So Far -

This Summer We've Been:

practicing being reverent after a naughty day at church

celebrating after "practicing being reverent" time is over

making messes with colored bubbles

(p.s. never buy colored bubbles)

chillin' with Grandma

feedin' the babe

being goofy

climbing too high in trees

looking adorable

getting haircuts

lovin' each other

and being exhausted by the end of the day.

I am so thankful for my family. Leaving Illinois was hard, harder than I anticipated, but so worth it to be near family.

We recently attended two family reunions, which for some reason I didn't brake out my camera for once, but I loved looking around and soaking in all of the wonderful people who I love. People who helped mold The Beloved and myself in our youth and who are still wonderful examples to us today. I loved seeing my cousins, getting to know their spouses and offspring better, and witnessing the wonderful parents they've become.  Plus they're just plain fun - and hilarious.

So again, I love my fam.

When I say that, I am including The Beloved's family as well.

A couple of weeks ago when we were there I loved visiting with his sisters, discussing our favorite reads, and then later sitting around the camp fire with the whole family debating over the concept of concubines. You never know which direction the conversation is headed, but that's the fun part.

I often receive so much service from my family I feel guilty.

Before I had the baby my mom and dad would show up almost everyday to help me with something around the house.

They would watch the kids while I went grocery shopping and would help drop Little C off at his various activities.

My eldest sister sacrificed her spring break to help me remove decades old wall paper and then paint a couple of bedrooms. Of course my parents couldn't stay away from that fun either. :) After all of their hard work they then took me out to lunch, arranged for my niece to watch the boys, and the three of them - my mom, dad, and sister - surprised me with a little baby shower while we ate delicious steak. I couldn't imagine better company to be in.

After the baby was born The Beloved took two weeks off of work and I rarely had to lift a finger.

My mother was around almost everyday helping with anything and everything and then the following week my mother-in-law came to help out even more.

I am so blessed to be surrounded with such loving and kind, service oriented people.

I know I get so sentimental and gushy -

And I promise at least once a day I am quite the selfish grump -

but amidst all of that I am quite aware of my Heavenly Father's tender mercies and I appreciate His goodness so very much.