Oh, What do YOU do in the summer time?

We have settled into a good summer time routine. It always takes me a few weeks to get use to being a stay home mom rather than a structured school teacher/working mom. It took us a few days to recover from our vacation but now we've got it down pat. The boys have slept outside almost each night of the vacation. They love to sleep in the tent trailer or on the trampoline. They resumed piano lessons and love their new teacher. Our schedule revolves around piano practicing, reading, keeping the house clean, playing the Wii and mom's nap times;) and swimming at the city pool or the lake.

Although my first mistake was introducing the kids to the local shaved ice bar. It is called SNOKAPS. Every day the boys ask for a cold juicy treat!

Tyler has been busy practicing his life saving skills at his merit badge class. He couldn't understand why I would pay money to have him earn a merit badge. Little does he realize I would PAY to keep him busy!

After the boys realized that the windmill on the top of the house was a bird killing machine they quickly became members of the "Right to Life--Bird movement" and tried to save each and every one. They fed this little bird rolly pollies for a few days before it finally succumbed to its injuries.

Austin loves the scouting program---Mom on the other hand, not so much. (Its just not my thing and I am not interested in earning 4 eagle scout awards.) He in now a Webelo scout and is trying hard to earn as many belt loops and pins as he can. I do have to say that it is much easier to have 2 boys in Cub Scouts. They can work together and keep eachother motivated.

The boys spent a night at the Bar 10 Ranch with my family. (Addie, pictures please!) I wanted to do something fun and different while they were gone. So, I thought it would be fun to go caming with Steve. Camping is his element! He loves the outdoors and his so relaxed and smiles come freely in the woods. We made our way up to Oak Grove, set up camp in our tent trailer and enjoyed the wilderness. We rested, read, talked, sat in silence, hiked and just enjoyed eachothers company. I loved it! I didnt want to come home.

I loved this tree! I loved what it symbolized for me while we were camping. When I first saw it I was quickly reminded of the Tanya Tucker song, Strong Enough to Bend. I thought about US. I thought about our marriage. I thought about the stress we have been under because our parenting styles are so different. It has been tough lately because Tyler is trying to become Tyler and I am trying to keep him safe and out of trouble. But, Steve is understanding that he needs to find himself. Anyway, the stress we go though to raise our kids, be worthy church members, to be an excellent paramedic and teacher have all gotten in the way of US. I want to find US again. Camping is not my thing me and Disneyland sure has heck was not his thing but we try to do things to make each other happy. I hope we can always be strong enough to bend.