Summer

I'm always so excited for summertime.  It's not because I like typical summer activities... I actually dislike them immensely.  I adore summer because my husband and boys are home.  I've really missed my boys this year, and I always miss Tim when he is gone.  Summer is when we get to reconnect and it's when we get to be a family.  This summer I'm hoping to get my sleep cycle regulated, and I'm hoping to get to do some fun things as a family.  To me, fun things are just spending time around the house, but I bet my boys have a different idea of fun, so we'll add in some other things, too.  I know the boys like to go to the pool and to Cabella's.  Also, we hope to get to see a lot of our family.  Almost all our family lives close by, and my boys are delayed enough so that they still don't know/remember everyone's names.

Tonight I jumped at the chance to send them to their paternal grandma's house (YaYa) because they need to get to know her.  I don't like that they don't know her, and it's my fault.  I just haven't made an opportunity for them to cultivate that relationship, and I want to fix that this summer.  Also, Chris has asked specifically that he get to go to Mamaw's house this summer and spend some time there, so maybe my mom will host a sleepover, too.  :)

Both the boys had their birthdays recently.  Chris turned seven and Joey turned eight.  Joey has not had trouble remembering how old he is for a whole year now.  He never did understand that he was six, but he got seven and now he is absolutely sure that he is 8.  I'm proud of him.  We're still working on him remembering when his birthday is.  I was so proud of my boys.  I asked them who they wanted to see for their birthdays, and they named family members.  Chris specifically wanted to see his Mamaw and Grandpa and Abby and Luke, and Joey asked for Caleb.  :)  That melted my heart.

Ilse turned three recently.  I didn't write a big (or little) post on her accomplishments this year.  I just forgot.  She's gotten so big and strong and determined.  Just today she started throwing fits because she didn't want to do what I wanted her to do.  That's a whole new ball game with her, and it's one I need to learn to navigate.  I don't want her to be spoiled but neither do I want her to be confused.

Tim has had two interviews for teaching jobs so far this year.  He didn't get the first job and we don't know about the second one yet.  He's hopeful.  He has been so patient.  I'm so proud of him.