August started out in the best way possible with my parents and my youngest brother coming for a visit. They arrived Friday evening about the same time as Doug got home from work. They were able to stay until Monday morning. It wasn't long enough, but it was still a nice visit. My brother was adopted from Kazakhstan a few months before Miriam was born. He has been such a great addition to our family. He is willing to play with my kids for hours and hours. I don't know many fourteen year old boys willing to do that. He's so kind and helpful, we just love Kai to pieces! While my family was here we went school clothes shopping, drove around town, looked at houses, talked, watched movies, and attended church together. It was so nice having someone to sit by in Relief Society!!!!
Kai---He really does eat (he actually eats a LOT)
We celebrated my Mom's birthday since we won't be there in September.
Doug's license finally came through at the beginning of August so he is now working and being paid at his Dr. salary. Thank goodness! It's hard to live when your first paycheck only covers next month's rent, tithing, and leaves you $20 for the rest of the month. We're so grateful for Doug's job and the income that comes from said job. Now we can start tackling some debt!
Since I married a man that has so many fun ideas on how to get out into nature (he says fun, I say "why be in nature when you can be inside?") we had to have a camp-out in the backyard. Since our tent isn't family friendly, the girls slept in the tent and Doug and I were under the stars on an airbed. I woke up every 20 minutes freezing to death, but persevered until 3:30 when the neighbor's sprinklers went off (on of them was a geyser). By that point I was freezing, Doug had rolled over so I no longer had his body heat. I gave in and came inside. Doug, being the amazing father that he is, stayed outside so the girls could stay out there safely. It was a pretty fun night and I surprised everyone by actually ATTEMPTING to sleep in the outdoors under the stars. I was going to add to the event by making pancakes for breakfast, but after getting the mix started I realized I was out of milk. We had pancakes for dinner later that night. Better late than never, right?
The other notable thing that has happened this month is a potato exploded in my oven. Yes, a POTATO EXPLODED!!! Before any of you make the comment like my loving aunt, yes, I DID poke holes in the potato. It was a teeny tiny potato and I put about six holes in it. I have NO idea what happened, but it sure made a mess.
It is now more than half way through August. Where has the time gone? Miriam will be starting school on the 31st and Shaylynn will hopefully be starting the second week of September. Then I'll be home alone. I know people that envy me, but I dread it. I don't have any hobbies to keep my busy while they're gone. Oh well, I'll come up with something.
