Summer Vacation 2010

*warning* This is a vent post. If you don't want to read whining, I suggest you move on. Thank you.

You know, I think that I am a patient person. I usually allow things to just roll off of my back without fussing or stressing too much. However, I am just about ready to kick my kids to the curb (metaphorically, not in reality). I don't even really blame them for the torment they've been giving me lately. We live in a place where there is literally nothing to do. Not within a 45 mile radius, anyway. We also live in a place that is hotter than hades. Yes, it only gets into the low 90s, but couple that with humidity and it's over 105 outside. The summers in the south are like winters in the north - you just don't go outside until the season changes.

Anyway, we've done a lot of fun things this summer but it seems as if the past few weeks are crawling by because we've been inside so much. The kids are getting tired of one another. I'm getting tired of them. The constant whining and fighting, etc. are just starting to wear thin, you know?

I've tried all sorts of activities to alleviate the boredom. We've gone to the library. We've done art projects. We've learned how to do laundry. We've watched movies. We've played the Wii. We've gone to two different water parks. We've played board games. We've had birthdays. We've made things for Father's Day. I just don't know what else to do! I would so love it if there were a zoo nearby, or a museum, or a freakin' bookstore! I would love to have a craft/hobby store nearby to get ideas. I would love to just have a Target! I would also love to not be pregnant so that I could have more energy to help my kids stave off the summer "blahs". I'm also trying really, really hard to not let them just veg in front of the TV all day. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

For those of you who have never lived in a small, isolated town, you will never understand this. For those of you who have visited us here in Hinesville, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm not posting this to beg for sympathy, or even for ideas. I just needed to vent and say that I am now very ready to move away from here and live someplace where the main store is NOT a Wal-mart!

........

That is all.

Joy

Summer Vacation

I don't know what it is, but this summer I am not hating summer vacation! We've already been at it three weeks and I still like the children. I think one trick is to have the days packed with stuff, with just a few lazy days in between. Thus far we have had baseball camp, track and field camp (ongoing), Scouts, my parents visiting, helping friends move, church activities, etc. It sure makes the time fly by, and it keeps the kids entertained.

I'm also noticing how helpful all of the kids have been. It might be because they are growing and maturing, or it might be because they want to be helpful because I'm not as capable of doing things as I once was. It might also be because they want to get on my good side so I'll let them be the first one to hold the baby! Regardless, they have been so good. I've only had to raise my voice a few times.

This summer might also be going as well as it is because, as far as being pregnant, I am not in my first, or third trimesters! I went through the first trimester while three of the four kids were in school, and Josh was very patient with me. I'm in my "energy-driven" (relatively speaking) second trimester and so I still can just keep up with the kids. Thankfully, when I hit "beached whale" status, the kids will be back in school, and Joshua will impress me with his patience skills, once again.

I'm grateful for older kids. I never new how much fun and help they could be. Plus, with the older kids acting so responsibly, it helps the younger ones realize how they should act. It is just fantastic!

Of course, I wish it were just slightly cooler outside so I could send them out more. I'm really looking forward to the day when I don't have to worry about the heat index!

Nomes