This & That

Life's been a little on the heavy side lately.

A lot actually.

I know I shouldn't complain because we have it so good the majority of the time, and our "problems" might be the stuff others would gladly take over the tougher things they're dealing with.

But when it involves family relationships and threatens to rock the very foundation you were built from...

Well. It just sucks.

Without further elaborating, I'll just say that I've been a bit absent from the blogosphere lately and have found it much more important to spend time loving on my own little family and chilling out with my husband in the evenings instead of pouring over the computer. (I don't feel too bad though because it seems lots of my favorite bloggers are taking a little blogging hiatus! :) Summer will do that to ya'!) I do miss my beloved blog and am frequently feeling the itch to just "write something". But it's also been quite freeing to just put it aside and not even think about it.

So...

Here's a brief recap of what we've been up to this past week.

Always the climber.

Off she goes to find some other off-limits spot she can now reach with the stool. :)

Brushing teeth.

Another post-bath evening in jammies with a little ice cream, a few good books and a fuzzy blanket on the lawn. If you're looking for some new good children's books, check out Pepi Sings a New Song and Alphabeep - a couple of Will's favorites this week. We've also got about 12 or so other books checked out right now on the subject of trees, plants and seeds.

One of the other books is called Sunflower House and is very enchanting about a little boy who planted a circle of sunflowers with his dad and he and his friends played all summer in the center of these "mammoth" flowers. After reading it outside, Will pointed out that the corn field is taller than him right now!

Last Wednesday, I enjoyed a much needed girls night with some super fun ladies, a good game of Balderdash and some yummy drinks and snacks.

Princess Sophia! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this little tutu skirt on her. There was no special occasion for it - just that I wanted her to get some wear out of it. You can't really see the bodysuit but it has a cute, little winged-creature and says "happy" on it.

The skirt is actually a little big and should fit her for quite awhile. I think it will look pretty cute with some black tights and a black bodysuit in the colder weather season.

If only she were a little bit taller... :)

On Saturday we attended a cook-out at Molly & Brian's house in honor of my Aunt Sharon and cousin Nick being in from out of state and also my cousin Abbey's recent engagement! So exciting to have another wedding in the family after quite awhile without one.

Will and Cora - best buddies - got to play together again in Cora's new, little pool and SUPER COOL play room. I didn't get many pictures of this day or of the play room at all 'cause my stupid camera battery died on me again. Boo. But here are the few that I managed to capture.

Beautiful, little Cora.

Daddy & Sophia

Skees family gathering = best food EVER! There is an impressive palate and love of food in this family and this meal did not disappoint!

Stella skinny-dipping!

Say a prayer for us. I'm sure God has a plan here.

And I'm just praying hard that He guides us down which ever path we should go and restores the relationships that mean so much to me/us.