Not all summers are equal

Well, if you're wondering if I gave up on this blog thing, I haven't. We have just been so very busy that I feel like I haven't had many chances to take a breath. This summer is nothing like last summer or the one before. I was looking back at photos of last summer and all of the day adventures me and my little ducklings took and I realized how little I accomplished this summer. Last summer I filled our days with zoo visits, special lunches, mammoth fossils and so much more but I was concerned that maybe this summer would lack some memories. I honestly have barely even looked at social media this summer and forget TV watching; although I still made time for Tru Blood and Game of Thrones (not so secret obsession). Each time I glanced at Facebook I had invites to play dates and fun summer outings but simply did not have a single minute to do any of it. I haven't sewn a stitch of anything. I have taken only a handful of pictures and haven't tried any new recipes. The fact of the matter is I am not in a position to be a stay at home mommy and I just don't have the time that stay at home moms do. I try very hard to make sure my kids still get as much attention as possible but this summer was a challenging one because it was full of change. Immediately after our move in June I started a new job. I took a job doing home health which is very flexible and generally has a great schedule. There are dozens of positives regarding the new job including no more late nights and way less holidays which is nearly impossible for a nurse. As much as I adore the emergency department, I was exhausted, burnt out and needed a slow down so I happily accepted this new chapter. The negative to the new job was a big pay cut initially. It all evens out in the end but the last thing you want is a pay cut just after buying a nice big house! So I did what any mom would do and worked both jobs until the pay came up to where I was accustomed to. For seven weeks with the exception of one wedding I worked six days a week. The only way I was even able to manage this was because Josh had surgery and was home with the kids during the entire training process which kept my mind at ease. This weekend was my first full weekend off with not a thing to do and boy was I thankful. I am taking a month off from the ED and then I'll take maybe a day a month just to keep up the skills and "play" with my friends. I really do love the new job. This is a job in which I feel like I am really making a difference and still get to be home in time to run to the water park, make dinner and read bedtime stories. I feel very blessed at this new arrangement.
Josh has been Mr. Mom the last two months waiting to heal with his wrist in a cast. He's pretty sick of kids at this point and openly admits I do the "mom" thing better than him.... I have to agree not because of what we each do but because I truly enjoy it. I love having a clean house, play dates and cooking for my family but it's more of a chore to Josh and I get that. I get that we are wired differently and those differences make us work so well, must be okay since our 9th anniversary is in a couple of weeks. We are going on being together 11 years! That's nearly forever in my book!
Besides lots of afternoons at the water park we also helped with Papa Don's 80th birthday bash! Papa Don is a wonderful man who accepted me as his granddaughter right from the start. He fell in love with Ty from day one and has always made us feel like family. Don was completely surprised over the whole deal and loved the book I made of him and some highlights of his adult life.

Sadly the twins went crazy within the hour and I missed most of the party but knowing that he was happy with what was done for him is all that matters.

Princess Charlie

Penny was tore up from about 15 minutes in

Gigi excited as always

Best buddies

Grandma Lindy and some of her babies

Aunt Shirley and Josh preparing the bar

Charlie wanting cake

Paris staying out of trouble

One of my sweet girls

Next on the list this year was swim lessons. These lessons were given by Aunt Shirley to help strengthen the kids skills. With Ty starting junior high this year he is really interested in Water Polo so he jumped at the chance to learn some new tricks!

Gigi loved every second

Paris hates getting her face wet but is much better now!

Ty is stronger everyday.

We did manage to sneak in a camping trip with Grandma Lindy and Johnny. Last weekend we headed up to Half Moon Bay and enjoyed the ocean and 60 degree weather. The babies loved it and the big kids had a blast. I enjoyed just sitting, at least for the day but then came back to work Sunday. We ate and laughed and told stories and I think made some fun memories. 

Charlie was digging getting dirty

These two are way to similar!!

Penny cracks me up

We have never let the twins sleep with us. We were so scheduled right from the beginning we never really had those snuggle times in the early mornings or nights but on this trip the twins slept in between Josh and I in the tent. We were both afraid we wouldn't get a moment of sleep but boy were we wrong! The girls were so good and I woke up to Penny looking me dead in the eye rubbing my face. Charlie was snuggled to Josh and we enjoyed every minute!

Looking back at last summer it's easy to think we should have done more but then I glance down at my kids playing on the floor as I write this blog and think, "They don't need to go somewhere everyday to make great memories!" We made memories while our friends have stopped by to eat dinner and share laughs. We made memories while we cleaned rooms and picked out desks for homework. We made memories today walking down the Wharf of Monterey while the babies chased birds giggling all the way. We made memories breaking in the new B-B-Q and have enjoyed our neighborhood park. Now looking back and seeing how we made it through a hectic, busy, life changing summer and came out stronger as a family I am pretty darn proud. This summer is just additional proof of all that Josh and I have worked so hard for and knowing its all paying off and we are all better for it. My kids are growing in to wonderful little people and continue to make me so proud and my husband stepped up when I needed him most and got me through 50 plus hours of work each week and school! When it goes and gets tough, the Richards pull together. So maybe we had less trips but I think we had an even better summer and I can't wait to see what Autumn will bring!

Now it's back to school time!

Much love