Treasuring the Moments

Once again we've had a glorious summer and have much to be thankful for! Last night at a neighborhood back to school gathering I sat with a friend sharing our children's teachers and hopes for the new school year; we marveled at how big our boys are getting. My oldest feet are now just a bit bigger than mine and she shared how she now shops in the men's department for size 10 1/2 shoes for her seventh grader! The time we have to hold our precious ones is short indeed!

During a recent trip to an area park full of rolling hills, trees to climb and animals to see; my "little" boys both held my hands while chatting away about this and that. I beamed at them, treasuring the moment, while their once small hands, that are now much bigger are in mine.

These moments I treasure are gems indeed as time speeds on.

As I linger over the last few days of summer I am amazed at how much my children have grown. This season of our lives has been blessed with many hikes, twilight walks, and bike rides, which brought about chances for me to catch glimpses of the persons God is growing my children into. As I might be tempted to worry about the choices they will make I am thankful that they have a growing faith in God. I know mistakes will come, yet God will be there to bring about the good in them.

Fun on the Fourth!

Over the fourth weekend we went on a camping trip with some dear friends. We had lots of fun fishing, swimming, and relaxing! This was our cabin, though small on the outside, inside it was amazingly spacious!

Relaxing with the boys!

Fourth of July girls!

Fishing fun!

All the kids!

Fire truck rides.

Hanging out with Mr P!

Baseball in the street.

Baseball would not be complete with out the cheerleaders!

Sm ores!

The finale of events was a great fireworks ceremony that started off with a trumpeter playing the Star Spangled Banner. We are so very thankful for our country and for the many men and women who protect our freedoms.

Summer Bummer

This summer has been one of the strangest in our family's history thus far. We have had a lingering virus that has sapped almost all of my usual enthusiasm and sunny side up attitude. Each week, for the past three weeks, one of our children has developed a really high fever, head ache, and cough. So each week we've pretty much stayed home sequestered to rally the current sick one with icy drinks, books, cartoons, and Wii games.

We were granted enough reprieve to go camping over the weekend but this bummer of a summer continues today as we care for my oldest who is now sick. As I moaned and complained last night my husband reminded me of all we have to be thankful for. A sweet friend today said, "Just think after all this is over it will feel like the first day of summer vacation for you again! "

So today I am thankful for my many blessings and looking forward to the first day of our summer vacation!