Where Did June Go?

I know...June has basically passed and no one knows what is happening in my world.
To start off, we were blessed by the generosity of John's brother and sister-in-law with a new vehicle so that we no longer had to share the one car that didn't even fit the whole family (just in time so that would have to figure out the bus schedule from Brighton to Thornton).  Now we have two reliable vehicles including one that fits everyone!  It feels so go to not be stranded when John is at work!

My last week on the graveyard shift, I tried to have fun with my kids.  We set up the pool in the front yard , went for a picnic lunch in the park, watched the seeds sprout, and went to the zoo (which would not have been possible without the generosity in the above paragraph). At the end of the week, we had a huge hail storm that killed just about every thing we had growing as well as damaged our windows (that part was not fun). 

That brings us to June 12 (aka. the day we had ticket for the U2 concert).  Since the U2 concert has been postponed for about  a year, John and I went to the Renaissance Festival, and my sister was nice enough to take the kids for the day.  We all had fun.  John was able to get a musical instrument that he had been eying for years, and I got a pair of handcrafted boots.

Since then we have been getting used to my new schedule.  It has not been easy.  The first week of me waking up at the time I was used to getting off of work was an exhausting and cranky week.  Now that I am in week three, it has been getting better.  John has been getting used to being the one getting the kids ready, dropping them off  and picking them up.  He also has to take care of them by himself on Saturdays (poor baby).  The kids love going to Asher's and Rachel's and playing with their Aunt Rachel, so the real hard part for them has been waking up at 6am

The exciting thing that happened was Eric and Sean finally learn how to ride their bikes.  I took them out that first Tuesday on the new shift.  Eric took to it right away.  I had to steady him to get him started for a little while, but he even got the hang of that after a little while.  Sean was so scared that he would fall it took him a bit more practice, but he had the hang of it by the time John got home from work. I had worked with them a lot last summer until they had flat tires, and Eric was close, but I was starting to think Sean would never believe in himself enough to do it (that was really all he needed).  I am so proud of my boys!

Ray Stevens Pirate Song

Better Late Than Never

I have been wanted to get something planted in my almost empty flower garden for about a month or so (you know since around the time I needed to start planting).  Today I took the kids to Wall-Mart to get a few groceries that were much needed and decided that today was the day to get those seeds. 

I like planting seeds because I feel a sense of accomplishment when they start showing their flowers.  It is so exciting from the time the start sprouting to the end of the season (I do get sad when they die).  The kids seem to be excited about the process too.  I let them each pick out their choice of flower seeds.  I wasn't real excited about the Mammoth Sunflowers that Sean picked, but I told them they could pick what they wanted.  Noel chose some red sunflowers, and Eric picked marigolds. 

The part that I am most excited about is that I will actually have a vegetable garden this year!  I put some potting soil in some paper cups and planed corn, carrots, tomatoes, and watermelon (I know watermelon is a fruit, but it goes in the same garden).  My next plan of action is to start clearing and readying an area in the back yard for these.  I will hopefully get that ready in the next few weeks.  I cant wait until I can harvest my own food!

New Shift

I was told my new shift on Friday when I got to work.  I am a bit excited because I won't be as tired anymore, but I am nervous as well for many other reasons.  I was chosen for the flex shift meaning I will be working four nine hour days and be scheduled the other four hours on one of my days off.  My regular shift will be 7am to 5pm Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off.  I am glad that I will have time during the week to be with my kids (it think).  I am really glad to be getting Sunday off, but I am worried that my random four hour shift will be on Sunday while I am supposed to be at church with my kids.  I really want my kids to have the benefits of going to church, and I am the only one that takes them.  I am worried about feeling like I don't get to see my kids on the days that I am working because I will be getting home only an hour and a half before they go to bed.  I need to get the information for the after school program before school starts back up.  I know that is two and a half months away, but it will drive me crazy if I don't at least try to get things started for that.  I really need to know if got into the preschool program at our elementary school so that I know how to plan for the future (not knowing yet it driving me crazy, so I will be checking my mail box daily until we get that letter).  I hope my kids will do OK in this transition.  I know that John and I can adapt where needed.  I am very grateful for my sister-in-law that will be once again watching my kids this summer!