June was a memorable month for all of us. I felt great, better than during the whole pregnancy, my mom arrived and with her arrival my appetite increased, the kids adjusted to summer home school and taking a heavier load in chores, we frequented the pool almost everyday, we visited museums, gardens, beaches, and other spectacular sights, and we had a lot of fun as a family. Now if we could have Elijah find a job soon, life would be perfect!
Here are some of the things we ended up doing during the last days of June:
Friday, June 27
After writing their weekly classics book report, we took the boys for a very much needed haircut. They looked sharp, although I already miss their California Surfing hairstyles. When that was done, the boys went for their highly anticipated monthly play date with their best friends, Jack and Sam, playing a myriad of computer games, Wii, and Lego building. The rest of us, meaning us girls, went Costco shopping, stopped for lunch, and then had some yummy treats at an ice cream shop, dropped the groceries at home, and finally joined the boys at the swimming pool. While there, the boys were in the mood for "water polo," Gillian took Charlton to the deep end on a raft ride, and I posed with my 29th week big belly. I feel huge, but Elijah said I looked adorable, and I'll go with that.
Saturday, June 28
After sleeping in till 10 a.m., Elijah and I joined forces and cooked a delicious brunch for the family. After having filled their stomachs, the kids left our sight and went playing outside. You would think Elijah and I would have loved that, but we were both in the mood for a family outing. So, we collected our kids, packed dinner and snacks, put our swimsuits on, and took the family for a fun Saturday at the beach in San Francisco. Unfortunately, the beach wasn't very welcoming. The view was stunning, but the wind was fierce. The kids played for a while in the water, and James and Elijah tried flying their kite, but the wind proved too much to deal with. No worries; San Francisco is my city and I know all the best places for a fun and relaxing family outing.
We stopped at a nearby park, next to the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, where the sunshine was boundless, hills were green, the flowers perfumed the air, and their colors made our stay very enjoyable.
Sunday, June 29
The kids looked so handsome with their new haircuts all gelled up ready for church. They had a great primary experience learning about Family History through different parents' presentations on their country of ancestry. Of course, Jefferson's most memorable appreciation was the food, especially the Scottish shortbread.
After church we invited our friends, the Bowens, over for smores and brownies. The missionaries joined us as well, and I'm sure our house was extremely loud as Elijah tried to Skype with his family on matters of family history. We tried really hard to keep the kids out, and of course they were more willing to stay out when Elijah set up the fire and they started roasting marshmallows.
Monday, June 30
We ended the month of June with a myriad of activities. The kids ran 5 miles at the running club; we attended the library and the kids chose their weekly biography, science, art, and history books, plus some of their own choosing; had guests over for lunch, swam at the swimming pool in the afternoon, and while my mom and I decided to enjoy the movies for family home evening, Elijah played with the kids. Blissful day - splendid way to say goodbye to June and welcome July.
Miracles
By Walt Whitman
1819-1892Why, who makes much of a miracle?
As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water,
Or stand under trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night
with any one I love,
Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,
Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,
Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon,
Or animals feeding in the fields,
Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown, or of stars shining so quiet
and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;
These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,
The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.
To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle,
Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,
Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same,
Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.
To me the sea is a continual miracle,
The fishes that swim--the rocks--the motion of the waves--the
ships with men in them,
What stranger miracles are there?
