A "real" BLOG post...

[Playing Taj Mahal – “Blackjack Davey” in the background… and a little “Essential Red” vino from Bogle Vineyards – one of my BESTEST friends…]

 

It has been a good day…  I rarely have a chance to write a “true” blog post these days – with 3 little ones, just finding time to brush my teeth is tough!  But tonight, I am sitting here watching the kids play outside in the kiddie pool (Rachel is sleeping) and I decided to write…  something I miss.  But trust me, I WILL return!  J

 

We spent the morning going on a fabulous hike in WA Park… just nice to get back on the trails I normally would be “running” on…  but spending time with special friends walking, and taking in the scenery with the kiddos.  It was a GOOD morning.  Just making the most of the warm summer days…

 

Then, we decided to let the kids play in the backyard after Luke woke up from his nap [PAUSE:  had to stop there and “pretend” to fill up Samuel’s bike gas tank…]   Anyway…  the sun came out and the slip-n-slide was the plan.  Turned out great…  they can play outside & in the water for hours.  I also spent a lot of time hauling hot water from inside to the little pool.. but somehow, when Lukie’s little eyes look up at me and say: “hot watta, pleeeese mama” – I just can’t resist!  

 

We decided to “bag” the traditional dinner table plans (which we try hard to always do!) and let them snack, while Joe BBQ’d chicken & hot dogs.  We just let them play in the sprinkler, slip-n-slide and kiddie pool, while Rachel was content to hang out in her chair.  There were times with happy playing, times of fights/battles and times with loud screaming, etc…  The boys rode their bikes, played in the pool with helmets (which I think is hilarious), had fun on the soaped up slip-n-slide, drank GROSS water and asked for more Cheetos, all while listening to good background music on the Ipad.

 

Sometimes they fight, sometimes they love…  but sitting out here, hanging out….  Correcting them, loving them back, feeding them, helping out when they fall on the slip-n-slide, etc…  makes me feel really, really blessed.  We love these kids SO much.  Our lives ARE NOT easy whatsoever, but we know that we are shaping these little ones with every word we speak, every action we make.  [PAUSE:  had to get Lukie not 1, but 2 more hot dogs… he has now had FOUR tonight!]  And I realize that because we are “advanced in age” we also have more patience when times are tough. 

 

And I should also say something about Rachel is this moment…  She is such a good baby.  She has been content to sit in her chair and “hang out” with us all afternoon.  An occasional “squawk” reminds us that she needs a little more lovin’, but other than that, she has seemed to enjoy watching the boys playing or sleeping.  [PAUSE:  for another request to add some hot tap water to their pool…  okay, okay – I am a softie.]

 

AND right now the boys, with bike helmets on, are in the pool, peeking over the edge at us, giggling.  These are the moments in life that fill up my heart and give me the energy to keep moving forward…

 

I guess this also gives me time to reflect on this summer.  One of THE BEST summer’s of my life…  I will probably never experience one like it in the future.  Joe and I have been off work together, with the boys, and able to enjoy a new little baby.  We didn’t go on any extravagant vacations (and actually had to CANCEL our yearly trip to Kauai, due to Rachel’s birth.) but instead, did some really fun “bucket” list items together.   We enjoyed spending time with family & friends, went to the pool A LOT, drove to Lake Chelan, visited museums, enjoyed morning walks, time at the zoo and spending time at home.  I love my career immensely (and know I need it in my life) but feel blessed that I got to spend such a GREAT summer with my husband & kids.  My family will always comes first - and I will remember this summer FOREVER!

 

My last “hoorah” will be a trip to Disneyland on Monday….  Just me and Samuel.  I am going to TREASURE this time with him (I am not sure who is more excited – me or Samuel.)  I used the last of my airline miles and decided to give him some 1/1 time…  something I know we both need.  Life goes by too fast.