s’more summer

 photo EI3C5914copy_zps767edb61.jpg

Divinely coordinated plans sent four boys out the door at 7:30 this morning: Ben to a double-shift at the MTC, Gabriel to Scout Camp, Hans and Xander to a three-day church Youth Conference. With a crazy last minute scramble of peanut butter sandwiches, sleeping bags, signing yet one more permission slip and ‘will you run home and get my water bottle?’– I was home by 7:46 to a much quieter house and only little Mary slumbering in my bed.

The kitchen and family room are an absolute wreck– basic sanitation (no cleaning the microwave or mopping the mottled floor) will take at least two hours. So I’ve done the only sensible thing: snagged the newspaper, my laptop, three peaches, shut the door and gone back to bed.

 photo IMG_9018copy_zps25406d9e.jpg

Not gonna’ lie. Our unplugged summer hasn’t been wholly successful. Certain people turn on the TV and cue up Netflix every time I go on a errand or to a doctor’s appointment. But June requires a certain amount of latitude. And some technology is WONDERFUL.

 photo EI3C9405copy_zpsac51a6c7.jpg
trois enfants qui étudient le français

We just discovered an AMAZING app called Duolingo where you can learn Spanish, German, French, Portuguese and Italian. It’s free, better than Rosetta Stone and completely addictive. I downloaded it to learn a bit of French and Italian, but the kids take over my phone and computer at every opportunity. I’ve loved listening to them explain bits of grammar and vocabulary to each other, “La is feminine because girls sing, ‘la la la.'” Kids soak up language so quickly– they’ve all outpaced me.

 photo EI3C9435copy_zps7eae070f.jpg

And nothing beats a laptop for outside movies. Ben recruited everyone to set up our Lake Powell shade shelter (no trip to Lake Powell this year– Ben had finals and it was too sad to go without him, but we have plenty of excitement planned) and it’s become the favorite respite for picnics and reading during the day, movies at night.

 photo EI3C9727copy_zps3bfd9bd3.jpg

My back issues aren’t pretty– six bulging discs, arthropathy, stenosis, blah blah blah– I’m thoroughly sick of relating my diagnosis (so you just got your update, let’s not talk about it anymore, well, unless you know of a miracle cure not involving voodoo witchcraft, then tell me all about it). The drugs and spinal cortisone shot didn’t even touch the pain, but I’m confident physical therapy will eventually get me running again (though probably not six days a week– which was kind of stupid anyway). I’m completely optimistic and don’t feel the slightest bit bad for myself. 

 photo EI3C5815copy_zps6ca5315a.jpg
day six of the grumpy pills and still smiling
Truly, how can I feel anything but extraordinarily blissfully blessed when surrounded by these people?
 photo EI3C5521copy_zps862482f5.jpg

 photo EI3C5889copy_zpsb4dbcf83.jpg
 photo EI3C5534copy_zps237eb41a.jpg
 photo EI3C5830copy_zps750bd2f7.jpg
 photo EI3C5744copy_zpsa8084c0b.jpg
 photo EI3C5720copy_zpsc5dc71ea.jpg
 photo EI3C5717copy_zpsd8846ccc.jpg
 photo EI3C5683copy_zps6a57a5f6.jpg
 photo EI3C5910copy_zps46247ca9.jpg
 photo EI3C5936copy_zps42903eb6.jpg

June 25, 2013
July 18, 2013

RELATED POSTS

6 Comments

  1. Tracy

    June 29, 2013

    Yum – I want s’more! Thinking about you and wishing you to be pain-free soon. Love you. xo

  2. Julie

    June 29, 2013

    My husband struggled for two years with back pain from bulged discs. His relief came this year in the form of the following four things:
    1) he had two spinal injections.
    2). He started taking a joint support vitamin pack for men that came recommended by other athletic friends. GNC carries them. Seriously, this made all the difference.
    3) orthotics for lower back pain, and then walking. Slowly. Sometimes only a few blocks before he had to sit (back pain is no joke! I’m sorry you’re hurting!)
    4) prayer. Our minister prayed for him and laid hands on his back. It helped.

    Hope you find some relief soon! Prayers sent up on your behalf.

  3. Julie

    June 29, 2013

    My husband struggled for two years with back pain from bulged discs. His relief came this year in the form of the following four things:
    1) he had two spinal injections.
    2). He started taking a joint support vitamin pack for men that came recommended by other athletic friends. GNC carries them. Seriously, this made all the difference.
    3) orthotics for lower back pain, and then walking. Slowly. Sometimes only a few blocks before he had to sit (back pain is no joke! I’m sorry you’re hurting!)
    4) prayer. Our minister prayed for him and laid hands on his back. It helped.

    Hope you find some relief soon! Prayers sent up on your behalf.

  4. Charity

    June 29, 2013

    M husband had a tree fall on him while helping a single sister he home teaches. I can relate to back pain. I’m sorry. It’s no fun.

    Thanks for the tip on Duolingo. We’re headed to Haiti to work in an orphanage. Basic French will come in handy.

    Hope you feel better soon!

  5. Michelle

    June 30, 2013

    Julie, thanks for your tips. I really appreciate them. And Charity, you will love Duolingo; and I’d love to hear about your trip to Haiti.

  6. Chocolate on my Cranium

    July 9, 2013

    Where did you get the statue of the girl sitting and reading? I LOVE it! And I want one. 🙂

    Is that Mill Creek Canyon in the photos? It’s bringing back memories of going there as a little girl with my family doing the same thing – making s’mores and playing in the creek.

    It’s nice to see you in the photos every once in a while! I hope your back pain goes away soon and in the meantime becomes manageable.

Comments are closed.