Hello faithful readers! :^P"

It's been a busy few weeks. I did a bit of travelling, got over my insomnia, tore up some of my yard, did some crafty stuff, making plans, and getting news.

We went up to Oscoda, MI over the 4th of July weekend to visit family and some friends who came to town for the holiday. Aaron & I had a chance to do some canoeing. It was a lot of fun! We also took the kids to a couple of cookouts where they got to have s'mores. Talk about wired! We also got to watch fireworks out on the beach. It was so pretty to see all the fireworks going off all up and down the shoreline. Connor kept running down to the edge of the lake to get his feet wet, then running back to warm them up. Hehe... Shawni was perfectly content to stay bundled in my arms and watch the "pretties". Needless to say, with all that fresh air and activity, I was wiped out and slept like a baby the whole time there. YAY!

While we were up there I also had some time to work on my crafty stuff. For those that don't know, I knit hats for chemotherapy patients for KnitMichigan, an organization that supports Michigan cancer charities. I found out about this organization late last year, so was only able to knit a couple of hats by the time everyone got together to turn them in. This year my goal is 5 hats. Not too stressful and if I happen to make more, all the better! Anyway, I finished one up and started another while I was up north. I also had some time to do some spinning of my buffalo wool "treasure" as well. It looks so purty! I can't wait to start on Aaron's hat with it. I know... I'm a fiber geek too.

Before we left for our trip, I got a great deal on some bushes at Home Depot. I bought 10 hydrangeas and 2 dwarf lilacs. We finally got a chance to put them in the ground over the last couple of days and they are going to look great (if I don't say so myself)! I wanted to start building a hedgerow/flower bed across our front yard, both for setting a boundry for the kid's safety and for a little more curb appeal. The plan is to continue creating the flowerbeds around the bushes as time and money permit. One step at a time... Our veggie garden is doing great. I'm expecting many of my veggies to be ready soon. I can't wait!!!

I've been working with a couple of my cousins, getting this year's family reunion off the ground. (Hi Mar & Bill!!!) Things are finally coming together for that. I'm also organizing the picnic for my class reunion this year. 20 years! Can you believe it?!?! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and hope we can really keep in touch this time around, 'cause we ain't getting any younger!

My mom's moved back to MI from Reno. We have things to talk about, but I really hope she chooses to be part of my kids lives. They need their Gramma. My oldest brother is getting married. I wish him luck & happiness.

I finally have a date set for my surgery. September 22nd. I know that it's supposed to be a routine thing. I'm still scared to death. It's a major thing! They'll be knocking me out and tinkering with my insides. Enough to give anyone the heebie jeebies, I guess. I'm trusting to fate that things work out well. Things happen in their own way, in their own time, and for their own reasons. I'm just hoping that my children won't decide to use Momma for a trampoline while I'm recuperating for 6 weeks!

Bright side: With this date set, I'll have enough time to get better before we go to Disney at Thanksgiving!!! I'm really, really looking forward to this trip! My dad is flying my niece out and we're taking our kids for their first time. I'm also looking forward to seeing relatives while we're there. (Hi David & Aunt Myrna!(& Clay & Jake if they ever get their butts on here :^P"))

And I think that's enough for now. Don't you? I'll try to have pix up soon, so watch your bulletins and until then...

Peace & love, Baby!