Days with the Dorans

I love fourth of July on the lake! I feel like there are more and more kiddos each year! I really didn't take any pictures (aside from 3 selfies and the pics of Z with friends) but thankfully others did (including my talented friend Nan who also took all the amazing firework shots- I loved them all so much I just screen shotted them together). Nan is such a talent and it was great catching up with her! It was a perfect day and night filled with food and fun! We even had a drink for Uncle Zig (and sent it to cousin Jeff). We have much to celebrate! Just bummed I didn't really get any pictures of MY friends (we had quite a good turnout)!! Happy Birthday, America!!

I'm not a huge fan of swans- they're really quite mean but I know the reason is because they are usually protecting their babies. For years, swans have nested near Nana and Papa's place and we've watched babies grow up. We always count and sadly the number always goes down as turtles and other things get them. We were at the lake and there was some commotion going on with the swans and I couldn't figure it out. The swans were going a bit nutty- and I figured it was a turtle or something. One of the babies was caught under the dock and the swan family was not going anywhere. It was hours until they finally swam away and we were able to go to the dock and see the baby.  It was caught under the dock and it was clearly hurt. Shelby and I were able to get it out but you could see a turtle probably got it. Shelby said we should just let it die but I'm a weird with animals as you know... I brought bread for the swan and once we freed the baby swan we t...

Reenacting the Lion King! BWAHAHA Although we are no longer members of our old church, the kids were happy to volunteer (and attend) VBS. This year Z was able to help and he chose to be on the drama team (and we got LOADS of compliments about him) while the ladies stayed with the preschool kiddos. Sean was a participant. We carpooled again with the Macs and Shannon once again spoiled our troops with lunches! I love this little tradition they have of helping out and Shannon loves the kids- especially "the king" AKA Seany. She sent me the best pictures which was awesome because I didn't do any of the driving to church this year. I have been driving Joe to XC so dad took them (and Jeff doesn't have the best phone for pictures).  I think it's safe to say that "The King" is thankful for Mrs. Mac and knows she's a gift from God, herself! I did have to send her these pics. The King loved his crown so much, he didn't take it off!

 So lucky to have family and friends who live on lakes! We've been lucky to have had some fun trips to Lisa's lake! It's been great catching up with Lynn too (who retired recently- but was my first mentor with Jill- who wasn't there on the day I took these pictures). We ate, drank and enjoyed catching up!  Lisa lives on the same lake as our old cottage (which Uncle Joe and Grandpa Drapal later tore down and built this house). It was fun to see the old house- I'm not sure about the white trim around the kitchen window- but it was great seeing the old house- and even better seeing my friends! I love being a teacher in the summer! ;-)

There is no better place to be in the summer than at the lake and I hope my kids know how lucky they are to have a Nana and Papa who live in such a great place! I don't know if I appreciated it as much growing up as I do now! I've been inhaling books down by the lake. This is just the recovery I need to recharge for next school year (I probably shouldn't say that word just yet...)

I got word that the DVD for Game of Tiaras was in so headed over to the kids' school to pick it up. I wasn't in the mood to throw on any make-up (usually I wear mascara and maybe lip-gloss- eyeliner if I'm going somewhere special). Anyway, when I got to the school there was no one there. A custodian (not old or impaired in any way) said to me, "I'm sorry, does anyone know you're here." I said they did not and she said, "Hold on." She walked back into another room and said, "There's a STUDENT out here waiting for you." STUDENT!!! Made. My. Day. And so I had to post it here~ I may not be carded anymore but someone thought I was a student! WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!! I may have to go without ANY make-up more often... Or looking at that picture- maybe not! ;-)

 I had JUST closed up my room when it was time to go back to work for our kids! The funding in our state (and many other states) is HORRIBLE for public schools. I am a representative on my union and it's so sad the cuts that are being made thanks (mostly) due to inadequate funding from the state. We've been wearing #RedForEd on every Wednesday for a while now but Matt and I headed to Lansing to march which was really cool (my first rally). When we got there, it was a sea of red which was so incredibly cool! It was so nice to be around people who were all in the same boat and all willing to do something about it by voicing our concerns and sharing them with those in charge. We found our union peeps right away and it was great to see so many people I know marching for a good cause! I was pretty vertically challenged between Matt and Jared (two of the tallest guys I know) but they gook some cool pictures of our walk to the capital building where you can get an idea of ...

The first two pictures on this post were taken from an Instagram post Joey wrote. I thought it was so sweet. The kids all made cards for the dads in their lives and Dad went disc golfing (which is his favorite thing to do we think).  I headed over to Papa's (AKA MY dad's house) to wish him a Happy Dah-dee Day and I helped him bring up one of the boats. The lake is so high with rain that there is NO beach! Good thing I had some rain boots on! I'd never seen it THAT high before. Later in the evening, we headed to Uncle Dan's to celebrate over there too. I really didn't take any pictures (bad Laura) because I have a crack in my phone (you can see it if you look closely at the yard pictures). I did manage a picture of me and Papa.  So lucky to have the BEST dad's in my life!!! Grandpa Jonasen, Papa Drapal, Grandpa Doran and Dad (Jeff).

“Science may provide the most useful way to organize empirical, reproducible data, but its power to do so is predicated on its inability to grasp the most central aspects of human life: hope, fear, love, hate, beauty, envy, honor, weakness, striving, suffering, virtue.”  ― Paul Kalanithi, When Breath Beco mes Air Dear Doctor, I am certain that you don't remember me. I know you have delivered hundreds of babies (maybe thousands?). I wasn't even one of your patients~ not really. I'm not even a blip in the story of your life but for 16 years now, you've been a bigger part of mine than you realize. Sixteen years ago on September 15th, I was a week overdue with twins. I went to the hospital to finally get induced and you were the doctor on call that night. The nurses were having difficulty finding heart tones so you stepped in. You ordered an ultrasound and and the familiar pictures of my children appeared on the screen but one thing was different. That beautiful spark ...

It's hard to believe last year Ali was dancing in her last recital. She has had no regrets about quitting and that makes me happy. There are certain aspects she misses, but overall feels solid about her decision. She was able to say hello to the owner and a few other old friends but got the cold shoulder from others which was disappointing. After the show (before their evening show) we went out to lupper with some of the old peeps which was fun. I miss my girl, Julia. She had to do line-up all be herself this year! Proud of my dance daughter (Amber)! She did a great job up there- and proud of MY dance daughter for finding the path that was right for her!