- I'll begin with Chas' talent show the 2nd to the last day of school. We packed up the drum set into the FJ the night before, woke and ate early on Tuesday to leave at 7:30, got to school, set up his drum set in the gym, and then I left to drop off Starks at school. I immediately went BACK to the middle school and was surprised to find myself as the only parent there to watch. Granted, there were two shows, so maybe they went to the later one. I was very happy to have been allowed to peek into this gig. ;) Chas ROCKED it. When I say he ROCKED it, I mean it. He was fantastic, and like a pro, kept drumming with three appendages while he pulled his bass in with the 4th- as he played it with his right foot no-less. (His drum set at home is on a rug so as to keep it from sliding. We didn't roll up the rug for school.) 1/2 the school cheered at the finale. (The other half were outside and to attend the 2nd show.) He was so confident and in his element that it all just seemed too easy. I found out later when I picked him up that they chose the top 3 (in no particular order, they wouldn't say who was 1st, 2nd or 3rd) as winners. He won a $50 iTunes gift card. Perfect. He was on cloud nine and a rock star getting congratulations from people in all grades that he knew and didn't know. ROCKED IT!
- I left there to lead the 3rd grade picnic activities at our local park. I brought our 150ft long rope from home, and the kids played tug-o-war nonstop! It was a great mix of planned activity and free play. Starks stood so close to me as it neared the end and could not leave my side as his bucket was full! He just had to keep showing me how much he loved me and was thankful. Again, how awesome was THIS day!?!? Too awesome. Especially as two things had also been marked off my to do list for the week. ;) Just kidding... mostly. Here's a picture of Starks and his friend, Stone, kicking butt in the beach ball relay race.
- Wow... next was the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, JUNE 25TH, a LONG time coming for my family! It was an early dismissal day, so Russ came home from work early, we had a quick lunch at CPK, and we headed up to school again for the 8th grade graduation!! It was a major Charlie FoxTrot in terms of organization. This school has grown so much in the last few years that it's a little overwhelmed. 400+ kids in the 8th grade class! As Carl crawled over the mountain (the fog bank of the Bay), it settled and "spit" on us throughout the whole ceremony. There were enough seats for 200 people, so we just stood around everywhere straining to hear the speakers outside with so much talking and noise around us. However, we stood at the back and ran up the aisle only to take pictures. I mean, it's a great milestone, but it's almost like graduating preschool... it's just a necessary step forward. I don't think the scholastic feat is really something to celebrate (though Anthony graduated with straight A's), but what it represents certainly deserves some recognition. I mean, he's technically a HIGH SCHOOLER! Wha?!?! So, we celebrated, stood proudly, and watched our handsome son get his "diploma." He later had an 8th grade only dance at school, and it was Oscar themed. He was WAY undressed in khakis and a polo shirt! However, he doesn't care about that stuff, but you could tell EVERY girl there did. Man, he has no idea just how handsome and awesome he is...
(FYI, just click on a picture to see a larger image!)
Here's a pic of the counter... ahh... a place to set dishes after rinsing and a place to prep dinner!
Most of our days were spent in the river, one day in Long Lake at about 6000ft elevation,
on 4 wheeling trail,
and 1/2 a day in town to see the USA v Germany game and for pizza night. ;)
We also played a game with two kids from another campsite that Anthony made up which involved lots of sprinting for 10 minute periods. LOL. We were addicted to the Maze Runner series and found ourselves reading a lot, and the hammock always provided a nice respite. And, of course, we did some bike riding everyday for a bit!
The river provides so many areas that offer rapids, rocks to jump from, and slower "pool" like areas. The weather was in the 90's, so it was a perfect scenario for water fun! Here are some pics of us playing- some in fast motion!
look at those back muscles!
I have to say that the freedom with not having to stay clean is liberating. The possibility of cleanliness isn't even an option, so you don't even have to try. LOL. This is a scene at the fire pit, and Starks has on flip flops. Around the fire pit, it's dusty dirt, so flip flops only offer protection from stepping on something. This little guy's feet were mostly bare for the trip, and BLACK from dirt. It was a blessing to have him walk to the beach near our site and just rinse off his body in the water before bed. He was a little Pig Pen walking around all week... and in heaven!
