It's gettin' deep . . .

I was just about to sit down and blog (more) about my beautiful family reunion, but something is goofy with the uploading process . . . so that will have to wait until another day.

I do want to share something I just read tonight in a book called, "The WHY Cafe" (John P. Streleckly). I guess this book might be categorized as a "self help" book. I didn't see myself reading a "self help" book (this early in my life, anyway), but Carl had received this book at a teaching conference and told me to read it when I had a chance. I kept putting it off, because it really didn't interest me very much.

After having nothing else to read (and still some summer left)I decided to delve in. I must admit, I thought it was a little weird/cheesy at first, and I caught myself rolling my eyes a time or two, but there were some phrases that caught my attention.

The book basically explains to it's readers that they need to do what truly makes them happy in life. The author tells a story of a man who is going on a vacation to "recharge his batteries" from his hectic everyday life. The man ends up getting lost in the middle of nowhere (told ya, kinda cheesy) and stumbles upon a Cafe. He ends up talking about some deep topics with the Cafe employees, and discovers some pretty profound things about his own life. The people in the Cafe tell him that he wouldn't need to go on vacation to "recharge his batteries" if he was already doing what he wanted to do on a daily basis. Couple of quotes that caught my attention . . .

"Life is a great story, John. It's just that some people don't realize they are the author (of their own life), and they can write it however they want."

"Eventually, my life, and the ways I want to fulfill it, became clear. Ironically, that was when I faced the most difficult challenge of all. When you weigh two choices, and one is living a life that is fulfilling, and the other is just living, you think the decision is simple.

It isn't.

Over time, I have observed that this is the place where most people end their journey. They peer through a hole in the fence, and can clearly see the life they would like to have, but for any number of reasons, they don't open the gate and walk into that life."

Wow.

Makes a person think.

Are you fulfilled? Am I fulfilled? Are we doing what we want to do?

- Deep thoughts,
by, Anne Adolphson.

Family

This is a sneak peak into the 2010 Youngern Family Reunion. We invaded Ruttger's Resort in Bemidji, MN and had a blast as we danced, ate, laughed, golfed, visited, water-skied, built sandcastles, sipped cocktails, grilled, and put on talent shows and awards ceremonies. These memories will be cherished by all, and not soon forgotten. I love you all.

gotta love the ghetto pool

They may not be glamorous, but these little pools have been a life savor on these hot and humid days! If we don't have time to go to the beach, I just fill these pools up with the hose in the morning, and after nap time, they are warmed up and ready for splashing!

just a little sip . . .

The beauty of these little pools is that Claire can easily walk in and out of her pool all by herself. If she has a couple of toys to play with, she is good-to-go for quite a while.

I love it because I don't have to pack up anything! No overflowing beach bags, cover-ups, life jackets, lawn chairs, or strollers required. Just a suit and some sun block and we are ready to go!

The girls each have their own pool to enjoy. Which means Ella can jump and splash all she wants without having to worry about Claire.

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Too bad we don't have a bigger pool for Jocie, since she is way too cool for these little ghetto pools. Oh well, she is more of a beach girl anyway!

Two more girlies turn 30

Happy Happy Birthday to Kristine and Beth, and welcome to Club 30! We helped celebrate the beginning of their momentous 3rd decade with drinks, dinner, and more drinks. We decided that 30 was just a number, and we felt much younger than that (yes Nicole, we know you ARE younger than that . . . ). We pushed our limits and decided to stay out much too late. Let me tell you, the age I felt that next morning from pure sleep deprivation was MUCH older than 31! But it was worth it! Thanks for the good times, ladies.

Nicole and Kristine

I Love you too, Chicken Fried Rice . . . oh, so good!

A Day in the Life

One of the best memories I will have of this summer will be the mornings I share with my girls out on the playground. As many of you know, Claire is an outdoor girl. Every morning after she wakes up, I hardly have enough time to get breakfast into her tummy before she brings me my flip-flops in hopes that I will bring her outside. As soon as I say the magic words, "Claire, do you want to go outside?", her big blue eyes light up as a huge smile spreads across her face. She giggles and squeals as I put on her shoes, knowing that we will be in the great outdoors in no time!

Because it is so early in the morning, I have to carry Claire back to the playground because the grass is still wet with dew. I trudge across the yard with a baby in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, with Mario following close by. I sincerely hope our backdoor neighbor, Rob, sleeps in because we are ALWAYS still in pajamas and often still supporting our "troll hair" from the night before.

Once we are in the rocks, Claire usually points to her swing. After I get her all buckled in, she always points to the swing next to her and grunts. This is telling me I have to swing too.

After swinging, she usually chooses to play in her house or in the rocks. By this time, Ella has usually woken up and joins us (while Joc is still sleeping soundly).

The girls often play "Restaurant" with me and serve me "stone soup".

What service!

After a few hours of playing, Claire usually gets a little sleepy and is ready for her nap. Then we head back in the house, lay her down, and I get some of my "Mommy Chores" done before lunch time.

Before the summer began, I thought I would have time to have a cup of coffee while watching Ellen in the mornings. But to my surprise, I have only seen about 20 minutes of Ellen all summer long! But to be honest, as much as I love Ellen, I have not missed it one bit! I would take a morning on the playground with my girls over watching Ellen any day of the week!

This glass is half full, baby!

This is the last week of July. August starts next week. Cue the dramatic music and melodramatic actress.

All us teachers have been guilty of eternal-negativity when the 1st of August rolls around. Play-time is over. School shopping begins. Teacher In-Service and Open House is right around the corner.

But this summer have I vowed to be positive. After all, school doesn't begin until September. That means, I still have around 35 days left of my summer. Sure it might be a little busy when we start getting the girls ready for the school year, but I am still not AT WORK! Which means, I still have a whole MONTH left of:

limited alarm setting

drinking coffee in my PJ's

playing out on our playground with the littles for hours on end

staying up late with a glass of wine - just because I can

going to the beach whenever I want

4 more sessions of Play Group

bike rides around the lake

being able to do what I want, when I want (for the most part)

The list goes on and on. Not many professionals get 3 whole months off (in a row) every single year. I will NOT waste 1/3 of it feeling sorry for myself that it is "almost over".

No Sir.

Not me.

Now if you will excuse me, I have some LIFE to live!