Brevity

Here's our brief note for this week. The boys were invited to join the Jr. Robotics club at school. Hurricane shared while at club and was given an earned club's High-5. High-5s aren't given out at club ideally.

We had family movie night and are considering making it a tradition. After a pizza supper, we watched Million Dollar Arm. The movie created good conversation for our family.

Saturday was a work morning and a birthday party afternoon. In the morning, we worked on preserving the playhouse with linseed, swept the back patio, cleaned the coop, and mowed the lawn.

Sweetheart went and helped someone move. That afternoon the boys went and saw the Minion movie. After an Eagle Court of Honor, Hurricane and I went on a date.

Short and sweet. Be well.

Mormon Battalion

We were approved for adoption through the Arizona court about 2 1/2 weeks ago. We will have a current license until January 2017. Before January 2017 , we will need to renew our license. We are hopeful to adopt because we feel that our family isn't complete. As our friends and family, please keep us in mind if you learn of someone who is looking for a home for a child (boy or girl) that is under the age of 18 months. We are open to multiples and/or a sibling group.

We've had 1/2 days in the last 2 weeks. On 1/2 days in the past we've gone on an adventure. This year we've come home to work - school work, home work, and skill development work.

Hurricane failed his hearing test a month ago. He was retested this last Monday and was his normal self. He still has a slight hearing loss in his left ear.

Sweetheart asks me what the range is. I don't think to ask. I will make a note for that next year, or I can call the doctor's office.

Underfoot was awarded his Wolf Badge.

He finished in May, was gone in June, swam in a swim meet in July (and the pack awarded no awards that night), and was finally awarded in August. He jumped for joy when the Cub Master awarded it.

Sweetheart and I have wanted to improve our curb appeal. I think that we should have a clear, welcoming path to the front door. Sweetheart thought we needed an extra parking spot. After about 3 years of negotiations, we settled on pavers. We really liked how it turned out.

Because the spot was in front of our house we weren't confident in our abilities and hired a company to do it. They came on a very hot 107 degree day and did a beautiful job.

Swim team banquet happened at the pool where we practiced. There was a semi-potluck supper. The boys were awarded water bottled with the insulation in them.

They were thrilled, but they couldn't swim in the pool until all the awards were done. Hurricane attempted to push Underfoot in multiple times. They were hopeful to get in the pool. When they finally did, they were in heaven.

Last year the boys participated in Drama Club at school.

Hurricane wanted to do it again, and Underfoot is to be a mentor in the class. We attended the first meeting last week, and the boys made bad family pictures during club.

We went to a presentation about the Mormon Battalion that was an active military unit during the Mexican-American War.

It is the only battalion named after a religious group. I grew up learning about Israel Evans who walked the 2,000 miles in Company B.

Before we went, we looked up on Family Search to see if Sweetheart had a member of the battalion. He did. His name was Riley Garner Clark and was in Company A.

Hurricane liked the brass band that was there. The only battle that they fought was against bulls south of Tucson.

We hope all is well with you. Drop us a line some time so we can catch up.

Be well.

10 Years

We celebrated 10 years of marriage. Sweetheart arranged for a "surprise" get-away.

We did that once before after Underfoot was born. I had my gallbladder out when he was 9 months old. Besides that our boys have never spent the night away from us.

When they were let in on the surprise by Sweetheart, they were thrilled to let us go.

Another tradition we have is our family birthday party.

Usually we celebrate at home with a nice meal and cake. We took the boys to The Melting Pot. Hurricane liked the Cheese and Dessert course.

Underfoot like the main and dessert course.

Hurricane failed his hearing test in both ears this year. He had fluid behind both ears. Dr. Soderberg treated it with a round of antibiotics and will retest in 6 weeks. If we get the same results, we will go to the next unknown step.

Piano lessons have started for Hurricane with Musikgarten. Underfoot continued with his private piano since he's completed the Musikgarten program.

The boys participated in a triathlon yesterday. They were super happy to compete against each other. They each finished with big smiles.

After the triathlon, we attended the school's bike rodeo. They are both hopeful they will win the bike raffle for completing the course.

A week ago Saturday the boys were invited to a rollerskating party.

They did okay. The rink had made PVC walkers to help new skaters.

I finished updating our blog, Lessons Line Upon Line, after many months of being WAY BEHIND. It is now current. I like having it up to date.

Sweetheart played a board game with friends on Friday night.