Before camping, I read about a burn restriction in the forest. However, we thankfully were able to have fires in our pits. (big sigh of joy) It's just a cozy place to sit around every morning and evening.
My body would be ready to get off the ground and backpacking mat at some time from 5:45-6:30. It'd TRY to sleep, but my body would shout that we needed to move. So, I'd unzip our vestibule, crawl out quietly, restart the fire, and drink my Starbucks DoubleShot Light from the can while I sat staring at the fire and waking up mentally. Talk about peace. The birds would be chattering over the constant gurgling of the river, the fire would pop and buzz, and I'd either sit there singing songs in my head, think, and/or pray for my family and friends. It only got better when Russ would finally wake (sometimes 2hrs later) and join me with a quiet smile and DoubleShot for himself. ;) One morning, I placed a log on the fire, and saw this. It looked to me like a cartoon "Terminator Cat" that had half of his head shaved off and was reaching out with stubby arms. A machine cat. LOL. What do you think?
We ended up leaving a day early after playing the afternoon on the river, and it was a good idea. We then had the next day, the 4th, to unpack, do laundry, buy food, and get ready for our weekend. I was sad as we drove away, but I was also overwhelmed with thanksgiving.
5. My birthday, July 5th, was outstanding. I'd actually spent the 4th reading "The Death Cure" so that Russ could then start it. However, I saw fireworks from the deck which triggers my birthday celebration for the next day! I spent my first day being 41 reading cards that showered me with love and appreciation from Russ and the boys. They'd gotten me a new watch and some lovely smelling products. ;) We stayed home and did a family WOD before lunch. We ate at a burger place for lunch, and the boys were especially talkative. We were living a moment that you KNOW is special, and you sit there soaking it in and not wanting it to end. Just awesome. I'd asked for Russ to take the dogs for baths and nail clippings for my birthday as I hate doing it. So, he did that for me, dropped me off to get a pedicure, and then picked me up when I finished. During that pedicure, I got to talk to my sister on the phone which always fills me up! I got an afternoon "birthday" coffee before coming home, and then we rested here. I wanted pizza and a movie night at home, and we watched "Spaceballs." LOL. Great stuff! So, that was my birthday full of peace, family, and love!
6. Our anniversary was yesterday, and of course, it was a work day. However, Russ and I had our daily morning date at Starbucks together, so it started as it should have! It ended with Starks' first baseball game of this tournament. They handily won 13-5 with Starks hitting a line drive single up the middle, a triple and a double with his 3 at bats. The boys did a fantastic job, and the team played well! It felt like any other day in life, but throughout, I found myself thinking back to our wedding day often and remembering getting ready in his room. His friend, Jeanine, giving me something old, blue and borrowed, and she was excited to help me make it a special day. I wondered that day if his family thought this marriage was not going to last as we made our way with his family in tow, in the pouring rain, to the Justice of the Peace office, on a Wednesday to get married! We've been married 16 years now and have known each other 22 years. I used to look forward to the age I'd be when my years knowing him were more than my years on Earth NOT knowing him. Now, I look forward to when I've been married to him longer than I was single. That's a long time coming- 9 years, but I know it is. He said it so well yesterday when he wrote to me that we've "grown into" each other rather than away from each other. I feel the same way. He's been my friend since 1992, and like any deep, healthy friendship, the layers of love, appreciation and admiration keep getting added on... like a candle being dipped in wax. It grows, mixes and warms together to become one, solid piece. I totally hit the jackpot in life with Russ at my side! He loves me, and I know it. He lets me be who I am without judgement. He doesn't ever make me feel ashamed about any aspect of myself. He challenges me at times to think about my perspective or beliefs, and often, that reflection leads to my own growth. He loves spending time with me, and that makes me feel valuable. He appreciates what I do for our family, and he lets me know it. He treats me like an equal partner in life. He knows what it means to me to spend time with friends and family, and he blesses me with opportunities to do so. He makes me laugh and is adventurous. He is kind with his words and thoughtful about what he says and how he says them. He is a good listener, and I feel heard. I am incredibly happy and blessed with him as my partner!
Well, that's been our family's life recently, and now we are enjoying our summer. All eight weeks of it one day at a time!
So many great adventures!
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