June .....here and gone

*Disclaimer: This ridiculously long post is not meant to bore the rest of you; it was simply a guilt-free way of journaling my June for posterity purposes. You are not required to read it. :)

My dear husband's job situation is still the same, part-time. This is causing me an unrighteous amount of stress. Unless something drastic changes soon, I will be going back to work. If that happens, school is over for me and homeschooling is over for Josh. Doesn't seem fair to me, but I learned a long time ago that life isn't fair. I always wanted to be my friend Shelly who is a supermom, has a full-time job, goes to school, has way too much fun, and has 15 kids. Ok, well, not 15 but half that many. :) Unfortunately, I'm not Shelly. I just do not know how she does it. Anyway, dear hubbie is NOT ok with me going back to work, but our savings is only going to last so long, and "so long" is around the corner. So this lengthy blog was my way of recognizing the happy things that happened in June. I'm looking for happiness anywhere I can get it.

June 1 > A is for apple.
I'm a happy girl. I finished another block of classes with A's. Woohoo!! Can I brag about myself for one second? I have a 4.0 GPA. I have to be happy about it while I can. At some point, this will change I am quite certain.

June 4 > Last day of school for Kirsten!!
She's a happy girl too. Sadly though, it was finally decided that next year she will spend her days in a special NI classroom (Neurologically Impaired). I'm glad they have finally decided how to help her and what her disabilities are, but she will not be with any of the friends she has made. She had the same teacher for Kindergarten and 1st grade, Miss Winter. We will miss that teacher. She truly loved Kirsten.


June 6 > Aaron & T-ball
Aaron finished his T-ball season with a smile a mile wide. When he received his medal at the last game he looked like he had won the lottery. He wears Josh's medals around the house and was so happy to have his own. I'm not quite sure there's enough action in baseball for Aaron, but he had fun anyway.



June 7 > Codorus

Every year we like to go out to Codorus on Sunday evenings & listen to the music they have at the bandshell. Most of the time my parents go as well. They probably go more than us now. In June, this was the only Sunday that we went, & they were there too. Lonnie & Josh went to see a York Revolution baseball game with Josh's baseball team. The little people played with their bubbles and danced around, while my Mom & Brad & I listened to the music. It's nice just sitting there relaxing with them. Happy times.

June 8 > Callie
We added another birthday to June ...little Miss Callie.
Now that makes me happy! Is she perfect or what? My sister had her baby!! Yeah!!! What a beautiful baby she is, looks just like my sister's baby pictures.

It's so hard to believe TJ's a big brother now.



June 9 > Happy Birthday!
My dad's birthday. I hope they're lighting a cake for you in Heaven, Dad. I love and miss you.

June 11 > Aaron's preschool graduation
Aaron had his preschool graduation with all his little friends. They were a happy little bunch & put on a really cute program. He had the most wonderful teacher, Miss Michelle, and it will be hard to give her up. He really adored her.



June 12 > School done, start fun!
Josh's last day of school! Praise God. By the end of the homeschool year, he & I are burned out. Great job as always Josh! We got his test scores from his PSSA's back. These are the standardized tests that every student in the United States has to take. This is a homeschool mom's worst fear. If your child does not do well on these tests, then homeschooling might not be the best option for you. There are four levels to score in: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. Josh scored Advanced in every section. I can wipe the sweat off my brow now. You just cannot know how happy that makes a homeschool parent unless you are one. We're so proud of you Josh!

To celebrate the final days of school for the kids, we went to Caledonia. First, we went to visit his online teacher, Mrs. Brandt, & drop off some of his samples. I love that woman. She is totally funny & just a genuinely nice person. I wish Josh could have her every year.

Afterwards, we were off to Caledonia for a picnic and walked a ridiculous 2-mile HIKE. I emphasize the word hike. There is a reason the trail was labeled difficult. We had so much fun though.



June 12> Late night date!
My mom & Brad watched the kids so Lonnie & I could get up early tomorrow & go to a foster parent training. She asked to have them overnight so we didn't have to take them over in the morning. Thanks Mom & Brad. They are a Godsend.

Lonnie & I took advantage of the free night & went on a late night date to Gettysburg. The Lincoln Diner was where we had our first late night date. Wouldn't you have dated this guy? What a cutie!!
It's always fun to go back, be happy & reminisce. I love you honey!

June 13 > Happy Birthday!
My mother-in-law, Joyce, has a birthday today! This woman does so much for us and rarely ever wants a thing in return. She always says, "My parents did this for us & told us to pay it forward. You can thank us by someday paying it forward to your children when they're grown." She is always giving me stuff that she thinks I will think is probably junk. I rarely ever think it is and she seems tickled to come over & see that I'm using the "stuff" she passed on to me.

June 14 > A baby & a bunny!

