Gymnasts & Goldfish

This summer, I gave our girls a list of things they could participate in to keep them active and engaged.  Ryen and Maddie chose gymnastics and Ally chose swim school.  It has been awesome to watch each of them progress!  Ally went from not being able to swim and not liking water on her face to swimming by herself and even swimming under the water.  She's still a little apprehensive, but does so well and just beams after each class.  It is such a beautiful thing to see your child struggle with something, overcome it, and then just radiate that feeling of accomplishment and joy.  Ry and Madelyn have learned so much too.  They went from somersaults and shaky cartwheels to back bends and balance beams.  They have been really challenged and have put themselves out there in a way that is pretty new to them.  I've seen them grow by  leaps and bounds (literally) at not only gymnastics, but self-confidence as well.  I am so proud of each of them.

Whites Bridge

On July 7th, we were devastated to discover that one of the covered bridges just miles from our home had been burned down.  It was one of our favorite places to play and explore during our Sunday drives together as a family.  We're not sure who did it or why, but it was a sad day for our family and for everyone in the community.

Mermaids

I love these 3 mermaids of mine, more than I can put into words.  Watching them swim and run and splash and play at Lake Michigan the way I did as a little girl is pretty darn close to my own personal heaven.  It's hard not to think about how blessed I am in moments like those.  I'm so very blessed to have the life I have and to be able to live it beside such incredible people.  I mean, mermaids.

While dad was in China...

This is what we were doing:

Bits & Pieces

Somethings awesome about helping my mom move out of her house this summer was finding so much of our family history.  I love discovering these little bits and pieces of my mom's life- and my own.  I'm so excited to document and share the things we found!  It's going to be a massive undertaking, but so rewarding too.

My mom:

 

My childhood aspiration:

Summer With Family

Us Michigan Tracy's try to get together once a month, but it is so hard during the school year.  It seems so much easier during the summer.  And it is extra special because my mom (Grammy) gets to spend summers in Michigan with us too.  We did a cousin swap with the Soelbergs where they took Ryen and Madelyn and we got to steal Tanner and Lydia.  I took them to an antique store, which was quite an adventure.  It was really fun sharing that with them though.  I let each of them choose a special thing that they loved and doesn't it just figure that every single one of them chose something that isn't old- or even vintage!  Sigh.  I tried.  It is so fun to spoil nieces and nephews.  I only wish we lived closer to more of them.

The Pink Playhouse

I was so excited to be able to pay for this playhouse for my girls with my own money.  (Isn't it funny how the hubster's money is "our" money, but the money I earn is "my" money?  Ha!)  Sonny and I spent a gazillion hours building this house and I spent another gazillion hours painting it and making it look nice.  Guess how much time they spend in it.  Almost none!  Why?  They think there are bees in there.  I could cry.