Oh Where Oh Where Has Our Blogger Gone?

Oh where, oh where has our blogger gone?

Oh where, oh where can she be?

With five busy boys, and a sweet little girl.

Oh where, oh where can she be?

Where have I been?  In the last 2 weeks I have been busy, tired, lazy, visiting, laughing, playing, and a bunch of other things.  Last Friday we jumped in the van and headed to South Dakota, again.  We arrived late at night (or early, early in the morning).  Saturday morning found Blase and Darren helping move cattle at the Gebes Ranch.  Saturday afternoon we attended the Brech Family Reunion.

 You didn't see Brech at the Brech Family Reunion.

Well, maybe you did see him.  He didn't sit still very long so hopefully you didn't blink.

Mental note - when attending a family reunion make sure that Darren attends WITH you from the beginning when its HIS family reunion.  Mental note number two - do not attend family reunions on 110 degree days with a bunch of little, tired kids.  Mental note number three - remind Cormac NOT to Kung Fu fight NO MATTER WHAT!!!!  As soon as Darren arrived I took everyone but Blase back to the ranch and out of the heat and temptation to start any more problems.

Sunday morning we hung out with Darren's parents.  We attended Mass in Spearfish in the afternoon.  Then we booked it to the Mark Park for dear Shelby's 8th birthday party.  Volleyball, lasagna, cake, swimming, and LOTS of playing.  It was a good day.

Monday we spent a lazy morning catching up with my family, including Peter, Mauri, and sweet Bella Kay.  We made it to Darren's parents in time to have lunch with them.  Then we began the 6 plus hour drive back to Fargo.  It was a long, frustrating drive home.  I pretty much decided I'm not up to doing any more long trips until John's wedding in November.

Some other things I accomplished in the last couple of weeks have been:

Figured out school for the 2012-2013 school year AND ordered books.

Worked on MY herbal school course (learning about eating well and its impact on our health).

Laundry.

Ordered pictures of Gianna and put them all in order, waiting to buy a photo album to finish that job.

Figured out an Azure Standard order.

Weeded some more of the garden (getting closer to being 100% caught up).

Mailed pictures of the kids to aunts and uncles.

Downloaded some audio stories for the kids for school.

Chiropractor appointments for all the kids and myself.

Listened to a few webinars on essential oils.

Don't forget the daring attempt to take all the kids to the fair by myself.

And of course the normal cooking, cleaning, dirty diapers, etc.

So hopefully you understand why I haven't posted much lately.  We haven't really taken many pictures to share.  We haven't really done anything overly worth posting about.  We have just been living live one day at a time.  Probably boring by most people's standards.

I will have to say that it has been a change having Blase back with us after being in SD for a month.  I am having to cook more at lunchtime, set out an extra place setting, and wash more laundry.  Who knew one kid could make such a difference - unless that kid is a growing almost 11 year old boy.  We are glad he is home.  Darren said he has noticed a change for the better in Blase.  Personally I haven't noticed that much difference, but I am attributing that to him having to establish himself as the "one in charge", pecking order kind of thing.  He has been better in some regards, but in others he is still the annoying big brother causing trouble.  Who has to deal with that - Mom, who is home with him all the time.  All that aside - it is still great to have everyone back under the same roof.

This weekend we have NO major plans that I know of.  Probably some yard work.  Most likely gardening.  100% sure church on Sunday.  Maybe a trip to Grand Forks if I can talk Darren into it.  I haven't been very far north since we moved here.  I'd like to say I've been at least that far north.  PLUS, there is a Cabela's up there.  It shouldn't take that much arm twisting to get Darren to take us up there one of these weekends.

Regardless of what we do this weekend it will be a family weekend.  We need one of those.  I hope your weekend is full of fun and family!!!