The Little White Cabin: Stupendous Summer: Closing the Chapter

What a summer this has been… probably the BEST summer of my life (and the best I will ever have.) When I look back on it, I am full of happiness and know it was a summer full of little blessings.

When I started my bed rest/maternity leave back in April, I tried really hard not to get anxious about it ending, but instead try to enjoy each day. However, I knew that once it got close to the end, it was going to be so hard. And it is… I made my first flight reservations for a work trip, which made "the end" seem very real (I start back to work on Sept. 5th.)

But we had a wonderful summer together, as a family. Being able to spend it with Joe and all 3 kids was so special. It was about bonding with a new baby, spending 1/1 time with each of the boys and learning to function as a family of 5. Everything from spending those first, precious moments in the NICU with Rachel - to taking Samuel to Disneyland...

We had awesome road trips, enjoyed visiting with our family and spent LOTS of time playing in the pool. We went on long morning walks, Samuel got to go to summer academy at his new school, we rode tractor’s, went to a county fair, celebrated birthdays, went to the air show (and met the Patriots!), went to 2 museum’s, enjoyed playing in the sprinkler and hanging out on the patio. Samuel & I got to go to Disneyland, Joe & Samuel did some backyard camping, we enjoyed the Oregon Coast, went to the zoo (twice!), we had a blast in Lake Chelan, we got to meet up with some GLA/Haiti friends (Jeffry, Benicio and Jamie!), we went to 2 fun water parks and Samuel learned to swim this year! We also got to spend good, quality time with family, which was very special. We had a bucket list and we were able to do everything! This summer has FILLED our hearts full of “family togetherness!"

But most of all… I got to be a “mom” for 100% of the time. That will be something I treasure in my heart for the rest of my life. I enjoy my career. I love knowing I have a skill-set that God gave me to utilize in the workforce - and I do not ever take my job for granted. However, I sure do love the role of “mom” – even as hard as it is. It is, by far, the most fulfilling role I know I will ever have in life. And I will miss spending 24x7 with my kiddos. I know I will be missing out on some new spoken words, requests for Band-Aids or help reading a book - and growth developments.

I have a hard time knowing I won’t be the one caring for their scraped up knees or making bottles for Rachel. That part hurts… especially when I travel. And I can’t do anything in life at less than 100%, so once work starts, I know balancing life is going to be so complicated. I haven’t quite processed how it’s all going to work yet. My job is demanding (mentally-challenging, stressful and the I have the requirement to travel.) I know we did it with 2 kids, so I am sure we can figure it all out with 3… but it’s not going to be easy for the next few years (the baby/toddler phase is tough when you both work.) But I am lucky to have a husband who is there, right alongside me. We will get through this… we just have to pray a lot!

We are also are so fortunate that Joe will get to be home with Luke & Rachel through November. What a blessing. It’s not going to be easy for him, but he also knows how special the time will be with them – time we won’t ever get back.

This morning we had a “dry run” as we took Luke & Samuel to KinderCare (Samuel has been out all summer and will start Kindergarten on the 9th – he will be in KinderCare M, W, F of this week to get him back in the swing of things.) And Joe is going to school this week to set up his room (he will start his leave on 9/3.) So we got up at 5:45am and started the routine… We did okay, but the boys sure weren’t happy to be getting up so early! (I guess Samuel and I were up around 6am for Disneyland early opening’s, but somehow school doesn’t evoke the same emotions of excitement that Disneyland does!)

So today it is just about me and Rachel. My last “official” week as a full-time mom for her… I have to say, just typing that brings tears to my eyes.

I guess this means closing this chapter of our lives: “Stupendous Summer” and moving on to the next: “Fabulous Fall” (see I am working to be optimistic!) We thank God for this family (and our immediate family & friends too!) and know we are blessed beyond measure…

Just a few of the great memories...