So long, Summer!

This has by far been the best summer I have ever had with the kids. I think the older they get and the less dependent they become on me for help, the more I am able to enjoy their company and doing new things with them.

I found that I also enjoyed more time in the yard this summer, planting and landscaping, mowing, laying in the hammock Paul got me for Mother's Day, watering the garden, picking home grown veggies with the kids...

But now summer is coming to an end and we just finished our last weekend before school starts. I consider myself tremendously blessed to be able to stay home with the kids. While it's very tough on us financially at times, the reward I get from being with them in the simple moments is life makes it truly worth it.

The kids and I recently started a new thing with writing. Taylyn likes it more than TJ does. I expected that. We found an old journal I had for both of them where I would write to them when they were very young, telling them what I notice about their personalities, what I love about them, silly or fun (or embarrassing things they've said), etc...Anyway, Taylyn came up with the idea that we should both write in the journal. She writes at night before bed and then I write back to her when she's asleep. I have enjoyed this with her SO much. Like me, she seems to express her feelings better to me when she can write them down.

A few nights ago, I brainstormed and wrote about all the different things we've done this summer. Here is what I wrote:

"A few of the things I remember from this summer is our trip to Colorado and hiking, the Omaha zoo, the Walk for Life around Holmes Lake, lemonade stands, Selah (our dog) swimming at Holmes Lake, playing in Scott's hot tub, LOTS of swimming at the Cooper YMCA outdoor pool, Jazz in June, helping TJ learn how to ride his bike, playing with neighbors, dancing in the rain, the "Can you stand it" game (where I would do things and she would have to not laugh), Selah throwing up in my car, basketball camp, VBS at Christ Lutheran and Berean, her saving up all her money to buy her very first iPod with all her earned money, Salt Dogs game, Farmer's Markets, 4th of July in Seward, miniature golf and SOOOO much more!"

We have had a great summer. I'm going to really miss them this year when school starts up again on Monday, but I am looking so forward to them growing up more and learning more how to let their lights shine.