summer

I used to think that summer meant relaxing, lazy days. However, this summer has kept me so busy that I feel almost ready for the school year to start so that we can slow down... kinda. Here's a run down of what we've been up to:

The first week and a half of summer, Daddy had to leave for business. :( Now that the kids are getting older, his absence weighs heavy on their hearts, so we try to make it fun as can be!! One of the many things we did was make a HUGE fort in the living room and sleep there every night. Everyone slept great, except for me, but it was well worth it. They loved the adventure!!


SWIMMING!! We've been swimming like crazy this summer. The kids just LOVE the water...even the baby. The big kids have become great swimmers and continue to amaze us at how brave they can be - the boys will run and "fly" off the high dive and Ky has done front sommersaults off the high dive. Crazy kids... (and no, this is not Colson "drowning" as my husband has suggested ... rather, he learned to swim under water and, well, I just don't bring my camera to the pool much, so this will have to do!!)

And, visiting the lake is also a big hit with our family. We've spent countless hours on the shore of Lake Michigan during these warm summer months. Such fun!!




The boys have had a fun summer of baseball. Cole, we have found, has a great swing and Kaden can throw the ball hard and far. Their favorite? Hitting "homeruns". They can usually manage one every practice because at this age and level the ball handling skills of the outfielders aren't great. :O) We have spent countless hours this summer in the back yard hitting balls. I love such memories.


Ballet. I gave in and broke my "one activity per child" rule. It's hard when gymnastics is so time consuming that there is just no time for much else!! And, it's not something that you can just "take a break" from like other sports... nor does Kylee want to. However, she has had a burning desire to try ballet like her mama. So, we signed her up for a short 4 week class. She was just beautiful: poised, precise and graceful. I wish she could do both ballet and gymnastics, but there just isn't enough time and money to make it happen. I had a lot of fun watching her, though. :O)


And, of course, gymnastics. As long as my little girl LOVES the sport, is doing well in other areas of her life, and continues to have a humble, servant heart, we have agreed to let Ky continue with her obsession. My 7 year old spends 10 1/2 hours a week in the gym. Sound crazy and exhaustive? I thought it might be for her... but, it's nearly impossible to get her out of there - she wishes she had even more time there. She works really hard and is doing quite well. She's now a registered USA gymnastics athlete and will start competing in the fall. She's excited, her mommy is a nervous wreck. :O)

Because of the many hours she spends in the gym, Kylee's become pretty close to her teammates. They are a pretty fun group of girls! We've had playdates, sleep overs and outings with the girls so that they can have time bonding together outside the gym. What fun it's been to see the friendships form as they work hard and play hard together!!




And, while my girl is at the gym, the boys, baby and I have discovered many fun parks to explore!! The boys favorite is Kinderberg Park with tennis courts, a baseball and soccer field, a huge hill to run down and a splash pad. It's a perfect way to cool down on hot, humid days!


Our Baby. Oh my, I can't even write the words without that stinging in my eyes, signaling impending tears. We are absolutely crazy about her. She has been so very easy to love, adore and care for... and makes us feel loved in return with her smiles, giggles, cuddles and kisses. She's a little piece of heaven in our home. But, we will have to say good bye... which we have actually started already. However, this good bye will be long, hard and drawn out with more details than I am able to explain here. This situation has been a real test of my (in)ability to deny my own will for the sake of others. It has been SO HARD and will continue to be for months to come. For that reason, we cherish our time with her even more... she has been such a joy and blessing in our lives.




Jelly Bean. This precious little girl has graced our home a few times this summer. We love it. She's had a rough road in life and we are grateful to have been given the opportunity to love on her as often as we're able. The kids get so excited to have her with us and it's always touching to see their love for others grow. Due in part to this little treasured one, God has really been challenging us in the world of foster care... we shall see where it takes us!!



Parks. While the little girlies are visiting with their families, my big kids and I have enjoyed spending time together. It's been fun exploring new places!!








Oh yeah... Cole's mohawk. All of a sudden he decided he just had to have one. My sweet, tenderhearted son? Really?!? I denied his desire, but Daddy disagreed with me. Daddy won. However, since school was just a month away, we compromised and went for a "fohawk" which still gives him the look he desires without shaving the sides to the skin. He loves it, but I swear it has changed his personality. He has suddenly become much more outgoing, bold and confident. Sometimes this is good... sometimes not so much. But, he's one happy kid.

Visiting "the grandmas". Since the boys were infants and Ky was barely 2, we've had the incredible privilege of visiting a nursing home once a month. It really has been a great experience for all - the elderly residents love having the kids come and visit and my kids have understood more of God's heart for the weak, sick, widowed, forgotten. They have become more comfortable around precious elderly, disabled, and often forgetful individuals and have both literally and figuratively embraced these ladies (there are a couple gentlemen that sometimes come to the visits also... but mostly it's "the grandmas"). With my boys starting school, I will miss these times so very much!!!


Girl dates and guy dates. Because of our busy summer, we've tried to make an effort to spend special time with our big kiddos. Daddy has taken the boys to ball games and miniature golfing and Kylee and I have had some shopping trips and dessert nights of our own. One day I attempted to give her a "spa day". My cute little bug loved it... even though I knew it was far from the real deal. :O)


This has been a rare summer in that we haven't traveled back west to visit our families - with foster care and the kids activities, it has become harder to do!! However, some of our good friends from CA were out in MI for work and we decided to jump on the ferry, cross Lake Michigan and spend some time with them! It was a great little trip, a wonderful time of fellowship with old and dear friends, and just happened to be over Jim's birthday weekend, which made it extra special!! :O)

the kids anxiously awaiting the arrival of the ferry

Colson on the top deck as we left Milwaukee

Kylee having fun with the birthday boy!!

Jim and his best bud, Spencer, having some fun with the bday cake

All the boys - Pearce, Cole and Kade

The big girls - Kylee and Madison

Though it was raining pretty hard, they didn't let it get them down! They still went swimming in the lake stating, "We'll be wet, anyway, so it doesn't matter if it rains!"

That's all for now, folks!!