I meant to write last weekend, but time has flown. Things have been so busy in the Wright household as I'm sure it is for anyone with school children. We have been so busy since I last wrote, but less stressed. The comfort of knowing there is "no evidence of disease" in Kelby right now has allowed me to relax on that front.
Mom's visit was very nice. We found sun at the church pool and the beach while she was here and did all our school shopping. Mike and I got to go out together a few times too. I think we may have tired her out by the end of her eight day vist, but the girls and I sure enjoyed her!
The weekend before school started was very low key. We didn't do much and really enjoyed it. Mike caught and smoked a couple salmon.
Recently I've noticed the crisp smell of the cool air and the yellow shades of a few of the trees. Fall is tip-toeing in on us. This really is my favorite time of year. It is a time when it is okay to relax at home and have a warm cup of coffee in the afternoon. When the girls nap, I sit on my bed and enjoy the bright, yet cloudy sky and the hill beyond the neighbors' houses. It is a beautiful view and it makes me appreciate my home. This place I live, if not huge and full of expensive things, is cozy and comfortable. Autumn is filling me with content.
Kelby's first day of school was Tuesday, September 6. I was sad the night before realizing how much I was going to miss her. She was quite happy with her first day, but she got in trouble for chatting too much with her best friend Larissa. We had a talk and hopefully it won't be a problem throughout the year. The whole school thing has never really phased Kelby. I have to get used to to making her lunches now that she goes the full day.
I was so anxious for Kelby's first day of school that I barely remembered it was my birthday. My sister-in-law, Heather, had invited me over for coffee for that first day of school. I figured it was just to help our younger girls (Naomi and Tegan) to not be terribly bored without their big sisters, but she had invited the whole family for my birthday. We had a little brunch and they brought presents. It was so sweet and unexpected! 
Mike's been playing softball on Tuesdays so he had a game that night. We had a Taco Bell picnic at the park for dinner (at least I didn't have to cook!) Mike got me a cool techy toy for my birthday, but he let me open it a week ago. It is a pen that can be used as a mouse. It works great for letting me draw on the computer, especially since I'm left handed. I made a cool logo for Kelby's school volunteer program with it.
The rest of the school week went great for Kelby. She was tired and took a nap on the first and third day, but survived the other days without a nap at all. I'm not sure how to work that part of our days. Tegan still needs a nap and I'd like to have Kelby take a nap some days just so she doesn't get over tired. On Thursday she took a nap and when she got up said, "I did get a good nap." She hadn't thought she needed one, but slept well anyway. I said, "I'm just not sure what to do about naps with you now." She said, "Well, we could make a pattern! One day I could take a nap and the next day I don't." That is a very good idea. I might try Tuesdays and Thursdays with naps and the rest without. On the no nap days, Tegan can take a nap before Kelby gets home. That way she'll get to play with her big sister. Besides, I miss Kelby if she takes a nap because she's already gone all day. I think she misses me too because she really wanted me to play with her on Saturday.
I was gone Saturday morning at a speaking event. I had agreed to talk at this workshop for women about three months ago. I worked on it here and there, but didn't get really busy on it until last weekend. With school and other things, time was short to work on it last week, so I was up until 3:30 am Friday night ironing out the kinks. It turned out better than I could have hoped for and it ending up being a nice morning. Afterward, I just relaxed all day in the glory of it being over! I'm not going to be speaking through the Bureau anymore. If there was an opportunity to speak where people aren't paying to hear me, I might do it just for the practice. That way it isn't so much pressure. Otherwise, I think I got it out of my system. I'd rather put the effort into writing...since you pretty much have to write for speaking anyway.
Today was nice weather and we enjoyed a relaxing Sunday. After church we visted Gramma and Grampa Wright for a while.
The girls play outside so much now that I feel like I hardly see them, at least the big girls anyway. They've made many friends in the neighborhood.
Kelby has said a couple funny things lately. Last week I heard her say, "Don't scare me like that Murphy Brown!" She has a stuffed puppy she's named Murphy Brown and it was lost for a moment. When she found it, that's what she said. It was so "mommy" of her. The dog is Murphy Brown because it came in a purse that says Murphy on it. She didn't want to name it Murphy because it had to be a girl (all of her stuffed puppies are girls.) I assured her that Murphy could be a girl's name too...like the TV show. Then, the other day they wanted to watch Snow White. I wasn't sure and I said, "Are you sure you won't be too scared?" Kelby said, "No, I don't think so." Then after a pause, "Besides, I'm brave. I had treatment and I wasn't even scared!" It was just so cute.
The coming weeks should be low key. I plan to deep clean my house and work on stuff for the Parent Group at school. We are well on our way to a new routine. I'd like to invite some friends over here and there and be more of a hostess once again. That skill was on hold for awhile. I need to have people over now to keep Tegan occupied because she's so lonely without Kelby. Hopefully she adjusts soon.
Thank you for continuing to keep us in your prayers. I'm not as fearful now that the scans came back clear. Hopefully things stay this way for awhile. God Bless!
