Summer Living....

Wow...it's been 2 whole months since I've updated the blog. A lot has happened since then and yet a lot has stayed the same. We have been keeping very busy doing fun, summery things and I am grateful for that. I am also grateful for summer time for two other reasons: water and sunglasses. They are the two perfect ways to disguise tears and for that, I am very grateful. When James suspects I may be teary eyed he makes me pull down my sunglasses and says, "Mom, let me see your eyes." It is sweet and sad all at the same time.

Here are some things that have kept us busy....water balloons, many trips to the park and pool,

lots of time outside pretending to fight fires, maintain farms, play baseball, soccer,

basketball, tennis, sidewalk chalk, bike riding, garden maintenance, fishing, playing with cousins and friends, soccer camp, the 4-H fair...
James and Lauren are doing so well. They are just fantastic kids...not only do I love them with all my heart, but I thoroughly enjoy them. They make me laugh and they make me

smile with their funny comments, their snuggles, their hugs and kisses, and their love for us, for each other, and for Graham. James is starting Pre-K next Wednesday

and I can hardly believe it! I'm even more emotional about it than I anticipated I would be. I am so excited for him to go and learn and meet new friends, but it's one more

step toward growing up, toward not needing me the way he always has....

I'm looking forward to spending some special time with Lauren while James is at school. She so thoroughly enjoys one-on-one time with us. I plan to do lots of fun things with her. I also get scared about staying busy and keeping myself occupied. When I have just one of the kids with me it seems to be an even larger reminder of what is missing...

our Graham. I'm nervous about this transition stage, but am going to do my best to use my time to invest purposefully in Lauren.

Here are several pictures that show bits and pieces of what we have been doing this summer...

I will try and start doing a better job updating the blog so you don't have to read an entire

BOOK when I do update ;)

We took James to the rodeo! What a treat that was for him! And, we had "special" seats which

made it even more spectacular! We had such a great time with him

Riding a pony at the fair...

Sitting on tractors while waiting for the rodeo...

Riding rides at the fair in the rain...so fun....




James "teaching" me how to fish...hilarious! :)

A lot of snuggle time with the 3 of us...

Dress up...


James going off the diving board without floaties. He is SO big!



Swim lessons...


Soccer camp...



Swimming at Grandma & Grandpas....



Fishing at the pond....we caught a fish almost every time we cast the line.

Beach fun...

I will update soon on how I'm doing with life...with my grief journey...

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying your summer!