Stretching Out

Summer means sneaking off with the man of your dreams to the tiniest hole in the wall for an afternoon date over a bowl of soup.

Summer also means that the days all start to blend together and stretch out long and lazy.

I was afraid that if I waited any longer to post again that I might just stop forever. The pictures have been piling up, the adventures accumulating and of course time slows down for no one, not even a busy mother.

Summer means duck tape.

And melting popsicles in sidewalk cracks.

Summer means swim suits and bare feet.

And my baby girl celebrating another year.

Summer means growing pains.

And sitting on the stoop.

Summer means splashing.

Remember when you were a kid and summer stretched on forever?

You

Today is absolutely beautiful. The trees are in bloom, there are white whispy clouds streaming across the blue skies and a warm breeze is dancing through the grass. Today is your due date. Today I will celebrate you.

I made you a list of promises that I've been working on. A list that seems silly now when I read over it, and I'm not even sure how to measure my success in living up to each item. I'm not done, but I promise that I'm still not done trying either.

I've made a hundred more promises to you since then and I'm going to fulfill those as well.

You are Beauty. I want you to know that you take my breathe away, but it's a good kind of breathlessness.

You are Joy. I want you to know how much joy you bring to my heart and that I am ready to let the light in.

You are Hope. I want you to know that you are my reminder of every wish I ever had for you.

You are Laughter. I want you to know that laughter is contagious and healing, it's a special type of love song with a very powerful impact.

You are Grace. I want you to know that even though I stumble sometimes, I am striving for balance so that I might be graceful too.

You are Forgiveness. I want you to know that forgiveness can set you free.

You are Patience. I want you to know that I am forever grateful for everything you have taught me.

You are Home. I want you to know that you are and always will be a part of this home.

You are Everything. I want you to know that we are all connected.

You are Love. I want you to know that every day, every moment, every breath I love you. Today. Yesterday. Tomorrow. Always. I love because of You.