Big Moments in Little Lives

We have had an incredibly busy summer with lots of visitors: Bill in May, Nona in June, Paul, Zane, Danielle, Lara, Jimmy and Gramps in July, and then Nona, Rae and Bob, and McKell in August, and Donita to come in September. We went to Alaska in July/August for Brian's and Dan's wedding and parties. I also started training for a half marathon and, of course, the Month of Sam for his birthday (it just always works out that way). It has been wonderful and exhausting.

Our house, which I love, is still pretty far from being comfortable, for me at least. By comfortable I mean that stuff is put away and we can find what we need. There is still a lot of work to do. We had a garage sale a couple of weeks ago which meant that we emptied almost all boxes to find stuff to get rid of. My office is still filled to my waist with crafts, books, and reference materials. Our art is leaning around with the hope that someone will put it up soon. Where are the damn elves these days? I just started to list everything that is not finished, but it is too much for me handle. I'll start hyperventilating. I will focus on the hope that the house will feel comfortable by Christmas.

Other updates are that Charlie is the cutest holy terror on earth (he is currently jamming to Ben Harper on my phone). Charlie has lots of sounds and signs to indicate what he wants. His favorite is screaming like a banshee and throwing himself on the floor if I don't understand his first " haammeeeneen". He climbs like a monkey, throws furniture down the stairs, stands on counters and tables, pulls the keys off my computer, loves books and reads to himself. He is a brave kid and should have no problem on skis when we put him on them this winter. He sleeps through the night and will hopefully stop nursing soon. He is close to being ready and I'm going to cut him off over the next couple of months. I'm very ready to buy some new bras and start a new phase of our lives.

Sam is in need of a desk to manage the paperwork for his Animal Hospital. He has now taken to inventing contraptions for his medical practice. He stated that he wanted to be a "Medical Engineer" to me this week. How the hell does he even know what that is? I am finding myself reading stuff to teach him so he doesn't ask a question I don't know and I inevitably have to say, "Hmmm, that is a good question for Daddy." He started saying, "I think I'll ask Daddy how particle accelerators work tonight." I thought - what the hell - why not ask me? I just read about that shit in the esoteric and boring blogs I'm reading now to keep up with you! I have to preempt him so he doesn't think all I am good for is wiping his butt when he has a "really messy poop."

Sam also starts school September 7 at Holladay Preschool and it should be a good fit. Charlie will go there next year for two hours a week in a co-oping situation - more like a play group where you meet the families you will be going to school with for the next 2-3 years. At that point, Sam will be at Weilenmann.

Keith starts taking classes at the U on Monday. He is very excited and very cute about it. He has told me three times that when he gets his student ID he can check out books and ride TRAX for free. His work is going well - there is a lot of it and that feels nice and safe for us. He enjoys his co-workers so much that he sent me a whole list of dinner parties he wants to hold his fall. Good thing he cooks.

My work with the school is going well. I love it. I hope to keep renewing project contracts. I started knitting a hat for myself and I started taking piano lessons this summer. I can play the melody to Chim Chiminy Cheroo from Mary Poppins. I'm gifted, what can I say?

Paul and Danielle have been bravely facing another fight against cancer. Keep up with them on their blog (link to the side) or on Facebook - Danielle Keister Holimon.

I'll start posting pictures here for the rest of the summer - very out of order.