Dear H, O and B,

Today, Cari Vincent died. This is so sad for so many reasons — she leaves behind three precious boys (Jack, John and Benjamin) and a husband who loved her dearly.

We’ve been praying for Cari to be healed for quite some time, but that wasn’t what was meant to be. Owen, you faithfully lit a candle and prayed for her every single weekend at church for well over two years. Now you’ll light the candle for your buddy, Jack.

I’ve learned so much from Cari — but what was most profound for me was what she said the day she sat down to tell our small group of mom friends that her cancer was back. She said she only focuses on 2 days: Today and The Last Day. She said she knows she has today, and she knows she’ll be healed and whole the last day. She said that she’s okay when she focuses on those two days. This is one of the wisest things I’ve ever been told. None of us are promised tomorrow. We’d do very well to set our eyes on today and the last day. Below I’ll post some of my favorite pictures with Cari, and pictures of your group of preschool friends, Owen, who Cari loved so much.

Love you,
Mama

Dear H, O and B,

Today was your first day of Kindergarten, 2nd and 5th grades. You all have fantastic teachers and you are all at the same school for the first time! Very exciting!

Love you,
Mama

Dear H, O and B,

Here are some pictures of some of our other summer adventures!

Love you!
Mama

Dear H, O and B,

For our final adventure of summer, we went camping. We stayed at a KOA in Williams, AZ that we love because there are a lot of activities! It was SUPER hot so we used the pool to stay cool. Camping is so much fun because we all spend time just hanging out with each other.

Love you!
Mama

Dear H, O and B,
We just spent a couple of nights in Flagstaff to beat the heat! We had a great time exploring and hanging out. We stopped by Bearizona on our way home and it was awesome! Bears and other wild animals everywhere! Dad had to work, so it was a bummer to be without him but I definitely love exploring with you!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Owen and Bennett,

You both had a fun time playing basketball this summer! Owen, you kept calling it your “off season” sport!

Love you!
Mama

Dear H, O and B,

This week we took our annual road trip to the central coast of California to see Uncle Jon, Auntie Kim, Madi and Great Grandpa Rog. We got some good time with Ben and Mireille as well – which is always a bonus! We saw the 4th of July fireworks in Solvang, spent time in Morro Bay and at the beach in Cayucos, had an epic water balloon fight in the Blanchards’ back yard, played tons of fun games and had an all around great time — which we always do! we also got to run up and see the Guisses in San Luis Obispo. Love these traditions!

Love you!
Mama

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Dear Bennett,

Today, you are six! You are such a spectacular kid, Buddy. You have THE BEST attitude about life, you are always willing to help people and you are a constant problem solver. You never give up when you’re trying to figure something out, you love your people well and you are a math whiz!

For your sixth birthday, we had a pool party with friends and you got to serve them treats out of a local ice cream truck! To say that you loved it would be an understatement! As usual, we were in California for your actual birthday so we went boogie boarding and then had pizza and cake with our family. We had a great time celebrating you!

We love you dearly and are so completely blessed that you’re ours.

Love you!
Mama

Dear H, O and B,

We had a blast this week at VBS. This was my first year as the co-coordinator, so it was a super busy, super fun week for us! I loved being able to see you all throughout the mornings all week!

Love you,
Mama

Dear Bennett,

This was your year! You had a blast in Pre-K with Mrs. Marquardt. Your bonus year was truly a bonus! So much fun was had — Firetruck day, Pirate day, Reptile day and so much more. With your preschool graduation tonight, we officially leave preschool behind us — after 8 years! We’ve loved these little years. We know we’ll love having you all at the same school, too!

Love you,
Mama