SUMMER......woooshhhhh

Just like that Summer was here and then gone.  Like a flash of lightening.  And as I look back at the craziness of the last month I struggle with how to even begin to document our amazing times.  Perhaps, I will just start with the things I appreciated so much about this summer.

1.  AJ's talking.  Last summer AJ talked, but this summer he really talked.  I no longer was sitting in silence or trying to decipher what some word meant.  It was nice...I'm a talker, and just loved learning about what was going on in AJ's world.  The things he came up with at times were just amazing....I look back and try to remember examples but they escape me. 


Funny how the brain can forget.  Some phrases that AJ is particularly fond of right now include, "in the booty" (I have zero idea where the heck he got this one from and currently trying to squash it.  I'll let you know how that goes), "oh My GOD," (I was also wondering where he got this one from until I had one of the moments where I paused after I said something in surprise to Russ to realize that I just said that same thing-face to palm).

Random grandma Ryker got to know at the shore

2.  Ryker's laugh.  This kid is so skilled at making people love him.  Seriously, throughout our travels the kid connected with people like it was his job.  Most of the time it was through smiles and laughter.  He has got, hands down, the best laugh I have ever heard.  It is from the gut and so darn sincere.

3.  Our family of 4.  As Muffin Man's due date approaches I'm excited, but a great part of me is freaking out.  How will we handle 3?  What about bathtime?  Or when I want to go on a run?  Or the fact that we got 2 perfectly amazing boys and how is this going to disrupt them?  And then I remember it will all be good (and Russ helps to remind me).  Life works out and a huge part of what I want to teach my boys is how to be adaptable to whatever comes our way.  Russ and I are getting pretty good at it.  I just love the times we have had as a family-to really soak in the wonders of these 2 boys as we prepare to add another one to the mix.  I asked my Dad while in New Jersey, "Dad-did you EVER think I'd be having 3 kids?"  My Dad responded, "I didn't even know if you'd have any kids." (Something like that...not exact quotes here..)  As dear friend that I met up with reminded me how in high school I had told her, quite seriously, that I would not be getting married or be having any children.  Psych.

4.  My friends.  I really am blessed with friends both near and far.  This summer was a chance to catch up with the far away friends, which was such a blessing!  It is so amazing

 


 
 
to me that I can  not talk to some of these friends in months, and then get together and have an amazing time.  And I have to say it makes for some rich conversations on their new passions, their children/pets, their future, their dreams, their struggles.  I just feel so grateful to know that even on the loneliest days I can recount my time with them this summer and realize that I have people-even if they aren't right here.

5.  Our jobs.  Me: Russ do you realize how lucky you are that I don't have any on-call shifts, rarely any night work, and summers off?  Russ:  Do you realize how lucky you are that I have my job so our kids can attend college.  Fair enough.  Our jobs pair nicely with each other.  This time with my boys is such a gift.  The feminist in me gets to continue working and providing to the family in a way that I find immensely rewarding, while still getting 3 months off throughout the year to spend with my boys.  Russell has a job which allows him the ability to go to Nebraska for almost 2 whole weeks without having to use a lick of vacation time because he can work anywhere with internet.

6.  Grandparents.  I don't know if I can say enough about the Grandparents this summer.  Our boys are so darn lucky to have such involved, loving, funny, caring Grandparents. 
 




When I grew up I just didn't get to have the relationship with my grandparents that my kids do.  For whatever reason, distance, death, the busyness of life- I just didn't have super tight relationships with my grandparents.  So it means so so so so much (I swear you've heard this before-I'm a broken record) to have the grandparents in my boys' life.  The boys experienced so many rocking memories this summer-and even got some time in with some Great Grandparents!  From planting flowers, going to the ocean and Statue of Liberty, to fishing, hiking, feeding chickens/ducks/geese, they experienced so many different things with each set of grandparents.

7.  The Ocean.  My heart will always be at the ocean.  I'm not quite sure when I developed the long-lasting love.  But it happened and it won't go away.  And secondly, I got to experience my boys loving the ocean too.  Doesn't get any better.

I'm sure I appreciate alot more things but those are what I can think of right now.  I feel so grateful to be financially able to travel and lucky to have some many great people in life to travel to!  Fantastic, top-notch summer indeed.

Love,
Momma