Happy Memorial Day

Good morning everyone,

I love the mornings here. The air is fresh, the birds are chirping, the flowers and trees are swaying, I have my coffee, and everyone is still sleeping. How much better could it be?

People here in Kansas don't give their State much credit. I know I am somewhat still in denial, and it's hard to admit it, but I have to say, I think... I really like it here. I only wish it were another name than Kansas! Isn't that terrible? When we were leaving AZ we got harassed a bunch when we told everyone we were moving to Kansas. Here in Kansas, we get harassed even more that we LEFT Arizona. What's up with that? I think I need to start a club here and help the people from Kansas to be proud of their State and see how nice it is here. Wichita is such a pretty city. The downtown is so quaint. Many old buildings with lots of beautiful structure, some buildings are over 100 years old. The homes here are so magnificent. Great big old mansions. In the suburbs, the newer homes are equally as beautiful. I keep thinking I am only trying to look at the bright side of having to live here, but I think I really do like it here!

David is our non stop explorer. We all know if we go for a ride with him, we are in for a long day driving everywhere. Not just Wichita, all of the small towns around us. We each nod off at different times, but it is enjoyable to have our family together exploring new territory. I love that David is learning about our surroundings.

The kids have been out of school for a week. They are both happy children. :D

I never saw Keegan smile so much. She is really soaking up relaxation. She has written several short stories, and a few screenplays in her first week off! She has been reading books that most of us would never pick up. (Literature that is too hard to comprehend) She has had a picnic with her friends. She is in a summer book club arranged by her high school. They meet and discuss their weekly scheduled book. To most of us this ALL sounds a lot like school, huh?. If you know Keegan, reading and writing is her paradise! Oh, she and I have watched a lot of movies. I did miss that we couldn't spend our movie time together during the school year.

Dawson on the other hand has been busy with his friends. They play basketball nearly every day. He is getting really good at half court shots! (I'm impressed.) Most of the time he is going to friends or they come over here to visit. He spends a lot of time on the phone with the girls! Although I have to say I am glad that he talks to them on the phone, instead of just texting them. There is nothing like hearing the voice on the other end. I think it is much more personal. I have to look at old pictures of my boy to remind me of how sweet and cute he was when he wanted to cuddle with me and loved his mommy more than anyone. (Sorry David!) Don't get me wrong, I still think he is cute, or should I say handsome. And I do still get big bear hugs from him. Actually he walks up to me often, I think he is about to hug me, when in fact he only wants to remind me that he is taller than me!! (I am now the shortest one in my family) Oh well, who cares, right? I do love how Dawson has grown into a young man. It's hard to remember he is still 13, because he acts more like 15. If you didn't read my earlier blog about Dawson's Lacrosse team, be sure to check it out.

I feel like time is going to go really fast now with both kids and it will seem like in no time they will be off on their own. It makes me so sad to think about it. I need to quickly get back into my hobbies. Before I know it they will both be gone and I will not know what to do with myself.

David's and my schedule are opposite of one another. He works evening, I work days. He's off on the weekends and I work the weekends. Occasionally they give me a weekend day off. We do this on purpose so one of us can be available for the kids. Mostly to be their taxi service! So I guess once the kids are on their own we could make our schedules mix together. Why am I thinking about all of this now? Maybe to prepare myself, huh?

Naturally I have attached a few pictures. I thought it would be appropriate to remember a special day before we left Arizona. Our family got together on a very, very, HOT day!! We had a memorial for David and Marion's father. The photo is a picture of their parents, Francis and Phyllis Hughes. We miss them both and think about them often. Even though it was so hot outside that day, it was still fun skipping rocks in the lake and seeing the entire family together.

It won't be long and we will be in Arizona visiting our family and friends. The kids are so excited to see their old friends again. I know we will be driving them around the entire time. I read on the Internet the weather was supposed to be 113 degrees by the time we arrive. Yippee, I can't wait to feel that oven blast heat in my face!

I need to close for now and get outside to enjoy my morning in Kansas! :)

Love and God's blessing to you all,

Marjie