Do I know what I did this summer?

The summer has come, the summer has gone--well, except for the heat, which is something you would think I would be used to by now, having grown up in tropical Thailand, which boasts two seasons: 1) VERY HOT and 2) VERY WET AND HOT. Still, I'm not complaining--the nights out here in the desert are cool and the view of the starts up on our little hill is something I will never tire of! Wait, where was I? Oh yes, time, and what did I do with it?

A new school year is beginning. Before we know it, it will be time to put out the pumpkin and fall leaf decor and drink spice lattes. Where did the time go? What did we do? Why is everything such a blur? Did I really do nothing this summer?

Without thinking, my mind tells me these past few months have been but a flicker in time, with nothing to show for them but late nights and early mornings, meals, dishes, laundry and car rides all blending in and out of each other. But then my brain starts to wake up and I realize we've accomplished some incredible feats and created some incredible memories. I just need to take the time to appreciate it all!

Let's start with the ending of the school year. All 6 kids in school graduated from their respective grades with honors, something is that makes this mother's heart go pitty-pat! 

And speaking of graduating, I had my first high school grad! All decked out in shiny Texas colors and standing tall and handsome with that hesitant yet beautiful smile of his. Another proud mama moment! 

Somewhere in all of this we experienced the great Texas flood of 2015! 

Flooding in front of the kids' school

 The most incredible clouds which we later found out are called "mammatus clouds" 

fiery after the storm sunsets

and, of course, rainbows

(everything is better with bubbles!)

...and double rainbows!

After all the end of the school year celebrations had died down, all we wanted to do was relax and eat unhealthy amounts of shaved ice, but wait! Next came something which made us feel both excited and sick to the stomach all at once: We had to prepare to move!

So then came the cleaning, the painting, the packing, and then the cleaning all over again. We said good-bye to old friends with the bittersweet combination of tears and laughter. 

Before we left, we decided to become tourists in the coolest city of hipsters and free-spirited rednecks that we had lived in for the past 4 years. Hey, we couldn't leave without doing our part to "KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD." Plus, Austin and its surrounding areas is full of natural beauty--waterfalls, lakes, trails, rivers, flowers, farms and fields, and plenty of wildlife such as skunks, deer, armadillos, and of course, the majestic longhorns! 

The day to move finally came, and it was on July 4th, no less. We celebrated July 4th on the road, and got to see fireworks in over cities across 2 states. Other than that, it rained and rained and rained! We hardly stopped, except at this cute little inn where we were greeted by some darling swallow birds and their chicks in a nest right outside our room. 

Arizona's dusty beauty

After 2 days and nights, we finally arrived in our new home in Southern California.  Since arriving, the kids have all gotten set up in their new schools, signed up for various sports and extracurricular programs, made new friends, we've gone to the beach, visited with family, been to fairs and community events, and even gone to Hollywood just for the heck of it. 

We never tire of the beach!

As I sit here in our new home, the summer behind us and the new school year before us, I realize that by just taking one challenge at a time and tackling it, we've really come quite far. I'm proud of us. I bet if you looked back at the past months or even week of your life, you'd feel the same way. Be proud of the small steps that you've taken on your big journey. You deserve it. You've come a long way.