July

July has been super fun. The girls and I went to camp and were surprised by how elated everyone was with the rain that fell almost constantly during the week. We are told that this camp, which is located in Alabama, is always extremely hot. There were coolers of juice and water all over the place and popsicles abundantly available but the rain kept the heat at bay. It was still warm but comfortable. The campers all stay in cabins and there are many covered areas so our activies were not hindered much by the rain. The camp was organized very differently than we are used to but it was a fun experience. The girls sang their hearts out (Magen didn't have a voice for days) and acted as silly as possible and enjoyed making lots of new friends.

Immediately after arriving home, we got to spend the evening with Mary Martin. She was Magen's English teacher in Vancouver. She is from these parts and was here visiting her children and grand children. We had dinner at Olive Garden and a great time visiting with her. She was our first visitor from home!

She was quickly followed by our second visitor Nicole who came to go to EFY (Especially For Youth) with Magen. I drove them up to Bowling Green, Kentucky (Western Kentucky University) on Monday morning. I haven't heard much from them other than reports that Magen is getting lots of attention from the chiggers. I don't know much about these annoying little creatures other than that they are very tiny but their bite HURTS. She has texted me that she is having fun. I will drive up early tomorrow morning to pick them up and get the scoop.

We have had some HOT weather which I am loving. I usually go outside and eat my lunch on my little front patio and enjoy the sunshine. We go down to the pool a little later in the afternoon and splash around. It has been hard to run outside in the heat and humidity so I usually go down to the fitness center to use the tread mill or eliptical. We have had some really cool storms with lightning that almost looks like a strobe light. I am trying to figure out how to capture these lightning strikes on my camera. I think I have it dialed in so the next time we have one those storms hopefully I will get some great pictures.

The kids will go back to school in two weeks. They are not excited about this. It seems so strange to start school in the middle of summer. I'm not looking forward to the early mornings but I think the kids are getting a little bored so it's probably time to get back into a routine.

Our house is coming along quickly and we are scheduled to close on August 24th. I usually go look at it every evening to see what they have been working on. It is exciting to see the daily progress. This week they poured the driveway and walk. They also installed the appliances. Steve and I are going over later today to measure the windows so we can order blinds. We have been comfortable in our apartment aside from the infestation of mice (5 and counting)  but we are ready to have some space especially the girls who are sharing a small bedroom and closet. They are opposites when it comes to how tidy they keep their rooms. They have managed well and my little slob has possibly picked up a few tidy habits but I know they will be thrilled to have their own space again.

Although I have really enjoyed the freedom that I have experienced this summer to stay up late, sleep in, swim and just basically be a bum I am starting my job search. I had an interview a few weeks ago and I have two more next week.  I am excited to get back into nursing.

As always we are missing our family and friends in Washington but making new friends here and enjoying the adventure of learning about a new place. I hope everyone is having a fun summer!

(I am having some technical difficulties in uploading some pictures. I'll try again later.)