Sweet Summertime

When I was growing up summertime was looked forward to all year by everyone I knew...maybe except for my mother who now had a million children at her house. But it was so exciting to me possibly because it was the only time I could wear a t-shirt outside without getting cold or that school was out for almost 12 weeks. It doesn't matter how old you get your sense of smell can take you back to many memories. When I go home to Montana in the summer the smells take me back to that little girl who used to sit on her fathers lap and watch Gun Smoke or that wild teenager my mother could not cage. Just getting off the airplane there is a huge difference with the air you are breathing. It is so fresh and cool. Even on days where it gets up to 90 degrees the evening and mornings are still so cool and crisp, which is not a luxury here in the south. The smell of fresh cut grass (my favorite still today) and the smell of dirt (I can still see my fingernails being so dirty from a hard days play) still make me giddy. I remember when would  drive around town with the windows rolled down (something I am unable to do now) and when we used to sleep outside in my front yard we would wake up to morning dew on our faces. Or the many times that we would go our cabin in the mountains (which did not have indoor plumbing and our outhouse was pink). I miss these things in my adult life.

Now summer brings on a whole new sense where I live now.  Its hot, and 12 weeks off of school doesn't bring on the same excitement. Its so hot, that the first year that I lived here I couldn't go out to my car to fetch something without being drenched in sweat. From the time I got into my car, drove to work (I even had air conditioning) walked into the door at work, my arm pits were drenched and my hair slicked back. You would have thought I only bought deodorant and not antiperspirant. I needed to pack an extra shirt just for the 5 minute drive. My body has regulated since then so this is no longer a problem (thankfully).  Summertime here also brings BUGS. Big bugs, little bugs, smelly bugs, biting bugs, I can't believe what I just saw bugs.  It will be a heaven for my sons, but I personally do not like it. I do however enjoy the lighting bugs.  But I love summertime. Mainly because ahem my birthday, wedding anniversary is in the summer months and there is nothing better then a ice cold beer in a can that has been in a cooler all day. I love sitting outside listening to the crickets or yes katydids (we found one on our porch the other day) and watching the hummingbirds, and nothing brings a bigger smile to my face then seeing my big boy play so hard that he is soaked with sweat...however the humidity may also play a part in this. I just wonder how many fires my husband will have this summer in our red neck fire pit because of course we didn't have ANY this winter when it was appropriate.

I can't help but wonder what my own children will remember or what smells of each season will bring back which memories. I wonder if it will make them as happy as it makes me to come across a smell that brings back that sense of being a child or just a happy time in your life and if what I do on a daily basis help make it possible.

Behold...the redneck fire pit built by Kevin.

 Jack's curls have made a comeback! Yay!!

 Pool time!

My shirt actually says something underneath all that dirt. Love this so much!! 

 Jack just loves to play in the dirt. Not only do we have to wash his hands when he comes inside..we have to wash his feet. He also likes to bring piles of dirt to drop off on the porch, in the middle of the lawn and the toy box. Thanks Jack!

Soon baby Brecki will be joining in the outside fun with his big brother!