Summer 2017, Part I

Summer has come and gone, unfortunately.  These precious summers.  I can't say enough about them.  They are fleeting.  We only have three summer left with Graham.  THREE.  When they are a tiny babies, cradled in your arms, these are not the things you think of.

We are always happy for (not scary) rain.  These guys crack me up.

Softball World Series.  We HAD to go see our fav softball player.

The Rangers have had a frustrating season to say the least and Asher's texts to Chris are downright hilarious...

Another one ;) 

Hit the wall when he was trying to catch a fly ball.  Thankful for whoever the HERO is who invented waterproof casts.

Still wanting to cheer on his team.

I mean, summer.  What else can you say?

And when your oldest has a JOB.  It's just surreal.  Proud of him for his hard work this summer.

She likes the pool too.  She's such a good sport, tagging along with all of the things we do.

Off he goes to Scout camp.  Always prepared, of course.

Sweet girls and how they love a baby.

Never too old for dentist office toys.

Would anyone like to buy a bracelet?

All ready for his game.

Waiting for his ride (so thankful for sweet friends to help us take Joseph to his games!)

Not trying to match, but.... obviously we kinda like green, polka dots and stripes.

These fifth grade boys all hanging out, actually having a conversation, made me want to snap a pic.

A week of Kid's Kamp, some attending, some volunteering.

Again, these sweet girls at the pool who love on her.

The sweetest group of teens.

A mother/son road trip.  I loved taking the big boys (and Nathan) to Branson.  I can't remember what was so funny in this picture, but I love their smiles.

These two had to stay back because of baseball.  But good to get texts of them having fun too.

Huddle up.

Sight and Sound Theater (Moses) with the Thompsons.

Riding through Kanakuk in style.

I mean, so big.  All of them.

Party Barn.

Underneath all that coffee ice cream, and whipped cream is the best chocolate chip cookie ever.  

Hotel selfie.

Thompson selfie.  I met Niki the first night my parents dropped me off at college.  I actually didn't like her bc I thought she was being too serious and spiritual ;)  I guess we must have worked that out.  Nowadays, we can hardly talk bc we have too many kids between us... I ONLY have six.  She is pregnant with #12.  She is faithful and loyal and one of the funniest people I know.

The world's longest table.  And best view out that GIANT window.  And of course, the sweetest friends.

Tradition.  A date with Lori.  Next time, he will get to drive.

Driving home.  A stop through Bentonville.  Such a fun little town.

L-O-V-E all of them.

Just one more selfie.  I like that they even want to take selfies with me.

Home and excited to see her.

Thankful for these moms in my life.

And these kids!

This wraps up the month of June... 

A Year In Review

It's seriously ridiculous to try to sum up a year with just a few words and photos, but I'm going to try.  This blog lies neglected for many reasons.  First of all, there is just TOO MUCH going on and it makes it hard to know where to start.  Some of it is too personal for the internet.  Some of it is too boring for the internet.  Some of it feels too time-consuming to try to summarize.

I struggle with blogging because I don't really know who reads them anymore.  Seems like Instagram took over blogs about five years ago.  But I still like blogging better.  It's probably a generational thing.  I don't want just a few tidbits.  I want it in journal form.  Long, wordy, and full of pictures... more than just one "perfectly posed" one.

So I decided I will keep blogging as time permits.  For posterity...  but mostly for myself.  I like it.  So whoever is still out there... enjoy!

Because I can't back up and summarize an entire year, I'll give you one pictures from each month since I last updated.

August

First day of 7th and 9th.  This might be the only day these shirts were completely white so we had to document.  The other three are still homeschooling.  Having Graham and Asher gone most days made it a whole lot quieter around the house, and the little three developed a pretty special bond.

September

This one turned 8, and I'm super glad he still wanted a costume for his birthday.  He's always my baby, no matter how old.

October

Joseph is 10 and requested Red Lobster for his birthday dinner.  It wasn't his year to have a party, so he settled for all-you-can-eat cheddar biscuits.  

November

They clean up pretty nice.  I don't know what it's like to have a daughter, but I can say that I'm so proud of each of these boys turning into men.  I know everyone says it, but it happens overnight.  One day they are eating goldfish crackers and carrying around their toys in their chubby little hands, and the next they declare they are done playing with Legos.  When did it happen?  When did they stop playing and begin the entry into manhood... spending time researching camping equipment and colleges?  I don't remember.  I'm thankful for each season, but always feel like I could have used a little longer in every one (except for my OWN junior high years!)

December

Our "official" foster care license!  We spent a lot of the summer scanning every piece of paperwork that our family has (birth certificates, driving records, auto insurance, social security cards), running around town getting fingerprints, TB tests, doctors appointments, and attending classes.  Becoming a foster parent is not for the faint of heart.

January

So much fun skiing through Winter Storm Helena.  And thankful for time with my family.

January 25

Just after I had spent at least 45 minutes complaining to a friend that this foster care thing just probably wasn't going to happen, (because my faith is SO strong!) my phone rang while I was going through the McDonald's drive-thru to get an ice cream cone for the boys.  They had a three day old baby girl needing a home, and the rest is history.  We all spent most of this winter loving and nurturing her.  We didn't get much done.  Our house was probably messier than it's ever been.  I had to remind myself every night, as we fell into bed exhausted, that this is important.  Loving her is easy, but so many other parts of foster care are hard.

February

Well, lots of newborn snuggles.  The boys literally fighting over who got to hold her.  At this particular moment, Joseph won.

March

Grateful for Grandma and Grandpa who lovingly served us.  The boys always cry when you leave, which I think is the sweetest thing ever.

April

I'm starting to see pictures like this and realize that these years of all being together are coming to a close.  Graham will be driving this winter and it will change everything.  But for right now, I love all my people being all together and how much they love Sweet Sammies.

May

We finished school and headed to southeast New Mexico to explore two more National Parks.  They just NEVER disappoint.  I love seeing the boys in awe of things that they should be in awe over.  What God made is so creative and amazing and fun to explore.  

Now it's June, and I want time to creep by as slow as humanly possible because summer is my favorite.  

Summer forever.  Pool days forever.