June joys!

It has been a few crazy months.  Packing up my parents, cleaning the house, going through remodels when we find problems.  Packing up the office after my dad shut it down.  He thought that he was going to commute from Washington to Vegas until he sold the practice but once he got to Washington he hated leaving and commuting.  Closing an office was a nightmare.  He thought we could do it in a day or two.  It was amazing that we did it in a week.  There’s still much to do though.

As I was picking fruit today I had a wonderful series of memories.  I met Michelle Ravell through the office as a patient.  Dr Brooksby said that most of the times our patients become our friends because we actually treat them like people and not just dental problems to be solves.  Michelle is older than me but that’s ok.  We are in similar phases of life.  She loves to garden so I asked if she had been to the San Miguel garden.  She said she hadn’t.  She joined the FB page and started coming to help there.  I was able to get to know her a little bit better.  As we were closing the office life was crazy for everyone.  We had to close the door on friends, but just people we consider patients.  It was the last week and we were getting some of her work done when she said how much she had to get done.  I offered to come help her.  Even though I was overbooked with things to do, I decided to help her.  She introduced me to Apriums.  They are a ¾ apricot and ¼ plum  They are less fuzzy than apricots but she had a ton on her tree that needed to be picked.  We picked them and spent the next hour or so afterwards talking. 

She was leaving out of town right in the middle harvesting season.  She had white nectarines and plums that she wasn’t going to be able to pick.   I offered to help her.  It was a good time picking things.  I attempted fruit leather using the sun to dry it vs a dehydrator.  It only took a day and the girls love the plum leather.  Plus she was able to keep her produce.  I got a small glimpse into how and why farmers help each other.  I was at her house and realized one of the major branches on the peach tree had snapped.  It was overloaded with fruit.  I didn't want her to lose all those peaches!  They were mostly red but still needed a few days.  So I picked the fruit and hope that it will riped on the counters!  I'm hopeful and excited because that means more peach jam if everything ripens!  I lost a bunch or puree, now I have the chance to get it back!  

She also had more white nectarines that I picked, froze and took a few home.  I've enjoyed learning more about gardening and enjoying the fresh stuff that comes locally from family, friends and the garden that we are privileged to have so close. 

As I was headed home from picking her fruit for her, I was glad that I had worked at my dad’s office and was able to meet so many people.  They really did become friends.  It was a lot of work in that year and a half but I've learned a lot.  

The funny part is that at least once a week my dad will call from Washington.  You sure you don't want to fly up here this weekend and be my dental assistant?  Or what if Joel transferred programs to Washington and you became my dental assistant again?  My dad was spoiled with a good worker that he trained and that also we educated.   He was spoiled. 

As much as I enjoyed working there were definite draw backs.  I made a decent wage but after taxes and child care expenses, I didn't get to keep all that much.  With Joel and I both working, we were both more tired and didn't always want to cook or clean which meant that we ate out more.  When people ask Joel how we are going to survive on just one paycheck again, Joel replies that my job is to make sure we can live on one salary.  By making food instead of eating out, we save hundreds.  I find the good deals and we eat better.  The world has gotten accustomed to living on two salaries because of the livestyles we think we have to maintain, but Joel and I prefer one income and work to make that work.  Our lives are more enriched when we can take care of our children and make our own food.  We also get to have more adventures while our children are growing up.  If I really want to work, I can figure something out.  But right now, I'm good.  Maybe once they are grown up and out of the house.  ;)

We were at my parent's house again working.  Joel had to run to get supplies so I figured I'd let the girls swim.  It's warm enough so the pool should be a good temperature.  My parents has purchased these floaters that wrap around the body and go on the arms as well.  I put Hailey in hers and Emi in one as well.  Then they proceeded to play on the steps and not much further!  That is until Hailey realized what the floaties allow her to do.  Once she realized that she could float on the water and not sink I couldn't do much to keep her out of the water.  Back and forth, back and forth.  Then she started jumping.  It was a blast!  Twists and turns and forwards and backwards. 

As of the second week in June I have been unemployed and back to a stay at home mom.  :)  I couldn't be happier right now.  Well maybe in a little bit after I finish playing pick up.  The house had gone to wreckage, meaning I had a mountain of laundry that hadn't been folded in a month.  I had kids clothes that were too small and needed to be sorted.  There were dishes and toys everywhere.  So I spent the second week of June cleaning.  

 

It has been interesting to see the dynamics of a house when a mom is home.  We have been working on getting Hailey potty trained for a long time now but she's never really done it consistently.  Finally once I was home we allowed her to wear her big girl underwear full time.  I had the impression to get her a potty chair, so we did.  We got her little potty chairs, one for her and one for Emi.  It's funny, Emi has to have hers even though she's not ready to potty train fully. 

 

It was a major lesson on the impact of mothers in the home.  I was able to clean and organize and discipline the girls.  And Hailey only potty trained once I was home.  I'll tell you, being back to only changing one in diapers is great!  It means fewer loads of laundry, in a sense.  I have to wash more underwear now!

I also love watching Hailey get that look on her face and scamper off to the lady bug.  I have to pee! Then she runs away.  Her first time pooping on the toilet was epic as well.  "Momma, look! I pooped a snake!" Oh the joys of potty training!