My boys and I have fallen in love with summer all over again. Maybe it's because the winter was so long and cold. Maybe it's because last summer was so hot. Maybe it's their ages, now 5 and 7, but this summer has been a thing of beauty for us.
Warm skin, freckle faces, flip flops smacking along the pavement. The smell of sunscreen mixes with the smell of sweat and freshly mowed grass as we dance through our activities.
Bike rides to the playground, to the grocery store, to the church, to the library--the boys racing each other down the road, calling out to each other with shouts of glee.
Hot afternoons fishing at the city park, casting long lines into the cool breeze rippling off the dark water. Eagerly anticipating the tell-tale tug that something has taken the sweet-corn bait. Excitement moving like electricity as the line is wound in. We hover along the edge of the bank in the long, dry, itchy grass shouting encouragement to the one who is bringing in this greatest of all catches. Laughter explodes as a clump of lime green water grass is revealed to the merry call of, "I caught a weed!" But then, that beautiful moment is there when a flash of silver comes bursting out of the water and we share a moment of triumphant joy before releasing our prize back into the cool depths of the lake.
Tired, but satisfied, we emerge from the bright white heat of day into the dimmer coolness of air-conditioned home. Arms and legs tangle together on the couch as we rest, letting the cool air and popsicles melt the sticky humidity away, laughing together as we watch family shows on t.v.
There are days with friends, picnicking in the park, cramming down Lunchables in order to run and play. Wiffle ball home run derbys, a trip to the driving range, and determined attempts at completing a tennis volley.
Zoo trips with family, marveling at the sea lions as they swim above and around us, so close to a penguin you could reach out and touch it. Wondering at the gracefulness of the polar bear's swim and standing in silent appreciation before the King of Beasts. Peals of laughter ring out as the 5 year old does his gorilla impression, beating his chest and calling to the distant apes, "Gorillas, come to me! I am your master!" Exclamations as one lone gorilla slowly ambles toward us. Camel rides, train rides and the majestic view of a setting sun while we ride the skytram over the zoo and watch the giraffes below us--so close you could almost reach down and touch them.
Barbecues with hot dogs and hamburgers hot off the grill. Corn on the cob that bursts with sweetness and richness into your mouth. Tomatoes warm from the garden, full, round and meaty. Berries galore, sweet and tart, a perfect end of day symphony. Frozen custard melting in the heat, filling your mouth with a sweet delicious coolness you can only get this time of year. Fireworks lighting up the night sky. Cardinals baseball games coming through the television each night; the now familiar voices of Dan, Al, and Rick old friends coming back for an extended visit.
Vacation Bible School week-organized chaos as children sing, dance, laugh and play to the glory of the Lord. The excitement of learning how you, at ages 5 and 7, have the power to save a life. Imagining No More Malaria. The ornery one suddenly exclaiming over lunch, "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger..." Church families gathering together to share with one another, to create and seal beautiful memories for these children we have all covenanted to raise.
There is no time for blogging, for delving into the world beyond our IRL. Time is too fleeting. This glorious summer shall soon pass, and I want to surround myself in it. My cup runneth over.
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
Warm skin, freckle faces, flip flops smacking along the pavement. The smell of sunscreen mixes with the smell of sweat and freshly mowed grass as we dance through our activities.
Bike rides to the playground, to the grocery store, to the church, to the library--the boys racing each other down the road, calling out to each other with shouts of glee.
Hot afternoons fishing at the city park, casting long lines into the cool breeze rippling off the dark water. Eagerly anticipating the tell-tale tug that something has taken the sweet-corn bait. Excitement moving like electricity as the line is wound in. We hover along the edge of the bank in the long, dry, itchy grass shouting encouragement to the one who is bringing in this greatest of all catches. Laughter explodes as a clump of lime green water grass is revealed to the merry call of, "I caught a weed!" But then, that beautiful moment is there when a flash of silver comes bursting out of the water and we share a moment of triumphant joy before releasing our prize back into the cool depths of the lake.
Tired, but satisfied, we emerge from the bright white heat of day into the dimmer coolness of air-conditioned home. Arms and legs tangle together on the couch as we rest, letting the cool air and popsicles melt the sticky humidity away, laughing together as we watch family shows on t.v.
There are days with friends, picnicking in the park, cramming down Lunchables in order to run and play. Wiffle ball home run derbys, a trip to the driving range, and determined attempts at completing a tennis volley.
Zoo trips with family, marveling at the sea lions as they swim above and around us, so close to a penguin you could reach out and touch it. Wondering at the gracefulness of the polar bear's swim and standing in silent appreciation before the King of Beasts. Peals of laughter ring out as the 5 year old does his gorilla impression, beating his chest and calling to the distant apes, "Gorillas, come to me! I am your master!" Exclamations as one lone gorilla slowly ambles toward us. Camel rides, train rides and the majestic view of a setting sun while we ride the skytram over the zoo and watch the giraffes below us--so close you could almost reach down and touch them.
Barbecues with hot dogs and hamburgers hot off the grill. Corn on the cob that bursts with sweetness and richness into your mouth. Tomatoes warm from the garden, full, round and meaty. Berries galore, sweet and tart, a perfect end of day symphony. Frozen custard melting in the heat, filling your mouth with a sweet delicious coolness you can only get this time of year. Fireworks lighting up the night sky. Cardinals baseball games coming through the television each night; the now familiar voices of Dan, Al, and Rick old friends coming back for an extended visit.
Vacation Bible School week-organized chaos as children sing, dance, laugh and play to the glory of the Lord. The excitement of learning how you, at ages 5 and 7, have the power to save a life. Imagining No More Malaria. The ornery one suddenly exclaiming over lunch, "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger..." Church families gathering together to share with one another, to create and seal beautiful memories for these children we have all covenanted to raise.
There is no time for blogging, for delving into the world beyond our IRL. Time is too fleeting. This glorious summer shall soon pass, and I want to surround myself in it. My cup runneth over.
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
