Happy Independence Day!

And Happy Birthday to Chelsie!

Chelsie turned 25 today! She is a great sister in law and an amazing mother! Chelsie has two little girls almost the exact same age as my kids. It has been really fun living close and letting the kids get to know each other and play this summer. Chelsie's husband, Blair, is travelling for work right now, so she is doing so much on her own, and doing a great job! I am so proud of her. Love you Chelsie!

Happy Birthday to one of my good friends from Utah State, Dede! I don't get to see Dede very often, in fact, I think it has been over a year, but I get to 'keep in touch' via her blog and she, too, is an amazing mother to a darling little boy named Oliver. Dear Dede, hope you have a wonderful birthday and a great fourth. Wish I saw you more!

P.S.

Happy Birthday to Isaac!

Isaac is our little cousin who is turning 3 today! We live close to Ben and Kelly and family, so Noah and Isaac are becoming great friends through nursery. They are having so much fun together. Wish I had a picture

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday and I would like to think that he has the ability to occasionally check my blog if he wanted to.

My dad has now been gone for 15 years and I miss him today as much as ever. I wish that I had the opportunity to know as an adult. I wish that he knew my kids and got to see how amazing they are. But I'm also a little jealous that my kids have seen him since I have ;).
My dad was a great man. The other day I thought of him as I busted out whistling at church. If you knew my dad, you know that he never sang a song at church; he whistled.

I am grateful to have had 14 years with my dad and I hope to see him again soon.

I love you, Dad!

Hello Summer!

Wow! Did summer hit us with a bang, or what?! It has been so mild and rainy and now we are in the fourth straight day of high 90 degree weather! I can't believe how hot it has been and how quickly June has passed. Tomorrow is the 1st of July! We have such a fun packed July. Our July is crazy with birthdays, both friends and family. I am hoping (hoping!) to do a little tribute to each on on their day of birth, so stay tuned, cause it's gonna be a lot!

We have been so busy with the garden and with Luke's interviewing/testing (which is going well, btw). Luke is currently testing and interviewing with Duchesne County, Lone Peak (Highland/Alpine), and SLC. He also has applications going into Bountiful, Woods Cross and Kaysville. Hmmm. Any guesses on where Luke hopes we end up? And any guesses on what I'm thinking? We are excited about all of the possibilities and hope something turns up soon!

The summer festivities start with, of course, Independence Day, which is always fun. This year we will be spending it at the farm again for a Merkley family reunion. Then, we were planning on going to Jackson, Wyo. with my family, but somehow the dates got a little screwy, and we aren't going to be able to go. We have too many other conflicts with Luke's testing and interviewing, among other things.

Then, we have another family reunion! My mom's family is in desperate need for a reunion, and so I have helped planned a fun filled time and hopefully we have a great turnout. It has been so hard to get this little family together recently! July will then be over and my baby boy will turn 3. I can't believe it is here so quickly. It really seems like he has been around forever, but also just yesterday that he was born. I love this little guy, and can't wait for a fun birthday celebration!

who knew?

Probably most of you. I am a little behind the times, but after Rachel's TESTING post, I figured I could probably blog remotely, too!

I am cozied up in what is known as The Adventure Room at my mom's house. Luke is on his way to Duchesne to test bright and early with the County Sheriff's Department. We will be joining him in a couple of days for a relaxing weekend.

Tomorrow night my mom and I are headed to a organizing extravaganza thingy that her Relief Society is having. It sounds interesting and I could definitely use some pointers. It takes me about a year after moving to really get settles and organized. Unfortunately, about the time that happens, we usually move again! I've moved about thirteen times in the last ten years and I am eager to put down some serious roots. So here's hoping we get a job somewhere amazing and I can stay put!