josh + kati + marion

Which is why this post is so late.

I didn’t take a single picture of our 4th of July weekend, even though it was 3.5 days. Oops. We were too busy having fun to stop and grab the camera, I guess.

Thursday afternoon, Josh got to come early. He had to go play golf “for work” and came home after lunch. Rough life, right? I had my usual babysitting gig at NiaMoves and left Marion at home with daddy. When class was over, we all loaded up and went and bought a pool. Just a little five foot plastic one, but big enough for all of us to fit in (plus Gracie!)

Friday morning was spent in the pool and the afternoon, we had a playgroup. Josh was able to go with us and it was a lot of fun. Playgroups are always a great time, therapy for mom and we get to go home with a worn out baby!

Josh had a long 30 mile bike ride Saturday morning, followed by, you guessed it, more pool time! Saturday evening was a blast. We normally walk up our upstairs neighbor’s stair and sit on the landing to watch the fireworks, but this year was a real treat. Friends of ours have a beautiful townhome with a fourth story deck that looks straight out to downtown, a perfect unobstructed view. They invited us and a another couple and assorted babies over for a dinner party with fireworks. It was so nice, so, so, so nice. It’s party of what Josh and I have started to refer to as our “new normal.” New normal is when our life looks sort of like it did before baby, but we just have a baby with us now. Dinner parties with friends and babies are a wonderful bit of new normal.

Sunday was spent facing the reality of Monday which meant the usual weekend chores, but we managed to sneak in a nap for all three of us.

And to make up for the lack of pictures (and I cannot believe I haven’t posted this yet!) here’s a link to some photos we had taken by the amazing Kelly Loftis when my mom was down as a joint Mother’s Day present for both grandma & I.

The whole gallery of pictures is here
http://www.kdloftisphotography.com/yourstory.php
Access code: 63c84786

Come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

Matthew 19:14

My sister Amanda and her husband Darren lost their baby boy yesterday.

Sullivan Phillip Purser
9 inches
8.6 ounces

No sooner come, but gone, and fall’n asleep,
Acquaintance short, yet parting caused us weep;
Three flowers, two scarcely blown, the last i’ the’ bud,
Cropt by th’ Almight’s hand, yet is He good.
With dreadful awe before Him let’s be mute,
Such was His will, but why, let’s not dispute,
With humble hearts and mouths put in the dust,
Let’s say He’s merciful as well as just.
He will return and make up all our losses,
And smile again after our bitter crosses
Go pretty babe, go rest with sisters twain,
Among the blest in endless joys remain.

Anne Bradstreet
November 1669

And two years ago today, Josh and I had the joy of knowing we were going to be parents. Sweet little babies, even still, we love and miss you. You both made us parents, maybe not in our arms, but always in our hearts.