Summer is almost over!

Summer has flown by almost as quickly as it arrived. It’s been a whirlwind of activities from start to finish. We kicked things off with Ara’s 5th-grade promotion, which set the tone for a packed season. From field days and church picnics to car shows, park outings, and summer camps, there was hardly a dull moment. Ara and Lijah both participated in the annual softball clinic with the local police and fire departments, and they had a blast this year. All three kids also joined the Mega Sports Camp, although Lu was a bit disappointed that basketball wasn’t part of his camp’s lineup.

We also found ourselves drifting from one adventure to the next, from the soft, sun-kissed sands of the beach to the warm, welcoming arms of grandparents. There were spontaneous sleepovers filled with giggles and late-night stories, birthday parties bursting with laughter and cake, and family gatherings that wove us closer together with every shared memory. Each day felt like a new chapter in our never-ending summer tale.

I’ve spent countless hours lost in the rhythm of cultivating our garden, watching in awe as the tiniest buds slowly unfurl into vibrant blooms. It’s like witnessing a secret show put on by nature itself. Lu’s been my little gardening companion, eagerly digging in the dirt with me and chatting away to the flowers as if they were old, trusted friends. He’ll bend down to whisper something to a budding dahlia or give the sunflowers a pep talk, as if they’re listening intently. The more I sink my fingers into the soil, the more I feel the quiet peace that only comes from being so deeply connected to the earth. It’s as if the earth knows the weight of my thoughts and gently helps me release them.

Of course, there’s still the laundry mountain that never quite disappears, and the daily “What’s for dinner?” scramble that always feels a little like a game of chance. But despite those little everyday chaos moments, life feels good… like a quiet, beautiful rhythm unfolding with each passing day.

My sweet Ara is about to leave for sleep-away camp in less than two weeks… and I’m already feeling all sorts of emotions. Pray for me, because I’m not quite ready for this yet! But oh, how hard she worked to get here. She spent countless hours weeding random gardens, selling cupcakes, and running a lemonade stand to raise the money. I was right there beside her, watching her pour everything she had into making this dream a reality.

I’m so incredibly proud of her. Still, there’s that mom-heart that’s nervous… nervous for her to be out of state, surrounded by strangers, with no one there to give her a hug or a reassuring word when she needs it. But even through the nerves, my pride outweighs it all. Because of the effort she put in, and all the kind people who supported her along the way, she gets to have this amazing, life-changing experience.

I never went to camp myself, but she will. And I know it’s going to be something she’ll remember forever.

And as summer winds down, the adventures keep coming. There’s our anniversary trip to Seattle on the horizon, then Vacation Bible School for the boys (and Ara, who gets to be a leader this year!), followed by the start of school … which, let’s be real, I’m not fully prepared for yet! We’ll be packing for a trip to Ohio in September and celebrating Back to the Future Day later that month. Between all these moments, big and small, we’re filling up the calendar with memories that will carry us through the year.

Wish us luck… or better yet, just pray.