July Fun - Part 1

Let's just have fun

Hot in the city




So...arms folded, Emily is teaching photo staging.

hanging in the hammock-2 lovebirds

Kevin & Mandy ....Wizard wanding



What cute daughters I have!



Humm.........4th of July fun

Downtown - "Friets please"

When our crazy family gets together, we always have fun. There is always noise and lots of shenanigans.

The Best Things in Life are Free

It's true- The best things in my life are free......I am fortunate and very blessed to have enjoyed freebies the past 2 weeks. Here are just a few

"Fish tales" and wild animal stories from Mike, our Oregonian son in-law who is the very best story teller.
Yum- wet juicy popsicle and ice cream kisses from my 5 grandchildren.
Sticky door knobs to remind me my house is full again.
Empty candy wrapper trails to show me where little hands have been wandering.
Sweet, tired grandbabies laying in my arms in the rocking chair.
Having all 6 of my wonderful, fabulous, awesome children together in one spot for a day in my backyard.
Loving having Mandy and Emily together with me again.
Laughing at my children's interactions with each other.
Being a spectator of their humorous circus stunts. (how many people can we put on Chris's shoulders)?
Watching my two daughters in-law enjoy their new crazy family and helping me in my kitchen-
I love that they are brunettes too!
Enjoying the brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and more little ones at the family BBQ.
(you are such great cooks)
Watching everyone run for cover in the downpour rain, except for those under the big trees- "What rain?" they said
Swinging and resting in the hammock admiring the blue sky after a down pour rainstorm.
Playing and hearing the slam of the wooden disks in the Schulbak game. "Who won?"
Little voices from strollers calling out... for Opa and Omie all over the Gateway Mall
Friets and Belgium waffles-that wasn't free but the food was sure good! "Dahnk oo Vel"
Hearing the screams, giggles and shrills of cold water spraying on those little summer heated bodies. (you were screaming too Tim)
Listening to the little ones and their belly laughs from Opa's pig kisses.
Watching my manly man sweetheart husband play barbie dolls with Laynee.
(hee hee- got the photo)
Playing dressup in my living room and watching the big girl's new fashion show.
Monitoring the ping pong balls flying all over the back yard.
Watching Hunter on the Wi at Uncle Scott's
Laughing so hard it hurts when Kevin teaches Emily to ride a motorcycle.
Crawling into bed at night- elevating the finger and being ever so grateful and thankful for another day with all my loved ones.
Feeling the peace and over whelming joy inside the Oquirrah Mnt. Temple open house.
Seeing my grandchildren's faces in the eternity mirrors of the Temple and knowing we will go on forever...

And my most favorite freebie...............Making memories that will last a life time.

2 Weeks Later

It has now been 2 weeks since my finger surgery. I won't post a photo- but the finger is healing nicely. The 7 stitches came out last week and the finger is straighter than it has been in 2 years. The doctor was pleased with the x-ray and the postion of my finger bones. With the 3 implants it is quite stiff and still very tender and achey. I still cannot sleep through the night and that keeps me on an emotional roller coaster but in time good sleep will come. I am doing occupational therapy excersises which are helping me get some mobility back. At the end of the day on the computer my hand aches so I need to cut back and quit pushing it too hard. It can be frustrating and sometimes I just want to rip off the bandage and splint and then force the finger to bend once again. It is as straight as arrow- kind of funny looking.

Thanks to all who have checked in on me and my progress. I am thankful to be on this side of the surgery. It is funny that even though it was just a finger how much it takes a toll on the entire body to come back. My typing is getting faster with 8 fingers and there are still many errors- but there is progress and improvement.