Sure

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "sure" as an adjective:

• firmly established, steadfast
• reliable, trustworthy
• marked by, or given to feelings of confident surety
• admitting of no doubt, indisputable
• bound to happen, inevitable

Dictionary.com says it's also an adverb:

• as an informal use, certainly

The whole thought process behind this ramble began with a question, via text, to a friend. "Do you want to go to the baby shower with me tomorrow evening?" She replied, "Sure..."

Now, I have to mention that I really dislike the use of that word as a response. I feel like it is a luke-warm answer, something I use when I don't really want to do something but will go with the plan anyway. A word, that when I hear or see it as an answer to an inquiry, feel like not doing the thing I just asked about because I get the impression the other person would rather not.

I called her out on her apparent lack of enthusiasm, along with a smiley face so she would know I was teasing, and offered to change plans if she wasn't wanting to attend. Turns out, she feels the same about this word "sure," and explained that she normally never, never uses it! (It was one of those fluke moments when she had too many things going and needed a quick reply. She laughed when I called her on it.)

Chadwick feels the same way about the use of the word sure as a positive, yes response. His family used it all the time in place of "yes" and it drives him a little crazy. My friend's in-laws are the same way. Which got me thinking....how many people use the word as a positive, enthusiastic yes? How many use it when they are really feeling meh about the situation?

I sent an email to ten girlfriends/family to see what they thought....most of them use the word as a positive, yes. In fact, 6 out of 10 use it that way.

Huh. Guess I need to re-think how I interpret such a response from someone other than my husband and good friend who got this whole tirade started.

Sure.

Our Tripod Adventure

Our first family camping trip to Tripod Reservoir was a total success last weekend - we were joined by two other families- the Taylors (good friends) and their neighbors, the Katseanas (whom I would love to get to know better). Here's the numbers to sum it all up:

18-

Multiply this number by two and that's how many eggs were used to cook breakfast in the Dutch oven Saturday morning. Combined with some rice, hash brown potatoes, green chili, bacon, and cheese, it made for delicious burritos. Too bad we had a whole Dutch oven's worth left over. We are still eating eggs for breakfast.

11-

There were 11 kiddos under the age of 10. With only 6 adults, we were totally outnumbered.

9-

The number of pollywogs within a square foot of water space. They must have had a massive frog hatch recently as the water was chalk full of the small, funny critters. And where there are pollywogs, there are toads. Fielding was a master at catching them Friday night....

5-

Five people braved the rope swing. Three of us successfully completed back flips into the water, one attempted and almost made it through the whole flip, and Cosey rocked the jump to represent the under-25 crew. Thanks to Caley, we have it documented in slow-mo. First me, then Chadwick.

4-

The reservoir and camping places were located 300 feet from a parking lot. We made four trips to and from the car with our wagon (thank you, Nancy and Steve!), not including the trip for the canoe.  My mom texted me with the thought that we need more stuff. For the record, Darwin was not buried in his crate behind the kids. We left him with a friend for the two days.

3-

Blake, Chadwick, and Logan started the Tripod swim team. Logan swam the distance of the lake and back with grace. To quote Cyndi, Blake and Chadwick tried not to drown.

2-

Two canoes made the weekend that much better. We had a brief rowing competition across the lake, attempted to catch pollywogs with plastic cups, enjoyed the feeling of being on the water, and let the kids take a turn at paddling. I was massively impressed to see the entire Taylor crew packed successfully into one canoe.

1-

One moment of peace between Spencer and Luna. It's almost not an exaggeration. The other 9 children got along wonderfully well for the two days of the trip and there was always someone willing to play. Sliding down the dusty hillside was a favorite, as was catching pollywogs and fishing. 

This is the face that woke up in my sleeping bag Saturday morning. I don't remember him bashing his eye....and the chocolate from too many cookies was still smeared around his mouth.

My little man...

 Everyone was a dusty, tired mess by Saturday afternoon.

Good times.

Fourth of July

Stars and Stripes. Red, white, and blue. The beautiful sight of American flags flying from every corner of the town. The time with friends and good food. Filling numerous requests at work for sedatives for the fearful canine companions. The boom of fireworks and smell of smoke lingering on the hot air.

Chadwick went to work for the day so the kids and I played. We followed the Taylors to Melba for a wonderful, small town parade. Morgan got slightly sick to her stomach on the way over so we had to take a few moments to get things cleaned up when we arrived. We staked out spots along the start of the parade route and commenced waiting. People watching, eating a few snacks, lathering up with sunscreen, and waiting. It was HOT. The parade was great - old tractors, older cars, firetrucks, horses, people, and more candy than we've seen since Halloween. The kids loved it and forgot about the heat with the catch of the first salt water taffy. We came home with a bag full of treats.

 

 

Can you see the orange spots on my arm? Otter Pop. I had chocolate all over the bottom of my shirt from Spencer, puke splatter on the back of the other arm from Morgan...the glamorous life of a mom!

After a shower and rest, we headed to the Orton's house for dinner and the Fourth Annual Cereal Box Battle. Chadwick made it city the night before, and I sent a picture to the other families who were going to be present so they had an idea of what we were supposed to be creating for the event. Amie promptly replied, "That better be an old picture. If that's what's showing up tomorrow, we are screwed." Dinner was amazing - BBQ chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, fruit, and homemade ice cream. The kids ran, the adults talked, and the littles got into the leftovers. Spencer was perpetually orange from Cheetos Puffs.

 

 

Then came The Battle. We decided to have all four cities compete at the same time and it didn't let us down. Despite the effort, planning, and firepower (or because of the firepower) Chadwick put into his city, his cereal boxes were rubble before the other cities had a chance to really catch fire.

The White House miniature on top of the Stewart's city was the last to go, and it had to be purposefully set on fire. I love that event. As Cyndi said, the funniest use of small fireworks ever.

 Game faces on.

 

 

 

 

As the evening progressed, so did Spencer's internal temperature. He enjoyed the fireworks despite the heat and evidence to the contrary in this photo, but the poor guy had a fever of 103.4 by the time we got home! The kids went down without a fuss and we listened to the larger fireworks shows around the area before going to bed ourselves.

 

 

I am grateful for the freedoms and safety we enjoy in this great nation. It really is the "land of the free and home of the brave."