Since I've been gone!

Well, the summer is almost over for us and we have been so busy. The blog has been neglected lately because we:

Spent a week at the lake

Spent a week at soccer camp (Aubrey)

Spent a week helping with Camp Agape at church. (all of us - even Mallory)

Have been blueberry picking (um, so good)

Had cousin Jay stay with us while Chris and Leah moved (so, so excited about this!)

Went to see GForce (Aubrey's still quoting lines)

Have been busy getting PTO stuff going

Went to our Back to School Fair

Have been working on Pastor Search Committee stuff

Had a Chez Ami children's clothing party

Have been hanging with cousins and friends quite a bit

And have just been busy with life. I have scrapped quite a bit, but will post pics later when I have a few more minutes. Once we get in our school routine I'm sure I'll be back to my regular posting schedule.

overheard

Last night when we were waiting for our dinner (a very, very long time at an unnamed establishment) I got a snippet of conversation between Aubrey and Hayden. I'm not sure what preceded this comment, but Aubrey said, "I'm going to marry someone who is pretty." Whew! Another thing to check off my worry list! Now I have to start telling Aubrey, "Pretty is as pretty does." and "Beauty is only skin deep." Boy, this kid keeps me on my toes! Fortunately we have a few years to let these words of wisdom sink in.

mornings

I am not a morning person. However, I do love lazy mornings when we don't have to do anything but hang out. I have been so fortunate that up until now in our lives we have had many mornings like that due to the fact that Aubrey has only been in pre-school 2-3 days a week. On mornings he didn't have pre-school, we usually end up in either his bed or our big bed and watch cartoons, snuggle or read together. The other morning, Mallory and I went into Aubrey's room when he woke up. We were laying there together talking and giggling, and I thought, "We aren't going to have many more mornings like this together because Aubrey is almost in kindergarten." I know that may sound overly dramatic, but I feel like our life together as a mom and children is about to have a major shift. Each morning we will be up early, getting Aubrey off to school. And as excited as I am about him starting school, I am a little melancholy about missing our lazy mornings together. I mean, just look at these sweet pajama babies!

two

Two years ago at this time I was in labor with my sweet little girl. She has been such a sweet addition to our family. When I used to think about having children, I only wanted little girls because that's what I had grown up with. Then I had Aubrey, and I didn't care if all I had was little boys because he was so much fun and so sweet. When I found out Mallory was a girl I was of course so excited, and now I can't imagine not having a little girl in our house. I think it's made all of us sweeter. She is such a little prissy thing, loving purses and babies. She has stayed so tiny, but she's so full of personality. She makes us laugh every single day. My prayer has been that we can help reign in her strong will without tempering her sassy personality. I know that God has a plan for her life, and I can't wait to see what that will be. Until then, I will be content and thrilled with being her mommy and love her more than I thought possible.