Best. Summer. Ever.

What a beautiful summer. School starts tomorrow. With that is the newness of my first born leaving me all day every day for the first time. (He went to half day kindergarten). I've cried off and on about it all day. I didn't think I was going to mind so much. He is so excited. He is at a fantastic small private school- where my mother is his teacher! I thought we'd eased into it nicely with half-day K... but today it has hit and hit hard. There's a mourning involved at the end of every season. It's a transition, the end of a time of life that I wanted my whole life and absolutely cherished. This morning, Eli pulled out Hudson's old puzzles that now live in his room. The boys have their own rooms in our new house, so Eli is discovering all sorts of hand me downs! He brought them out to the kitchen and Hudson helped him to work them. They were identical, just four years separated. The years flew so fast through my mind and suddenly I was just bawling like a baby. I was sad for how fast the years flew and so overwhelmed with goodness and gratitude. Hudson was cheering for Eli. Eli was doing a happy dance with each piece he found that fit. It was so simple. It was pure joy. I get to do this. I get to be their mom. I get to send a brilliant six year old to first grade to grow and thrive and I get to do it all again, four years later with Eli. Not to mention to hilarious, fiery, beautiful, half graceful, half clumsy 4 year old daughter who is beyond thrilled to go to preschool and be as big as brother! She is my best little friend.

"Best. Summer. Ever.", the tank top reads that a friend gave me a youth camp. And oh it was. Transposed against the horrible disappointment that was last summer especially! Last summer was sickness and heart ache. This summer was redemption and healing. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you.

Swimming. Sunshine. Suit lines on little tan bodies. Boats and lakes. Friends. Lake trip with my girls. Couples trip with our group. Colorado Springs with one sis. Houston with another sis. Hawaiin Falls. Schlitterbahn. Jumpin Place. Mayborn Museum. Practically Pikasso. VBS. Zoo camp. Dance camp. Bowling. Late nights. Lazy mornings. Grilled food. Fresh veggies from the co-op garden. 500 painted pieces of paper on my kitchen table. Laughter. Popsicles. House sold. House packed. House bought. House (almost) unpacked. Youth camp. Namibia. Too much TV. More sun. More swimming. More fun. We did it right! We loved you, Summer '012! Surely, I could make a list of 1000 things to be thankful for this summer alone...