Life

I havent updated in a while, and I've gotten word that that is unacceptable. So, here goes...

Not too much has changed. I am hardly working anymore, which is both good and bad. I miss getting to see all my friends everyday, but its nice to be able to be a stay at home Mommy again.

Daddy Chaun is still liking his job. He has also started helping his Dad get back into logging. They both act like kids in a candy store about it.

Chaun likes his school. He is learning how to swim. I go and watch every time his class has a swim day. It is absolutely amazing watching him grow in just an hour. The confidence he gains and the way he is learning to overcome his fears is awesome. I am one proud Mommy. He's a good kid. Cute too. :)

Family

Summer is over. There is that chill in the air and the sunlight just isn't as bright as it was. Its days like today that remind me of walking home from school in the leaves. Or the year Chester invented a new game, 'catch the leaf', and we would run around under the big tree in the front yard and catch leaves until Mom would notice that we had not actually left for school yet and we were late.
The new chill does have a tendency to put my cooking mode into over drive. All comfort foods. Beef Stew, Turkey noodle soup, cinnamon rolls, jambalaya. :) Yes, food does make me happy. But not cuz I like to eat (I do). I just remember that our kitchen was the meeting place of the house. Sure, we used the living room for scripture reading and family stuff, but if you needed to feel like you were a part of something, you went to the kitchen.

In the morning, we didnt use alarm clocks. You knew it was time to get up because you could hear Tamazine downstairs emptying the dishwasher. Then as you were getting dressed you'd smell pancakes, and maybe if you were lucky, they were blueberry pancakes, AND Chester hadn't beat you to them. I think blueberries just tasted better cuz we knew that we had picked them ourselves. Or at least ate while Mom picked. Two in the mouth, one in the bucket :)

At the end of school, we'd run home and eat a snack while Mom asked us about our day. On really rainy cold days, we'd walk up the hill from school, and you'd always know if Mom was baking cinnamon rolls by the Liefson's house, they smelled that good. We'd sprint the last 100 feet, and Mom always had the first batch coming out the second we'd walk in the door. Sometimes she'd have us go back to the Liefson's and borrow a pan or two and fill it up with some for them. They looked forward to cinnamon roll day as much as us.

Dinner was always a massive affair.

Lots of laughing and passing/tossing/sliding food. My Dad made our table. It was the largest round table your could fit in the door way. We all fit around it, with room for guests. Also, when guest came, usually family, they would all enter from the back door. In all the hugging and excited talking, sometimes we'd stay in the kitchen for hours, leaning back against the counters, just happy to be back around each other. The kitchen would be packed, the living room would be empty, and everyone would be happy. I loved those days.

Chaun started School.

His teacher is Ms. Lorrie. Today was his second day, and he is disappointed that they haven't used scissors yet. He says that for snack, they had crackers and green sticks (celery) and he told them that they need to go buy some ranch, and they said "maybe next time". They have reading time, and made pictures, and then have gym time. He likes it a lot and is making lots of new friends.

Asthma?

Chaun woke up this morning having a hard time breathing. By 9 o'clock I was scared and tried getting him into the same day clinic in Wheeler, but the receptionist told me that they couldn't see him till 2, and that I should take him in to the ER. Chaun had made himself a bed on the couch, but didnt fight me when I got him dressed and put him in the car. On the way there I told him to try and take deep breaths. By that time if he tried to talk he couldn't say more than three words without having to stop and take a breath.

We made it about 8 minutes in the car before he couldn't talk any more. I looked at him slumped over and thought, I need an ambulance or a Dr right now, he isnt going to make the hour drive to Seaside. We got to Wheeler, pulled him out of the car and rushed him into their clinic. I was crying so hard I couldn't talk, and the receptionist jumped up and pulled out a walkie talkie and had people rushing to meet us. They hooked Chaun up to all sorts of goodies, and gave him a 'dragon breather' (nebulizer) that opened his lungs up so he could breathe better. His oxygen levels were good, and within 30 minutes he was up and running around the room like normal. Whew.

They aren't sure what caused it, or if it will happen again, but they gave us an inhaler to take home and told me next time to bring him in immediately or to call an ambulance, because our ambulances are kinda like mini mobile hospitals. Never try and take him to a hospital an hour away. He is much better now, still breathing really shallow, but not panting like he was this morning. I hope this was just an isolated episode, but now at least we know what to do.

2011 Reunion

We just got back from the 20th Hart family reunion. It was great being able to see everyone. The 'kid' cousins are graduating from high school, getting married and going to college. Its crazy. And my Uncles have finally mellowed out a bit. Sure, they still have to jump off any bridge over four feet of water, but now they come up whining about 'backs' and 'cold'.

We went horse back riding.

As soon as we told Chaun he asked, "I am a cowboy? I need a hat. We need to go shopping."

We also went to Yellowstone Bear World with my Dad.

Do not pet. Not a toy.

We got some pictures.

Very nice.

Overall a great time. I love spending time with my family. It was awesome.

Tamazine says I need to update daily, so here's an update :)

I have two jobs now and work a lot. I still work at the hotel, mostly just to help out, and because I would feel horrible quitting during the busiest part of the year. The only good thing that came out of that job is Vicki, my only friend in Rockaway.

My other job, on the other hand.... Amazing. I love it. Anyone who knows me knows I flourish under pressure. And there's a lot of pressure there. Its a very fast paced, go-go-go place. You hit the ground running and don't stop until you drop into your car to drive home.

BUT... They love me. They really do. I'm kinda hard to get worked up, and I move on fast. I came in and asked to learn everything, and I watch the owners alot to see what stresses them out, and then I work to stop that from happening.

Just this last Saturday one of my bosses couldnt walk because he had a really really bad infection, and his wife is massively pregnant. Saturday is the busiest day for us. $100's in tips. I punched out and drove him to the ER and sat with him for hours. Spent my whole night there with him. I lost alot of money, but short time loss, long term gain.

I'm away from home alot, and I dont like that. But most weekends the Chauns go to Vancouver, so I work all night, sleep for a few hours and then work at the hotel in the morning and get back to work at 3. It keeps me busy and happy while they are gone.

Chaun is growing up so fast. He talks really well, and loves taking care of the three kitties we are fostering. He really wants to keep one, Clover, and I am for it. She seems to like his rough cuddles. He makes her stay with him when he watches a movie, and she actually falls asleep on him. Its super cute. I love the runt, Mara. She used to be the ugliest cat ever, but now she is a very soft grey and orange. :) She loves me.

Thats all I got right now Tamazine, I'll probably edit and add pictures later.

Yesterday was the Forth of July, and it was amazing. There was a big parade, and Chaun got a bag of candy. The floats were pretty cool, and I got to say, we have the coolest emergency vehicles I've ever seen, including a Hummer Search and Rescue.

I was supposed to work from 6-11 that night, but they shut the doors at 9, and I made it home just in time. I grabbed a ton of blankets and ran for the beach where I met the boys just out side of the roped off area right as the first fireworks started.

We threw down a blanket, squeezed Chaun in between us and watched the best show I've ever seen.

Half way through they did what we thought was the grand finale that would have put most entire firework shows to shame, and then they just kept going.

The fireworks were amazing, but my favorite part of the night was when Chaun said "Hey, Mom? I love you. Hey, Dad? I love you" :) Perfect day.