our 4th

Our 4th of July is best described by this kiddos face ^ ... it was a blast!

We decided that this year we would try to make it extra special for the boys

and so we met up with some of our friends...and their kiddos, had a picnic by the river...played some

games and listened & danced to the live music.

...it was muddy everywhere... because of all the rain that has been around the last week or so +...so no one

stayed clean...and then we got rained on! hahaha all we had were a couple of umbrellas...so needless to say, we all were wet, soggy and muddy by the end of the night...but those kids didn't mind a bit. I was pretty tired... I'll be honest... but I had a really good time too...

...I got to dance with my boys...and watch them light up at all the beautiful fireworks. Time spent with friends

is always such a gift ...and I'm so glad we could all share in the excitement together...oh do we have memories to share for years to come about that night! 

...and that is what's important really... overlooking the difficulties and enjoying

the moment... sharing in it with the ones you love.... making memories.

...the fireworks were the icing on the cake for me...and I just love

watching them light up the sky...my guys do too. 

The kids were fast asleep before we ever made it out of the parking lot.

Mission accomplished.

Celebrations & Adventures

We've been on the move so much this summer...well really, since it 

has been warm weather... and truthfully, I'm having a hard time keeping

up lately...yeah, I know... of course I should be...I'll be 7 months pregnant

with this little lady on Monday...it's to be expected.... but how do you explain that to these 

little faces? So when the sun is shining... (or sometimes even when it isn't) we are on

some kind of adventure... I have to admit...by nature I am not the most kid-centric person

... I mean that I am not naturally the kind of person who is on top of what is 

the "coolest" and most creative way to entertain and teach kids...but I have made

it a point to work on that...and I have come to realize that it's like any other "muscle" it works better

the more you use it.

So we have been learning together.

Exploring together.

Experiencing chocolate ice cream cones melting down our arms, together.

Swimming on our backs together.

Pizza in the park on a Sunday together...

I have learned to be a kid again...in a way

to show them how to be a kid too...

because some of that is "learned" too....or at least prompted.

Kids can relate a lot better to an adult who takes

themselves a little less seriously than "normal"

...one who doesn't mind running through the rain

... splashing puddles all through the parking lot 

and then shopping for groceries with still-sloshy 

shoes... streaking your hair with wacky colors 

because its unofficially wacky hair day...

and I am learning that.

Slowing and gloriously learning.

...and really why do I have to be such "a big deal" that I can't make 

silly memories that my children will look back on and think...

"man my mom was pretty crazy...but we had a blast...and she never

held back."

Now, this 4th of July I will probably hold back on the water slide of doom

...since I don't think this baby bump would appreciate it very much (hahaha)

but it doesn't mean I'm not going to try and eat the heck out of a red, white & blue

snow cone... or squeal like a kid when the fireworks go off...that I can do.

...and I'm not altogether sure why I felt the need to "talk" about this

other than maybe I'm not the only person... the only mom who maybe

struggles here too...and who is possibly learning the same lessons...

and maybe I want to remember this someday ...all of it...

Happy 4th of July friends.

dance in public with your kids (and probably

embarrass your spouse) ... get powdered sugar all over your 

face from the most giant funnel cake on the planet...

have a picnic and enjoy your family today.

Enjoy it.

(sorry guys, I realize that this is a poorly placed stick...lol

but he's two so let's quietly giggle about it together, k? )

I wrote it all out...

... the pages are kind of steep

but I needed for you to see

that ledge you are skimming is a lonely one

and you don't know how far down it can reach.

 the rain is coming

I promise it's there

to wash you clean or lay you flat.

Walk the ledge with me, my love

and I'll never let a drop hit your back.

There is time

plenty

but it all seems to be moving so fast.

tight-rope walk time with me baby

and we'll fight the hour glass.

Seconds old when I met you

and already fighting to break out.

There's a beast in the cycle

and I know its purpose

...

to make every little boy a

man.

 -Elena McCoy (original poetry)

We celebrated the 4th like most of you... with great friends, lots of food, home-made water slides

and, of course, fireworks. I watched my kids run around, meet new friends... and stretch their independence... like new-found wings. I was struck by how remarkable that is.... watching them become little people...not babies, not infants... in a way, grown... or growing. That blessed my heart to see them do so well... to smile and know that they are ok...that I must not have messed up too badly... that they are exceptional. 

I haven't had the most words lately... you've noticed I'm sure. I feel like this place in my life is in transition and with it my words, my heart, my desires. I've realized my lack of gratitude ... my thankful spirit... to God... to well, almost everything, and I have been purposefully trying to reawaken that thankfulness...because what on earth cannot I find to not be grateful for? So many daily blessings.

Loss has probably been the greatest culprit... The loss of family, loved ones...trying to find a grateful heart when things seem so unkind, so painful. But I find light at the end of this tunnel. Yesterday, I was grateful

to see my children in a matured light... taking off my baby goggles for a moment... surrounded by people who opened their arms to us unconditionally...friendship.

What perfect timing right... a blessed correlation.

As it were, celebrating the independence of our country... there is so so much to be grateful for.

Happy July Day (the 4th that is)

... that's what Luca went around saying all day on the 4th..."Happy July Day!" So cute! We had a nice day, super crazy and we were sorta tired from the pool the day before... we may have over-done it a bit actually, but we spent the day recuperating and relaxing and truly just enjoying the day and what it meant. We changed up our plans at the very end...we were going to go to a church event... then we were going to see the fireworks down the road... but we just decided to stay in, meet up with a couple neighbors and light fireworks with the kiddos... and eat some really yummy food courtesy of the Mr. and the trusty grill!

Here's a few  ( ok more than a few lol) pictures to recap the day!

...this was his first ever sparkler.... he loved it, but was a little nervous about the fireworks....

...we always have to have a funny face picture :)

...it was a blast! and these cheeseburgers are were as good as they look!

* Fun side-note: On Friday I got to meet up with my blogger friend Carissa ( I mentioned it in my last post I think)... I was a bad blogger again and forgot to take pics... but bless her she didn't forget and posted them up on her blog! She's is the sweetest thing and her two kiddos are dolls! I had such a great time on our little play date and I am so excited to have found a thrifting buddy! What an awesome heart and sweet spirit... God truly does know the exact person ( or people) that we need in our lives, and plops them right in front of us sometimes! I am so thankful.

Well I'm off to hang out with the fam... the Mr.'s grandparents dropped by for a couple days and we are so excited to spend some time together! Cheers and happy Wednesday!!!