Summer's over already?!

Seems like just yesterday, it was June and we were here, in Michigan, kicking off the summer with a great family vacation.

And now it's nearly fall (my most favorite season ever).  It was a fabulous summer; not too hot, lots to do with every one of us healthy and happy and able to swim, go to amusement parks, hang out with friends, oh, and work (well, Joe and I worked, the kids played).

I'm getting ready to have a milestone birthday next month...the big 4-0.  And you know what?  It doesn't even phase me.  Maybe it's because I talk to people in their 80's and 90's every day for my job, but 40 still sounds really young.  Maybe it's because life is good right here where I am, and I am trying to soak up every minute (even the sassy teen moments, and the fighting-with-Gabe-to-do-his-homework moments; yes, even those).  But seriously, look at how precious time is and how fast it goes.  When I started blogging, Gabe was just turning three and Isabel and Elijah were little grade-schoolers.  Look at that photo again...those kids are huge!  I'm so glad I blogged my way through those crazy years, and even though I'm not here often, I still love reading other blogs and watching time pass by through their lives, too.

I have good intentions about a "turning 40" post, complete with pictures from our trip we have planned.  Stay tuned!

Moments

It's so funny to me the moments in our kids' lives that we cherish, they view in a completely different light.

Last week, Elijah accepted an award for Student of the Quarter of his freshman class.  What an honor, right?

Well, unless you're a fourteen-year-old boy who dreads the thought of getting up in front of an auditorium full of people to accept an award for being, gasp, a good student!  How horrifying...

Horrifying for him (though secretly I'm pretty sure he was a little bit glad), but awesome for his family.  Hearing praise from his teachers, watching him shake the hands of the school administrators, quickly wiping a tear from my cheek before I completely embarrassed him...it was a pretty amazing evening for this proud momma.

Good thing he wouldn't even dream of reading this blog; he'll never even know I told you guys about this!

Off to a great start

2012...the year I lost the weight I wanted to lose, gained the job I wanted to get, and kept on cherishing the family I was always meant to have...

Still crazy about this guy, even after sixteen years!

Joe (38), Elijah (14), Gabe (8), Isabel (13), Me (39)

I am over-the-moon in love with this season of my life.  The kids are doing great in school and are so much fun to be with.  Joe and I are enjoying each other and the free time we find while the kids are with friends or in school.  I am busy learning a new job, and within the next month, I will be working from home, helping Humana Medicare members manage their health and stay out of the hospital as much as possible.  I miss blogging as much as I used to, but I am glad to keep in touch with so many of my blog friends through Instagram, Facebook and even Goodreads (where would we be without technology these days?!).

Here's to a fabulous and even better 2013, for all of us!!