Summer is here!  And I am feeling like I am at the start of this grand adventure.  I have three boys...six, four, and oh so close to one.  My six year old just finished kindergarten, and I am so excited to have him back home with me and the other two boys for the next few months.  No, I'm not crazy, I do understand that there are trying times having all three of my kids home with me all day, but I also believe that your day is what you make of it.  If I have a good attitude my day tends to run a lot smoother!

Anyways, embarking on this adventure called summer I have so many goals that I want to pursue.  Goals for myself, for my kids, for my family.

For myself I really want to work on my "inner beauty".  "You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." 1 Peter 3:4.  I was challenged earlier this year to give up television for the summer. I can do that I thought, the only true time I spend time watching tv is in the evening once the kids have gone to bed.  You know, that moment when total silence falls on your house and you want nothing more that to collapse in the fetal position on the couch and stare mindlessly at a screen?  Well, I took on the challenge and instead of time spent in the evening watching tv, which can be full of things that certainly don't cultivate my inner beauty, I have vowed to spend time reading, playing games with my husband, and learning to crochet.  So, the theme for my personal summer will be all about my inner beauty.  I want to fill myself with God and His Word and who it says I am...not what the world says about me and all the lies that satan deals out on a daily basis.

I also don't want to waste a minute of this summer.  I want to enjoy every second of every day to my fullest ability.  I want to soak my kids up and love on them like crazy and store the memories we are creating now back in my mind forever.  I just feel like my time with them is so fleeting.  I can not believe that my son is going into first grade, and my four year old is starting pre K in the fall.  I want to remain aware of the fact that in not too many more summers they won't be in my backyard making mud pies and playing sharks in the pool.  And for this reason, this summer I vow to play right along with them.  Bring on the mud and the water and the bugs and the frogs.  I want to experience it all with them, not simply watch them do it.  To help us achieve this I have decided to adhere to lose schedule for the summer that will help us have a plan.  Mondays are "Make it Monday", we will bake or cook something in the kitchen TOGETHER.  Tuesdays are "Too Crafty Tuesday", we will craft or create something TOGETHER.  Wednesdays are "Wet Wednesday", this will be our weekly trip to the splash pad TOGETHER.  Thursdays are "Thinking Thursday", weekly trip to the library TOGETHER.  (We are also involved in the summer reading program this year at our library, so excited about that!)  Fridays are "Free Day Friday", we will be off to the zoo or museum or park or whatever we decide to go that week TOGETHER.

Summer is here!  I am earnestly praying that I don't waste it.  The adventure has just started and I can't wait to see where all it takes me!