Bomberfest

 This past Friday night (I think?) we went to Bomberfest to watch the Blue and Gold games.  Now, Blue and Gold games have ALWAYS meant Bergman Panther Basketball to me.  And, I will admit that it is hard to switch gears.  Especially a gear that I have been in my whole life.  I honestly do not like football.  At all.  Don't watch it, don't care.  But, I do care about my children and I do care about this community that has welcomed us so openly.  So, I sucked it up and put on extra deodorant to sweat it out in hopes that some Bomber pride would rub off on me.  And you know what?  It did.  It won't be immediate and I will always root for the Panthers, but as I watched the boys take the field and pictured my girls cheering for their home team, I could picture myself doing the same. 

So thankful for Amelia's best friend, Finley.  Amelia needs a MH cheerleading outfit, she informed me.

We saw the girls' teacher, Mrs. Denise!

Doctor Lake Day

 Ross's clinic had a Lake Day for all the staff.  A bunch of the doctors brought their boats and invited the families of all the employees to gather for the day and it was a blast!  They were all welcoming and nice- which might I add seems to be a general theme around here.  The girls fed the fish and would have been happy if that was all; they loved it.  Might I add that Ross and I had no change and one of the wives immediately got some change for these sweet girls.

Hanging out on Dr. Bruton's boat

 The girls tubed for the first time!!  Ross and I were on either side of them and they loved it.  Okay, Amelia wanted to love it, but was a nervous wreck and Elise genuinely loved it.  It was a super fun day and Amelia drew a picture of this very thing on her first day of preschool, calling it her "Greatest Summer Memory."  So presh.

 Elise zonked out on the boat ride back and Amelia did as well.  Sleepy lake-goers.

Us

One evening we took a walk from our house down to "our trail."  It was just a slow, nice walk to talk and catch up.  Elise found a stick and talked to her cat, Purry.  Amelia was feeling brave and ventured off a little in front of us.  Ross let the girls jump in a big, nasty puddle of water.  They screamed and giggled.  I want to remember these kinds of nights.  Things that aren't necessary special or overly exciting, just us being us.  My very favorite thing to be. 

32 and 29- Sissy Birthdays

We had a birthday celebration at our house (sheesh, a month ago?! where have I been?) and I loved having all the family come to us!  It is a great feeling to be proud of your house and to get to have everyone gather together.  I love the laughter and talking and little girl squeals.  Seriously, it just was a tremendously happy night. 

The sweet foursome (and Gam)

Ross let the girls pick out their own gifts for me, including this Handy Manny CD.

Love me some Larry Bird

Buzz was so proud!

Twinsies with our chapstick

My favorite gift was my "mommy scooter."  The girls and Ross got me a scooter so that I can ride with them.  It is surprisingly amazing.  We have all been riding together a ton. Now Ross needs a daddy scooter for his birthday. 

It's always just extra fun that Steph and I have our birthdays a week apart.  I don't know if it is because we are so close to begin with, or why I have always found it so fun, but it is awesome to share a cake and a party.  Loved this night.

Summer

 I'm having a hard time.  And even though I know there are "real" issues people are having a hard time with, it doesn't make mine go away.  This is something I struggle with a lot.  My head knows how lucky I am to have healthy daughters that CAN attend preschool and WANT to. I know that this is how life works.  The girls get older and go to school.  But, my heart just is sad about it.  And I hope it is okay to feel.  I hope it isn't disrespectful to those facing giants right now.  But, the fact of the matter, is that I will miss my girls.  Preschool is one week away and I can't believe Elise is big enough to go and that Amelia is a mere blink away from Kindergarten.  I get weepy.  It turns into ugly cry.  There are a ton of things I am worried about, fearful of, and I just plain ole don't like them being away from me. 

But when I look at these pictures, and think of the summer we have had full of love and hugs and enjoying the outdoors, I realize what makes these things so sweet.  It is the fact that we went through a fall, winter, and spring to get here.  And without those things, we might become bored.  Complacent.  Unimpressed.  The way things are designed are not by chance.  Summer is what it is because the rest of the year is what it is.  And so, as I cling to these last few days of popsicles and freedom, I smile.  Relax.  And enjoy.