Summer

Life is cruising along here at our house. The summer has been busy. Chris and I are both home with the kids which has been so incredible. It has allowed us to be able to do things with all the kids, or each of the kids individually. Last summer was consumed with our move and felt like we didn't get to do anything else. This summer has definitely made up for it. I can't believe we are looking at the end of summer in a few weeks!
J.T. is 20 pounds now, and just turning 4 months. He is lots of fun, and we all enjoy him. He is experimenting with constant growling that hopefully will turn in to words someday! He smiles a lot now, but we seem to have trouble capturing it in a picture. We'll keep trying...
And then there is E.R... Our little 2 have been good sports about going various places - for walks and hikes, to water parks and regular parks, the coast, the Mt. Hood Railroad, having friends to our place, and visiting friends at theirs, and anything else we come up with! They adore each other, and spend a lot of time side-by-side.

E.R. has had a summer of firsts. First 4th of July, first parade, first American birthday party, first ocean experience. She loved the waves so much that on the day of our second ocean trip, she said "ocean. ocean." all morning while we packed up the car. As we were getting last minute things together she decided she was tired of waiting. She told Chris "ocean" and headed down the street on her own (we live in a very safe cul-de-sac with no traffic- but still). He called her back, and she turned around to look at him, shake her head, and say firmly "ocean", and kept going. She had decided to meet us there...

G.J. has had a great summer. He spends most of his time reading, writing/drawing comic stories, and eating popsicles. He is taking a comic drawing class that he really enjoys. - Much to my relief. We signed up a long time ago and I was afraid he would have outgrown comics by the time the class started. I shouldn't have worried, this appears to be a long-term love for him. G.J. will be starting a new school this fall, and is nervous about that. He knows a few kids from playing baseball, and we are hoping that helps. He is such a friendly, kind, funny kid that I'm sure he'll do fine. But it is hard for him to think about getting attached to his 3rd school in 4 years. Fortunately he is used to having good experiences in school, so we know he'll do fine.
And then there is M.C. He continues to be great with the little 2, and definitely has some really great days. He is struggling with some issues this summer that we had hoped had gotten better. He had a rough time adjusting from his fabulous kindergarten to being home and unstructured. But Chris and I are getting help for him, and we could really use prayer for M.C. I love this kid so much and want him to do well at his new school in September. I wish I could be more specific, but this is the internet...There are also some things on the horizon for Chris and I that are impacted by how M.C. does this fall. Thank you for remembering us in your prayers!
Chris and I are doing well, and feel like we've adjusted to having 4 kids. Chris got a new job for this fall. He'll be the school counselor for the school that is closest to our house. He is really excited about being able to throw himself into one school and spending more time with kids. He is currently passionately working on building a studio downstairs. I've never seen him work this hard! He deserves to have his own space to be creative and keep his recording gear out of the hands of little ones. I'm excited for him, and apparently it will be ready much quicker than we had planned!

I am doing well. I've had quite a few health issues this summer, but I'm hoping that it is just my usual rough time recovering from birth. I passionately love J.T. with a love that I wasn't sure was possible for number 4. But I am crazy about this little guy. And E.R. has just taken our family by storm. She has brought joy and laughter to our home that we desperately needed. I love watching her grow, and work at pronouncing her words correctly, and doing silly things constantly to make us smile. I love having a E.R. as my daughter. It has been so fun to start over with little kids again - and to know that they aren't going anywhere! My heart is heavy much of the time over feeling like I can't figure out how to help M.C. I am trying to blame myself less, but as a parent I think some of that is inevitable. It is hard to be on the receiving end of asking for help. I have spent so many years as a service provider, that this side of things is uncomfortable. There is something else on my heart daily that only time and prayer will sort out.

We are having such a great summer, but to be honest by the end of this month, I think I'll be ready for fall !