Moments of Looking Back and Moving Ahead . . .

 As I type this, my back door is open and there's cool, crisp morning air coming in.  It's the middle of August here in New York but feels more like the beginning of October.  We had a cool August last year as well.  Makes me think we're in for another whopper of a winter!!  : )

Brendan and his neighborhood friends headed out to go sleigh riding last winter.

In the mean time, we're holding onto these last couple of weeks of summer break before all of the new schedules and activities resume.  Connor goes back to Plattsburgh tomorrow to the start of his second year there.  He's been gone a lot this summer ~ either working, trips to the beach (his girlfriend's family has a beach house in Wildwood Crest, NJ) or hanging at our family's cabin in the Catskill Mountains for a guys' weekend.  Other then me doing his laundry, he's independent and responsible and I don't worry much about him other then the typical stuff a mother worries about.  I say a prayer that he's safe and I let him spread his wings and fly.  He's almost 22 so I guess I have no choice but to do that.  I know I will cry when he kisses me goodbye tomorrow.  I'm tearing up just typing this.  Damn PMS.  : )

My oldest son, Connor.

Trevor had one day off this whole summer (July 4th) from his job as a swim instructor for little kids at a local day camp.  He wasn't able to go away with us at all this year.  A little disappointing but I'm proud of him for making it to work every day.  Although, I was the one driving him 99.9% of the time.  : )  Trevor is a very different kid from Connor.  A full load of college classes would be a little too much for him so he's going to take a couple of classes at a time and continue to work.  He's leaning towards teaching and I think he'd be a wonderful teacher.  He loves kids and really has a good way with them.  I think having a little sister, and a little brother for that matter, has helped with this. 

An emotional me with Trevor on his Graduation Day.

Brendan starts 7th grade this year.  Not to mention the fact that he's going to be a TEENAGER in December.  My baby boy a teenager.  I still have a few months to wrap my mind around that one, thankfully!!

Oh, those eyelashes!!!  : )

Brendan and Jakhai rock climbing at Bear  Mountain State Park.

Jakhai spent another July with us this year.  This is the fourth summer he's spent with us since the Fresh Air Fund introduced our families to each other.  The boys call each other "brothers from another color" and Jakhai's beautiful Mama, Hope, calls me her "sister from another mister."  Need I say more?!!?  LOL!!  The Universe certainly can work its magic!!!

Herself rocking a 'kini!!!

Miss Megan starts pre-kindergarten in a couple of weeks and she can't wait.  She's grown up an matured so much this summer.  Since turning four, she's like a totally different girl.  Three was a tough year and I have to admit there were quite a few times Jim and I were at the end of our rope with whining, crying, tantrums and tears.  When she turned four in May, it was like someone flipped a switch. Unless she's tired or hungry she's very happy and very funny.  Oh, and I can't forget SASSY!!!  You really don't know what to expect her to say!!!!  She has a Daddy and three brothers that dote over her.  Definitely the Princess of the house.  Sometimes I have to remind her that I'm the Queen of the house.  Yea.  Right.  : )

Megan and Daddy on a paddle boat at Bear Mountain State Park.

A "selfie."

Hiking at Bear Mountain.

One more year and she'll be going to kindergarten.  She'll be ready but I'm not so sure about her Daddy.  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Thursday ~ Wendy