Update

So much is going on!! My sweet Melissa is leaving central Arkansas for the north east (of Arkansas, that is). I know it will be the start of great things for her family, but I will surely miss her. I've realized that even if you don't see someone that often, being geographically close makes a big difference.
The heat is intense! The heat index has been well over 100 degrees for the past several days, and the lake water is beginning to feel like bath water! But it still serves as a relief when you're super hot.
We're starting to get into back-to-school mode. Kaylee has started cheer practice and Makenzie will start gradually going back to school this week (she goes to a Lutheran child-care center. We're not Lutheran, but it's a great school). I must say that I don't actually know what the Lutheran's believe. But Makenzie loves it.
Rob and Ali and their three kids are having a blast with us this summer. We've done so much together, and it's nice to have them right next door. It's going to be a sad day when they go back to Canada. I think the kids will all be sad, too. They play together so well.
On Monday night we took everyone (by everyone I mean everyone who was home...Rob, Ali, their 3 kids and our two dogs) for a boat ride and a swim. After we dropped the Tripp family back at their house, we went inside our place and Jimmy made a picnic for us. We then took the boat down to the dam (at about 9:30pm...it was very dark!) for some alone time together. It's rare to have a night to ourselves without any children, and I really cherish those times. We stayed out on the water for so long...it was beautiful. To see how the fog settles on top of the lake is so pretty. I had never seen that before. We were literally the only boat on the water. It was so peaceful. It was no doubt one of the best moments of my life. I can't describe exactly how I felt. There are some moments I know will never be duplicated, and the atmosphere and conversation that night was unbelievable. He is my true partner, my one and only love. I wish that everyone could feel for someone the way that I do about this man. WOW! And I hate to brag on him even more (actually that's a lie. I love to do it), but when I came back from lunch on Tuesday there was a HUGE flower arrangement waiting for me! It's a solid 3 feet of awesome, beautiful, very sweet smelling love flowers. He's amazing.