Summer Stories

This summer has been pretty busy. We went out to California with my family at the beginning of the summer. It was quite crazy making the drive out with my 8 months pregnant body. Good thing we had already prepared to be the epitome of the stereotypical Mormon family and had the minivan in place. I was able to stretch out in luxury! I first realized I was the Newport Beach tourist attraction while body surfing at the beach. There were a few people on the beach that were quite obviously taking pictures specifically of me. After seeing the pictures my Dad took though (does that stomach even look real!), I can understand. As you can see, I was quite an anomaly! I had several strangers say that I must be due ANY minute. I guess there aren't quite as many pregos out in Cali. We had a good time despite the paparazzi.

A month later, I was nervously induced and Macy Saige made her entrance into the world. I was grateful not to be the girl in the room next door whose baby didn't wait for the anesthesiologist. Her screams pretty much vetoed any idea I entertained of doing it "natural." Epidurals all the way. Macy followed the lead of her siblings and came out big and chubby with lots of hair (8 lbs. 8 oz.). She sleeps and eats well and hasn't made life too difficult (aside from the fact that I can no longer do shopping of any kind until Carston starts preschool)!

Less than a week after Macy was born, an event we've all anticipated and dreaded occurred. My sweet Grandma Gladys passed away. Most of you know how close we were to her. She lived with us in a basement apartment from the time I was twelve. She had bad health for such a long time, but there was no one who could derive more joy out of the circumstances of life than her. She was a light in the world. It was such a blessing to have her be such an integral part of our lives, and it has been hard not having her with us anymore.

Heather came out from Iowa for her funeral and was able to stay for a month. That sure made life go by fast. It was fun hanging out with her and watching our kids play together. We went to the zoo, swam, shopped, did fireworks (Carston is a mini version of my brother with his noise-reducing headphones!), and just hung out. Family is seriously the greatest blessing in life. Overall, life has been good for us this summer. It will be an interesting adjustment later this month when I send my first kid off to school (even if it is just preschool!)