It's been nice having our own pool in our backyard. It makes hot days more bearable having it in our private yard. No one to share it with unless invited by us! Granted, we've become more aware of letting the kids out on their own even with having pool gates. Steve is very weary of letting the kids play w/o informing us. They have to let us know that they want to play outside inorder for us to make sure all security gates are locked & in place. I love that our pool fence has a lock so not only that it shuts right behind you automatically, but it also allows you to lock it w/ a key so that no sticky fingers can try to play with it & open it. It's a tricky mechanism even adults have a hard time figuring it out...which I know most of you can say, that doesn't say much! But it give us relief knowing that it's there & to make us accountable for it. It's part of life if you choose to have a pool in your backyard. There's always pros & cons of having a private pool.
Magic has, too, been enjoying the pool. He loves it so much that he's learned to dive much more gracefully! He & Steve will play in the pool for hours. Steve throws a ball in the water and Magic dives in to go get it...the both of them will race to see who gets to the ball the fastest. Steve will give the poor dog little cheap shots and of course, Magic, the competitor that he is, gets pissed & starts to whine! It's really a funny site to see of the both of them. You can see the smile that this puppy gives when he's in the pool with his Daddy! I swear Magic is like the baby boy Steve never got to have!
Our girls are enjoying the pool as well. Chloe would prefer to just sit in the floaties than getting her face or hair wet. Callie loves to "dive" into her father's arm. She doesn't like going under water either but she doesn't freak out as much as Chloe does. She loves to act just like her sister but she still has her adventure streak in her.
Steve's company, HMA, got bought out by Multiplan earlier this month. HMA will remain it's name for the time being. It's been a stressful few months for Steve. As of now, his position will remain. Not sure what the future holds for him in the company. I feel like he's given his life to HMA for over 10 years and I think it's time to close that chapter of his life & move on & open a new chapter. This is only my thoughts & feelings - I think he has a lot more to offer than the company gives him credit. I feel like they've sucked everything out of him and any good employees they have. I think he needs to take what he learned from this company & move on. Granted it's easier said than done and he'll always be loyal until the end, which I feel like they know so they'll squeaze everything out of him knowing that he'll never turn his back on them. It saddens me because he has a lot to offer and the knowledge he has isn't being used in a possitive capacity that I know he can do. I feel like he doesn't feel he can do better, which is sad to me. But like I said, this is only my thoughts & feelings.
And last, I'm doing okay. It's been a rough few months for us - with so many changes, I feel like I need to get some serenity. Our house is slowly getting there...somewhat in order. Our front living room dash play room for the kids is starting to look like an actual spacious room. The girls are enjoying having their playroom and seeing their toys since they've been boxed up and only had a few toys to play with for the last 2 months! I know they're so deprived!!! I'm supposed to be hosting a baby shower for our dear friend, Conni, who will be leaving in July. My grounded friend that I have here in AZ will be moving away to Seattle. Her husband got an amazing job w/ Amazon so they'll be moving soon. It's been a little shaky in my world, I guess. (lol) I know that I have other dear friends here, in AZ, but she's one of my closest & dearest friend that I talked to on a daily basis & can give me her honest view in life...in a gentle manner. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about the hardcore "give it to me straight facts" answer but she seems to know when to do it right with me, which I love about her. She's like a little bit of my long time friend, Jodie, in Hawaii. I guess, in some ways, I'm needing to see my Mom. I'm hoping to see her in late June and have Steve meet us there over 4th of July. It's been a year and a half since I've seen her. That's probably the longest time I've gone without seeing her in my entire life. My mom & I are close but have this weird relationship. She can be overbearing but at the end of the day, she is my Mom & I love her! No matter what happens, I know that I can always count on her. I'm hoping to spend a good time w/ her & get some of my serenity back. I think the kids could use a visit from their Gaga too.
