Summer Fun

Several times I have sat down to blog, but then gotten distracted with other things to do. First of all I want to say that both Selah and Maxx are doing well. Maxx had his stitches out and lost a pound (which he needed to do) and Selah is no longer needing fluids subcutaneously and gained ½ pound. Truly both situations were an answer to prayer and I especially want to thank Hannah who was praying so faithfully for my cats. God is good!!
As I have said in the past, we have had a busy summer. After we came back from vacation we had a play date with my friend Christy and her son Evan. Christy took this great picture of Natalie and Evan.
In so many situations Natalie has been the younger child that others have lead around, but here it was so sweet to see her in the role of “big girl.” Every day she tells me how she is a big girl and the things she can do. She is becoming more independent and I am giving her more responsibilities. On one hand it is hard to let her grow up (because she is doing it too fast for me) and yet on the other hand I want her to be challenged. Her personality continues to shine through. Unlike her mother, she is a very outgoing child and makes friends so easily.
This was evidenced in the next week when we went on a camping trip with the church. She not only made friends with the other little girls in the camp, but won the hearts of many of the other people. She also won first place for the biggest leaf on the scavenger hunt with her partner Austin.
The next week was Natalie’s birthday and she was so excited about the children singing Happy Birthday to her at school. That weekend we continued the celebration of her birthday by going to the Museum of Life and Science. We saw butterflies and bugs, how the wind works, a variety of “wild” animals and lots of fun things related to NASA. For this trip we took Bashka along and had a great time.
The next weekend, Natalie headed to VA and spent the weekend with her cousin. They had a great time, but when it was time to come home, she told me that she was glad to come home. Such a difference from last year when she cried and cried and did not seem happy to see me. I continue to see how much we have and are bonding.
Weekly Natalie has been taking swimming lessons and I have seen such an improvement in her skills. She is also swimming 2 days at week at day care and at home in her little pool.

Natalie is growing up in so many ways and I am always amazed at the changes in her and her language abilities. But the area that I have seen a lot of growth is in her spiritual life. We have always prayed together before bed each night, but now her prayers have so much for depth. She prays for family, for my friends that she has met, for the soldiers, for people to be healthy and now in her prayers she not only thanks the Lord, she also tells Him how much she loves Him and wants to praise Him.
This weekend was very restful and we just spent the time around the house and playing. Next weekend we are off to the beach. We are having a great summer!