Josh & I went to see Amy, Matt, Callie & TJ! We were so excited to go & had a great time there as always. Later in the evening, Josh found a baby bunny out in the yard. We carted it over to the grandma and pappy vet clinic while Lonnie ran to Petco to get some special milk for the bunny. The kids were so happy that the bunny was going to be taken care of. Needless to say, the bunny was well taken care of & is now running around in their backyard. Way to go grandparents!!!

(Grammy is holding the bunny while Pappy feeds it.)

June 15 > Happy Birthday!
One of my dearest of friends has a birthday today. She's in Arizona with her family catching up and having WAY too much fun from the sound of her blog! I miss you Maren. :(

June 15-19 > Peace Camp for Josh & Kirsten.
(can't load pics)

I thank my good friend Gwenda for introducing me to this camp. It is a favorite every year now. We learned a lot about Kirsten this week and some things we need to work on. We'll just leave it at that. :) The kids were in a little play which was completely fun to watch!! This year's theme was Drums, Dances, Drama, & Dreams of Peace. There's nothing nicer than a bunch of happy kids together.

June 18 > Angelia & Brent
My baby girl is home from Florida!!! Welcome back Angelia & Brent. You are a sight for sore eyes. You cannot know how much you were missed. It is SO HARD to have your kids live far away. They made it home without a glitch. They didn't enjoy driving the moving truck with their car hitched on the back, but they got through it. We are just so happy to have them home safe and sound and in their own place.







June 20 > Happy Birthday!

(my favorite pic of Angelia taken by my amazing photographer cousin, Wende, from Utah)
We had Angelia & Brent over for dinner last night to celebrate her birthday. The gift is really mine though, having her home.


June 21 > Happy Birthday & Happy Father's Day!
My birthday, the big 4-0. Other wonderful people born on this day are my friends Karen & Rita. Happy B-day girls!

Father's day too!

(my favorite daddy pics)
It was a simple and quiet day. Went to church in the morning, took the family on a new trail we had never been on, went home and had a nice dinner.

June 22 > A future Yankee
Josh finished his baseball season quite the sad young man. After last years no loss season, this new team did not fair nearly as well. It left him quite disgusted but with an amazing passion for baseball none the less. We are happy to see his hitting is still improving. He had some really GREAT hits this season. He has decided baseball is "his" sport. He announced he will be playing for the NY Yankees when he grows up. Get your tickets now!!!


June 23 > Family Project
Whenever I say " family project" no one really knows what that will exactly entail. Our first project this season: a sunflower garden which is growing very nicely. The kids helped make the flower bed, carry the bricks. etc. It was so much fun.

Our newest project were rocking chairs.

I have several in all different sizes. The littlest was Leah's when she was a baby. How funny is that? Anyway, we worked on sanding, priming, and painting all day. The above pic is the chairs in all different stages. The below pic are the finished rockers. The littlest rocker is just waiting for one more happy little person to come. We're all waiting. :)




June 23 > Happy Birthday!
Today is Drew's birthday! He is Lonnie's nephew. We don't see them much, but Josh always has a good time with them.
(Drew, Austin, Josh, & Papaw right after his heart transplant a few years ago)


June 22 - 26 > Cheer camp for Kirsten.
Again, another eye-opening camp week. This little lady has a long road ahead of her with adjusting to new situations. She did the best that she could and by the end of the week the little waif was doing stunts. The highlight of the week was the "Cheer Off" on Friday night. After all the cheers and dances, they gave out awards. Kirsten received "The Most Improved Cheerleader" award. My mom and I were in tears. She truly had such a hard time in these different camps this month, but it is felt that it's one of the best ways to help her. Everyone in both camps was so understanding and patient with Kirsten, and that's what she really needed. I cried "happy tears" as Kirsten calls them.



June 24 > A day for ME!!
I had to go to Hershey for a doctor's appointment today, and I decided to enjoy the time by myself. Lonnie said, "Take the day!" and so I did. I went to Panera bread for lunch & enjoyed their yummy Baked Potato soup. Afterward, I was so tired from staying up late doing homework the night before, I took a little nap in the car. :) When my doctor's appt. was over, I somehow got lost at the outlets. I just cannot IMAGINE how that happened. It was tremendous, happy fun regardless.




June 25 > Tim & Todd's
We went to my brother's house for a cookout today. Tim & Todd are great cooks. We love their pool, their beautiful yard, and the best part is their company. The kids were completely happy running everywhere & playing in the pool. Thanks guys!


June 27 > FUN FUN DAY!
My sister planned a surprise 40th birthday party for me at her house. I had NO IDEA and was so thrilled to see my family and friends there. Fun day, yummy food, wonderful presents, just great!
In the evening, we went to Codorus to their Summer Blast festival. In honor of my birthday, they had amazing fireworks. There were tons of people there to continue with my sister's birthday surprise. Ok, well, maybe I'm exaggerating just a bit. There were fireworks, but they weren't really for ME. I like to think I'm that important. :)

I hope I didn't miss anything or anyone, & I hope that July goes slower than June. That would make me happy!