One for the Books

Another summer to remember. It's amazing how fast they fly by. I love them as much as you do and I can't understand when I hear other moms talk about how excited they are to have their kids back in school. I hate it and every year on the first school night, I get sad like I'm going away on a trip for a week and I won't see you. Let's review...

One of the last days of school, I took the Munch to the pier at Folly. She loved the breeze and I loved being with her. She has brightened most of the days in this last year. I see myself in her a little but I see my baby sister in her the most.

The summer tide took us to Edisto again first thing. We stayed in the house that isn't ours but is ours. We trudged the chairs, the cooler, the tent and the toys to the beach every day and soaked up every sun kissed second.

This is the 1st picture of us when Big really was bigger than me.

When we were at Edisto something horrible happened to our beautiful city and it changed our hearts, minds and state forever. We will never forget the Emanuel 12: Rev. Clementa Pickney, Myra Thompson, Rev. Daniel Simmons, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Depayne Middleton-Doctor, Polly Shepard (survived), Felicia Sanders (survived) and her 11-year old granddaughter (survived). We spent days that week trying to figure out how and why this could happen at this day in age in our city. We had to explain it to you over and over because you had questions but couldn't possibly understand how this could happen. Unfortunately we couldn't explain because we didn't understand either. We prayed a lot and spoke their names and learned about their families and their children. We learned how extraordinary they all were and we grieved for them and for Charleston.

We came home and we paid our respects in any way that we could.

Some people decided to have a Unity March across the Ravenel Bridge. They expected 500 people. My sister and I made the walk and decided to join in with those "500" people.

We left early and we waited at the top for them and because we were so early we were right in the middle when the 2 sides met each other; one walking from Mt. Pleasant and the other walking from downtown. It was one of the most beautiful human experiences I have ever been a part of. It was bigger than us and we could feel it.

Next we went to back to California to see Uncle Jared. It was his turn to turn 40. We took the kids so they could see everything that we have been talking about. They fell in love with another new state this summer.

This is what you wear in Cali in June in the mornings. Crazy.

When we came home it was already time for July 4th again. So we did like we always do and we packed it up and headed to Chapin. The kids are getting bigger but the traditions are still the same.

Towards the end of the week, I caught puppy fever. I didn't want to. It just happened. But we are thankful it did because Banks is the best little dog we have ever had and maybe the best early birthday present Big has ever gotten.

Every lab needs their own diaper bag.

 

Miss E and Booboo came down for summer she-me camp. It was a week of road trips to Greensboro and movies and markers on the wall and swimming. I love my little chickens...

Booboo and Yaya

 The last days of summer, we did as much as we could by boat. 

 Lil' carried on in her usual way of leaving little notes and surprises for us. She is the sweetest little girl that I have ever known and her love bursts out of her every day. She taped a star on our door.

 She put a note in my sweat towel that I take to the gym.

And she made me appetizer plates when I was hungry.

 I'm trying to hold on to both of you a little longer than normal these days when you hug me. You're growing up and it's making me sad. The first day of school came and I think you were ready for it. It helped that friends were making a switch and we got to show them the way...

Lil' 3rd Grade

Big and L 7th Grade

Summer is and always be our favorite time together and this one most definitely was one for the books.

Just Like You

Welp.... we made it. Today is the official first day of summer and 6th and 2nd grade are getting packed up and put away. I've spent the morning going through all of Lil's artwork from the year. Big doesn't really bring home artwork anymore. His is mostly just test scores and school pictures that I buy because I know I will need them for his rehearsal dinner photo presentation the night before his wedding.

Big is big now. He has big ideas and big opinions. He wears big shoes and big shirts. He has a big appetite and he smells like a big kid. He plays basketball big. He talks to girls big. He rolls his eyes at me big. He makes big grades and does things in his own big way. Baby Big has gone away. This is the new Tween-big Big. He's figuring it all out. His body is changing. I try to interject and let him know he can ask me whatever he needs to but that makes him blush and feel weird so I try to just be cool. I'm trying to just stay cool. He's growing big but I'm holding on bigger.

Lil'... My sweet, sweet Lil'. You are sweet and thoughtful and you think of everyone else before you think of yourself. You never just make one glass of water. You make 2 and ask who wants the other one. One day this spring you had a friend come over to play. All of the sudden ya'll wanted to have a lemonade stand in the front yard. But this wasn't just any lemonade stand. You decided that any money you earned, you would donate to the "poor kids in Africa" (the info-mercials really get to you). At first you would politely ask people walking by if they wanted to buy a cup of lemonade. Then you started flagging cars down and literally stood in the middle of the street to keep them from passing. At the end of the day, you collected $67 for the kids in Africa and I've never seen you more proud of yourself. You are still riding horses and you love your bunny more than anything. We had a 6 month birthday party for Penny the other day and you had party hats, favors, a cake made from lettuce, apples and carrots and party favors. You my little apple, do not fall far from your tree when it comes to birthday parties.

 

Miranda Lambert Concert

A pile of Cousins

Daddy turned 40 this year. We celebrated as much as we could. There was a fun dinner with Heath, Schill, Chip and Emily and then a little party with the people in town that we love. Daddy bought himself an awesome little 1967 Scout but unfortunately it was only with us for 4 months. Daddy is still looking for a replacement.

Schill and I think 40 is hysterical.

Lots of Cheffie pictures from this year. She has made a huge difference in all of our lives and reminded me what it's like to have a baby again. Yes babies are alot like bikes  - you never forget how to handle them and they feel alot different the older you get.

With Big starting travel basketball this year, Lil' and I had lots of time to fool around in hotel rooms. Guess this pic...

Lil' had another big moment this spring when she got braces!!!

We also had a couple of unicorn sightings! Yes!! It was truly unbelievable.

My kids are growing up. It's unmistakable. I am literally watching them stumble from the nest and then climb right back in. I'm thankful for both actions - that they have the courage and know-how to try things out for themselves and the need and want to come back to me. I know that the day is coming when they are gonna fly. And I'm gonna cry like a baby when they do but I'm so damn proud of both of you. If you were someone else's kids, I'd want mine to be just like you.

Last day of 6th grade.