Summer-time blues. That’s what I experienced last year. It was probably mixed in with the baby blues, too. So at the onset of this summer, I simply dreaded it. There’s no way I wanted to experience the same isolation and sadness I did last year. The heat in Texas can be the equivalent of hard-core winters in the north that keep you cooped up inside out of necessity. But, I’ve decided to approach the summer with a better attitude, knowing how quickly these days will pass by, and I didn’t want to let a whole season be eaten’ up in fear and my own wallowing. So I’m choosing to make the most of it and savor these more relaxed summer days with my best little buddy! It takes more effort and a lot more planning since most of the structured, scheduled activities are on hiatus for the summer. But so far, there are lots of happy memories I’ve tried to not just capture on film, but memorize in my heart. That said, my heart already flutters when I think of the cooler fall days and FOOTBALL!

Two weeks ago, we had a breakfast date with Pops at Chick-fil-A. Brennan ate a whole chicken biscuit and a medium fruit cup all on his own. It was the perfect way to start out our full day which also included making a run to Hallmark, where Brennan was able to spot a Cars card among the slew of kids cards. I mistakenly gave it to him to look at while I finished my browsing and he ended up tearing it. And I ended up buying it. However, it has been a wonderful source of entertainment for him in the car. He’s mesmerized by his “GO” friends.

Then we met Daddy at The Domain for a picnic lunch and some play time in the fountain.

Even my Momma is still amazed! For the sole purpose of showing Brennan a frog up close and personal, I picked up this baby frog that was playing in some rain water in Brennan’s pool. Brennan giggled when it would hop from my hands. I would consider this a formal initiation into the “Momma of Boys Club”, thank you very much.

There is a gem of a park called Champion Park. It has a covered sand pit for digging, building sand castles and playing with monster trucks…

Then there is a splash pad that is a perfect way to cool down and see expressions of delight on a little boy’s face.

At the park, we received the thrilling news that Matt’s sister and her husband gave birth to our second nephew, Baxter Paul! We’ll get to meet the little fella at Christmas. Just look at this precious one!!

Hangin’ with Pops always includes eating what Pops is eating, which in this case was a “pig in the blanket”.

Coolin’ off with Daddy and Uncle Mac, learning how fun it is to throw a tennis ball at each other in the pool.

Summer reading.

Meeting Daddy for lunch at his office where we got to feed the fish.

A new word that the boy says is “squirrel”, and he points to pictures and the real things as they saunter in front of him. The funny thing is that Molly gets overly excited at any sight of a squirrel but also hearing the word. So at the same time he says “squirrel”, he’ll point outside and then point to Molly, who in turn has quickly arisen from her slumber and made her way to the back door ready to pounce.

About a week ago Brennan and I were playing out front painting with water and the hose when it started to rain. So we went inside and I stripped him of his wet clothes. The next thing I knew, he rediscovered the doggy door and starting going in and out, enjoying the light drizzle and getting all muddy. He’d collect rocks, bringing them inside to show me, and then went back outside where he paraded around in his diaper. I really have some cute clothes for the boy; he wears more than just his diaper usually <grin>.

This is so, so bad, I know. Nothing about the last three weeks have been all together “normal” in our life or in our routines. As such, it was par for the course to wake up in El Paso after driving 11 hours and having little sleep to a breakfast of Goldfish. Don’t worry, the boy received something more nutritious than just Goldfish. I, on the other hand, didn’t end up eating anything else for the next ten hours until I stuffed my face with gorditas. It was nerves and emotion.

A happy moment on the road.

Summer wouldn’t be complete without watermelon! Earlier this week we played outside with the hose (a regular occurrence for us) and I let Brennan go to town on watermelon. He LOVES the stuff and couldn’t get enough of it as he shoved it in his face and let the sweet juices trickle down his cheeks and shirt.

A little dirt always make it taste better.

Some more summer readin’ time. In his diaper, again.

Momma/Son date at Chick-fil-A where I became a huge, addicted fan of the Spicy Chicken Sandwich! But more notable is Brennan drinking out of a big boy cup.

A random picture in the car and proof that the Cars card aforementioned was well worth the $2.99 I forked over!

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And now, why don’t we pause and consider how we can be a part of letting an 8 year old boy named Achile experience happy times, too. He lives in Burkina Faso and has a congenital heart defect known as tetralogy of Fallot. Because of Achile's heart condition, he has been in pain for five years and hasn't been able to attend school regularly and receive the full benefit of sponsorships through Compassion International. Compassion International has provided medical care for Achile for the last two years at the National Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo in Burkina Faso in western Africa. However, doctors there now believe his condition requires urgent heart surgery, which is not available in Burkina Faso. Achile will be transported to a specialized hospital in India for a lifesaving operation that will cost an estimated $20,449. Please prayerfully consider making a donation to aid with the cost of Achile’s surgery. You can either click on this link or the banner in the side bar. Any funds raised in excess of the cost of Achile's surgery and transport will be rolled into Compassion's Medical Assistance Fund to aid children in need of medical help in the future. I’m speaking to myself here: remember, there is power in prayer, so please pray for this precious boy! Thank you, dear ones, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!