Wow, where has 2012 gone?  It’s already August, and the summer just seems to have slipped by so quickly!  School will be starting in two weeks and the kids will be gone for half the day.  It’s hard to believe that they are already in first, third and fourth grades!  It seems like yesterday that I was bringing each to preschool, but my first “baby” is going to turn 10 years old on the very first day of school.  Yikes!

Old Town trollley

Meanwhile, my youngest baby is about to turn one year old, and is going to keep me plenty busy while the others are at school.  Actually, the older ones have been helping out with the baby while I get other things done, so I’m going to miss the help.

Although I’m not going to go into details, those of you who know me, know that the last few years have been really hard.  We’ve gone through some things that no person or family should ever have to, but we’ve survived.  Things are starting to really look up, and I can only believe that they will only get better.  We found a house in our old neighborhood, close to the kids school.  Now we won’t have to drive in all that traffic every morning, but will get to ride our bikes or walk.  We’re also close to Old Town, so it’s easier to ride bikes or walk there, too.  We love being in this part of town!

Welcome to South Dakota!

Some of my goals have changed priorities since the last time I posted on my blog, but that doesn’t mean they’ve disappeared altogether.  I’m still making a lot of my own buns and rolls and making lots of broth.  I’ve also been making and drinking water kefir.  Also, most of our meals are ones that we cook from home, so I know they are healthier than eating out.

Festivals in Old Town

To be honest, I feel like I’ve been in a major funk for the last seven years…some of you know why.  But, although I still miss some family members and friends, it’s time to wake up and smell the roses (or something like that).  It’s ok to live your life and be happy, even if you feel like you’ve been through the wringer.  It’s easy to blame circumstance for your emotional state, but really, you are in charge of your happiness and no one else can be.

I know this has been a long post, but it’s been a while and I had a few things I needed to get off my chest.  So, now that I’ve done that…Welcome both new and returning readers!  Here are some of our summer pictures.  Enjoy!

Waiting for the fireworks!

 

 

Date night – Watching The Violet Burning

 

Baby’s first time at the pool.