The craziness begins again...and I can't wait!

             The time has come and summer is almost over. For some parents, this is a happy time cause they get their children out of their hair. For me it is depressing. I love spending time with all my children. We all love sleeping past 8 am. 

             My previous blog was about all the changes coming to the Stevens house. Well evidently we have unconsciously decided to put most of those plans on hold until after the cooler weather starts. We did have a smaller box garden this year. For the most part it was great! Until the dreaded squash bugs found it and then it ended quickly. We still have a few tomato plants that are doing well and I think 1 or 2 of the 12 watermelon that were growing is still alive and kicking, but other than that it is a lost cause at this point. The bugs haven't touch the jalapeno's though...lol. 

              One thing we did do was become members on Wizard101. (For anyone who doesn't know what this is, it is a kids online wizard game...similar to D&D, but not really...lol.) This is something the young two have been playing for a while but the free version has limited access. The older two started playing it and thought it was super cool that they could all battle together and defeat the enemy. They wanted Jamie and I to join in and make it a family affair. So we did.....this prompted the membership. It is kinda fun to be in a battle and ask your son for help. He shows up and is your knight in shining armor and slays the bad guy. Makes him feel all big and bad...hehehe. 

              Of course, just like an anything else we have had our deal of issues. Car trouble is one of things at the top of the list right now. Nothing major, but enough to be annoying. Thankfully we have awesome friends with awesome abilities and who love us dearly! One of the things that has happen this summer that has affected me personal is the declining health of both of my grandmothers. This is something that I knew was coming, but is still never easy to deal with. My mother and I had a conversation at Mother's Day this year about making sure it was a good one for them because we are too afraid it will be the last year that we have them both.  Both of my grandfathers have pasted away. All I have left are grandmothers. I am very thankful and grateful to have known all of my grandparents because some people don't ever get that opportunity. I have spent my whole life surrounded by very strong women. To see those same women become older, ill, and frail is simply not an easy thing to watch. I have learned a Lot about my family health history this summer that's for sure. But as I sit  here with tear running down my cheeks, I can't help but hurt for the loss I know is coming. This month, my Gma Hoots (My mom's mom) will be 85 years old. She has fallen several times, has been in a nursing home and is now living with my aunt and my mom (joint custody...lol) due to the need for 24 hour care. She is slowly becoming weaker by the day, but her smile will still light up a room. I live for that smile! My Gma Conrad (my dad's mom) turned 93 in June. She still lives at home alone and mostly cares for herself. She has fallen as well a few times and has just had the good fortune of only receiving bruises and a hurt ego. She is one tough cookie! She is probably the strongest willed person I know! She will tell it like it is! She has told me on more than one occasion that she is just waiting for gpa to come get her and she wished he would hurry up. (He died of Lung Cancer when I was 11)I don't see them as much as I should. I know I will regret this someday. I am not sure if I am worried for them (kids carry germs you know!, and the kids are So active it wears the gmas out to be in the same room as them for 5 mins!) as much as I am trying to protect myself. This is a hard thing to admit. In addition to the declining health of my grandmothers, I have a sneaky suspicion that my mothers health is not getting any better. My mother is a take charge type women (I blame her totally for becoming this way myself ;-) ) and I have noticed lately that she asked me for help way more than I thought she ever ever would. This scares me to a degree, but I am putting it on the back burner and not gonna think about it right now. 

                   In other news, Joshua starts high school in 2 days. I know he is nervous but will do great. He is on the football team so he already has a few friends which helps me to feel a little better. Before long it will be Drivers Ed for him. He is becoming a very handsome young man that will go very far in this world! Kaitlin will be starting school next Tuesday with the younger two. She is going into 8th grade and is wanting to try out for volleyball. She is beautiful, strong willed, and intelligent. She has the world at her feet. Damien starts middle school and is a bit nervous about the whole changing class thing but with Kaitlin on the same hall it is a bit easier. Austen is in 4th grade. He is looking forward to seeing all of his friends again.

                 Jamie is still working on his book and it is coming together very nicely! I can't wait to read it in its entirety. He is my rock in these very emotional times for me. Without him I would be lost, a lamb trying to befriend the wolves. I have taken on a new venture...healthy eating..I know, but shock right?? No seriously, after all I have learned about my family health history, my health and the health of my children have become very important to me. I want to be around to enjoy playing outside with my grandbabies someday. I can't play outside with them if I am a 300 pound diabetic! It is a work in progress and a complete baby step process at that,but we are working on it. 

                   The week after Kaitlin, Damien, and Austen start back to school, I start back to school. I am taking 6 classes in the hopes that I will only have 5 left in the Spring and then I will graduate in May!!! YAY ME! With sports, classes, and what tiny bit of a personal life I have, I stay busy busy 24/7. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Our life is crazy and total ciaos sometimes but that's what pushes me to be the strong person I am... to deal with our life. All in all it has been a wonderfully lazy, relaxing summer. Even though I am not ready for them to go back to school, i am definitely ready for the sports! Bring on the craziness!!!!

I love this song and the video just sums up our goof personalities! I think this song represents our summer well.