Summer Happinesses

It's currently 2:34 AM. Why am I not currently asleep, resting my tired and pregnant body in cool sheets and our thin summer blanket? Well, we're still at GramMi's and PawPaw's house. I just finished reading Matched and Jeff and Derrick are still going strong playing Axis and Allies...they've been at it for 4 1/2 hours already! Hopefully someone will win soon...I really want to get into some comfy, loose pajamas that won't restrict my lung capacity like this XS Shade shirt has been all day (this shirt is going into my rapidly growing "too small" bag of clothes as soon as we get home!). It's getting harder to breathe normally with this tiny babe pushing up on my lungs, and this tight undertee has been causing me grief.

Anyway, today has been a wonderful, lovely day! I had a bout of mild grumpiness in the morning (sorry Jeff!), but that soon vanished. It was such a beautiful day! I know I (and Jeff and my family) will very much appreciate when this little boy comes out and my hormones come back to their normal levels and allow me to be my normal, happy self. Part of this returned normality is that I won't gag at common scents and will be able to stand being in places where "bad" smells linger.

But, I've realized that having this heightened sensitivity to smell isn't a complete curse. This summer I have discovered just how much I really, really like the scent of water as it comes pouring out of a warm garden hose. The slightly chilled air of a summer morning smells full of soft sun rays, dewy blossoms, damp dirt, and a newness and crispness that rejuvenates me and makes me excited for the opportunity of having the blessing of another day before me. As the sun sets, a breeze comes in and carries away the day's heat and replaces it with the scents of a million different plants and grasses cooling down for the day. I love these smells. I love the transition that takes place as crickets chirp rhythmically louder while the chorus of birds' songs fade out. I love the playful gurgle of the water as it flows down the canal. I love the sweet look I see in Kenai's eyes when I pet her head and talk to her just how she likes. I love seeing the sunflowers and blue sky in Jeff's eyes as the light hits his face at just the right angle. I love summer. I love life.

Jeff and I went on a picnic on this lovely summer day.

We went to watch Orem's Summerfest parade with GramMi and Derrick.

Derrick's favorite float was the one awarded "Most Beautiful"....and it had giant CANDY on it!

Jeff's remark as this Home Depot truck came by was: "Oooooo! What do you think they are going to throw out to us? Hammers??"

Some of our favorite paraders. Dancing girl and...faun?!?

Happy 25 weeks!