Best Summer Ever!

Today was my last day of summer break. I'm going to be honest, I did tear up a bit when I was feeding Olivia breakfast this morning. And...then I did tear up again when I was putting her down for a nap because I treasure the cuddle time we have before and after her naps. We've had an absolutely wonderful summer. I tell Jeremiah all the time that I could definitely be a stay at home mom if the opportunity was given to me.:) It's not an easy job, but I do enjoy being home with Olivia.
Every time I get down about leaving my girl, I just think of the parents in Africa right now. Have you read this article: http://news.yahoo.com/tortured-choice-famine-child-lives-170128855.html. It is heartbreaking. I can't even imagine what those parents are going through. Those parents would give anything to be where I am right now. It has definitely made me more thankful for what I have. While I can be sad that I'm not with Livi every day, I'm definitely praising God for the life He has blessed me with.
So to end on a positive note, I'm going to list the highlights of my summer break (in no particular order):

1. Spending every single day with Olivia
2. Watching Olivia grow up over the past months-I can't believe the phrases that come out of her mouth! It's amazing how much a child can change in just a few months.
3. Listening to Olivia sing songs at lunch time and when she wakes up from her nap.
4. Laughing, laughing, and more laughing with Olivia every day. She is hilarious.
5. Seeing Olivia dance at the wedding we were at last weekend.
6. Spending a night in St. Louis to celebrate Jeremiah's 30th birthday (He doesn't actually turn 30 until September).
7. Having a date night with Jeremiah for our anniversary.
8. Spending numerous days at my parents' pool.
9. Our vacation to Hilton Head with my entire family.
10.Watching Olivia watch fireworks for the first time.
11. Walking on the beach with Jeremiah
12. Watching Olivia play in the ocean with my dad
13. Sitting on the beach with just my two sisters.
14. Spending a few days with my mom and Livi
15. Watching Olivia play with her cousins
16. Hanging out with friends from high school
17. Hanging out with friends from Champaign
18. Receiving our USCIS letter with our fingerprinting date
19. Receiving numerous financial donations for our adoption
20. Picnic lunches at the lake with my girl
21. Finishing most of our dossier paperwork
22. Meeting new friends through adoption
23. Hearing Olivia say, "Mommy when is our baby boy coming home? I hug him and kiss him." Also when she says, "Ethiopia is in Africa. Where baby boy's mommy and daddy go?"
24. Going to the Cardinal's game with friends
25. Spending numerous days off together as a family.


There are so many more memories from this summer and I could go on and on. I'm just so thankful for the blessing of being off in the summer. Now..I just can't wait for next summer. Maybe I will have both my kids home with me by then!?:)