Around here, I am grateful for a husband who helped coach Ben this summer on his All Star baseball team. Love this shot of Jeff as he was talking to Ben about attitude, character, and the importance of just having fun. So many stories in this picture.
 

 

 
Around here, I am grateful for the 500+ pictures I took of Ben and all things baseball. I tend to take less pictures of Ben and myself for some reason. But I made up for it with Ben this summer.
 

 
Around here, I’m so glad I captured this picture. You would never know that these boys lost in a baseball game only 1 hour prior to this photo. Life goes on even after losses. Often children bounce back from adversity so much better than adults. I’m trying to learn from their example and smile and giggle in the midst of life’s speedbumps.
 

 
Around here, I am missing the cooler weather in Huntington Beach. The cool breeze, jeans, and long sleeve t-shirts in the evening were welcomed after leaving 110 degree temperatures in Phoenix.
 

 
Around here, I am grateful for a testosterone filled week for Ben. He was in pure boy heaven with baseball, swimming, a bonfire with smores on the beach, nacho happy hours, and a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm to ride roller coasters.
 

 

 

 
Around here, I am still smiling from watching Ben take his first surf lesson. Pure joy to watch a child learn something new and then reach that Aha moment as he stood and rode a wave into shore.
 

 

 
Around here I’m clinging to every bit of silliness possible. Emily was celebrating her Summer Long Course State Championships with her sweet teammates. Emily has so much joy and drive in that tiny little frame of hers. I pray that never changes.
 

 
Around here, Samantha loves being a part of everything. She continues to amaze me with her contentment and her love of her siblings and all of their friends.
 


 
Around here, I am thankful for my sister who took the girls to New Mexico to visit my parents. She was a trooper taking five girls on a road trip. The cousins loved their pool and ice cream time with each other and Grandma and Grandpa. I wished my parents lived closer. And yes, I’m thankful that my sister likes taking pictures too (next 2 pictures are from her).
 

 

 
Around here, I am thankful for new life and for friends who love you through tough transitions. Roseann was Ben’s kindergarten teacher and this is her brand new baby, Redding. Love her name. Even though Roseann is not a teacher anymore, we have kept in touch and she continues to be such a tremendous blessing.
 

 
Around here we are grocery shopping, packing lunches, and cutting off tags to new uniform shirts. Tomorrow is the first day of school for Emily and Ben (4th and 5th grades). I’m grateful for one more week with Rebecca before high school begins. I plan to balance packing boxes with some special time with her, getting our nails done and making one more trip to the water park.
 

 
Around here life has been full. We are packing boxes and continuing to search for a rental house for the next couple of years. The rental market in our area is not great and so we have seen very few homes. Praying for a great 4 bedroom home in a neighborhood oozing with children. It’s gonna happen.

I’ve missed you.

Blessings sweet friends – Jenny