beach bums

We were craving some sand between our toes, so we headed to the beach.

As I type that, it seems so easy - but, it wasn't.  Hubby and I spent more time packing the swimsuits, floaties, towels, snacks, sandals, toys, diapers, etc. than we actually spent at the beach!  I'm glad that we can laugh about those things together.  I love that easygoing way about my guy.

It was a first for both my girls.  They loved it!  Peach told us she wanted to "swim to Egypt".  So, we did just that.  She named one of the bouys "home" and the other "Egypt" and swam between them for the better part of our time at the beach.  She is getting so brave...makes me nervous!

Tulip was content to just lay back in the cool water.  Oh, to be that relaxed and carefree!

As you can imagine, after a few trips to and from Egypt, Peach got hungry.  So, we ended our short trip to the beach with a picnic.

Funny day...funny girls...good memory.

simple joys

I learned about simple joys the summer after my freshman year of college.  I was working at a Bible camp and one of the counselors that I worked with was always pointing out little things that made her heart smile.  She became a very dear friend over the course of that summer and ever since, I've been smiling and thinking of her every time something small brings me joy.

Here's my list of the simple things that are making my heart smile lately...

airplane rides

snuggles

pretending

my guy adoring our girl...

I knew when I married him that he'd be a great dad someday, but I never knew anyone could be this good.

mornings with the things that keep me going

bows, clips...anything to hold those precious wisps of hair out of her  baby blues

a good book just waiting to be picked up

fresh cherries - ripe and juicy

the priceless artwork on my fridge

yummy smells that make doing the dishes a little more bearable

teddy bear and blankie

frosty popsicles on a hot, hot day

popcorn parties in bed and staying up late

towels fresh from the laundry...still warm when you step out of the shower

bedtime

enjoying something new for the first time

a new roll of toilet paper that I didn't have to put on...thanks, Hubby

tulip's cheeks

peach's stink face

Thank you, Lord, for the little things...the everyday stuff that whisper to me of what will be.  Someday, when I'm home with you, the joy of your presence will abound.  Until then, keep reminding me that you're near with simple joys.  Amen.

time with tulip

It's not often that I get to spend time alone with Tulip.  But the other day, Peach and Hubby took extra long naps.  That meant that Tulip and I got some special time together....and it was just what my heart needed.

I just looked at her and wondered....

...those tiny toes...

where will they take her?

...those sweet fingers....

what will life find for her hands to do?

...those ears, eyes, lips...

...that nose...

who will she listen to?

what will she see?

what will she have to say?

...and oh, that face...just look at those cheeks!

...will anyone ever love her face as much as I do?

...who will she become?

I cherished every minute of looking into those dreamy eyes and telling my Tulip how very much she means to me.  It was such a blessing to whisper to her how much better my life is now that she's in it.  How I thought I had been blessed beyond belief and then the Lord gave me her.  I was happy before she came.  Now I am twice as blessed...twice as happy...twice as full.

And she just smiled like she understood every word.

Later, Peach woke up and joined us on the floor.

I am thrilled to see their bond growing every day.  There is already something wonderful there...something special and silent growing between those two hearts.

my girls....how did I get so lucky?

It ended with Peach reading a story to Tulip and my heart melting.  It's not always this peaceful and serene, but when it is, I thank my lucky stars that this is my life.  

sweet relief

It was a scorcher the other day, so in an effort to beat the heat, we headed to a nearby water park and cooled off.

Peach brought a friend along....so precious how they share so much with so few words.  Just being close is enough.

Tulip spent the day in the shade...can't wait for her to be able to join in the fun.  However, the snuggles in the cool tent were absolutely divine.

How could I ever forget her squeals and laughter?  Splashing around in the water made Peach absolutely giddy.....

Snack break..Peach tells me that snacks make her tummy happy.  :)  She packed suckers, crackers, cookies and gummi bears for her and her friend.  I'm so proud of that generous heart.  We've been praying for that quality in her and I see the Lord providing.  After her buddy left for a nap, she even found some other kids at the park to share with....it was a proud moment for me.

Now, if I could just get her to share her toys...keep filling her, Lord.

We left the park absolutely exhausted, but full of joy.  She's napping next to me as I type this and I'm looking at those sweet blonde curls.  This being a mom thing can sure be tough....but I'm promising myself not to wish one minute of it away.

How do I love summer?

I haven't always appreciated living in the midwest.  It took a summer abroad in Costa Rica to realize how beautiful my home is.  When I arrived in Costa Rica, my host family gushed over pictures of the midwest.  I thought they were crazy.  

How could people who live in a tropical rainforest envy the flat, boringness of Minnesota?  

But upon returning home, I realized for the first time that this place is beautiful...I just never noticed it because it was so familiar.  

One of the things I realized is so amazing about this place that I call home is the wonderful blessing of seasons.  Each one holds something precious.  Today, I'm thinking about how wonderful this season of my life is.  

How do I love summer?  Let me count the ways....

bonfires

s'mores

strawberries fresh from the garden

juicy sweet corn

getting spoiled by grandma and grandpa

flip flops

(on the wrong foot, of course, but I love that she tries)

grass tickling your toes

my girls celebrating Independence Day...

This season is a blessing and next season will bring its joy into our lives.  I'm so glad we get them all.  I can't lie...I complain just like everyone else:  too many mosquitoes in the summer, winter is too long, fall is too short, spring is so muddy...

But, if we lived in a place without these seasons, would we enjoy these perfect days of summer as much?

"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven."  Ecclesiastes 3:1