And So It Ends …
Summer that is!
It seems like all of a sudden Summer has come to a screeching halt. It was fun while it lasted, but the days of sleeping in until noon for my girls will soon be over.
I sit here thinking of all the fun we had this summer and am ever so thankful that I was able to have this time with my daughters. They have grown up way too fast, and it is so hard to believe that my oldest daughter is a Senior this year while my youngest daughter is a Fourth Grader! Now is when we say:
“Where has the time gone?”
We blink, and they grow up on us!
You’ll probably laugh at this, but the other night when I was having one of my moments, my oldest daughter allowed me to cradle her in my arms just as I did when she was a teeny tiny baby. That was hilarious as she certainly doesn’t fit into my arms quite like she used to, but it was fun to take my emotional moment and turn it into one filled with laughter. The entire family burst into laughter as I held her in my arms, rocking back and forth like I used to do while singing “You Are My Sunshine” and “Jesus Loves Me.”
I am thankful for those memories. I am thankful for the ones we made that night in all of our silliness.
That is what life is all about. It is the special moments spent with those that you love doing sweet, caring, thoughtful things right down to the silliest and funniest of things. You’re living life and enjoying it with those that you love with all of your heart. Memory making at it’s finest!
Each of us are leaving behind a legacy. We may not think about that as we go about our days, but we are! It is hard to imagine that one day we all will be just a memory for someone else. We’d better make sure that it’s a good one!
I want my daughters to look back on the days of Summer that we spent together and remember all of the good times that we shared. I want them to remember the trips we took but so much more than that. I want them to remember the time we spent together. I want them to remember how close we always were and how I would do anything in my power for them. The nights that we stayed up talking until after midnight because they had something on their minds and hearts that needed to freely flow, and so we bonded in those wee morning hours together just talking it all out. That is more important to me than any trip we could eve take for it is precious bonding time with my babies.
We did have some fun this summer, though. From getting our ranch all settled in and bringing in a few more horses to add to our herd, to trail rides and time spent grooming our horses …
To taking my oldest daughter to an all day concert where she could hang out with all of her friends while my youngest daughter, husband, and I went to the United States Whitewater Center for a day of whitewater rafting, rock wall climbing, and mountain biking …
To the thrilling rides at Carowinds where my youngest daughter was ever so excited to finally be able to ride the BIG rides! She was finally tall enough to ride all but two rides in the entire park. She was so happy!
Right on down to the house we rented for our stay on Lake Wylie, which included a canoe for our enjoyment:
Ah yes, we had some good times this summer, even letting my oldest daughter experiment with her hair color … from teal
To changing her mind and hair color, too, to purple
Don’t worry, the color has all washed out now … just in time for school to start Monday!
We sure did have fun this summer and made memories that will last a lifetime.
As to the silliest we spoke of earlier, here’s a little glimpse
Take the time to make memories with your loved ones. Leave a trail of happy moments, lots of laughter, and time spent together. Chores can wait. Work can wait. They don’t stay little long. You blink, and they’re all grown up!
And so it ends … Goodbye Summer … Hello New School Year … Bring On Fall!
And now …
August 16, 2014 @ 1:08 pm
I wanted to see a picture of her on your lap!!! ha/ha What a great story. All so true. God gives them to us for just awhile to do the best we can to raise them in His image. I pray that my son who just started 8th grade will be able to do the same in the future. Not sure about him on my lap, that might make me visit the doctor!! ha/ha
August 16, 2014 @ 6:19 pm
I should have included that picture, Jamie! That would have been so funny!
August 16, 2014 @ 1:20 pm
I agree that summer went by too quickly! I love your photos that are full of smiles and great memories. We need to do more outdoor trips like you.
August 16, 2014 @ 6:20 pm
Aww, thank you so much, Daisy! We do love the great outdoors!
August 16, 2014 @ 11:35 pm
I love that “you are my sunshine” song. When I was 4 my Dad had moved to Florida a few months before me, my brother and my mom but he tells me that he called one night and when my mom handed me the phone I started singing that song to him over the phone. He cried, I can’t remember but it’s a story they tell all the time.
August 17, 2014 @ 1:36 pm
Ashley, that is so sweet! Thank you for sharing that story! That is just precious!
August 17, 2014 @ 11:21 am
It looks liek you had an amazing summer even if it is coming to a seemingly quick end. Summer definitely did seem to happen really fast this year but we were able to pack in a lot of memories and moments as well. 🙂
August 17, 2014 @ 1:35 pm
We did, Tiffany. It was a lot of fun!
August 17, 2014 @ 12:53 pm
Looks like you’ve had a wonderful summer! Your horses are beautiful. As bittersweet as it is to say goodbye to summer, I feel like autumn brings all its own wonderful beginnings too 🙂
August 17, 2014 @ 1:34 pm
Thank you, Keiko! I agree. Spring and Fall are actually my two most favorite times of the year!
August 17, 2014 @ 2:23 pm
yes summer is coming to an end sadly. I can feel this most because school starts next week and the sun is setting here earlier each day . im so not ready for this to end!
August 17, 2014 @ 9:43 pm
Neither am I, Alvina!
August 17, 2014 @ 6:58 pm
What a great read. Time sure does fly. Love the photos of you daughter’s hair color experiments.
August 17, 2014 @ 9:43 pm
Aww, thank you, Janet. She smiled so big when I read that to her just then.
August 17, 2014 @ 7:24 pm
Looks like you all had a blast this summer. Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures of your families summer’s adventures. Summer has flown by, I can’t believe Fall is almost here.
August 17, 2014 @ 9:42 pm
Thank you, Jay! Yes, lots of memory making moments.
August 17, 2014 @ 7:51 pm
Looks like you had a great summer! And, yes, they do fly by quickly!
August 17, 2014 @ 9:41 pm
Thanks, Karon. We sure did!
August 18, 2014 @ 9:21 am
What a fun summer! Looks like you had so many adventures. And you’re a pretty awesome mom for letting your daughter dye her hair purple! How fun 🙂
August 18, 2014 @ 10:42 pm
Thank you, Madison! She absolutely loved experimenting with her hair color.