Reflecting on a Sweet Summer

Our children have started back to their little preschool (2 half-days a week), and in a flash our official "summer" is gone!  

Where is 2014 year going so fast?  I think I understand the saying of having children sometimes makes it feel like the days crawl but the years fly past.  It's true, my friends!

I'm glad that the actual season of summer is not over, because last winter was the longest and coldest winter I've ever lived through in my whole life!  A high temperature below 20 with wind chills in single digits or below for about a month is just not cool!  (Well, errr, no pun intended!)  Add our two active kiddos in the mix made for a little more cabin fever than I'm used to... Let's just leave it at that! :) So, I'm no where near ready to leave behind hot days, shorts, and the ease of dressing the children in two pieces of clothing and flip flops as opposed to one dozen items just to get to the store. If you have going kids, you know what I'm talking about! 

If you'd walk down this bunny trail with me for a minute...I noticed this morning since the start of school, the noise of the loud buses flying to a stop in front of our house is something that's returned.  My kids would sleep later and I would a little more soundly, but sounds of screaching school bus brakes are back and so are (earlier) mornings.  I would like to think a vehicle that carries dozens of kids would gradually ease to a stop, but no! It's a race to the stop signs with a dramatic--hold on to your seat because you have no seatbelt--kind of braking action!  Just something I find odd.

All in all summer 2014 has been amazing!!!  We've had a blast with our kids and with the rest of our family, so I thought I'd share in pictures the highlights with you. With our kiddos being a year older, grand adventure awaits!  

Independence Day was filled a beautiful day with fun, wonder, and awe!

We've spent lots of time eating in the pretty outdoors. A farmers market breakfast one morning. Picnics at home and the park some days.  Patio seating at restaurants some nights and the big July 4th picnic on the grounds of my parent's house in the country!

At home or here and there, we've eaten some of summer's best fare!

We enjoyed every minute of playing outside in the beautiful weather!  We've played out at home, at the parks, the zoo, at the pool and splash park, and at Grandparent's houses this summer!

And this happened while playing, too!  My brave super hero-boy!  He was sporting the red, white, and blue face for the 4th this year. :/ 

I had some wonderful dates with my husband!  Thanks to our parents, we had a few special nights out together to have fun and reconnect. We even had time at the pool-- alone!  Sometimes being parents can take time away from your spouse, but we want to always keep the love alive!  

So all of that amazing food you saw earlier has lead me to many more of these.

But I'm okay with that!! :)  That's another blog post, anyways.

Sigh...  Looking back reminds me of what a wonderful time we've had!  No big-time trip or huge new toy, not this summer.  We just spent quality time together, had fun as a family, and made a decision to savor those moments the best we can!  

 

What are your own summer highlights?  It's fun to reflect on them with the family, and do it year after year to keep those memories alive!  

-Mommy

Happy Day!

Why the excited expression??

God is an amazing Father!!!

It's been a week full of things to be thankful for and unexpected blessings!  I just have to share them with you.

Today, our kids started preschool for the year!  2 half-days a week of fun learning for them and time to do everything else for me!  Can I first say how thankful I am to my husband for working hard so I can live my dream as a mommy.  I'm grateful to be able to send my kids to a nearby, precious little private preschool where they get quality attention.  Thank you, Honey for all you do for our family!  I don't take one day of your sacrifice for granted.

We had an incredible summer filled with firsts!  I could do it all again because it was really so much fun, but it is time for just a teensy break to do a few things a week by myself.  There are just some places that aren't easy to go with children (right Mamas?), and with no grandparents living close by, these few hours every week are good for us all. 

That leads me back to the "excited" picture I took this morning after dropping them off.  It was a fantastic morning!  The children were just sooo sweet getting all dressed up for the first day.  Jayden anxiously put on his clothes just after waking up (not like him) and was such a big boy about going into his new class!  Kylie felt like a big girl in her new dress that my grandparents graciously sent her via package in the mail last week.  Her big brown eyes were shining as she told me she was going to miss me.  She did wonderful!

The cherry on top of my good morning was very an unexpected surprise...

A delicious, hot cup of Starbucks caramel macchiato was waiting for me on the patio after I got out of the shower!

One of my dearest friends felt inclined to bless me --out of the blue --with a special treat this morning!  God can make even our small gestures of love to someone be a blessing beyond what we actually give!  Thank you to my sweet friend, more than you know for such kindness.

That leads me to the next surprise that was delivered this week.  It's from the best mom in the world!

(Mine!)

She sent me a beautiful card filled with uplifting words that filled my soul with joy!  Her ministry, of sorts, is giving personal cards that really move me to tears sometimes.  Mom has always put love into writing letters and sending cards to family and friends.  She lives across the state, and I miss her so much!!

But it gets even better as this little thing was tucked inside...

Wahoo!!  Completely unexpected and trust me when I say I opened it in just the day I needed to.  Oh, how I love browsing the isles to find the perfect read for me.  I've always loved to read books, and with the kids back in preschool a couple days a week, I'll have more time again.  She sent this as a special gift to me just for being her daughter and mommy of her grand kids.  What a sweet way to start of the school year for me.  She is one of the most generous women I know!

Thanks Mom!!!

So that leaves me here...

My coffee and new book.  All because God allows such amazing people in my life!!!  So. Grateful.

 

I am blessed to be a blessing. 

 

I'm going to start on my book now, and I'll hopefully chat with you again soon!

~Mommy