randomness

lots happening in these parts - it's been a busy summer - people coming and going and seldom a dull moment. 

and when there is a dull moment, i embrace it. 

but my kids have no clue how to handle a few hours of 'down-time' or an afternoon of quietness - they claim they're bored as soon as they find themselves with nothing to do or no action happening around them.  

but i keep telling them to savor those snatches of time. 

it's just one of the 'hazards' of being raised in a large family - not knowing what to do with oneself when alone. 

i think it's something we need to work on. 

*** *** ***

a few {recent} random happenings, in no particular order :

elsie & james (and shasta) have become part-time residents

of our home this summer. 

shasta is expecting their third baby and, the same as her other pregnancies, has a wonky uterus, and has been put on partial bedrest. 

some days she does ok and can be up and about while other days

she she can barely be up without having lots of pain. 

since jon travels for his job and is usually gone for two week tours,

she needs a lot of help with the kids

and so we suggested she move in with us for the time being. 

she goes home on the days/weekends that jon is home. 

it's working out so far - some days are good

and then some days things dont go as smoothly as planned and we all get on one another's nerves, but we manage. 



when their busy work schedules allow,

and the weather is cooperating,

this cute boy shows up to bring his cute girlfriend on a harley ride...

{don't mind the junk in the background of the second picture.  

it's wayne's domain - the garage - and it's a mess all around it.  i hate the way it looks and want it tidy. 

he scowls at me and says, "it's a GARAGE!" - like that's what it's supposed to look like. 

it's a sore spot between the two of us.}

james.

this busy little guy is a mixture of energy, daredevilness, and sweetness -

he is constantly busy and gets into a fair share of trouble - but is so dang sweet at the same time. 

he found this giant caterpillar and had a bit of fun with it for a while...

and freaked out his sister and some of the aunties, too.

lisa, my pal. 

sometimes we make quick little 'sanity' runs {for me} into town.

an ice cold coke for me and a bag of salty fries to share always makes things better.

and i annoy her {and most of my kids}

by pretending to be the paparazzi

and take pictures of them doing random things,

like walking out of the store or through a parking lot. 

i tell them they should feel important.

wayne was recently gone for three days down to missouri for his work. 

we don't do well with him gone. 

marissa & emma especially miss him when he's gone. 

one night they decided they would raid his dresser drawer and pick out a t-shirt of his to wear to bed as PJs...

laura & ryan brought colter & marissa for an afternoon adventure earlier this week -

they went out to one of the local mine pits

for some fun canoeing and kayaking...

and it was a gorgeous day for it, all sun and warmth.

i'm so grateful for grown daughters and boyfriends that let the younger siblings hang out and tag along with them. 

and the kids love it, too. 

and the man who takes pity on his wife

and colors her hair at 11:00 pm on a saturday night is a keeper.

{even though sometimes he makes me so mad that i think i'd like to give him away...}

i was getting rather antsy for my hair to be touched up

and the girls were all busy with work and so forth

- and i may have been whining about it -

when he calmly said he'd do it. 

truth is i didnt exactly trust him - hair is a big thing with me and i don't let just anyone mess with my hair.  but i was desperate. 

so i took advantage of his offer. 

he assured me it'd be fine and very confidently exclaimed,

 "hey, if i can paint a truck, i can dye your hair!" 

{ha, well yes, he just compared his wife to a semi truck!!}

but, alas, it all turned out great and

i am no longer salt-and-pepperish looking....