It used to be that my Mom's side would get together every other year, for a few days in the Summer, and spend a well-organized time together. We are a big family, as my mom is one of eight children. Each family has at least two children and now most of those children are married and have children of their own. We now meet for one day and only about half of us can make it these days. It is still so fun to get together with cousins I only see every few years. We had day at Boondock's in Kaysville and a BBQ at a cousin's house that evening. The next morning, we played Pickleball and frizbee games. Then, we all spent the day at Willard Bay. Grandma rented a boat and two jet skis for the day and we took turns going out in the water. The littles played in the sand and went out in the boat. We played Plunco and had to drink disgusting combinations of liquids for no other reason than to entertain each other. My family is competitive bunch, so we always finish a reunion with a game of Dare Base. The rules are seemingly simple and we always start by saying, "We have little kids in the game, so let's try to take it easy." Once the game starts, it appears to the outsider to have no rhyme or reason and it is quite honestly hard to follow. The original 8 are baby boomers and are not the young, agile, selves anymore. Yet, it doesn't stop them from giving it their full energy. It always gets pretty wild and at least a few lasting injuries are inevitable. What a blast! I love traditions.
We spent the rest of the weekend and right up until the 4th of July with the Rasmussen family (Matt's mother's side) at the BE Campgrounds. They have their camping traditions of taking their trailers and RVs and ATVs up to Mantua and spending days eating, playing games, and putting around. Matt and I enjoyed taking Uncle Kevin and Grandpa Mike's ATVs around the town to pick up foods at the market store. We took some hike (walks) with the family. Otto was thrilled to play with cousins Jordis and Micheal Jr. and get filthy playing with trucks in the dirt.
We saw fireworks on July 3rd in Perry. Otto was in awe. He didn't get scared at all. It is hard to be scared of fireworks when Nana gets so nervous, she makes us sit almost to the parking lot to watch them.
We were invited to visit Marissa's oldest sister in Hooper as her other sister, Lisa and her family were visiting Utah from Colorado. So, we had ANOTHER cousin day!
As Otto likes to clarify, "They are MY cousins, not your cousins mommy." When you have so many cousins from extended family already, and then your birth family has cousins too, it tends to get a little confusing who is actually related to who. Well, in our case, it doesn't really matter. Family is family!
So, he played in the pool with his cousins.
In case you were curious why there hasn't been word on our home study progress in the adoption process, we have come to an important decision at this time. It has been 7 years since my diagnosis and in all that time, I have done barely any investigation past a chromosomal test and hormone therapy. I will be honest, I got scared off of doing more when I got the first bill and what insurance refuses to cover. In all these years, I have been terrified to spend another dime on anything "infertility" related. As I worked toward another adoption to grow our family, I kept having the feeling that I was on the wrong path. I needed to spend some time, money, resources, and focus attention on my own health. It is finally time for me to know my body, get the tests, and not let any excuses stand in my way. In our volatile political climate, there are no guarantees that healthcare coverage is going to get any easier. Therefore, it is my time.
While working on my physical health, Matt and I continue to improve our emotional/spiritual health. We continued our last month of the Pillars of Prosperity coursework. We learned how to empathize with others, understand their values and how to communicate with people, different that us they may be. I participated in an experiment of 72 hours, attracting a designated amount of money. I followed a simple formula of activities to participate for 72 hours and see if I could manifest the money to show up in my life. I can tell you honestly, I followed it exactly, and the exact amount DID manifest by Friday. Our reward/celebration for this was to go out to lunch at the Trellis Cafe and walk around Ashton Gardens. It was well deserved. We definitely feel prosperous and that our destiny is in our own power.
Making good use of our Thanksgiving Point passes, I took Otto to the farm. It was a hot day, but he really loved the tractor ride and the horses. We had a goat follow us around the fence. He was very patient in line to ride the ponies. His pony was named Steele.
We had a playdate at the Curiosity Museum another day with Otto's very first little friend! He has had friends before this, of course, but this little boy and Otto hit it off like peas and carrots. So, Frankie's mom and I try to get together for play dates since we both have passes at the museum. They are so darn cute together. "I am three." "I am three too!" They are both driving the plane (The third boy in back is just a random boy that is good at photobombing).
Otto spent an evening with Papa while Coltan invited us to join them to a REAL Salt Lake game. Matt and I have never been much for sports, but we had a great time. Megan, Matt and Coltan stepped away for snacks at the exact moment that RSL scored a goal. It was so exciting to be witness! They tied at the end, as we were already ducked out and walking to our car. The walk was almost as eventful as the game. We saw a skunk cross the sidewalk in front of us. We had to run through sprinklers.
I dug out my old Bollywood dance digs and took Otto to Daybreak's Bollywood festival. It felt like India as the heat and humidity kept us sweating. We watched several great dance groups on the stage, ate Vegan meals by Krishna and participated in sunset yoga. We talked to the group that is building the Hare Krishna temple and I bought Otto his own Indian Achkan to wear in the winter. Our community comes up with some of the funnest things to do.A few things about Otto this month:
1. Otto has begun rambling with half-sentences. Example: "I like mighty machines because. . .the dog's name is Lucy because. . .she likes me and. . .what's for lunch?"
2. His Tummy Mommy sent him an adorable pair of shoes that I LOVE on him. They have matching pairs of shoes now. I especially love that they don't have laces and he can get them on himself. I thought they were going to be big on him when I first saw them, but they fit just fine. How did he get so big!?3. He fights naps and bedtime more, but still needs the naps.
4. He needs more mental stimulation than I can possibly offer in a day. I can't WAIT for Preschool to start.
5. He used to point out the animals and roll call each morning. Now he informs us, "This one, Mom calls Charlie. This one, Mom calls Vegas."
6. Every kid he meets, anywhere, anytime, is his "friend".
7. He officially has met his first Bully. She is a 20 month old little girl in exercise group that has all big brothers. She tends to push and hit for playing. He is terrified of her and he often talks through his anxiety on the way to class, "My little girl pushes me. She is learning to show love. I have to show her love. My little girl can't drink my water. I should just stay away from her, right?"
8. Otto is teaching me patience. I thought I was pretty good at it as a teacher, but NOTHING prepares you for parenting a 3 year old. Thank goodness for weekends at Nana and Papa's house on occasion to let Mommy clear her head and recharge!
