Narnia, Summer, and Little Red

To start off the week we were still at Narnia, which was a great way to begin our summer school break. However, it was a bit of a tricky trip because we learned that Grams has uterine cancer and we're nervous about that for sure. At the end of the week, Grams had her appointment with the Oncologist, which did give good news that she's simply going to be scheduled for surgery in July and they don't seem super worried about whether that will be an effective treatment. We had the typical fun of games and movies and meals at the cabin, and got our last time with Rachel before she left on her mission.

Once we got home, we kind of got started with our summer schedule, which I'll go over in next week's post.

We went to the open house for the new location of my cousin Adam's pediatric office here in Burley. The kids had a blast in the bounce house, getting face paint, and having food from the food trucks. We all shared some corn dogs, a deep-fried snickers, and a dirty soda.

Most notable this week is that I did the "Little Red Ride" with my sisters and mom. I was able to make it 81 of the 100 miles. It turned out to be so much fun and I'm glad I let them talk me into it. I think if I'd gone any further, I may have ended up in the hospital. But as it was, I felt I read my body really well and pushed myself to do as much as I could in a healthy way. I had taken my bike into the bike shop to get fitted in the previoius weeks, and because of that I had no injuries. I had to work pretty hard after the race to not cramp up too bad, but the day after ended up being just typical soreness that I was able to overcome pretty well! It made me feel not too afraid of the Spudman coming up, and like maybe it won't be impossible to lose the excess weight I've got, and get healthy again. The night before the race we went to dinner at Elements, and stayed at a hotel where all us sisters and my mom enjoyed a few trips down the waterslide and sat in the hot tub. The whole trip left me feeling very grateful for the connections I have with my family.

Summer Schedule

This week was our first full week of  "summer schedule" and frankly, while it was a little on the hectic side, it was really nice to just be home trying to follow a routine.

This year our summer schedule consists of 3 trips each morning up to the Rupert Pool to drop off, and pick up, kids for swim team. Cpc, Cdc, and Arc are all doing their 4th year of swim team. We thought Gdc was going to get to start this year, but he didn't quite pass his swim test, so he'll wait until next year.

During and right after swim team, all of the instruments get practiced, and dogs get walked. Cpc is at the end of Suzuki Book 4 on violin, and gets paid to walk our neighbor's dog, Kulta. Cdc is in Suzuki Book 3 on the bass, and is responsible for taking care of our dog, Mr. Bingley. Arc is in Suzuki Book 2 on the cello, Gdc is learning Allegro on the violin, and Gsc is polishing the Twinkles on the violin.

Once everybody is done with those things, the days are a little more variable. We have church on Sunday. Pmc is spending the days working at Tater. We go to "lunch in the park" some days. Cdc has some soccer practice throughout the week to prep for joining the middle school team in the fall. Cpc and Arc both get to go to counseling appointments. Arc has gymnastics this month. Gdc and Gsc both fit in as many playdates as possible. I try to give each of the kids a music lesson since they are going this summer without lessons with their teachers. Pmc tries to take one of the kids on a "daddy date" each week. I started back up teaching some of my violin students, so I have a few students here and there. Cpc and Cdc have Young Mens activities most weeks. We try to have a few "Come Follow Me" lessons throughout the week, and fit in some games and movies as a family.

Pmc and I are both trying to train for the Spudman this year. For Pmc so far this means that he's starting to ride his road bike to work, and he tries to play "Just Dance" each night on the Wii. This week he got one bike ride to work in before he got a flat tire that he's got to get a new tube and tire for! For me, so far this means I'm doing 3 training runs, 3 mornings out on the river on the paddleboard. I meant to fit in 2 bike rides and a swim in the river, but it didn't happen this week.

This last week, Cpc and Cdc both got chances to attend "Happiness Camp" at Simply/Teen Hope. They both loved that opportunity. They also got to go play Ultimate Frisbee for Young Mens. We got to watch a broadcast on YouTube celebrating Cpc's ROADS team winning their competition, and we're learning about his trip to Florida he gets to take beacuse of it. I attempted to donate blood, but was told my Iron is too low again (for the 2nd time in a week). Gdc and Gsc got to enjoy having the Harris boys over for a whole day. I had a Relief Society devotional on Saturday that I attended with my friend Amanda. And last, but not least, Pmc and I went on a date to Twin Falls. We went to Johnny Carino's for a late lunch/early dinner, and then got some shopping done at Costco, Home Depot, and Hobby Lobby.

Right now we spend most of the unscheduled time we have trying to do chores, working on the endless array of house/yard projects, playing outside, playing some games and watching some tv/movies. We haven't gotten out on the river so far this summer. We are also trying to cope with the chaos in the world - including the war instigated by Russsia, the high inflation causing us to be worried about money, and political fights over gun laws and education after another very deadly elementary school shooting ended the school year.

I managed to not take any pictures all week...so today will just be this lovely little overview, but it is my proud start at the end of a very long blogging hiatus!