And... It's almost July.

Where has the time gone?  It's soon going to be July and I've barely had a moment to even think about blogging!

Our garden is continuing to grow.  We have harvested more radishes.... and believe it or not, I've been having success with growing tomatoes from our seeds!  It's been hit or miss with most of what I started indoors with seeds.  One broccoli plant made it (out of 4)... none of my cabbage made it.... several tomatoes bit the dust... and now my green peppers!  But four tomato plants are thriving and I am thrilled!  Like I have mentioned previously, I am very new to this... and it's a learning process, for sure!  The seeds that we planted directly in the garden seem to be doing well.  Hopefully the tomatoes will transplant well when the time comes.  We have been getting LOADS and LOADS... and I mean LOADS of rain this month so I don't think we've watered anything once!  Of course, some of my hanging plants around our front porch might be drowning a wee bit....

Anyway!  I have some good news!  If you have followed at all, you will know about my father-in-law's cancer situation.  (I would tag back to the posts, but literally am too lazy right now, phooey!)  He was not expected to live way-back-when in 2011... then again in 2013... and the doctors told us this winter that they'd be surprised if he was alive through March.  He had some really bad episodes and we truly thought it was soon going to be the end.  BUT, here we are at the end of June and we were able to celebrate Father's Day with him!!  

 

I insisted on a picture... and I truly think it is one to treasure!  I can't tell you what it meant to Cory to have his dad on Father's Day.  I know it's more a marketing ploy than anything (as every holiday is pretty much)... but it was another significant milestone to us considering he wasn't expected to be here.  I am not a hugging kind of person, but while everyone else was out getting into the vehicle to head home... I felt compelled to run back in and wish my father-in-law a Happy Father's Day and give him a hug and a peck on the cheek.  I even told him I loved him... and I am pretty certain I'd never told him that before.  I might have been more surprised than he was, but I just felt it needed to be said.  I am thankful for him (and my MIL) and for the man they raised Cory to be.  Of course he is not perfect... but he is perfect for me (despite our differences!)... and I am so thankful that Cory had such good parents.  And they have been wonderful in-laws and such loving grandparents for our girls.

After church on Sunday, my parents came over for a Father's Day visit.  We had some lunch and the girls ran around and played, loving the attention of course!  I was able to round up my crew and get a picture with my dad.  

 

I am so thankful for him and who he is!  We were never really close growing up... I just don't think he knew what to do with two daughters.  But I know he loved me and my sister... and I've always looked up to him for working so hard for our family.  Self employed in a small town for most of my life, my parents really scraped by for a lot of years.  But both of my parents worked their rears off for our family.... and I am grateful for that! 

This may give you a little chuckle before you go...

Father's Day evening I was in the kitchen (on the phone with my mom, if you must know) finishing up dishes.  The girls get a little bit of milk and are allowed to watch about 15 minutes of TV before bed while Cory takes a shower and I do a little straightening up.  I left Audra on her blanket, playing with toys.  The other two were (supposed to be) watching a show.  I finished the dishes and mosied over to a seat in the dining room where I could continue to chat with my mom and keep an eye on Audra.  She is starting to move a bit by scootching, so I don't like to leave her alone (obviously).  Eloise is glued to the TV, which is her nature when it's actually ON.  And Dinah was out of view..... but all of a sudden a smell hit me!  NAIL POLISH!  I jumped up and ran into the living room where Dinah was sitting on the floor, slathering her legs and feet in maroon nail polish!  Now, you have to know... we don't let them use "real" nail polish.  We opt for the less toxic "piggy paint".  However, some well meaning relatives had given the girls regular nail polish over the holidays and I had procrastinated on doing anything with them.  So they sat on our (open to the living room) steps in the same gift bag they came in.  (I know, so horrible of me).  The girls are not to be on the steps unless they ask (or are going upstairs, of course)... so Dinah went about halfway up the steps to retrieve the nail polish, brought it back down and was able to open it all on her own... and proceeded to make a huge mess, which included the adorable handmade skirt she'd worn that day... and the carpet!  Cory was out of the shower already and ran down the stairs, quick as a wink.  Of course he was NOT happy.  I wasn't either... but I knew it was ultimately my fault for many reasons... so I was just trying to keep calm and not make a big deal out of it.  (I hang my head in shame, truly)  So much for trying to go the less toxic route, as we ended up using nail polish remover to get it (mostly) off.  And, for future reference, if you ever need to get nail polish (or any stain!) out of carpet... google how to do it with Windex.  It works.  No joke.  I must say though, even though it was a little bit funny... and a lot alarming... I am just SO glad she didn't drink it!  I can't even imagine.  Thank you God!  

The nail polish is now far far away.... 

Hope you were able to spend Father's Day with the special guys in your life!