Why does my head feel so light?

Because I have NOTHING hanging over it right now!! Last night I turned in my final assignment of my final class for my masters degree. I'm not sure it has sunk in yet. We are even almost packed for our trip. We leave tomorrow for two weeks on the Oregon coast. One week will be spent driving around with Danny's parents to places like Newport, Lincoln City, Astoria, Fort Clatsup, Tillamook, etc... The second week is our annual time with my family at the Cannon Beach Conference Center.

Oh wait, I forgot. I do have ONE thing hanging over my head. How am I going to get the new Harry Potter book before we go on vacation and read it before I hear any spoilers? I'm not going to go at midnight the night before our trip, but nothing is open early enough on Sat. morning. Alas, these are weighty issues.

Books....

I think we have enough library books to get us through our trip, eh?

If you like the shirt, you can find one here.

Happy reading, people! Speaking of reading. I just re-read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and I am excited and ready for book 7. I wanted to order it from Amazon (only $18 shipped to my door on 7-21) but we are leaving on our vacation on the morning of the 21st. Now, I'm going to have to find the first bookstore with a copy and buy it. I am 52nd on the wait list at the library (I put myself on the list months ago) and I just don't think I can wait.

I LOVE my parents' house

I have mentioned before that my parents' backyard is one of my favorite places in the whole world. This week we moved in with my parents due to the fact that we have no air conditioning and the window management plan only works on the assumption that it cools down at night. But, this week it has been hot enough to abandon ship and take comfort in an air-conditioned place. We have been doing a lot of swimming and hanging out. It feels like a little mini-vacation for me because I have someone to cook with and there is no projects to be doing around here.

I really love my parents. I am thankful that they let us come stay with them.

Our houseguests are gone.....

When you think of a family with six children under the age of 11 coming for a visit, what do you think of? My cousin and her family just left after a quick two night stay and we all had a wonderful time!! Their six kids and our two played so well together allowing my cousin (a fellow Well Trained Mind junky) and I lots of great time to talk about what we are reading, what the kids are reading, and what new school things we are excited about. It was great. We swam at my parents' pool and ate outside. There were slumber (or lack thereof) parties and very early mornings. And, we had extra laborers for picking raspberries. (Dang! I KNEW there was a reason we should have had more kids!!!) And, what family gathering would be complete without a Latin lesson. Joe is a high school Latin teacher and he was trying out some of his new materials on our little classical neophytes.

This morning we went to see Charlotte's Web at the free summer movie. Then, I sent them off (in the wrong direction.....sorry Amy!!) and we were sad to see them go!! You know a trip was a good length when everyone is very sad for it to end. We decided this was definitely going to be a tradition!!

Raspberries, anyone?.....

Tis the season for raspberry pickin'!! This is the time of year where I curse my husband for planting so many blasted raspberry bushes. Of course, this only lasts for about three weeks, and the jam and frozen berries last ALL winter. That is the time when I kiss my husband's feet for planting all those blessed raspberry bushes.

But, if anyone wants to come help pick, bring a bucket and come on over!

Happy Anniversary (yesterday)

Sixteen years and going strong!!!

Wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone but you.

My Country, tis of thee....

sweet land of liberty.
Of thee I sing......

I am a patriotic sap!
I cry at the National Anthem.
I love our freedom.
I honor our soldiers.
I get chills when I see our flag blowing in the wind.
I appreciate the sacrifices others have made so that I can be free.

Let Freedom Ring!


Yesterday was GORGEOUS here. It was hot and perfect for swimming, barbecues, family and friends!!

My sweet boy

woke up early today and did his math. Then he did his chores for the day....and his sister's chores...all before 8:00. Some days you get a little glimpse of the adult they will become and today was one of those days. He will be a hard worker and a servant....like his Daddy!!

Love that kid!!