How I Will Remember This Summer

Lauren has been back to school for four weeks now, and I've been back to work for two weeks, so it seems that our summer is officially over and fall is quickly arriving. Here is how I will remember this summer...

...spending lots of time with my two beautiful children, each at an interesting, fun, and challenging age.

...having a new backyard to play in and enjoy, and plenty of summer sunshine.

...taking walks around the neighborhood with Lauren riding her bike and Jon in the hip carrier.

...continuing the process of making a new house a home. It started as foreign and has become comfortable.

...visiting family and friends in Roseville, and meeting new family members in Oxnard. (Welcome, baby Mollie!)

...feeling like Lauren's chauffeur, driving us to her different activities: ballet class, swim class, VBS, playdates, etc. (I didn't think this would happen until later in her life. It definitely motivates me to continue to limit the number of activities the kids participate in. I like plenty of "down time.")

...having just a wee bit of "me time" again, as Jon is finally on a schedule (most days) and sleeping better at night.

...using that "me time" to continue with old hobbies and develop new ones: yoga, gardening, online photoshop classes, photography and "big picture" scrapbooking.

...perfecting our lemonade recipe, which now includes a little fresh mint. Yummy!

...developing new friendships, enjoying old friends. Finding kindred spirits at our church's new mom's group.

...feeling content, feeling hopeful, feeling gratitude that so many challenges are behind us and we can rest in God's provision.

...enjoying our "new normal" as a family of four in San Luis Obispo.