Family, Fruit, Heights, and English

This past weekend Ben and I took Henry to visit his great-grandparents over by Pilot Mountain. It was a fun trip, not too hot or humid, we got to take a walk on the trail through the woods and play with a kitten that's taken up residence in the mysterious tarp-covered pile of who-knows-what next to the barn. Grandma would've liked for us to have taken her home with us, but I had some reservations about bringing an ear mite infested, possibly wormy barn kitty into my relatively clean house. Plus I figured barn kitty would much rather stay in the country and live a fun-filled life of killing mice and other vermin, as opposed to vying with Dori over who gets to hog the favorite lazing spots.

Anyway, most of the fruit trees were dropping ripe fruit, so we were able to bring home a bunch of apples and pears and a bag of blueberries. Grandma also threw in some homemade blueberry jam. I've already made a pie with the blueberries. It takes a special kind of weirdo that won't eat pie. I live with two. Oh, well. More for me.

After the family visit we went up to the mountain. Remembering my past acrophobic wuss-out the last time we went up there, I decided to let Ben and Henry hike around the knob while I hung out and enjoyed the view of protective trees and solid footing. Which turned out really good because I wasn't there to see it when Henry slipped a few times, even if nothing came of it because Ben was holding his hand the entire time. Still, it didn't do me any good to see two little guys running recklessly ahead of their parents down the steps at the head of the trail, and then hear somebody else yelling at their little boy to, "stop, Stop, STOP!!!" I don't know if it's being older and more experienced in life, or just being a mother that gets me stressed when little kids run around precipices, but I just wasn't willing to push it this time.

Sunday was one hundred percent stress free. We've been released from the Spanish branch and as much as I love our Hispanic friends, it sure is nice to be hearing English again. It was especially nice to know that Henry was getting something out of sacrament meeting; he still has to sit still and try to be reverent, but at least he understands what's being said.

All in all, I'm happy to report that life is good. Now I'm off to mow the lawn before it gets too hot.

The End of Summer Vacation and Getting Back to a Regular Schedule

This morning Henry was a little tired after breakfast. Maybe this will make for a quiet evening. I can dream, anyway.

Today was the first day of the new school year. Henry's now in first grade. I didn't get weepy or anything when he started kindergarten, nor did I this year. Mostly I was just excited to get him on the bus, especially after a day like yesterday when I was certain he was doing his best to purposefully make me go insane.

It felt kind of awesome making him get up at six a.m. I'm evil, I know.

Before we went out to the bus stop I took his picture.

When I saw it I thought of his kindergarten photo and remembered how little he used to be. In case anyone cares, here's a reminder:

This year Henry's a year older and a little taller, maybe a little wiser, and can read and write, but he's still as sweet and good natured as ever. I felt a little guilty letting him take his schools supplies in himself this year. His book bag was kind of heavy, and since it was too full to fit his lunch box he had to carry that, plus another grocery bag with the kleenex and ziplock bags. I suppose he'll be okay lugging all that stuff to his classroom. We went to the Meet the Teacher open house thing on Monday so he knows where he's supposed to go. He's got the same bus driver as last year, so no need to worry about him getting home. I heard good things about his teacher, one of the neighbor kids had her one year and and said she was great, "as long as you don't get on her dark side." I had to chuckle over that. I'm sure Henry will be fine.

Now I just have to figure out how to organize all the free time I'll be luxuriating in.

It's Official

So after a year of getting our crap together, Ben and I have finally finished up with our application/paperwork/interviews to begin the adoption process. We're now featured on itsaboutlove.org.

I think the hardest part about getting our profile online was coming up with the teaser. It's not spectacular or anything, and really, if it sucks-- well, I told you that was the hardest part.

A friend took our family portrait. He was very generous with his time and patience, especially with Henry, even taking the time to do a few silly shots to get some of the wiggles out.

My favorite shot:

Catching Up

I ought to be more diligent in recording the goings on in my life. This month's been fairly busy with different stuff, and already I've forgotten half of it. I think a lot of it has to do with the summer weather and all the headaches I've gotten transitioning from air conditioning to sweltering heat. Aside from that, Henry and I have been having fun.

We had a fun trip to the lake with Grandma, Papaw, Maggie, and all the cousins. Dad brought his ice cream maker and Maggie and I quickly threw the ice cream ingredients together and everybody headed to the lake. Mom and I went separately to the store to pick up a few things we'd forgotten and when we met up with them at the lake Dad announced that we'd forgotten to put sugar in the ice cream, so we had to turn around a go back for some sugar. So my first joint attempt at ice cream was a little off, but it turned out okay.

We had a church activity the next day, so I borrowed the ice cream maker and had another go at it. I wasn't sure how it would turn out since I used a different recipe and it was my first solo attempt. And I was the only one who brought home made ice cream, so that didn't help my self confidence much. The activity went well. All the kids had fun releasing butterflies and watching the cub scouts launch water rockets. After the water balloon fight (two hours of filling balloons for two minutes of play) we went home. Ben acted a little sad that there was no more ice cream, which is unusual because he doesn't even like ice cream (weirdo), so I made another batch just for him the next week. And who's been eating that ice cream? That's right. Henry and me.

The graphics card in my computer went kaput and so Ben frankensteined (his terminology) it for me until he could get a new computer, which he did last week. Ben's happy about his new computer, although it was a little iffy at first. He builds his own machines now in the name of saving a buck and this time he had a little trouble with the motherboard/memory configuration. He figured it out though, and now I've got his old one.

Ben and I celebrated our eleventh anniversary. Ben purposefully didn't remind me to see if I'd forget. I did. Oh, well. We took Henry out for pizza at Rudino's. Life is good.

Can't think of anything else. Upcoming events: Henry begins first grade next week, the rest to be announced.

Have a good one everybody.