Sno Biz Date

To keep us busy and not bored this summer, we are going to try and make every day have a special activity. Last week, we went to Sno Biz as our date day. I think Beau thought it was sour, Baine was in Heaven, and Piper was trying to eat everyone's after she devoured hers ;) Sooooo sounds about right! 

Normal Eating Attire for Baine

Because who doesn't like to eat with their froggy goggles on?? :)

Piper Riding the Bike in the House

And the Pierson household craziness continues.....

Baine Learning How to Swing

Well, Baine officially can swing on his own--amen! :) He is so good at it too---and doesn't everyone want to wear their 2t spiderman costume when they play outside?? :)

Baine Interview: 4 1/2 Years Old

Beau Interview: 7 1/2 Years Old

Piper Learning to Write Her Name

Mommy and Piper Dress Up Day

I can't get enough of this girl, gahhh! She drives me crazy every day, but she is the apple of my eye💗

Still Missing Her

It is still hard, moving on without my mom here. To be honest, I don't think I'll ever "move on" or "get over it", and I think that is perfectly fine. I just have to learn to adapt to this new life without her in it. Summers are hard. I learned that last summer. And this summer is already hard. I should be laying out with her in her pool and teaching the kids to swim. I should be watching her favorite soap operas with her as the kids eat lunch outside and play. We should be going on spa trips. She should be spoiling Brook and I by going shopping and offering her Younkers coupons to us. Too many "should be's" that are now "can't be's". 

Beau is still having a hard time missing Nana. When we were reading bedtime stories last night, Piper picked out the Zoo book. When we opened it up to read, this was the first page. Beau instantly started weeping and became sad for the rest of the night, and was even quiet still today. He is confused still about what Heaven is and why we can't go there to see her. He is confused why we can't go to Den-Den and Nana's anymore and why he can't go swimming. He is confused, and has every right to be. Because so am I. 

Many people have moved on from my mom-and that is normal and to be expected. It still hurts. I feel so overly protective of her and her legacy. So when Brook and I read comments or hear things of people saying how "God is so good" "what a blessing" "everything happens for a reason", it is a dagger to our hearts. We aren't able to put our family back together, we aren't able to be in her dream house to feel her presence or bask in our memories with her presence there. So much was taken from us. And we aren't ever able to get any of it back. And for that, I feel heartbroken. I miss my mom. I miss her infectious laugh. Her beautiful smile. I miss her calling me just to check in on me or to ask what crazy thing Baine has done to drive me wild. I miss her smell. I miss hearing her voice. And mostly, I miss the way she hugged me. Even as an adult, whenever she hugged me, I felt at home and safe. To learn from her, I hope my children always feel that way when I hug them too. 

Love you, Mom. Miss you.

P

Piper: Miss Diva

Piper LOVES to sit and watch me get ready in the mornings. She will now say "Oh mommy, you so pretty!" "Mommy, make my hair pretty too?" She loves to play with makeup, or pretend makeup, and mimic me as she applies it. I hope Joe is prepared for two divas in the house ;)

Church Fishing Day

Cindy and Tom Drost host a fishing day with our church every year. This year I took the boys with my dad and Shari. The boys each caught several fish, and Baine loved putting the worms on the hooks--which totally surprised me. It was a fun afternoon, but when Baine melted down about not being able to eat 3 whole Hershey's bars from the smores station, that was our cue to leave :) 

Banx's Baptism

Banx was baptized in church a couple of weeks ago, and I am so proud of her. She is the living light of Jesus and always wants to do what is right. She is an amazing role model for her brother and cousins, and she is one of the lights in my life. 

Brook and Austin had a party to celebrate Banx after church, and it was the perfect day to celebrate such a beautiful occasion. Nana is beaming down with pride as she "watched it all happen". I just know it.

My Summer Trio

Summer is here, which is exciting, but also incredibly exhausting for this mama. It is a hard transition every summer going from working full time, to all of a sudden being home full time. Most days I love it, but to be honest, other days I am eager to get out of the house and be back at work. I know I am blessed to have the best of both worlds (work full time with an income and be on the same schedule as my kids), but there is such a sense of worth when I am giving back to my students and community. To put it simple, I know I am not cut out to be a full time stay at home mom. However, I love being with my kids. As much as they can drive me crazy and literally make me want to scream, they are my crazy animals and I wouldn't want it any other way. Okay, maybe less fighting, hitting, crying, whining, pooping in diapers, asking me 24/7 for something, but other than that, I wouldn't have it any other way ;) Here's to another summer home with my kiddos. And if you don't hear from me, know that I am not okay and yes you should check on me and the kids. HAHAHA :)

Dena and Kyle's Wedding Reception

We celebrated Dena and Kyle's wedding with another reception here in Iowa for all of those who couldn't attend the wedding in Florida. It was the perfect day, great weather, delicious food, and cold drinks---what more could they have asked for?! I love these two so much, and was so excited to celebrate them again. Now, the next time we are celebrating them---will be a pregnancy announcement?? I am hoping that day comes soon!