June 2013

June was a whirlwind...

Really the whole first part of this summer has been super crazy. My summer started after we got home from Washington D.C. at the end of May. After we got home I started the job hunt again and then shortly after that, I headed to my brother's house to help my sister-in-law out with their 3 kids. (She was expecting at the end of June). So the first weekend of June, I spent time with her and the kids. Then I came home and celebrated my younger sister's birthday with her and one of my nieces. We went to a water park and stayed over night in a hotel. It was a fun time. At the end of that week, it was Niece #7's birthday! We celebrated that birthday by going to Paul Bunyan Land!

He closed his eyes when I took the picture!

After celebrating birthdays, I headed back to my brother and sister-in-law's house for a week. In between helping out and hanging out with the kids, I was able to spend time with two friends that live around there. It was so good to see them and be able to spend time with them. It was long overdue! Also at the end of that week, I had my last class with MEPS. I was sad to see it end; I will miss the fellowship. But it is onto graduation in the fall. (Also, if you are interested in donating to the program, I am raising money...so let me know!)

About this time it was the middle of June and I came home again and had a job interview and also helped my parents with some remodeling they were doing. They redid all the wood floors in the house and that meant moving a lot of furniture! And now putting it all back. :)

So the end of the month, I was able to work a few days at the job I had worked earlier in the year. On the last day of filling in, I got a text from my sister-in-law that she was having contractions. Finally, the baby was on the way to meet us. So I finished up work early, went home, picked up my younger sister to go with to help with the kids, and then headed to my brother's house again.

My sister-in-law was induced the next day and Niece #10 was born! It was fun to get to meet her and hold her.

While that was the exciting part of the month, there was also a hard times during the month, one that brought tears to my eyes. About two weeks ago, just before my little niece was born, I found out that my 1 1/2 year old cousin has leukemia. She is just a little one and much too young to have to deal with something like this. I ask that you keep her in your prayers. Pray for healing for her and strength for her parents and family members as they struggle through this. I was glad to be able to visit her at the end of June as well.

July was here all of sudden and Independence Day was coming soon. On the 3rd of July, I was helping get ready for the 4th, including making some food for a picnic supper. I went to drain the potatoes that I was cooking and managed to pour some of the boiling water on my leg instead of in the sink... Not much fun... But thankfully, the burn is well on its way to healing!

This float won the award for the best!

On the 4th, we went to a parade. Then we went to a lake and had a picnic while waiting for it to get dark enough for the fireworks to start. From there we went back to the fireworks! I have to say they were some of the best I have ever seen!

Fireworks!

Here is the grand finale!

Since then it has continued to be busy. We are still putting the house back together after floor renovation! And we have also had a chance to go to the lake, go swimming in our pool, and do a few things around the area. Coming up for the rest of the summer we have many more birthdays to celebrate (including my own), we will go to other local events, and spend time with those we love.

*Are you having a fantastic summer? What is keeping you busy?