sometimes...

you just have to put up a random (kinda ugly) picture on the blog, and see if your husband ever reads it.




Well, to quote Melissa B, "I think I've caught the summer non-posting bug along with everyone else." Seriously what is with this summer and the lack of posts by the general blogland? It's been a fun summer, even if the weather has just decided to do the summer thing recently, it's been great. It's been non stop for the month of August and now I'm all, hmmm, now what?

(this is pretty much my favorite picture right now, James just climbed right up onto his great grandpa Hicken and cuddled while he read.)

I've been reading so much this summer. I've read a lot of lame-o books this summer, which really annoys me because when I start a book even if it's so so SO bad, I can't stop. If I ever do happen to quit a book, I feel all bad and I can't move on to a new one. Like I don't want to hurt the books' feelings so I just have to stop reading altogether for a while, so the book thinks I just got to busy and didn't finish. Then I get out of the habit of reading and I hate that, so that is why I HAVE to finish each and every book. And don't pretend books don't have feelings. But, there have been some good ones in between to make up for it. I'm always up for a good recommendation so give me a book or 2 in the comment section.

(grandma Hicken sharing her piano secrets, if only it were so easy for me...)

Derek's Grandpa Hicken turned 90 this month. We had a HUGE reunion party for him with tons of his kids, grandkids and greats at this big reunion house in Mountain View. I think there were over 80 people there over the 3 days. It rained pretty much the whole time and was still so fun. The Hicken's really are a great family and I'm pretty sure it has a whole lot to do with Grampa. He is such as amazing man on so many levels. One of the very best stories to sum him up was from his son Patrick who couldn't be there, but it was in this big memory book we made for him. He said, Not long ago I (Pat) was talking with my dad about some of my problems and what I was going through. And when I was done, grampa Hicken said, 'Well I don't know what to tell you, I've never really had any problems in my life.' This man, who had grown up in the depression, drove fighter planes in the war, raised 10 kids on a farm, never had any problems. Wow!

(the blanket toss: toss children up in the air and see their faces scared stiff for the enjoyment of the adults.)

(This is what you do when it rains, make a rope and skip...for hours...)

I really think we could all learn a lot from Grampa Hicken. He is one of the most genuine people you will meet, such an example of a true friend. And he is a friend to everyone. He is so unbelieveably patient and kind. I can't imagine he has ever raised his voice in his life. He really taught his kids about what is important in life. And apparently, crashing a car is not important and not worth getting upset about, neither is a brand new fridge falling out of the back of the truck. Seriously, I wish you could have heard some of these stories.

And since I've been so scholarly and reading so much this summer and having this great example of a life of 90 years and counting, I've been thinking. Reading can provoke a thought or 2 in my head, shocking I know. Then, turn on a little classical music on a Thursday night when the kids are in bed and I'm a monk. (also, in the moxie's parking lot, right Rhonda?) So, here's my thinking of lately. I know this isn't new and we all have these kinds of thoughts to keep us in check, so I'm writing them today.

(this is just the getting ready for the picture with everybody, i don't have one with everybody, it was way more than this.)

What am I doing with today? Why am I sometimes so ancey for the days to be over? It's just gonna be the same thing tomorrow. Is this just a countdown till we die? How terrible when you put it that way. I just want to be proud of what I did each day. I want to be aware of the big picture, but live in and fulfill the moment. I don't want to make stress where it isn't necessary. I want my kids to know a happy mom. I want my kids to see happy parents. I want to teach and raise my kids the right way. But sometimes I'm so busy trying to find out and worrying about what the right way is, I forget to live this life. I want to be a little more easy going and I want to have FUN! I want to be happy at the end of each day of my accomplishments. And making supper and cleaning it up IS an accomplishment! (and today I cannot say that accomplishment is mine, such is life when you live with your wonderful mother.) I am so happy and grateful for the life I have and the people that are in it, and I want to show it. It's not too hard, right?!

And now I'm spent after doing this for my first time this summer. (i can't believe i'm such a slacker and never went until now) and THAT is accomplishment. (No, not the waterskiing, getting in that dang water!)  note the glass that is the water and my reflection in it, perfection.


Then of course you end it with a few cute pictures. Cause there aren't enough pictures on here already.




Happy back to school everybody!