I’m sitting here at a kitchen table in Branson, Missouri with family and little kids running around. Every summer Jeremy’s mom rents a house for us to share and we get all the cousins together (there are seven!) and it’s Nova’s first summer here with us.
I am savoring the moment because last summer we stayed in this same home and even slept in the same bed with no little kid in our room. We were actually only a month away from being matched with Nova, but I wasn’t dealing well (at all) with the unknown. Fast forward one year and the contrast is just incredible!
We’re sharing our room with a three year old who loves fireworks and loves swimming in the pool even more. Here are a few photos from our magical week in Missouri and Nova’s first 4th of July as an American citizen.
Pure joy!
I know a lot of people have a fearful reaction when they see our photos playing with Nova in the sun, but she hasn’t had one sunburn yet. Moderating her time in the sun and keeping up with our obsessive sunscreen routine is already becoming second nature. I’m so happy to be able to raise her doing all the same things he cousins are doing. She’s not limited in any way (well, no more than any other three year old).
I am so proud of our little gal. She’s so adaptable at this age and I love experiencing all the firsts with her all over again. (this dress is a really good deal & so cute!)
Nova watching the fireworks, which she ended up loving (she outlasted me- lol).
We snuck away one afternoon to see my brother, Penelope and Ruby and set off some smoke bombs.
Speaking of smoke bombs- we tried to get a cute photo and this was the best we could do. They are over SO FAST.
I feel so grateful every day to experience summer through Nova’s eyes. It’s been the best summer of my life!
