First day of the next stage...

It's here! The first day of what I would normally call summer break. It's 8:45 and I've got a pot of sauce cooking on the stove, a load of laundry in the wash, and a fresh cup of coffee by my side.

This is what I love.

It's strange though to think that this is not just my summer break, but the start of something new. A new stage of life- a stage where I'm called "mom" and not "Mrs. Nelsen" begins (sort of) today.

I'm thankful for the timing of it all. And if you know our story, I don't think I would have ever anticipated having those words come out of my mouth. But I'm thankful that I have these next 8 weeks, more or less my "regular" summer break to prepare and rest (we'll see how well I do at that one) for the arrival of our little guy.

I can't wait- yes I am starting this sentence this way- to go through every room and clean out closets, make Goodwill and trash piles, put together the little man's stroller and car seat and all of the other "necessities" that are still in their boxes, reorganize kitchen cabinets to make room for the babe's goods (i.e. downsize the wine glasses to make room for bottles), pack my hospital bag, set up the diaper bag, and, last but not least, go on some fun dates with Matt to soak in this stage of no-kids that we're still in right now.

Ahhh... it's going to be a good stretch from here to the end of July. And then the real fun will begin. ;)