This beautiful girl turned two months on the 10th. I am so in love. She is smiling and laughing. She is such an easy baby.

She slept from 10:30 until 7:00am on her two month birthday! Of course, I woke up at 4:00am to check on her. She is a rock star.

This morning, she was up around 5:00am, but I’ll still take it. Seven hours in a row at two months? I’m so, so thankful.

The big kids are out of school, which has made mornings so much easier. Riley is still getting up with the sun at 5:00am, but he is great about going back to bed if Brian goes with him. We are all adjusting to being a family of six. It feels strange to have a full car that can only fit one extra person.

We are in the midst of VBS season and Riley is having a great time. My dear friend, Betty, is his teacher which gives me huge peace of mind when I drop them off. Nate is helping out this week with the 4th and 5th graders at St. Bernards. I’m so proud of his willingness to volunteer.

Julia is keeping busy this summer with babysitting and teaching beginning piano! I’m so proud of her. She is teaching the cutest twins. She made folders for their theory homework and set up her piano studio in the dining room. I love watching her in this role. Who knows? I think she’d be an amazing teacher someday.

Mary Alice has shown me how to slow down and just enjoy staring into someone’s eyes and smile. It’s been a while since I allowed myself to do that and I’m loving every second. This season will pass so quickly. Pretty soon, she will be the one setting up a studio in the dining room. This time, I don’t want to miss a thing. I look around and take a deep breath. I sigh a prayer of thankfulness for this messy, loud, sticky, and smiley life He has given me.

I am a mother. I am so honored. I want to do this well – with all my heart – even when that means no make-up, gray hair, c-sections, and spit up stains on my shoulder.