A Place to Write

 J dropped out of high school and took a travelling construction job.  He was miserable living in the home he was at and struggling to get by working at KFC. He never wanted to live away from AZ but told me now he had to survive.  He goes to the job site and lives out of a motel for weeks at a time, working 50 hours or more per week, and then returns to Arizona for a few days. During those days he lives with his friend Hunter, who he has always considered his family. When I learned he had moved in with them I was hurt. I knew he wanted to live with them years ago and they just weren't in a position to say yes. I'm glad they finally did say yes because it's the place he feels most comfortable and I want that for him. On Mother's Day the only message I got from J was asking if he got any mail. When I delivered it the response was "Thanks." and the door shut in my face. No Happy Mother's Day. No real acknowledgment at all.   I tried to convince myself I could...

 Dad bought me and himself Powerline shirts. We wore them on the same day and Aspen kept calling it my Goofy shirt. I asked her what was on Daddy's shirt and without looking she said "Suns." Another one: Brendon: "Aspen, you speak your mind very easily." Aspen: Yeah. *Starts making an obnoxious noise* Brendon: "Stop it, I don't like that." Aspen: "Yeah, you like it." *Continues making noise* We've been remodeling the back yard. The biggest challenge has been putting getting an in-ground trampoline but it has also been the most enjoyed part of the yard. Now every night, even though it's crazy hot, you girls go jump on the trampoline. Whenever Aspen is left inside she inevitably finds us and when she comes out she yells "Here I am!" as if we were all wondering where she was.  Not done yet but here's the yard about 85% done. Grass died a bit but has since come back. Just waiting on the shed to arrive in August.  You gir...

 June has been full of trips this year. Memorial Day was later this year and as usual we spent it in Mexico. The house was amazing but the beach was not ideal. It was full of rocks that made it impossible to go swimming--until the last night of course. On the last night there were hardly any waves when the high tide came in and covered the rocks. The kids went kayaking and loved it!  Then Kaybree turned 9. Can't believe you're that old! We celebrated with a few friends at Skateland. You got new skates for your birthday from Grandma Vance and were so excited. When we arrived you asked for a skate mate--a PVC walker thing to help you keep your balance. you used it most of the night but when Brodie and Johnathan offered you cash to skate without it, you had no trouble. As usual, it's your own doubts holding you back.  A few days later it was off to Utah for the MCO performance. We stayed in an awesome Air BnB on a farm. Outside there were horses, chickens, goats, ducks, turk...