doing summer.

You know it's been a long summer day when...

 ...there are two sleeping redheads in your car after a long day at the water park.

Daniel and I have been wanting to take the redheads to do something alone for awhile now.  We needed time with them and they are desperately needing the both of us.  Today was amazing.  Braden and I spent much of our time together and Nora clung closely to her daddy.  Both were re-learning how to swim and get familiar with the water.   

 It was cloudy and kind of cold but well worth it.  I longed to feel a sense of joy with them and the second that I saw their faces light up I knew that I would feel it again.  It brought me great hope to see them be so happy today.

 I needed to be with Daniel and feel his closeness too.  It seems as if we are "just getting by" most days.  He changed jobs, we have 3 small kids, we're in the middle of diagnosis.  Things are tough-- but honestly I have never loved him more.  I'm not just saying that.  Things are hard and I admit it.  We feel the strain just like any other marriage but we are determined to make it work and not only get by but get through this time with alot of laughter and joy.  It isn't always so simple and sometimes it's downright impossible to feel warm and fuzzy for one another.  But in the big scheme of it all, I looked across the water at him today and realized that I am still in love with this man.  I am thankful he's in this with me.

 I'm learning that life is not about what you planned.  It's not even about what you thought it would be.  It's about living.  It's about learning.  It's about loving and laughing and being.  It's about watermelon on a hot summer morning and splashing with your brother while you still want to.  It's about Jesus and His waves of mercy. It's about friends from far away loving on you and you doing the same in a time of need. 

 Life is for living.  No matter where it has led you, what dreams were lost along the way, or the challenges yet to come.  It's about living in the meantime.  Waking up in this beautiful thing and doing it everyday. 

Enjoying friendships, photos and scrunched noses.  New dog sweaters, nutella at bed time and holding hands.  It's about bike rides or long walks.  Early cries or late night talks.  It's about doing it, embracing it and doing it.  Somewhere along the way you'll enjoy it.  I'm sure of that.