Summering 2013

If you're here and reading then it means that you haven't given up on me even though I haven't blogged in years.  Thank you for your patience while I summer with my people. =)

I turn the big two-eight today, and for a birthday present to myself, I'm sneaking in an hour this morning to update my blog.  How's that for commandeering the birthday agenda? =)

This summer has been a blur of snuggles and fun.  Somehow my baby girl has gone from a five day old to a one month old to a two month old, and we've got the two-month well child appointment this morning to prove it.

We've spent the summer with family and friends, soaking up the sun on our warm days and snuggling up on the couch on our (surprisingly numerous!) chilly days.  Newbie is absolutely in love with Miss Mowgli, and the feeling is mutual judging by the coos and smiles he renders when he gets up in her face to sing her a classic Newbie mash-up which always includes a few praise and worship songs, row your boat, and a little free-styling.  She's his biggest fan right now, and we love watching them together.

I have gobs of pictures of our summer, but we just got back from a nice long vacation, so I'm going to take a pass on trying to play catch up and just pick up where we're at right now. The time in between was filled with lots of diapers and family walks and a neighborhood block party, blueberry and strawberry picking, the sweetest visit from my grandparents and uncle, and a trip to the pool with my MIL in which Newbie JUMPED OFF THE DIVING BOARD like a boss.  Also, he's going to start preschool this year so pretty much WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BALD-HEADED BABY?!?  Thanking the Lord that we have another little roly poly to snuggle on while her big brother stretches his wings.  I can't believe how fast time sneaks by when you're raising littles.  It makes me all the more grateful for weeks like last week when we just SLOW this circus down.

We hit the beach house with my family and had a blast.  I have spent four summers at this cottage, and I'm struck by all the life that has happened in that short amount of time.  One thing I can say is true for that passage of time: I have fallen deeper in love with my Lord and deeper in gratitude for the gift that is now.  We were so blessed to soak up some seriously awesome now last week.

Now presenting our little slice of Heaven on earth:

(if you're out of state, please come visit.  our summers are all kinds of beautiful.)

Speaking of beautiful:

(Wanna know a secret?  I can't believe she's mine.)

And then there's this little rockstar who stole my heart three years and five months ago:

(I'm not opposed to arranged marriages.  I have a few ladies in mind already. Family friends- so if it works out, I'll be scoring him an awesome MIL.)

Mornings with my people are my favorite.  He is so sweet and snuggly with her in the morning, and she just beams back at him.  I think having a big brother must be the funnest thing in the world.

So thankful these people are such a big part of my story...

(Uncles are good for shadin' it)

(Kayak date with my man that lasted about 10 minutes because that little guy kept chasing us and I am powerless to resist his request that we stay and play.)

(He was so scared to try the boat, but I was so proud of him for being brave and giving it a whirl!  He gets his guts from his daddy.)

Beach bonfires = the BEST.

(That girl right there? Yeah, she's PREGNANT! We. are. so. excited.)

(that hat?!  delicious.)

Good times were had by all, and now we're counting down to a long weekend vacation at Grandma and Grandpa's cottage before we step into a fall of big boy preschool and pumpkin everything.  

Cheers to the last couple weeks of summer!