All I wanted was a quiet summer.  Beach, biking, walking, playing with my kids.  But no, that is not to be.  My niece made the decision to marry in the middle of July in So. Cal.  So, since I have prayed for this young woman since she was born, gave her a Bible when she was a girl, and asked God to help her succeed in life and allow her to marry a man who would love her, we are heading south to attend the wedding!  Praise the Lord I have an understanding husband who is willing to take his unpaid vacation time to drive us there.  I am so happy for my niece.  She graduated from college, has a job in accounting, has been attending church with her fiance whom she's known for 4 years.  She has worked hard to rise above her difficult upbringing.  I'm proud of her and am thankful to God for answering my prayers for her.  Her mother (my sis) didn't have it easy raising her and her brother but she worked hard and loves them both dearly.  It's always strange going home to visit my family.  We only go every other year or so.  I'm still sad we didn't make it home to visit before my stepfather died.  Anyway, I think my 3 older sisters still see me as the 10 yo baby sister.  I don't communicate with them very often so I don't believe they really know me as an adult (I'm 43, for goodness sake!)  And when I do go home, I immediately slip into that submissive attitude and that REALLY bothers me.  I was taught to respect my elders but, come on, I really don't need to let them boss me around.  I told my husband about this and, bless his heart, he said if any of them try to tell me what to do, tell them to talk to him!  He is the oldest of 2 children and doesn't have any problem giving the orders!  I always feel somewhat anxious before we go visit but I can't wait to see my mom.  The last time we went to see her (2 yrs ago), I got out of the car, took a few steps then dropped everything I had in my arms and ran to her door!  (Still makes me cry.)  It was an uncontrollable urge - like the child in me wanted to yell "Mom, I'm home!" .... Alright, therapy session over -  lighten up!  This is a good time for a Dove chocolate break.  By the way, for the record, yes, I eat chocolate nearly every day but I'm a size 6 so I don't think it's doing me any harm.  I'm not bragging by any means, just wanted to let that be known!  You know, my father was king of tangents, and a great story teller as well.  I guess I inherited this marvelous trait (the tangents, I mean)!  Back to my point - we are in the midst of preparing to camp down I-5 (the freeway that runs north-south from the Canadian border to Baja California  - (Free geography lesson - look it up to make sure I'm correct!), then attend the wedding, visit, spend 1 day at the beach (oh, yes, a WARM beach for once!) then camp our way back home, going a different route so Todd can enjoy some of his vacation.  But wait, there's more!  Todd decided we had to do Disneyland this time, too!  (AAAAHHHHH!)  It just keeps getting better, doesn't it?  When we first had kids, I vowed I would never expose them to Disneyland (too commercial, etc., etc.,) but if my husband gives the order, I will go and wear comfortable shoes.  We will do one expensive day of D-land which takes some major planning in itself.  I haven't been there in over 20 years, should be interesting.  I know I am going on and on with this but just one more thing.  We went to Portland today to find a dress for me for the wedding and God even cares about such trivial things as this!  We parked and Todd paid for 1 hour of parking.  I thought "Oh, man, I only have ONE hour to find a dress?!!"  But we walked into Nordstrom, looked in 3 departments and there it was, all by itself, the only one of its kind.  In my size!  It fit, we loved it and really liked the price!  A coincidence?  I don't think so!!  (Thank you Lord for caring for the minor things!)  So if I don't blog for awhile, think of me trying to keep my cool (literally and emotionally) in a big van with 3 lively kids.  Anyway, what would I have to blog about if it really was a quiet summer? 

P.S.  Thanks for all the kind comments about my husband becoming an RN.  I really appreciate the support and encouragement!  What a group of great ladies!