Enjoying summer

First smile in 2 days after being sick

Yes, Jacob is dancing in the water...click on the picture to see his sweet face larger :)

My little man..Z man

I just adore watching Jacob and Zachary experience the best childhood has to offer. I will admit that I'm biased now, but I think living in the valley has got to be the best place to be a kid. One reason is the change of season and the fun a kid can have outside in each season here. I am enjoying summer like I NEVER have before as well. We can actually be outside all day and not be struggling to breathe due to heat and humidity! The funny thing is that I feel like it is spring here right now and I realize others feel it is pretty hot. I was in a store today and heard someone talking about trying to stay cool. The high was only 83 today! Since I didn't grow up here, I am still in awe at the beauty of this place. I was at the gas station today and was struck by how gorgeous a view I had while just pumping my gas. I never get tired of seeing the mountains, farms, and vast expanses of lands. Maybe if I grew up here, I wouldn't see it as such a big deal. I wish my boys knew how blessed they are to get to experience childhood here. I am constantly reminding them how neat of an experience this is for us to get to live here.

So Jacob's "thing" right now is just being outside. All he wants to do is be outside....doing anything! He is just as happy dig in the mulch as he is to play soccer or play on the playset. Zachary is right there with him. This week we had VBS, so they had a bit less outside time than they would have liked.

VBS was a big hit with the boys. We attend Covenant Presbyterian Church, a PCA church. They put on the best VBS I have ever seen. I was more than impressed. The focus wasn't just on the kids having fun. They actually taught the kids to be servants like Christ and to have a focus on missions. The first day the preschoolers served the snacks, teaching the kids to serve rather than be served. Also through the week they focused on missions. Jacob would tell me about families that had fled their countries due to disaster or war and we were to collect items to help them get started in America. The kids made stuffed animals for the families. Not many kids today are looking at the needs of others. So I loved to see them teaching our kids to look to the needs of others. I so badly want my boys to grow up not wanting to store up treasures on this earth. How hard in this culture! They are surrounded by "things". I pray they will realize it is all temporary and SO not important. I love that at VBS this was stressed. Jacob and Zachary couldn't believe that there were children here with nothing but a few clothing items. They have no idea how blessed they are....I pray that they will grow up to know how blessed they are and to have a heart to share God's blessing with others. After all, isn't that why God blesses us, for us to bless others?

After VBS Wednesday, we got out the slip and slide. Wow, they absolutely loved it! Jacob jumped right in full speed. Zachary eased into it. The first time he walked, 2nd time he crawled, 3rd time, he slowly slid on his belly, finally, he went full speed. Jacob loves speed and adventure. Zachary loves slow and safe.

Unfortunately, Andrew got my sickness! Bless his heart, he has had a fever for 2 days now. He smiled tonight for the first time in 2 days. Hopefully, he will better soon. So sad to see a baby sick!

In a way I feel summer has just started; at the same time, I feel it is flying by.