Snapshot moments

Snapshot moments.
This is what I like to call them.
Those surreal, I can't believe this is my moment moments.
Pause.
   Absorb.
       Marinate. 
In this moment.
    Right now.
It is slipping by.
 In an instant.
 Better than a picture.
           It is Life.

The Patton Boys soaking in the sun at the softball picnic

Morning at the river

Softball awards picnic. Yes, everyone got a trophy 

This is our Fifth summer in this house, our Fifth summer with our boys, with our family.
It is the first summer where I don't feel completely overwhelmed.
In all the previous years I've always had a nanny or someone else with me when I took the four kids out to parks or museums. I stressed about caring for all of them and managing their needs alone.
This summer is completely different.

"Happy Father's Day Dad!"

The kids are telling jokes, laughing, interacting and playing together. They are running down the street, knocking on friend's doors, in the backyard, making rivers with the garden hose. They are riding bikes, getting themselves dressed, building forts.
They listen,
They play.
They have conversations.
They are real KIDS.
 Not babies.
 Not toddlers.
I thought this day would never come.

Dinner at Burgerville. Levi loved his strawberry milk shake. 

The Graduate 

Evelyn's school has quite a finale for Kindergarten. Adorned in little red caps and gowns, the kindergarten classes mounted the rafters on stage and preformed songs for all us captivated, proud parents.

They even received little diplomas. I guess this means they get to go to first grade. ;)

People tell me I will blink and she will be graduating high school. I know this is true.
It's going to go fast. I know it. I feel it. Each year is going to race by me like this one did and if I don't pause and soak it up, I will be left at the end with a few fragments of blurred activity.
How am I going to slow this all down? How am I going to capture these moments? This is the question I've been pondering.

Lazy summer afternoons

Well for starters, my hands are going to be off my phone. No zoning out on park benches. No mindless scrolling or texting. I'm going to let myself be bored sometimes. I'm going to be okay with gaps of time when I have nothing to occupy my mind.
I'm going to give myself the freedom to experience all that this life is right now.

The Portland Rose parade!

Secondly, I have the freedom to not over schedule our life. There are so many camps, activities, and opportunities that beckon to me. But this is the first summer when I don't feel the urgency of enrolling Evelyn in something so that she will be occupied. I feel capable of being in charge. I feel confident that everything is going to be ok if we are just exist and soak in the sun and hours together.
Finally, I am going to be intentional about recognizing the blessings in my day and to express gratefulness in the mundane. I am going to share these musings with my kids, to  recognize the simple things as absolutely astounding.

The music of the Shaved Ice Van was  a sight to behold on this hot summer afternoon. 

Summer is just beginning. 
We've already had backyard slip in slide playdates, an unexpected visit from the shaved ice truck on our street, and bike riding adventures.
I'm not naive to think that every moment is going to magical and enjoyable, but what I've been learning is that I have the power control how I'll be living in it. :)

Summer exhaustion after a long day