Cheers to the Weekend, July Rolls On Edition

Hi all! Sorry for the long time, no post (and sorry in advance for the last summer blog hiatus I'll be taking next week). I still have so much I want to share, but my summer days are dedicated to my kids and family first and sometimes that means not fitting in time to write. It means that family dance parties to The Greatest Showman soundtrack and late nights at the pool and getting fun projects done and lazy days with my Lu Crew trump blogging. And I'm totally okay with that! But I still want to pop in to say, "Hello!" and virtually scrapbook our summer from time to time during our days off from school. <3 So, before I take one last blog hiatus for the summer, a glimpse at what we're saying CHEERS to as summer continues to fly by: 

4th of July fun. We love the 4th of July in our neighborhood! We were actually supposed to be gone for the 4th this year, but some plans were shifted; so, we ended up home after all! And that meant a super fun pool party with lots of fun friends, grilling out burgers and dogs afterwards, watching fireworks in our 'hood until 10:00 pm, and then a sleepover friend for Banks. It felt especially special this year, as it was Bella's last first holiday as a member of the Lu Crew. <3 We truly had a such a great day together, as a family, celebrating all things 'Merica. 

Get down in Flo Town. Last weekend, we loaded up the car (again!) and headed to Florence, South Carolina, for the big Coach Pitch All-Star Baseball State Championship Tourney! The six of us piled into a hotel room on Friday night after attending the Opening Ceremonies and Banquet and dreamed baseball dreams as we anticipated our first game the next morning. Luckily, one of my college BFFs lives in Florence and she hooked us up with one of her sitters for the first game on Saturday; so, the sitter came to the hotel to watch Raleigh, Harrison, and Bella in our room so my hub and I could enjoy (and actually watch in it's entirety ;) ) Banks' first game. That game ended in a loss for our team, BUT it was a double elimination tourney, which meant more ball was to be played by our team! We headed back to the Mill, had friends over for dinner, and rested up for Game 2 (and Game 3, after we won Game 2) back in Florence the next day. On this day, my hub took Banks, alone, for the games to avoid 4 hours of travel in one day for our other three. After losing our second game (boo!), the tourney - and thus All-Star season - was over for our Bankster and my big guys headed back home. We are SO proud of Banks, and his teammates, for the hard work and dedication they put into this season. Banks played really well, with several big hits and some awesome fielding, and had so much fun. <3 And for now, we'll enjoy the rest of the summer sports/practice free! 

Last two appointments for July. We had two appointments for Bella over the last 1.5 weeks (actually three, but I had to re-schedule a neurosurgery follow-up due to a scheduling conflict), the first of which was with our social worker for her 12-month post-adoption follow-up. Y'ALL. How it was time for this appointment already is beyond me. I feel like we just finished the 6-month post-adoption follow-up visit! We spent about two hours with our social worker (who will write up a detailed report) and then submitted the required eight recent family photos and fee to our adoption agency so that they can send it all to China to ensure Bels is in good hands and doing well. <3

Also, we had a BIG appointment yesterday with a genetics clinic down in Columbia, South Carolina. Originally, this appointment was schedule for September (a 9-MONTH WAIT from when it was originally scheduled). Praise be, there was an opening yesterday, and I jumped at the chance to take it! So, bright and early, Bella and I headed to Columbia to meet with a genetic counselor and geneticist and potentially complete a third round of genetic testing. We could not have had a better experience. They were SO thorough and so kind and...decided that Bels did NOT need more genetic testing at this point. We got some really good news, as well as a recommendation for one more specialist to see just to be safe, but honesty, it was a great appointment for our girl! <3 

Banks-Bam-Digs Bash. At the start of the week, I met my mom halfway between her home and ours so she could take Banks for a few days. Big plans had been made and Banks was SO excited about his solo time with Bammy and Digby: a viewing of Jurassic World, tennis lessons with Bammy, swimming at the pool I grew up going to as a child, and just being spoiled by beloved grandparents. The kid had a BALL. But I sure was glad to get him back a couple days later. <3 Our house just doesn't feel the same without our Bankster.

This and that. Of course, as per usual, we sneak in pool time whenever we can throughout the week and continue working hard with Bella in her weekly therapies. I also managed to slash one of my knuckles open on a food processor blade earlier this week but luckily was able to avoid stitches thanks to medical super glue and a kind doctor friend. We had a visit with extended family and also got to hang with one of our favorite little friends while her momma welcomed in a new baby (We love you, V! We love you, Baby Bennett!). We started packing for our last summer hurrah. We prepped for the overnight church camp Banks will head to the day we get back. We got summer haircuts. We dance partied. We played hard and worked hard and continued to wonder how summer is going by at lightening speed. We tried our best to enjoy it all!

And with that, I'm out of here for a bit! Have a fantastic week/end, and I'll report back soon. <3 Sending love and prayers to all for lots of summer fun!