end of year

The school year is just about coming to a close. Phew, we made it! It was a full year for not only the kids but for me and Ryan also. The kids have been cleaning out desks, lockers, and bringing home all sorts of "stuff" that has mostly ended up in the trash can. Don't you love it when they come home, rushing through the door, bombarding you with all their papers and art projects? These are precious times to a mother, especially as kids get older and we realize these times are quickly slipping away. My Gwennie will be graduating from middle school on Friday, and it is very surreal. She will soon be 14 and she is so enthusiastic and excited for high school next year...and for stake dances, youth conferences, etc. My firstborn is blossoming into a lovely young woman right before my eyes and I wish I could make things slow down just a bit so I can soak it all in a little more.

The end of a school year means the beginning of a new summer. We are looking forward to time together once my love returns from Utah. There's so much we want/need to do this summer that I'm afraid we won't have time for all of it, but we're going to do our best to squeeze it all in. So here's to summer 2011 and lazy days spent on the seashore, traveling, and cozying up to the campfire. Hoping to make some special memories that will last forever!