Time just seems to be f l y i n g by! My brain can’t seem to comprehend that it’s already fall and where on earth did the time go and what happened to summer and and and! I can hear Abbie’s little voice in my head saying, “mom can you just sit with me?” and my answer is almost always, “ya just a sec, I just need to ….” There’s always something isn’t there? Everything feels so busy right now and I’m forever trying to find a balance. Why is finding that balance such a hard thing? I guess that’s why we have the actual visual of a balance beam or a tightrope walker constantly subtly adjusting to make it right. I just happen to still be in the flailing stage ;) Perhaps that’s why I like taking the time to remember silly, little, rather mundane things. It all goes so quickly and the simple stuff happens to be my favorite stuff. So let’s remember, shall we?

I got to celebrate one of the most wonderful humans I’ve ever known. Forgot to take any pictures but hopefully he knows how much we all love him. He’s exceptional.

One day we were at the beach and the kids start talking to this guy who hands Luke a live shark and tells him to go throw it back in the water. I think it is forever emblazoned in his head as the most courageous act he’s ever done. I was equally terrified and oh so proud. And so glad he didn’t end up as bloody as the lil fellow.

Obviously we spontaneously woke up one morning and drove to get dis doggy

Abbie rode back the whole way home like this because poor Maisey girl was throwing up so much.. things I wasn’t exactly prepared for..

But she slept on my lap in between pukings and looked into mine eyes with all her puppy goodness and I didn’t mind so much having an arm covered in chunks for a couple of hours ;) hey, I had had the norovirus a couple weeks earlier so it was sort of a bonding moment. or something. I think.

We’ve sorta been in puppy heaven ever since <3

But really I saw this and thought it a more accurate description..

She be crazy. I love that she loves to be outside with me but she does like to rearrange any plants I might be planting. She has ideas. She thinks she’s a lap dog which was just so dear when she was tiny but now that she’s giant can be a bit much when she makes herself comfortable up there.

She loves to join us at school

She seems to concur with Bentley that the window should be a door and uses it as such frequently

She loves to make a mess of toys and carpets, trash, dolls

She is often the worst dog!

But oftentimes the best

She’s so very obnoxious but we love her to bits. She brings me so much joy and isn’t that what life is all about? The things that are messy or inconvenient or rob you of some self-serving desire tend to also be the ones that enrich your life the most? Get the dog! They are the best :):) We love that Maisey doggy

Greg and the kids threw me the most dreamy mothers day complete with all my favorite things! I felt so very spoiled

I even got stones!!! ..that I have yet to place because, life.

We got to go on some cutie little school outtings

AND EVEN FINISHED SCHOOL

And then came the boardwalk summer. Oi did we get out moneys worth out of those passes… if I never have to ride another ride again…

Just kidding, I love the rides. It’s the people. But I just said inconveniences enrich the life. I guess I love all aspects of the Boardwalk. Especially the most busiest of days.

Sometime we just go into the ocean with all our clothes on

And then proceed to run through public areas in our skivvies.

Well not all of us.

There were game nights

And REAL concerts with daughters!

She loved it.

There was explosive chamomile to harvest!

And days where Greg went into work and I thought THIS IS MY OPPORTUNITY TO PAINT THE CABINETS!!! Turns out it takes a long time. They still aren’t done..

And we tried this guy red. Luke was very upset that I didn’t like it as much as he did.

And now it’s a clashy brown! But I think I like it? Sometimes? Solidly in my beige stage. Clearly.

And then I didn’t finish the kitchen so I thought it was an excellent time to begin the laundry room

The big kids went to camp!

Little man and I got to hang out with cousins :) er, cousin.

There was a trip to Indiana and Michigan in there!

I really love all these people. I’m so blessed to get to be part of such a great family

There was lots of karate

And making the best of not having sisters

There were fourth of July celebrations!

Greg decided to do his tiki summer on the coldest summer in history ;) but mmmm

Abbie and I made cheese, then a cheesecake, then felt so very domestic, then tried it, then threw it away.

I was so happy I took AAAA picture of my garden this year cause I didn’t feel like I was able to spend any time in it :[ but different seasons give different flowers.. do you see what I did there all metaphor-like

Because I like to remember the flowers when all I can see are gophers and weeds :)

There were lots of chiropractor days from last years gardening ;)

We started school again!

And crafting days!

And more fieldtrip days!

And beautiful moons and mermaids on logs

And fair days — the. piggies. my life is forever changed

And Abbie starting to sneak in and steal my clothes days!!

And lovely nights around tiny tables

Noah just loved roller skating with Uncle Ray’s daughter <3

There were even painting days with my momma!

And celebratory dinners!

And guitar playing days

And baking days

And tooth losing days

And so very much school

This year has definitely been a challenge in the school department but one that I am so enjoying. Still working on not flailing quite so much in the balancing act and trying to find our rhythm but God is so good in how He gently leads and guides and gets us out of our ruts. He is a Good Shepherd and I am so very thankful to walk beside Him through all the hills and valleys. And that’s all my little brain can muster up right now! I hope you are having the most wonderful beginning of your fall. I feel like I can finally acknowledge it now and I’m just so excited!!! Till next time, summer! You’ve been grand!