One Year Ago Today....

Our world as we knew it changed.

We found out about Evelyn's heart condition

that needed immediate surgery. 

My world turned upside down.

 I tried to learn how to be a nurse and a mother

and keep up with everything that I used to do, but 

 soon discovered that was an impossible feat.  

Everyone kept saying, give it time and you will get used to your new normal.

 It's been a year since finding out the news and time has helped.

It has gotten easier. I've grown up a lot and realized

what I put value on before, may not have been prioritized the best.

I've grown in my faith, in my relationship with others, 

and in my gratitude for what I have been given from God. 

We are truly blessed to have our little Evie still here with us.  

She is a blessing that I am thankful for every single day.

If you haven't told your loved ones you love them today,

don't wait!  Be thankful for today!

Wrapping up summer...

with the kiddos emptying the pool...

 and having a bit of fun in the process.

 Me: "You guys we are going to eat soon."

 Kids: "Should we eat outside?"

 Me: "Did you guys get wet?"

 Kids: "Just a little:)"

 We celebrated the baptism of Allison.

 We were so honored to be asked to Godparents. 

 She is so angelic and perfect!

It reminded me of all my kiddos baptisms.

It wasn't so long ago...

or was it?

Oscar, Joey, and Evie ready to go to school.

This is the first day of school photo.

They are all so adorable.  

I am blessed!

Picking Carrots....

We need more garden boxes!

Our carrots do awesome in this soil 

and I would love to have a whole box to dedicate to carrots.

 We tried a couple different varieties...

 some are purple

 and some are orange.

 We would have contests to see who could pick the biggest carrot out...

I won every time:) 

 In all the excitement, 

some of the carrots got left in the soil, so we had Evie and Dad dig them out.

A bucket full of carrots.

She loved going after multiple carrots at a time.

 For dessert that night, 

carrots and dip!

 They loved the carrots.
What a great night.

Boys camping trip...

will become an annual event!

All the boys had a blast even the older ones:) 

It was a no moms allowed weekend,

which always leads to a whole lot of fun.

Soaking up the last bit of summer...

We have been busy around here:

 soaking up the sun, 

 smiling at the beauty,

 enjoying naps(Mittens snuggled in my new flower bed)

 picking humongous vegetables,

 finding crazy creatures,

 it's a luna moth catepillar if you were wondering,

 finding NEW favorite vegetables(ground cherries),

 getting a different ride,

 sizing our sunflowers up,

 swimming with cousins,

 canning,

 making forts,

 more canning, 

 making picante,

 doing all the mixin',

 keeping the kids busy,

 night swimming,

 more swimming,

and all together having so much fun.

Hope you all are enjoying your summer 

before school begins!