Summer is over?

Though summer is ending, it does and doesn't feel like it here.  It doesn't because the temperatures still threaten to go into the 3 digits and sometimes succeeds.  It does because Franklin is now in Preschool and he LOVES it.  Lisette is always sad to see him go.  She calls him "Wahwah" and though I'm not sure why because she can say words (not all of them understandable) it is very endearing.  I've had to talk to Franklin about her name for him and that he needs to respond because she gets desperate for his attention.

Franklin absolutely loves school.  He's learning so much and every time I pick him up he always says, "I'm having fun today!"  He makes friends so easily and he's just such a happy kid.  He wishes he had school everyday, but alas, he only has school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon - 2:00.  I also wish he had school more often.  It's amazing the transformation Lisette goes through when Franklin isn't around.  Don't get me wrong; she absolutely adores him, but she becomes a very calm and happy girl when she's without him.

Stephen's work has been up and down, over and over for the last few weeks.  We had a few, very late, monsoon rains and it got very cool.  But then some people noticed they had leaks and so he'd have more work.  Then the rains were gone and the temperatures were still pleasant for a few days and no one called.  Low and behold, the temperatures have risen again and the few that thought they could just wait it out realized that summer just won't end.

I've been very busy staying ahead with my church calling to have music ready, keeping up with my shop, trying to stay on top of gardening and the lawn, trying even harder to keep up with the messes the kids make and trying to find time to unwind when I can.  Lisette is still prone to her fits and we've been working very hard with her to control her dramatic tendencies.  Franklin has definitely been showing a more emotional side to him; but it could be that he's napping less because of the time he has school.

We did get to have a very fun camping trip the weekend after Labor Day with the Lewis family (my sister Heidi, her hubby Sam and their 2 kids that are the same ages as mine).  We had pouring rain that Friday night and we had not been prepared for how cold it would get.  It didn't help that I forgot anything long-sleeved for the kids.  Franklin was happy to wear daddy's flannel shirt that had to be rolled, tied and finagled to fit him, but Lisette refused to wear my sweater.  She only agreed to wear a spare coat her cousin Tanyth had because she had been wearing one too.  The next morning was clear, beautiful and warm.  We all had fun hanging out, watching the kids play and just being together.

Now for the big announcement!  We are moving... a mile away.  Last September up until this last February we had been keeping our eyes open for another place to live; an upgrade from the home (trailer) we are currently living in but still within our budget and we were very picky about where to look since we wanted to stay in Thatcher 4th ward.  Nothing came up, so we signed another lease and convinced ourselves that we wouldn't look again for another year or more.

However, a woman from 2nd ward visited my mother-in-law and told her that she wanted Stephen and our family to live in her home.  For a few weeks she had asked her what we thought of it, but we hadn't heard.  Life got busy for everyone and just last Monday, while we were picking up the kids from grandma's, this woman calls Sheila to ask a few details about our current rental.  We went to see their home and though it is very beautiful we decided no; it wasn't in our budget and it wasn't in 4th ward, so saying no was easy.  All the while, the homeowner was telling us that she's known for weeks now that we are supposed to be the ones to live in her home.

Stephen had forgotten to call them to let them know and on Wednesday, while we got to have a very special lunch out with daddy (which hardly ever happens) we get a call that they will come down in rent to an amount we could accept.  I still said no; it wasn't in 4th ward.  So we agreed to pray about it and because I had been feeling sick I had asked for a plain and simple answer that I wouldn't confuse with how I had been feeling at the time.  Of course the answer was yes and I cannot refuse for fear I might get struck by lightening because I did get a clear answer.

We will begin moving to the new home on Stadium Avenue in the second week of October.  We have begun packing up things that don't need to be out for a while so we can start cleaning the home we are in now.  We want this place to be able to have someone move in the day after we move out.  The home is literally 1 house away from still being in 4th ward, so naturally I'm pleading that they'll let us stay; I've already begun working on the Christmas program and I will finish it for 4th ward even if they kick us out.

I have loved my calling as ward choir director and this year I have made so many friends and don't like the thought of not seeing most of them anymore just because I live one house away.  I have no animosity towards 2nd ward, I just don't want to start as the new family again and it doesn't help me be convinced to switch when I know that part of the street had once been in 4th ward years ago.  There is another plus though: plants can actually grow with a little less effort at the other home so I am letting my gardens die and hopefully the bugs that have been destroying my flowers will not follow us.

We are also trying to sell my wonderful car.  There is nothing wrong with it and I'm a little sad to be giving it up, but we've been talking about being a one car family and should get something that's between my SUV and the truck.  We are also very excited to go on the work retreat that Stephen's boss has arranged for everyone in the company this weekend.  Last years was so fun and sure helped us feel like we did have somewhat of a summer vacation since it's the busiest season and it's hard to get time off.

Sorry, I know this was long so thank you for staying tuned.  I cannot promise that I will update more regularly but I will try so long entries can be avoided.