On this day

September 21st. You'd think it would be a date forever stamped in my brain but my mom had to remind me last night that on this day 2 years ago Brooke had her big surgery. (On a side note I went home and told Mike and he said "ya I told you that last night but you weren't listening"...oops, guess not!) I guess it doesn't really matter what day it happened, because you know what?  It's behind us and over with now and maybe that's why I didn't realize the significance of today, but I CAN'T help but sit here and think about her. And sit at work and try to hold it together as I consider my deep deep gratitude, huge relief, and absolute joy (I could go on) that she is what and who she is today. Words can't possibly describe it. I've always thought that as awful as it was to watch her go through it, I thank God every day that we are so blessed to have it over with and that she is the perfectly healthy, adorable, hilarious, smart, sassy, loving, independent little girl that she is. And then my heart aches for the families who battle with health concerns with their kiddos for weeks, months, years....lifetimes. September 21st, on this day and every day we are so very very blessed...not just for Brooke but also for Ben, for each other, for our whole families and each and every precious day we have together. 

Who loves summer? WE do WE do!

Wow, I really can't possibly say enough about how fun this summer has been.  Such a drastic difference from the last four!  With a 2 and 4 year old, all kinds of new possibilities have opened up for us!  Or at least ones that we're willing to attempt. :)  First of all, the boat....we've always wanted one and when the perfect one came available (Mike watches closely) for a deal that we couldn't pass up...we jumped on it, not sure if the kids were old enough yet to really enjoy it.  To our very pleasant surprise, they have LOVED it... Brooke is our fearless water baby and only giggles louder the faster dad goes.  Ben loves to help dad drive, and just this weekend caught a few fish on it, so he's in heaven on that thing. We've taken it out every week at least, and have zero buyer's remorse...only sad the season is coming to an end!

What else...one camping trip, an awesome family trip to Utah with the Bolstad crew, Hawks baseball games, the Zoo, Botanical Gardens, birthday parties and bbqs with friends, and this past weekend we rented a cabin on the lake with Joe and Vi for four great days. We feel so very blessed to have such opportunities for fun time with our family and I am always sad when each adventure comes to an end! But, it's been busy. Very busy, so fall will be pretty nice too. And...summer will come every year, thank goodness and we will always look forward to it more than ever!