Seasons of Love

When the boys are grown and I am sitting at home weeping over old photos, I hope I will look back upon these undocumented seasons without too much frustration over the undocumented-ness. I hope I will remember that these seasons were full and joyous and packed with growing, even if I can't recall all the specific adorable things they said or tried. Although I always want to remember the way Evan narrates his life through original songs, occasionally accompanied by his 'contar'. And the way he wakes up early and snuggles, then puts on his jeans and t-shirt and hat, stuffs his pliers into his pocket, and sets out to do his work. I hope I can still hear Ethan's sweet voice in my head and feel the immense pride that washed over me as he sounded out words and read to his little brother.

These days have been full with the usual awesomeness/drudgery that is our ranch life, the excitement of homeschooling, and for the boys, many wonderful trips to my parents' house to soak up the love and attention of all their grandparents, many great-grandparents, and their beloved aunt and uncles.

The summer also included:

T-ball:

a trip to the hospital:

playing at the lake :: 4-H :: playing with friends :: small-town carnivals :: lots of other fun stuff with no pictures ::

a trip to Wyoming/Yellowstone with several of their favorite people::

and lots of other stuff that I can't, you know, remember. But I do know that whatever it was, we were together and the boys were adorable.

Here

Do you ever let something slide because you think you're too busy, then the longer you're away from it, the more intimidating it seems to start again? No, that's just me?

Do you ever use too many commas? Or is that just me, as well?

But here I am. Nothing intimidating about typing! I have plenty of time here at work. I'm working a lot now, 3 nights a week at our tiny 911 dispatch center. I love the work, I love my officers, and I love the long quiet hours on Pinterest and trying to set Solitaire records. Matt is working a lot, too, although he quit his job in April and I imagined he would have more time at home working through the imaginary list I, well, imagined for him.

As always, the boys are also working around the clock. Bucket calves, kittens, chicks, the dog, the horse, and the cattle need tending. Holes need dug, flashlights need to be taken apart, Matt's tools need to be strewn around the shop as they work on various projects. Occasionally they spend a long weekend (or week) at Gramma & Grampa's house, where my sister documents the fun they have.

Like this recent putt-putt golfing adventure:

 and not-so-recent White Sox game adventure:

and not-at-all-recent picture of Tess & the boys just because I love it (and them) (and I stole all these pictures from her facebook albums):

And so here we are. This is a good season, full of satisfying work and peace and love and laughter. And there is much to tell, and here I am.