This has been one heck of a year. I thought that getting married, moving to Oregon and having our first baby was a lot back in 2011. Well, 2012 showed up and proved me wrong. In 2012, we moved again (not very far), I broke both of my elbows and got pregnant...all within a 2 month time period. Then, 2013 came around and I thought "what could be harder than having a 1 year old and 2 broken elbows?" The universe answered - a newborn, a 2 year old and me living at my moms house without my husband for 2 months! I've had a gastrointestinal infection, 2 bouts of mastitis, a quick (and very difficult but good) trip to Texas by myself with Kate, a road trip with both girls to Nashville, two endlessly boring and tedious online courses to finish my college degree, and one painfully honest discussion with my parents about a life-changing decision to move to Alaska.
Throughout all of this I've learned a few things. 1.) Unconditional love. It's amazing for me to see my moms love for me, as a mother. Now that I have my own girls, I see things from a whole different perspective. I know how heartbreaking it is to see your daughter hurt, and I know how it feels to be so proud and happy that your heart could just explode. When my mom tells me that there isn't a thing I could do that would change her love for me, I understand what she means. You can't find that deep, built-in love anywhere else. That unconditional love that comes so naturally to mothers and their children is something that has to be worked at in other relationships.
2.) "You never know what the day will bring." This has been my our motto this summer. My mom and I are constantly surprised at what each day brings, which is why this saying has become a big part of our daily lives. I go to bed at night, hoping to get a good nights sleep and wake up feeling rested, but that doesn't always happen when you've got a baby. There was the morning I woke up and almost asked mom to call an ambulance because my stomach pain was so severe. And then there was the morning that Kate and I woke up extra early to take mom to the airport...only to get a flat tire in the middle of downtown Cincinnati with little time left before Mom's flight out. There have been good mornings, too. The mornings when Brandon gets to wake Amelia up, or the morning that Amelia met Rachel. They were best buds, those two. The days that Amelia goes to gymnastics , plays at the gym day care or goes swimming are rarely bad. We've been pleasantly surprised at the hospitality of the Midwest. We've made friends at the playground and picked vegetables from our neighbors. We've gone to Vacation Bible School, the zoo and the aquarium. We've had a great time exploring our temporary home, and could never possibly repay my parents for how much they've helped us this summer. It's been a great trip that is now coming to a close. The Foys are looking forward to seeing our good friends in Oregon, and the Nelsons are probably looking forward to some peace and quiet! I think we could all agree that this summer has been one filled with love, and will not soon be forgotten. Before we leave I'll get a picture of all of us to share.
How has your summer been?
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