i ♥ summer

The school year is approaching fast and it will usher out irrelevant bed-times, lazy mornings snuggling in bed, and the freedom of no schedule in particular other than playing, friends, getting wet, grass, dirt and fireflies. I love having all my kids around me every day, sinking into a more laid back rhythm. They're loud, chaotic and argumentative at times but also precious and tender and growing. I've loved watching how they adore our newest one.
This summer has actually been a difficult one in a lot of ways. I've had to say some painful goodbyes to people I love. I lost my grandmother and witnessed the return of a painful condition my husband struggles with called Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is an indescribable feeling watching the one you love in severe pain. But I don't really want to talk about all that right now. God is so good carrying us through and lavishing His love on us even in the midst of the hard stuff. I'm clinging to Jesus' mercy and the beauty he spreads throughout my days, always outweighing the painful. Yesterday, Josh decided to take the day off to enjoy some of summer with us. He took us out to breakfast at one of my favorite places. Omelets and Earl Grey are a lovely way to start the day and then we headed to the lake. A quiet, shady bank with chairs, books, tubes, perfect skies, filtered sun-light, soft air on Harper's baby skin, the smell of his neck, and happy dripping children was just what my soul needed.