Blah....Nah, now REFRESHING!

Summer is in full swing here at our house and it pains me to think that truly, it's almost over!  I'm usually not one to enjoy summer so much, in all honesty, I could of bypassed the whole season and went directly to fall; however, my boys have changed that for me.  Now that we have them in our lives & the ages that they are, summer is so much fun.  I enjoy having them home and not having homework to worry about, man that helps make the evenings fun, as well.  Now, we are doing a few small things this summer to keep the knowledge flowing and Ethan starts a "Jump Start" program here in a few weeks, but until we have to start thinking about "school" we are enjoying the summer season and doing all the traditional things.  With all of that said, however, this summer has hit me kind of hard in a nostalgic feeling sort of way and for some reason, I'm really reminiscing and thinking a lot! I'm not sure what it is, but I think having this "full" summer here in Gnaden, a small town that reminds me of being a little girl in Freeport, is triggering some deep down memories.  I sit on the front porch and watch my boys play and something triggers me that takes me back 20+ years....we get on our bikes and ride around town and something triggers me, yet again.  I loved my childhood and have fond memories of it!  I miss my grandparents so much and think of them often and when I see my dad, mom, or Brenton's parents with my kids and how much my boys love them, I'm reminded how I felt and the memories that I have with mine. I also turned 35 this summer, so yet another reminder that I'm only getting older and life is moving so quickly.  So, this summer I've sat back more, breathed more, broke out of my comfort zone more, and truly am enjoying every moment that comes my way.  Having my boys sure has changed my life, as children are supposed to do, but I sit here looking out my kitchen window and a picture of my boys that sits on the windowsill catches my eye and reminds me that these little blessings truly have saved me, changed my perspective of life, and given me the ability to enjoy a season that I would've much rather hit the fast forward button on.  Now, I see that summer is the time that rejuvenates my family and brightens our lives and I no longer look at it as a season of blah, but rather a time for refreshing our soul! My memories that I will forever hold in my heart help me to keep moving forward, to give my boys the opportunity to enjoy their childhood, and to make memories that they too can look back on one day and remember this very time in our lives. This is the very reason why I scrapbook...to hold onto these memories and hope that one day when my boys look at the pictures, they will bring them back to this very life that we are living at this moment and trigger for them the feelings that I'm feeling right now?!?! ♥

Some pics from our lives at this moment! 

a boy and his trampoline

Grandma is loving the attention

gotta wear shades

HOF Balloon Classic Fun

our garden is growing

my morning ritual = kiss & "hello" right in my face ♥

best part of the morning when working w/ Daddy

his brand new bike and of course it had to be green

simple summer

summer of dino's for this one

doing what boys do

"uh Mom, is it supposed to grow this way"

Lake fun w/ Grandpa

conquered his haircut w/ Grandma

Ice Cream truck = perfect summer treat

making sure his brother is ok while at speech

brothers ♥

Best Buddies

Moving Mountains

Today, I write this post with a huge smile on my face.  I have had such an overwhelming feeling since waking up, knowing that it was speech therapy day and even though I know it's going to be ok, I still get a knot in my throat about it.  This is week #3 and each week my little man has improved.  His whole demeanor about it is amazing to me and today, he went in without me...WITHOUT ME!!!  Holy cow, I wasn't prepared for it, but I'll take it. =)  He did so good and Miss Laura was so proud of him.  I chuckled on the inside listening to him in the room with her, b/c he was doing it all by himself! That feeling is such a great one, only because it helps me know that this journey is going to be ok.  I was so worried for so long that maybe he'll never learn, never say a word, but how that is just not the case and for that I'm blessed!  Hearing his sweet, little voice brings tears of joy to my eyes every time.  For the first 4 years of his life, I felt like I needed to protect him from the world and I was so afraid to trust.  Anytime I ever let go of that feeling, thinking I could trust the "adult" in the situation I was let down.  However, last year I knew I couldn't do it all.  If he was going to be able to have a successful future, I needed to allow the professionals in and that's when my mood changed.  Sending him to preschool was the 1st step, getting his IEP was the 2nd, and now speech therapy.  It hasn't been a breeze, by no means, I've had to raise my voice a few times to be heard, but I sit here today knowing that as his mother he is moving mountains.  He amazes me at the things he is conquering and hearing the encouraging words from his therapist, man does my heart good.  I know he's not 100%, yet....but, being encouraged goes along way and I just love his therapist.  I love that she is allowing him to do things his way, allowing him to breath, and most importantly not pushing him to a point of hating being there.  I mean really, 3 weeks in and he's going by himself....WOW!!!! I sure enjoy watching him grow and this journey is getting much easier with each passing day/year, but doing things outside my comfort zone is proving that this little boy is the blessing that I needed in my life.  He thinks I'm trying to teach him, but the reality is...he's teaching me!!!

Week #1 = "Go Byes" through tears

Week #2...what a difference

working with Miss Laura

Week 3 = Mama in waiting room

Independence Weekend

Another Independence Day has come and gone, but what a great one we had this year.  We had a long weekend, since July 4th fell on a Friday, so we got to enjoy an extra day with our boys.  When we got up on Friday, we enjoyed the morning with the boys snapping pictures, watching them go through their "fun" buckets we made up for them, and just enjoyed being outside...it was so nice, but went too quick! Later that day Brenton and Ethan enjoyed a game of golf w/ family and friends, while Colin and I enjoyed a nice bike ride around town, and then we all met up at my sisters house for sparklers, a fire, and pizza that evening.  It was so fun and relaxing, which is exactly how I wanted to spend the 4th.

fun buckets complete

loved his

Pop-Its Time

Hi Mama

loved the Pop-Its

having fun

me & my boys

loved his bucket, too

he was so funny in these things

we're goof balls

Golf Time

Ethan w/ his buddy Logan

enjoying the weather on our bike

cousin fun on the 4th

The weekend was just so fun that I hated to see end, but we enjoyed every ounce of it, and had one last commitment on Saturday for the boys to take part in the float that was put together for Colin's school.  We weren't real sure how Colin would do with all the kids on the float, but Ethan soaked up all the attention while riding through town.  Turns out that Colin was more comfortable riding inside and hanging out the window looking at the crowd, so we made the most of that for him and it turned out to be a great parade.  Later that evening, we headed over to Brenton's sister's place to enjoy some time with the family while we waited on the fireworks.  I got to chat with a few friends, eat some good food, watch the boys have fun w/ the kids, and the fireworks that ended the night were amazing.  Overall, we had a great weekend!!

ready to represent his school

thumbs up Mom

wasn't ready just yet

Daddy helping to pass the time

almost time

Colin's way to ride in the parade...here we go

night time fun waiting on the fireworks

great fireworks display Gnaden

Sunday "Fun"day was spent relaxing from all the fun we had for the 4th; however, yesterday morning Ethan got to go to work with Daddy and he was so excited.....Such a great weekend!!!

break time

workin away!!

while this 1 and I chillaxed!!