wind at the summit, there were TONS of creepy flies.

More dollhouse with Molly, then Eddie came and ate the little family with his Lego dragon.

We spent July 4th with just the Bliss family.  Maddie fell on the diving board and deeply skinned her knee.

The best part of the day was our morning celebration.  I made a feast of a breakfast meal and then began our impromptu program:

A recitation of "The Pledge of Allegiance"

A selective piece of recitation from "The Declaration of Independence"

Singing "The Preamble"

Belting all three verses of "The Star Spangled Banner"

Song recitation of the 46 Presidents of the United States

Singing the 50 United States in alphabetical order

Then we listened to the "Hope of America" soundtrack from Meg's 5th grade days.

We sang at the top of our lungs.  Austin was on his way out to clean up the yard, but he stopped by the back door and just listened to our US knowledge. He was jealous that he doesn't attend my little school and family choir.  I was smug.

 I took a time lapse of our Night Swimming.

Evening came and these youngsters found a "safe" way to play with fire.

Fireworks from the balcony and pergola roof.

A lovely dinner.

All the big people were out on Saturday night, so we spent it quietly together.  Triple decker.

Always piles of people.

 Meg's babies are healthy and happy.  She is excited to come home soon.

Andy's report was that he is just busy.  He serves and loves and teaches.