Sisterly Love

When my girls were little, I worried that they'd never like each other. Especially since Ashley was adamant for a long time that she wished she were an only child. Morgan wanted to like her sister, but since big sis didn't want much to do with her, it was a tad hard to be nice. They fought like no other, hitting, kicking, slapping, shoving, things that exhausted me to no end. I prayed that some day it would be different. I would tell them that some day they'd be friends and Ashley always insisted they wouldn't be. About 2 or 3 years ago, as Morgan matured and I guess quit being so annoying, they actually started liking each other. When Ashley started driving, she had no problem (for the most part) picking Morgan up from her sporting practices or taking her places. Of course, they still have the occasional fight, usually about clothes borrowing or public behavior one finds annoying or wrong, but they now are genuinely friends. I saw the biggest act of sisterly love today. I was sitting in the back seat of Ashley's car, Ashley, of course, was driving, Morgan in the passenger seat. Morgan looked at Ashley and said "You have a booger".....Ashley looked in the mirror and said, "Eww, I do", so Morgan grabbed a tissue and said "I'll get it for you", reached over, took care of her sisters booger and tried to hand me the tissue. Frankly, I've never laughed so hard or been so grossed out in my life. But I really like this side of the girls, it's SO much nicer than the fighting girls they once were!

Things Forgotten...

There are many things I remember about my childhood. Sometimes my parents don't even remember some of the stuff I do. But there was something that I had forgotten all about until I was back "home" in Illinois last week.

I took Chester outside about 10:00 p.m. to do his final duty of the day so I could get to sleep. I was standing on the steps of my parents deck, looking out over their expansive back yard that ends in a ravine with many huge trees. I thought my eyes were a bit tired, as I was seeing flashes of light in the trees. I squinted, still saw them. Then I saw one right in front of my face. I had forgotten all about lightening bugs! What amazed me is that in the trees, it really looked like a light show! Out here in CO, we don't have lightening bugs, or June bugs, Japanese beetles and the host of other bugs I seriously don't miss. But it would be kind of neat to have lightening bugs here....their light shows at night are awesome!

Reality is Setting In

We're heading back to IL to register Ashley for college. Since she plans on staying with my folks after our family reunion (in August) until school starts, I suggested we pack some stuff she doesn't need right now (like winter clothes and such) to take with this trip. She put it off until late this afternoon (we leave tomorrow), even though I'd been suggesting the packing for over a week. She asked me to help her. It was very weird for both of us as she took almost all the clothes out of one side of her closet, took probably have of the DVD's she has in her room, all her yearbooks and a couple of photo albums, half of her shoes and all her scarves, hats and gloves. She kept saying "this is hard". I'm not sure if it was hard deciding what to pack, or hard because she realized she would be moving out soon. Either way, it's not something I look forward too. Years ago, I used to say I would be ready for the kids to go to college. Now that it is upon me, I'm thinking it would be easier if she would go to college in CO instead of IL! I know, I'll get used to her being gone, but I'm to have a hard time for awhile!

Highs & Lows of Camping

We just got back from a camping trip and I thought I'd post some of the good and bad of camping!

The Good:

1) After everything is set up, you just get to relax

2) Campfires

3) S'mores

4) Sitting around with family/friends and talking

5) If possible, going to the lake and/or boating

6) Not being the only person to cook a meal or clean it up!

7) I'm spoiled, I have a bathroom with a shower in my camper!

8) Spoiled still, we have a/c

9) The kids can take friends and keep themselves entertained

10) Enjoying cocktails and not having to drive home!

The Bad

1) Packing everything

2) Setting up the camper (there is always some problem)

3) Trying to keep the camper picked up, it's a small space!

4) People who come to camp with you but don't contribute to meals

5) Going home and having to unpack and clean the camper

As you see, the good out-weighs the bad, therefore, I am ready to hit the road again!