Dear Monsoon,

Why, why, why have you avoided us this year? Why have you not come to give us the excitement that we enjoy every summer? I am SO tired of all this freakin HEAT! I need some rain! I even have a small confession to make.. I am living in my swimsuit so much that I have worn holes in the rear end of every suit I own! My laundry has even quadrupled because of multiply showers each day and if I have to do another load of pool towels I'm going to scream! I need some excitement in my life that only you can provide. The only thing that makes living in the heat hole worth it is the awesome light show that you provide!

So please, please, please come to visit soon. I miss you dearly.

Love,

Mendy

Relief Society Therapy

I recently was released from young women's after serving for 2 1/2 years with great friends and fabulous young women. Before then, I was in primary for a few years. I haven't been to RS for probably 5 years or more. Sunday toward the end of sunday school my felt my palms going a bit sweaty. As I made my way down the hall I could feel all the pressure building. I was feeling like an outsider. Was I going to be required to use a blanket in order to fit in? I didn't want a blanket! Women tend to sit in the same place by the same women. Would I be cramping someones style by taking their chair? I made eye contact with a neighbor and off I went to the chair. Thankfully they let me sit by them! Thanks ladies! One of my greatest friends was teaching the lesson that day so I was so excited to hear her teach. We had chatted about the topic and I had even read the talk she was teaching from. Then boom... pressure again. Do I comment on the lesson? and if I do, I'd better think though my comment really well because there are some stellar women in there that really know their stuff! I couldn't do it. Since when do I have trouble speaking? I'm usually the one that has something to say about everything! I really wanted to come through for my friend, she kept looking at me, but I had nothin! She did awesome even if I didn't come through for her! Why did I over think going to RS? It really wasn't that big of a deal! I saw plenty of smiling faces and got to chat with old friends. I didn't even have to use a blanket! So.. with one Sunday under my belt I'm thinking that next Sunday I won't feel so much like a sore thumb. I'll probably sit on the same side, in the same chair, next to the same friend... without the blanket!

Chapter 3

Today we began a new chapter in our lives.

The home alone chapter.. the all the kids in school chapter.

This morning I sent Shayne off to be fed to the wolves of Jr High.

Most of last night I layed awake raking my brain asking have we taught him enough? Have we gave him the confidence to make the right choices and to resist the temptation that will surround him? I think we have. He's a pretty easy going kid that tends to make good choices but I found myself second guessing myself. This morning I walked him to the corner where he continued on to the bus stop the next block up. He said "see ya mom love you" I stood in shock walking him walk away. Then the tears started to flow. Where did all those years go? He walked away from me to be greeted by many friends where they stood and waited. I couldn't make myself walk away until he was loaded onto the bus. Off on his next adventure in life... Jr High.

Megan was all smiles with a little bit of fear this morning as we walked to the 5th grade line.

She was welcomed by a friend and all her fear melted away.

She was ready. My beautiful 5th grade little girl!

Ashley was the first one up this morning with a big grin on her face!
3rd grade was going to be no big deal for her!

She was so excited to get going. I hope that lasts all year but I'm not going to hold my breath!

She left full of confidence ready to conquer the grade!

Emily was so excited she didn't fall asleep until almost midnight!

She was up ready to go a 6 am with a big smile on her face.

I on the other hand, was struck with the realization that my baby.. is no longer a baby!

She got to her line having a bit of nervous energy. She walked away with a huge smile and a wave. Why'd she have to go get all grown up on me?

So alone I am.

Time to figure out what I'm going to do with myself!

For the last 12 years I've done pretty much nothing but kids.. now....

So today I guess this is the first day of the new chapter in my life.

The ME chapter.

(now if I only knew what to write in this chapter!)

I must be doing something right

Toward the end of our Utah trip this last month I got a horrible ear infection. Have you ever had an ear infection as an adult? Oh my gosh... all I can say is the next time my kids tell me their ears hurt I'm not waiting to take them to the doc! I was in a ton of pain and of coarse my lack of good medical insurance made it impossible to go get the needed medical attention in Utah! And of coarse my husband wasn't along on this trip to give me a needed blessing! Luckily my mom was around to help me with the kids because the last two days of the trip are a bit of a blur.

About the same time as I got sick my vehicle started acting a bit strange as well. It pretty much made me feel like Daisy Duke driving the General Lee if you know what I mean. My steering wheel was movin all over the place and the car was pulling hard to the left. Tire problems right? Todd told me what to look for and we (my mom and I) did are tire inspection before heading home. I thought maybe it was just those worn out Utah roads so we headed for home anyway. I think my pain was mostly driving this decision. Since my mom isn't a big fan of driving my Denali I drugged myself up and off we headed for a good long drive home. About the Gap, just outside of Page AZ we came across a roll over accident of a gas semi that had just accrued. The tires were still spinning and the poor man was thankfully stumbling out bleeding but alive. It took me back to 2 years ago. We had a similar accident of our own in WA where we took a flip and a roll down a hill. Again, blood but all were alive.

Well as we returned home after further tire inspection we found a 3 inch bulge in the inside our our drivers side tire that should have split our tire causing a similar scene. I'm pretty sure the only way we made it home from Utah without incident was the will of the Lord.

I'm thankful beyond words for tender mercy's.

FYI- my ear infection has been with me for over a week and I have zero and I mean zero hearing in my right ear. So looking back I should have taken my crappy health insurance a sought medical attention a little earlier.... Learn from my mistakes!