July 11, 2026-Quick Trip to Edgewood

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Let me briefly recap the kids' day: Campbell was the first one out the door this morning. She went with a friend to Lake Degray. We suggested that she come and pick us up, but she did not. When she came home, she went to eat and then made her way to Keaton who is babysitting. Anderson made sure that Keaton made it to babysitting since Graham was gone. He went to the zoo with Brooklyn and then a few other places. We have limited internet so keeping track with everyone is a bit more difficult than usual.

Marley was again the first one awake this morning. I heard her and needed to go to the bathroom, but she would hear me then, so I just laid in bed until I fell back asleep. When Robby and I did get up, we took the dogs on a walk.

Mid morning Reagan text reminding me that this was her day off and that she was going to head to Hot Springs for a bit before going to her friend's birthday party. I told her that we were at Degray and she could come and join us. I was surprised when she said that she was one the way to come and see us-she did check on our food level before coming!

She came and visited for a while before going back towards Hot Springs. She is loving the age group that she has right now and is excited about the rest of the week. She has 4 more weeks of camp and then one week at home before she heads back to school.

We walked quite a bit today, and we have re-diagnosed my sore foot to possibly planter fascitis. Robby said Grannymom would have some stretches for me when we get back. With our walking today, I hope that I didn't irritate it too much, but it is already so much better than it was Thursday. (Though I'm still favoring it.)

Tonight we ran to Sonic to pick up Whitman a hamburger, and then Robby and I came home to eat leftover bbq. We have just had our trip ice cream and are settling in for the night. 

July 10, 2026-Quick Trip to Edgewood

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I woke up to a text from Campbell saying that she had been sick last night, so I spent a good bit of time early this morning wondering about her and going over all of the contingency plans for the stomach bug to run through the household.

Thankfully though it was just one event, so possibly it was just something she ate or a fluke. I was greatly relieved when she did wake up and say that she was fine. Since my foot was still a bit sore, but much improved, I didn't go on my walk this morning so I had some extra time. I should have been more productive, but I wasn't!

Robby went to the store, and I even napped a bit while he was gone. Then we kicked things up in high gear getting ready to leave, until we realized that one of the freezers in the garage was a bit warm. We moved things just to be safe since we were leaving, but we think it had been left open plus when it is blazing hot outside and in the garage it probably takes some time to cool off. Keaton just checked the temperature and all was more back to normal.

Whitman, Robby, and I headed to Edgewood for a few minutes. On the way there, we stopped at a gas station for a mystery shop. Robby went in and I also went in with him; I was driving the van. Whitman stayed in the camper with the dogs, and Robby told him he would be back shortly.

The shop had Robby go in the bathroom, buy something from the gas station, and order a sandwich. While we were inside, we just sat down to eat. After a bit, Whitman text Robby to ask when he was coming back. Robby replied asking if he was good. Whitman wrote back that he was fine but just wanted to make sure that Robby was not dead. We assured him that we were fine, but it is always good to check!

Edgewood is a bit more primitive than Degray, but it is fine though our internet is pretty limited even with the Starlink. Robby and I even went all out and set up the tent and lights. The Smiths came, and after a bit Carter asked Whitman to go to the lake with them.

Robby and I walked the dogs there too while Whitman and Carter swam for almost an hour. They stayed until it was dark out while we talked to Whitney. We came back, and Whitman ate his supper after his shower. Now, we are all just waiting until it is ice cream time!

July 9, 2026

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• Marley was the one who woke up first this morning. She whined a good bit while Robby and I tried to lay really still in bed so maybe she would go back to sleep and we could too. That didn't happen though. 
• Soon after we got out of bed, Robby started cooking a pork for our supper tonight...and after eating tonight, this pork will apparently be our supper for many, many more suppers. 
• My heel has been hurting recently, but today it felt better so I started on my walk. I made it about a half mile before I realized it wasn't as better as I thought. I'm stubborn and still walked my entire walk, but currently, I have an ice pack that I'm alternating between my heel and my knee. I banked the mess out of my knee while taking a load of things to put in the camper. I've aged by 20 years just today!
• Robby and I went to Costco this afternoon to walk around. Then I ran into Walmart to pick up some canvases for Graham. Next, we met Anderson, Campbell, Keaton, and Whitman at Top Golf. We played for a long time, and we even stayed almost the whole 2 hours. That is a long time for us plus it is super, super hot at Top Golf.
• We came home, and soon Brooklyn came over for supper. Graham and Brooklyn painted two different canvases tonight switching every few minutes. I think that Brooklyn must have done most of the painting because they both really look good. 
• For supper we had Robby's delicious pork, my baked beans which I can never make as good as my moms, fries and ooey gooey for dessert. Anderson missed supper because he was playing basketball. Campbell also missed supper because she was quick to jump at an invitation to go out to eat-she thought that we were having something else for supper!
• Now, Robby and I are sitting on the couch with two sleeping puppies. Maybe we will even have some ice cream tonight!

