Sweet Summertime

The end of summer is finally here, as much as I hate to say that out loud.....

I've decided that rather than talk about how sad I am to leave my sweet little boy I will talk about how crazy and wonderful this summer has been!

Day one of my summer break started by taking on two extra kiddos.  That's right...for the entire summer I was responsible for not one, but three, little ones.  Although many people think that teachers have it easy getting the summer off, one thing to keep in mind is that we don't get paid for two months. So, while the summer off is a great perk, unless you are able to appropriately save for the summer it can be pretty rough.  Normally, we have enough money set aside to get through the summer months but this year was different.  Being swamped with hospital bills left us with nothing short of a couple pennies to rub together each month, and unfortunately I was faced with the reality of finding myself a summer job.  Luckily good friends of ours were looking for someone to watch their two kiddos for the summer months and it worked out great for both of us.  I was able to stay home with Wes, while also making the money Brandon and I needed to survive the summer.  I have learned a lot from this experience...and most importantly I don't see more than two kids in our future.  ;) Just kidding...while three is a lot to take on I know it is very different when they are your own.  I have learned how to multitask like never before, run errands with three kids, how frustrating potty training can be, and most importantly, I have learned more about Legos than I could have ever imagined.

Several weeks into the summer, Brandon, Wes and I were able to take a trip up to PA to visit his family for a full week.  His sister was getting married and it was so nice to be able to spend some extended time with everyone.  The wedding was absolutely beautiful and Wes' debut as a ring bearer, although a failed attempt, was still extremely cute!  I so wish that we could see this wonderful family more often!

                                     
This summer was also the first summer that Brandon and I were not able to make it up to OCNJ for the yearly beach tradition with my side of the family.  It was very sad to miss out on this time but we are looking forward to next year.  What has made this a little easier is the fact that my parents bought a house in North Topsail and we have been able to enjoy the house on many different occasions throughout the summer.  Brandon and I also spent our first weekend away from Wes at the beach for our 5 year anniversary.  Most recently we spent the weekend with our wonderful friends, the Hurets.

Throughout the summer I was able to spend time with some of the amazing friends that Brandon and I have been so blessed to know here in Raleigh.  It has been such a blessing to have so many friends who also have little ones. I have so enjoyed getting together with these women for a weekly brunch play-date as well as our many pool dates.  I am seriously overwhelmed by the amazing friendships that have developed throughout our five years in Raleigh and I continue to revel in amazement at how we spontaneously ended up here, when really the Lord had it perfectly planned out for us the whole time!

 I feel refreshed from the summer and ready to get back to my kids and family at DDMS.  This year is certainly going to have a fair share of challenges, but I know it's going to be awesome! I'm so excited for Wes too because I know that he is going to be so greatly loved for and taken care of while I am working every day and for that I am SO THANKFUL! He gets to go back to playing with one of his best buddies and I know he is going to have a blast!

Tomorrow is the last day of my summer break, and coincidentally, it is also a very important and special day for Brandon and I! Looking forward to the adventures in the upcoming year!