2 Weeks in BulletPoints and Pictures

•  Saturday 8/18 – Salem’s birthday party. I would say it was a success. We didn’t actually invite any of her friends except for Adisynn, because it is really hard to get a hold of kids in elementary school when they are not in school. But she was loved and surrounded by lots of people who are important to her, and got a lot of great stuff which made her feel important. And most of all, she was surprised with Justin, Destiny and Lucy’s presence, and that was probably the best part of all. 
• Sunday 8/19 – We couldn’t not take an opportunity to spend more time with our friends, so we drove down to San Juan Capistrano for lunch at Johnny Rocket’s, and to walk around some of the old houses and shops. Nothing too exciting, just good quality time with friends. We were invited to dinner that night, but Scott wanted to be completely ready for his first day of work, so we went home early afternoon. No pictures to share, other than these two candid shots Destiny got of Ian on my shoulders that I simply love. Later in the evening, Salem and I went to Target and spent her gift cards on clothes. We got 5 outfits and tried on a good 10 or so. It was one of the best girl time sessions we have ever had.  
• Monday 8/20 – Scott’s first day of work. As you can imagine, he was pretty nervous, but also pretty excited. I got up with him and packed his lunch. Prayed over him and saw him off, and promised that we would be home by the time he was so that he could share his day with us over dinner. The kids and I met Justin, Destiny, Lucy and Andre at The Orange Circle for lunch, antique shopping and pictures. Destiny really likes the 50’s era so we all dressed up for the part, and ate at Watson’s Diner that is over 100 years old. Scott was treated to lunch from his friend who referred him, so he ended up eating the lunch I packed him on the way home. He had a good first day and liked his coworkers that he met. 
• Tuesday 8/21 – Disneyland day with the whole family. Well, Justin and Destiny’s family at least. Destiny’s mom was there, as well as Justin’s. His brother, sister in law, their 2 kids. Andrea, Brian, and her brother Rob. Justin’s ex sister in law, plus her son, daughter, new husband, and 2 step sons. Plus me and the kids. I don’t think I forgot anyone. Parker was there, he’s named off in my list of people, just not by his actual name. This is the little boy we joke that Salem will marry. It was a great day. Just like the old times I crave and miss. I just wish my husband was there. The only thing I could complain about is that it was a long day, and being on someone else’s watch did not go over well with Ian, we did little that entertained him and he was very grouchy towards the end of the day. But he did get to meet Mickey Mouse, and as you will see, he loved! 
• Wednesday 8/22 – Recovery Day. Me and the kids relaxed while Scott was at work. I tried doing a ton of laundry, and was not as successful as I had hoped, but I was proud of my small success. I was excited to actually see my husband, because it felt like it had been days, so we went out to dinner instead of doing it at home, and picked up dog food and a few other things from Sam’s Club. 
• Thursday 8/23 – More laundry, and last minute birthday shopping. The kids and I went to the mall, and I had my brother tag along so that he could distract Salem while I got the Rapunzel backpack and lunchbox she wanted from the Disney Store. Scott had practice that night with his band, so while he was doing that, I took my car in to have a headlight replaced, and shopped at Target for Salem’s school supplies. We shared some nachos while we waited and made a complete itinerary of the rides she wanted to go on at Disneyland the f

ollowing day for her birthday. 

Friday 8/24- Salem’s actual birthday at Disneyland. We got there early in the morning and met my dad and Brian, Julie, my dad’s girlfriend’s son. I wish they would just get married already so I could say step mom and step brother. Anyway, Salem got the full on Princess treatment since my dad pretty much let her do anything she wanted, and let her get her hair, makeup, and nails done like a princess at the Bippity Boppity Bootique. I didn’t know my dad was going to do it so I didn’t have any of her dresses with me, but it was definitely an extremely special moment. My dad and I cried pretty much through the whole thing. I have never seen her happier than she was in that moment, and the woman who did her up did a great job of doing up the Disney Magic. Later in the afternoon Justin, Destiny, Lucy, Andrea, Bryan, Jessica, Joel and Scott joined us to celebrate. Scott brought one of her dresses with him and completed her day. She got her wish and we stayed until closing, but she didn’t complete her itinerary. Pretty close though. 

Monday 8/27 – Salem’s first day of 1st grade. I felt awesome because I got her to school early, got myself completely ready before leaving the house, still got Scott’s lunch ready and just was on my domestic duties. That was short lived. The good news was that Salem survived the day and looked adorable. Bad news was that she had nothing good to say about her day, and in fact, didn’t want to talk about it at all. The best part about class is that Adisynn is in her class with her. That was answered prayer for sure. 

t for work with instructions that I needed to find a dentist to yank his tooth that day. So while getting Salem ready, I was setting up an appointment for him. I dropped her off, then took myself to get Starbucks, gas, and a car wash. Me and Ian swung by Target for a few provisions, and then I showed him a jumper Grandma Julie was going to buy for him off of craigslist. When I text her and told her that he loved it so much that he threw a fit in the store when we walked away from it, she told me to just buy it new, and she would put the money in my account. We went home and Scott got home about the same time. Thankfully his job was more than gracious about him leaving early his second week of work. I assembled the jumper and was finished about the same time I needed to leave and get Salem. I got back and then took Scott to the dentist. His dad paid for the visit and would have paid for him to have the tooth yanked, but I think we are going to wait until Scott has insurance in about 20 days. Basically he has an impacted wisdom tooth that created a whole in his molar that turned into a cavity and he now has to have a root canal. He has/had an infection in the tooth, root, and his jaw. The dentist gave him prescriptions for antibiotics and pain killers. No domestic stuff was done that today except for making sure everyone was fed. 

Thursday 8/30 – More of the same thing. Only worse. I spent all day crying. Well, in between doing things for everyone but me. Made Scott lunch, took Salem to school, took my brother Corey to school, took my brother Zach shopping, picked my brother Corey up from School, picked Salem up from school, made dinner. And in between nursed Ian non stop, exchanged something at Target and managed to take a bath. It has been super hot lately, so I stopped at 7-Eleven and got everyone slurpees. Oh, and I took care of Scott when he got home. After dinner I couldn’t take everyone needing me anymore, so I left and just drove around listening to worship music. I took Ian with me, but at least he wasn’t crying, and I wasn’t holding him. I turned a corner at the top of a hill and saw a rainbow in the sky. I instantly starting crying because I had just got done telling God that even when nothing else made since, worshipping him did. It followed me the rest of my travels. I wanted ice cream badly so I bought Rocky Road from Dreyers. My first bite had a shard off glass in it. I tried calling, but they were already closed. So I drove to Rite AId just to get a scoop of it, but they were out. I still got a scoop, but it just seemed to complete my day that I couldn’t eat the ice cream I really wanted, nor could I get a substitute.

Friday 8/31 – Completion of Salem’s first week and my Dad and Julie got their first tattoos. I was very proud that I completed one week of school, getting everyone ready and together in the morning, as well as getting Salem to school on time without fail. Dreyer’s is sending me free ice cream coupons and an envelope that I can send them the shard back in. I started texting Julie joking that her and my dad should get tattoos that day, and somehow it happened. They drove here, and I drove us to get lunch and then down to see Tom, the guy who does our tattoos. Scott got out of work early, but his tooth was bothering him still and didn’t want to join us. After the tattoos, we drove home and went and got Yogurtland and walked through Toys R Us where my kids got a ton more toys that they don’t need.