July 8, 2026

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• Robby and I woke up and took the minivan to the repairman this morning. I did get myself ready, but Robby ran that errand in his pajamas. It does help that the repairman is just about a mile down the road from us.
• Campbell made it home mid morning. She had spent the night at a friend's house, and one of their cars were broken into. Campbell heard the car alarm and thought that it was her car's alarm so she started hitting the button-this probably scared the folks away and saved her from getting a window broken. She even documented the adventure with pictures-the mom getting up, the police coming, the dad ordering more cameras for the house before he went back to bed. 
• I have hurt the bottom of my foot somehow so I didn't walk today. I will walk tomorrow (I'm writing that so you will hold me to it.) I actually miss walking because I don't get to listen to my book too much if I don't take a walk. 
• This afternoon I went with Robby to pick up the minivan and then get gas in a few of the cars. When we came home I finished playing a game with Whitman-we have played the same game 3 days in a row. 
• Campbell left for a birthday this evening, and then I took Keaton to a 4th of July party. Oh, and Graham actually left first to go and hang out with Brooklyn. Robby and I went to the Fergie's house for some ice cream this evening.
• Anderson was gracious enough to pick up Keaton for me, and he even brought Bentley along for the ride. (Anderson is pretty meticulous about keeping his car clean, so letting a hairy dog ride in his car is something.) 

July 7, 2026

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• Robby and I started watching a tv show last night, and we ended up watching 7 and a half of the 8 episodes. I was set to watch them all even though we would have been up until 3, but Robby got a bit sleepy. 
• Don't worry though because we finished the last one and a half episodes this morning. And yes, even though we didn't stay up practically all night, it was still difficult to wake up this morning.
• Campbell was the first one awake this morning since she had to babysit. When she was finished she ran some errands, and then when she came home she ran to see Grannymom and then ran some more errands with Keaton.
• Tonight, everyone went a few places-Campbell, Keaton, Whitman, and Graham went to Raymar for a Bible study. Then Graham went to Sonic with some friends while Campbell, Keaton, and Whitman went to Hurricane to play volleyball. 
• I left when the first group left to go and play mahjong at the church house. Shannon came with me, and I certainly had fun. Anderson left after the rest of us went to a friend's house to play basketball. He said that they played basketball for a good while. 
• I picked up Whitman on my way home, and Keaton stayed to play more volleyball. Now those three are all at Sonic and hopefully, they will start trickling home soon!

July 6, 2026

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• Robby and I were awake early this morning because we were getting new internet. I started on the things around the house, and eventually the internet man came. I put Marley up and took a short walk.
• Then I hurried home so Robby could run some errands. While he was gone, I managed the two internet worker people and the two dogs. This was the most challenging thing I did all day. Eventually, Marley was exhausted from being drug around the house on the leash with me and from not being able to sleep because she was worried about the people outside. 
• When Marley did sleep, I was able to crochet a bit and play a game with Whitman while the internet man finished up. Of course after the new internet was installed, we all spent some time investigating if it was really faster.
• Keaton, Campbell, and Graham all went to eat with the youth from church. Graham made it home first even after playing pickleball for a while. Campbell and Keaton ended up getting Starbucks and Seven Brew plus a trip to Menchies and Target. With all of their stops, they made it home after Graham.
• Tonight, Graham and Anderson went to play basketball, and a bit later Campbell went to play volleyball. Last night at volleyball she laid down her best pair of glasses, and when she went back to pick them up, they were not there. Thankfully, she does have a few extra pairs to get her through.
• Robby and I are sitting on the couch watching some of the World Cup right now though we may change the final to something a bit more exciting and a bit less stressful. 

July 5, 2026

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• We struggled to find seats this morning at church-there were offering baskets saving every row. We might just have to start getting there earlier which would make the girls very happy. They are never pleased with how early we leave for church even though we always get there at least 15 minutes early.
• We didn't have Sunday school today because of the holiday so when church was over we visited for a bit and then headed to Nonna and Pops for Sunday lunch. They had hamburgers and all of the fixings. We ate and visited, and then we headed home because it was a busy afternoon for the kids.
• Keaton and I left first to run to Walmart for her to buy a birthday present for one of her friends. While we were gone, Robby and Anderson washed the cars that were left at the house. Then not too long after we got home, Anderson and Graham left all dressed up for a wedding.
• Campbell left next to go to a party and then she went to another place to watch fireworks-while she was there, she did lose her glasses, but she does have another pair plus she has a coupon to order another pair. She did the right thing and went back to look and spoke to a worker, but I think that she was a bit bummed about it.
• Robby took Keaton to her party next. She ended up at the same fireworks that Campbell was at so they played some volleyball with all of their friends and are now on their way home. When Robby returned from taking Keaton, he worked outside for a bit, but then the Wilsons came over for our Sunday night supper.
• There was only 4 of us eating, so we had way too much food, but we might eventually eat it. The boys and Brett all came back from their wedding and told us all about it. They all stayed for a while, and now we are just waiting on the girls to come in and everyone will be in for the night.