Hanging out in Summer

Ahhh, summer time! Jordan and Casey decided to finally get their driver's permits! I kept telling them to study because I didn't want to go back if they failed. Alas, youth don't realize the superior wisdom of their parents. They were shocked to see the lines at the DMV. I was not.

1 1/2 hours later they had their tests in hand and went at it. (Yeah, pretty short waiting time!) Interesting to me that they were right beside each other, no monitors to ensure they weren't talking to each other or anyone else. Only a sign stating no cell phones allowed - but no one to enforce it.

4 minutes later Jordan was done! Another 30 seconds Casey joined him! I never knew I had such fast test takers! (Maybe this explains their grades.) Quickly Casey returned to the testing station. Apparently she had forgotten the back of the test. :) Soon thereafter Jordan also joined her. He missed 6. You're only allowed 5. But - they gave him another test right away!

Soon Casey returned with a complete test. Alas, she also missed 6. Onto the 2nd try. Who knew the government was so forgiving? I am happy to report that they both passed the 2nd time (both missed only 4). Unfortunately, we were missing some documentation for Casey and Jordan couldn't really get his permit unless he had completed a 4 hour class. Good thing he can get his permit without the class when he's 16 in 2 months! 3 hours later we left, with no licenses. Better luck next time! (Casey will need to bring her passport in to just pick hers up at a later date.) Lesson learned? Bureaucracy stinks! (I had to look up the spelling on the 'b' word. Difficult to deal with AND to spell!)

Side note. Casey learned at girls camp that olive oil is good for your hair. She applied it liberally. When I discovered this tibit I informed her that she would have to purchase her own as my olive oil was for edible purposes only.


Ben is discovering the joys of reading. Here he is with Cody. Note the books of choice - but hey, they're reading!

I make bread about every week or so. Usually 6 loaves at a time. Since I had summer free-time I decided I would make some this past week. As I started I felt some panic (this has been regular since Mark lost his job. "What if he dies on the way to Virginia?" "What if ...." and stuff like that?) When I started the bread the panic was "What if I die, and the kids' don't have anymore bread?!" So - I did what a trained and educated Emergency Manager does, I prepared! I doubled my recipe.

Then I remembered I don't have that many loaf pans!

So - I scrounged around, found a few more and decided to make some mini loaves as well. All total... 26 loaves of bread! I tell ya, want big numbers, make little loaves! :)

More reading with Cody.

Because Casey and Jordan are doing an internship at the Fire Department Benjamin got to go with me to teach a class at the County Health Department. Needless to say he was bored. Good thing for phones that are somewhat entertaining.

Here is just a sampling of the artwork. Could someone please show me a 10 year old that doesn't draw war pictures?

So - it IS possible to make poporn bacon-flavored. Here is the proof. Just use the bacon grease from your BLTs to pop the corn. (This was a kids project, could you guess?)


Frosty was very interested in the outcome.

This past week we celebrated our cousin Logan's 16th birthday. Cousin Marcus picked up the candles, Aunt Tracy picked out the cake.

This is how you put out your candles when your cousin picks them out.

But my, didn't Aunt Tracy pick a WONDERFUL Coldstone cake! Yum!

Since Mark is gone we still ready scriptures every night with him, but now it's over speaker phone. It's nice to be able to chat with him. We love you Dad!

Hope you all enjoy your closing days of summer!