Summer's End

"I don’t want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk’s lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor’s children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone’s garden. I want to be there with children’s sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

A friend posted this a few months ago and I've just loved it. Sister Hinckley was such an awesome lady...one of my favorites. When I grow up I hope to be just like her.

Sister Hinckley has also been known for disliking a summer's end. For the children must return to school and the time is no longer her's to spend with the children to laugh, explore, do projects with etc. I now know for myself what it is like to send a child to school. Cameron has entered Kindergarten and will now be in school for the next 12-16 years. I have been so excited for him but at the same time so sad. These five years have just slipped by so fast. I'm not sure how ...it just did. I did not cry, I was so happy for Cameron but as I think about the next year when he must move on to a full day of school, my heart breaks. I will never again have the time with him as I had. If only I had enjoyed each day with him more.

This summer has been one of my favorites. I took the summer off and was able to focus on my children. Be a MOM. Be a Wife. Be THERE. It has been amazing the difference. When I don't have a million things to do, deadlines, places to be etc. I'm not so focused on me therefore do not get agitated or frustrated at my kids. Crazy...but even changing my kids clothes 7 times in one day has not bothered me and has been very enjoyable because I know my kids are being kids and loving life. Water, mud, sand, ice, grass, bikes, scooters, slides, swings, shaved ice, Bear Lake (5x's), sleeping bags, jet skiing, walks, clouds, stars, tramps, laughing, playing, canyon drives, roasted marshmallows, swimming lessons, Lindon pool, and picnics was how we spent our summer and will forever be some of our most favorite memories.