Agh, the rain...

I know you are going to think I am nuts but I woke up this morning to the sound of draining gutters - Pure Bliss. It hasn't rained here in over 3 weeks and, well, I have missed it.

Since it is not normal for it to be super sunny here, when the days are great everything kicks into high gear. There is pressure to be doing, going, exploring, and not wasting a single moment. I am now thrilled for the chance to just chill out on this rainy day. It is also the first day of Summer Vacation to boot - woo-hoo... no racing to get the girls ready.

Oh, and did I mention Audrey recevied an "Always on Time" bookmark from school?? Did you hear that people? I got Audrey to school this year ALWAYS ON TIME!! (I even brought her one day there wasn't school - HA!)

Taking it super slow today.

Lucky Enough

~If you are lucky enough to be at the beach,
You are Lucky Enough!

That was a sign that hung on the wall at the beach house we were invited to this past weekend. It is so true. What can be more relaxing that sifting for seashells, watching for boats, and listening to waves? The time went by really fast, which seems to be the norm lately.

Our kindergartener graduated to 1st grade...

I just love this picture because all the other kids are in there own worlds... the true portrait of 6 year olds!! During the "ceremony" Audrey's teacher read the book "Leo the Late Bloomer" by Robert Kraus and couldn't make it through without crying.

What a great message for parents that book is. Leo's father is frustrated because he is not reading, writing, or doing anything he SHOULD be doing until one day...Leo finally gets it! That is so how our life feels right now. We expect so much of our children wanting them to reach milestones, and be respectful, and unselfish, and well... adults. But they are not.

So I am vowing in this post to stop being impatient with my little "Leo" because even I realize we are Lucky Enough!!

P.S. If anyone knows how I can end up with a beach house some time in my life... please advise!

Week of Visitors

This morning I woke up to Monday and I didn't know where to start. The house was rather quite and the everyday tasks that were waiting for me felt too trivial. Just coming off a week of excitement with cousins here has been so wonderful. I didn't want the sound of kids laughing, crying, and whispering to be gone.

When you stop to think about families it is a funny thing. The pushing and pulling of wants and needs of each person. The conversations whether short or long all adding up to some bigger picture, a meaning we will never understand. As a parent you can try to orchestrate these moments but it the unknown events that may shape your childs life forever.

It starts out so wonderfully easy. The trust is there and the love - the amazing unconditional love. The hands that reach out for you and the smile that is always returned.

But then it begins to get more complicated and the family has to change and grow. A smile might not be returned and your efforts as a parent aren't always appreciated. It has occured to me, though, that these are the times when it becomes truly appartent - family is all there is to it.

Time must be sacrificed to share together, long drives need to be taken, and trips planned. Because you never know the friendships that will be built, the dreams that will start to transpire, and the character that will come of spending time with family.

Thank you cousins :)