Keeping on

Life is so busy at our house.  Maybe now that summer is coming to a close it will slow down a little.  Some of the things we've been doing...

*Watching the Olympics!  I am sad they are over.  It is so motivating and inspiring to me to watch those athletes.  I want to become a swimmer!

*The Harbor (Senior Center).  I try to go with the kids at least once a week.  Our grandparent friends love us there.  Bridger makes them so happy and we really enjoy it too.  We go during their open time, when they are all seated in a circle, usually just watching TV until we get there.  I let Bridger run around and play and I show off Myra.  I've discovered how great balloons are to encourage interaction between Bridger and our grandparent friends, because everyone can play, even the little old ladies.  One funny moment happened with two old men. . . These two grandpa's really try to win over Bridger's affection (one used to constantly sneak Bridger quarters).  They both were standing, hitting the balloon back in forth with Bridger.  As their balloon rally got going, I could see they were starting to feel young and athletic, and they soon forgot Bridger was there.  He was left jumping up and down in the middle between them, as they were so into their game, they didn't know they were playing keep away.

*I joined the Herndon Mom's Club.  I have been teaching Relief Society and, of the weeks I taught, there were four lessons in a row specifically on missionary work.  So I started feeling a necessity to make an effort in that direction, but since I didn't know any non-members, missionary work is tough.  I know it's not like Utah out here, but I'm kind of a groupie with my Mormon friends.  Anyway, Mom's Club is a good way I found to get to know other mothers, that I can relate with, who are non-members.  They have a calendar full of activities every month so we've had lots of fun outings with them.

*Early mornings and exercising!  Devin and his buddies have been doing a boot camp together  (Mon, Wed, Fri) at 6:00am.  So I do my morning runs at 5:00am so I can be back before he leaves and be done and showered before my kids wake up.  I'm going on my fourth week of 4:30am mornings and it is kind of weird to be so adjusted to that time that I wake up before my alarm goes off! 

*I got a new job.  My friend really talked up this gym so I took a tour to see if it was all that, and it lived up to my expectations and more.  It was like walking in to a fancy resort.  So I applied and got a job there. . . and I am SUPER excited about it!  Number one, because I get a free gym membership.  Number two, because I only have to work two 45 minute shifts a week, and my kids can come to work with me.  I just have to go through training and I will then be the new Tornado Toddler teacher.  I basically just read, sing with, and entertain 2-3 year old kids who sit happily with their mommy's.  Lifetime Fitness is the name of the gym.  Look it up, if you have one in your area you will also be amazed!

These Cicadas must have all migrated to the tree right outside our house.  They are so loud and it just started this week!  I think they are screaming at us.  If you have never seen one, they are huge bugs, but I hear them way more than I ever see them.

The Caboose!

Bridger loves walking (or riding) down to this Caboose.  Our usual route includes stopping by Great Harvest for a free piece of bread, free sample of a scone, pick up the coloring page for a free cookie, then we continue on our way to Bridger's favorite hill to ride his bike down multiple time, continuing on to the grass hills by the library, and sometimes into the library for a new selection of books.  All these great sites are a short 0.5mile from our home.  We live in such a great place!

Going down his favorite hill near the Caboose.