Our summer days feel like a monkey bar piece of playground equipment.  One of those hang on by your hands, cross from rung to rung, hoping that you don't fall off when you're in the middle  jungle gyms. 

One of the "rungs" that we just crossed over was Vacation Bible School. Also known as VBS, this child-pleasing, scripture learning week of fun is always a highlight for my kids.  This year was a different year because I had 2 littles attending VBS, and 2 bigger-littles SERVING in VBS.  I also was wrangled volunteered to help , so all 5 of us were at church together every morning. 

Our church does a really amazing job of organizing and entertaining and teaching peeps from all over our city, ages 4-10.  I was happy to be a part of our turquoise wearing VBS team, but what was more thrilling was running into my kiddos all around the church and yard, knowing that God was working in all of our hearts each day. 

I was a part of the recreation team, so I got to see every grade, as well as the teachers and volunteers.  Getting hugs from my own kids throughout the mornign kept me encouraged and knowing that they were learning and were happy and helping made me such a joy-filled mama!!  Hearing my kids quote scripture, talk about Jesus and sing praises to our Creator was the absolute best part of our week. I am so grateful for VBS.

This weekend we are crossing the "camping at Hermit Park" rung on our summer jungle gym.  The tent-filled-bins have come down from the garage storage, the menu has been planned and we are making plans for what to fill our mountain days with.  Colorado has been under the attack of many, many fires and so we won't be allowed to have a campfire, but we will make due.  We are going camping with friends of ours, and it is going to be oh, so fun!!! Hermit Park is a favorite place from my childhood and taking my family there is always something worderful. 

Twice, over the last month, I have spent time with extended members of my husband's family.  Last night, his Uncle and Aunt from Maryland were at our house for a visit.  We enjoyed dinner together, chicken and vegetable kabobs, good wine, and a delicious salad bar made up mostly from veggies pulled out of our garden.

 As I listened to stories told, I tried to catch details about my mother-in-law and her brother's childhood and past experiences together.  I wanted to hear snippets about a heritage I know little about, but affects who my husband and kiddies are.  These are people who share my younger children's genes.

 I searched for similarities in my kids and their relatives.  Eye color?  Mannerisms?  It fascinates me how traits are handed down through generations.  How my Meredith has the same eyes as her great Uncle.  I love reading books that span many generations, connecting families over time with laces of family secrets, stories and life experiences.  We are all apart of each other's history. Tied together through time and years.

Our evening was relaxing and lovely.  I am grateful to have been with these relatives. Family means so much to me. 

 At one point in the evening, funny Meredith asked her great Uncle Robert, who is a bird lover, if he had seen the movie "Rio". She explained that he would like it because its about birds!!  This made Patrick and I chuckle with delight today when she told us what she asked him.  Such a sweetie, relating something in Uncle Robi's world to her own. 

We have just finished week 2 of our summer break.  So far, the days have stretched long into the nights.  The theme of "just 5 more minutes" plays non-stop no matter what we are doing.  5 more minutes at the pool; 5 more minutes at the park; 5 more minutes with my friends.  Oh, it is sweet, summer.  There just aren't as many responsibilities, not as many worries. 

Even though the laundry is still filling the hampers and the tummys still need meals prepared, the air of the house is more relaxed.  My garden is blooming and the popsicles are filling the freezer.  Sure signs that we are in the fullw sweeg of summer.  Next week, we are all etiher attending or serving in Vacation Bible School.  It will be a busy week, a full week, a week of blessings. 

Today I bought a couple of new "school" shirts and some socks for my boy and a couple of fall shoes for Meredith.  The plan is to keep them in the bag and bury it underneath the pool towels so we can continue to smother ourselves with summer.

It feels SO good!!!