Summer Summary.

heyyyyyy.
Haven't blogged for a bit. I never do much in summer anyway and I am almost thinking blogging is obsolete considering social media? But each time I come here, I notice how many times this page has been visited, and I realize it has spread well beyond my FB friends and family.

Apparently, it has recently been shared somewhere new. I don't know where, but an influx of  ....anonymous... RACIST comments were waiting for me when I returned. Comments about me, our children... most of them completely ignorant and nonsensical.

Given the timing of it all, I assume someone shared our blog in some gross hole in the internet wall for this purpose specifically. I'm not sure what it was meant to accomplish, but it's inspired me to continue writing. Too write more, to write bigger, to write louder. You've only proven it necessary.

So... Hello, to all readers. I hope you find something positive here.

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It feels very weird to be shifting out of summer and back to routine on only August 1st. 

It's good though. Necessary. 

Our summer started off so weird with Cale being so so sick. I kept it kinda breezy, but the truth is, things got pretty scary there for a minute. Thankfully, he/we recovered and even though it seems like summer flew by in a rush, looking back I see we actually squeezed in some worthwhile memories. 

Our gifted vacation fell right smack dab in the middle and was everything we needed but I don't want to miss the tiny moments either <3 p="">

{so many pictures}

Cale took this at one of the  manymany doctor appointments when he was finally on the mend. SO tired. But I love it. 

Everyone finally well enough to get out and play. 

Our future paleontologist looking so paleontological.

Morning after recital smoothie <3 p="">

Prepping for kindergarten....

Swim days with grandparents are obvi.

Everyone working together on the old house, getting it ready to sell...

Hanging out at the Secretary of State's office (while I get adoption paperwork authenticated)

Layla speaking at VBS.

Sweet smiles.

Things that really made me smile:

Brothers who tell everyone they are twins (four months and 16 inches apart)

"Triplets" who get along sometimes and play flag football in the rain. 

Layla fishing from a canoe (never thought I'd say that)

Big brothers who give piggyback rides.

Little girls who take a stethoscope with them everywhere they go (bed, bath, doctor appointments, church... never know when you'll need one. )

Little girls who spontaneously get baptized <3 p="">

(A friend at church captured THE most angelic pictures on her phone of Brynnie coming out of the water in her white robe, but her phone was stolen before she could send them to me! So sad.  This was right after.)

We summered well. Really well.

Now, on to the next phase....

Prayers appreciated as the Growing Wests head back to school!

Changing routines is hard for these littles.  Anxiety is powerful, but so are confidence and declarations! Thumbs up emojis. Or do finger guns and make clicking sounds. And pray :)