Why hello there. It's been a while.

Before I go on with apologies about my lack of attention to my writing as I feel compelled to do, I have to admit my blogging drought was needed. Spring was a hard season. For those of you who do not know, in May I lost my Dad. Illness took him rather quickly and unexpectedly and I am still dealing with those emotions. They are real and present in my thoughts every single day. I sat down to write on several occasions over the past few months about my joy of parenting, but words were silent and thoughts were dry. While parenting is what has fueled me during this time of grief, it has also been harder to express knowing one of my parents is missing from that equation. I truly miss my Dad. But as a dear friend of mine says, this is a season in my life. A period of adjustment. After all, seasons change. Ebb and flow, peak and trough. Summer is all about getting back the joys that have been missing since April. And while I will deal with this loss for days, months, and years to come, warm July has been more promising than I could have imagined.

I consider myself to be a fall person. I love cold grey days, hot coffee in warm mugs, foods with cinnamon and sugar, and autumn colors. But this year, Summer is healing. I am loving the glow of it's presence. Warm sun on my shoulder, golden glow of tan lines, running outside with a sweaty squealing toddler, cool ice cream treats on a park bench, sticky post treat pudgy hands, bubbles sticking to the sidewalk, cool sprinklers spraying hot skin, and tiny outfit coordinating flip flops are where my joy is. I am finding happiness that was missing through the month of April, May and June. Summertime with a toddler is magical.

And while this first post back post blogging drought isn't long, I can share with you those joys that are helping put that sun back in my life in pint size form.

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Things like ice cream treats from the frozen yogurt machine after mexican food for lunch with good friends.

And evenings at the park feeding "quack quacks"

And pool side dates with the coolest "Little People Marina" that is sadly no longer made. I guess the 80s toys are now vintage. How sad. Thanks Linda, for letting us play

Discovering the ice cream truck...

See it pulling away in the back corner of the pictures? He tried to run after it. One ice cream treat wasn't enough

Enough said...

And finding fun new places to run around, complete with magical colored horses and fountains. I think we landed on the yellow brick road on this adventure... We love Vintage Park.

And just plain ole being outdoors.

For the record, this was an unfortunate park "time out" for throwing rocks on the slide, hearing Mom say NO, then throwing about four more handfuls.

Hello terrible twos...

And while we have a lot more to share while I find my footing back in my writing, I currently have a blue eyed red headed baby prancing at my feet, pulling my shorts, begging for another outdoor adventure. I simply can't resist. More to come as we find those joys and enjoy the season of Summer.