We’ve called you “Baby K”, “The Baby”, “Baby”.  Sometimes, we’ve even called you “Crazy” because that’s how your movements are almost all day long. . . crazy. We’ve waited, anticipated, talked about, guessed, dreamed, hoped, and longed for your arrival.  Finally, it’s almost here. It was back in July, I believe, when we got our […]

View full post »

loading...
  • Sassytimes - November 15, 2011 - 12:58 pm

    Days?! Yay! I will be thinking of you and praying for a healthy delivery! So exciting.

    (I can't stop laughing about Chanelle thinking the baby will poop on her. So funny.)ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - November 15, 2011 - 1:22 pm

    What a beautiful post Summer. I became a grandma in August to a beautiful little boy and he has changed our life. In fact, he gets baptized this weekend. I will be sure to say some extra prayers for you and your family as you get ready to welcome this most precious gift. Oh…and I thought I would share my website with you in case you would like to put a name with a face. It is: http://newsfromthenungesters.shutterfly.com. There are some pictures on there of some of the DeRose family that you might recognize. Anyways…best of luck to all of you! CherylReplyCancel

  • Abbe - November 15, 2011 - 1:28 pm

    best.post.ever. can't wait to hear the good news of your little one's arrival! i'll be thinking of you!ReplyCancel

  • Trophy Life - November 15, 2011 - 1:34 pm

    wonderful, amazing, incredible words. so happy to read them this morning. Your little (getting so big) ones have the most astute thoughts and observations…it's too much to read sometimes!!

    love you and the whole family and the littlest one, too.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - November 15, 2011 - 2:59 pm

    Thanks Summer….

    Did you by chance see the Halloween 2011 page….you will notice alot of your relation. We gathered at your Aunt Carol's house and got ready for
    the party that was at lil Tony's place in Findlay. Most of the DeRose gang were there in costume. Fun time had by all.

    Anyways, good luck again. And I can't tell you how much I enjoy your blog and your photographs. You were given an awesome gift of being able to write such beautiful pieces and the pictures you take are just awesome. I definitely look forward to seeing your newest addition to an already beautiful family. And I'm sure, your mom will be looking down from heaven
    and will be with you every step of the way.

    We were lucky enough to spend a day on their boat, quite a few years ago, on Indian Lake. They showed us a great time and is a great memory for us.

    Take care,
    CherylReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - November 15, 2011 - 9:19 pm

    YAY! I am so excited. I am just so excited to "meet" this baby. I'm so excited for the completion of your family, too!

    I'm so excited about the name hints… (Will your name be M________ or B________?)

    I'm so excited that Charlie and Chanelle are getting a SIBLING!

    I'm SO EXCITED!

    AHHH!!!!!

    Love you and am praying for you, friend.

    **Again: I need to be on alert this week. Please have Chad text or tweet or SOMETHING.ReplyCancel

  • Summer - November 16, 2011 - 1:24 am

    Thank you so much Ladies. Your words. . . they mean so much. . . so very much.ReplyCancel

  • Tam - November 16, 2011 - 1:37 am

    Summer,
    You always bring tears to my eyes with your posts. You are the most incredible mother, the way that you capture and treasure every moment with your children. I am anxiously awaiting news already. I remember the day that Charlie was born. I remember it like yesterday. I was sitting in a hotel room in Cleveland calling Katy every 2 hrs "Hasn't she had the baby yet?!?". Seems he took awhile. 🙂 And 6 years later, look where you are. I am blessed to be waiting again. My prayers are with you. I know this child is going to have an amazing life–just look at the family he/she is joining! What a blessing! What an incredible, spectacular, beautiful blessing!! 🙂
    I LOVE YOU.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - November 16, 2011 - 3:22 am

    I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU GUYS!!!! Praying all goes well for you and baby girl/boy! I hope to visit you soon too. 🙂

    Prayers!
    JoEllenReplyCancel

  • Adopted Aunt - November 16, 2011 - 3:51 am

    O we can't wait either to hear the wonderful news of your arrival! It's hard to believe (except maybe Summer) that you will soon be here. You have and will be loved. You are a lucky child to be born into a beautiful wonderful family. You will have a great big brother and sister and I know they will love you. Your mom didn't mention how lucky you are to be able to call her mom. She has carried you close to her heart, given you a cozy warm place to grow these months. I know I can't wait to hold you! Your sweet sis said the other day "why can't it just be a baby not a boy or girl". I think she is a little afraid but that I'd ok and normal. Chad, Summer you are both already blessed and soon will be again. Love you all 5ReplyCancel

  • lisa - November 16, 2011 - 3:16 pm

    Ohhhh!! I'm so excited for you and your family…simply can't wait to hear and see the first pics of the newest member! Sending many prayers and much love your way!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

There are days when I forget why I come to this space.  When it becomes more about a great picture, or the perfect combination of words, or creating something that moves someone in their heart.  Days when I lose focus and find myself entangled in confusion about what is the right thing to write, rather […]

View full post »

loading...
  • lisa - November 11, 2011 - 1:49 pm

    And for that I am so thankful to you!! Please keep writing…your words matter so much. 🙂

    Hope you're feeling good!ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - November 11, 2011 - 11:35 pm

    Oh dear friend. You matter.

    Thank you for writing.ReplyCancel

Last night before bed Chanelle picked the book, Duck! Rabbit! to read. It’s a fun book for little ones.  When she handed it to me I asked, do you know who this book reminds me of? Charlie and Chanelle answered in unison, Noni!  The book is one of the many cool books my mom had […]

View full post »

loading...
  • mommathieszen - November 10, 2011 - 3:09 pm

    Tears for you today, my friend. It's hard to miss someone so incredibly dear to your heart in moments when you want nothing else but to have them with you, celebrating with you, watching everyone grow, and getting those first glimpses of new life being added to your family. Even though you know she can watch it all from heaven, it's still not the same on earth and I honor you for voicing those hurts. May God comfort you right where you are at today and may you know it's okay to be no where else but there in the midst of your tears, pain, and longing. God will meet you there. It's comforting to know we can even receive words of blessing from our own children, isn't it! Bless Charlie today for his insight, Lord and bless Chanelle for her tender heart.ReplyCancel

  • Sassytimes - November 10, 2011 - 5:36 pm

    Wow. What a sweet, loving little boy you have.

    HUGS TO YOU!ReplyCancel

  • Kim - November 10, 2011 - 8:33 pm

    Wow….just amazing. How incredibly sweet by both of them.ReplyCancel

  • maine momma - November 11, 2011 - 3:28 am

    what a sweet and wise boy… i have a tender soul like that too in my little boy.. gosh we are such lucky mamas.. thank you for sharing this lovely story at shutter sisters today.ReplyCancel

  • lisa - November 11, 2011 - 1:57 pm

    hugs to you Summer…I don't know what it's like to lose a mother, but I do know loss and how it affects our children. We lost our grandma 2 years ago. She was especially close to my boys. They still talk about her and miss her terribly…and your lil' guy has a wonderful heart! He is so wise beyond his years! I pray my boys keep the pureness they have in their hearts now…and I pray for you during all these beautiful changes in your life. While there is bitterness, carry that in your heart that she is with you…

    *hugs to you friend*ReplyCancel

As much as I love creating special moments and lasting memories with our kids, I equally enjoy the special moments created, sans kids.  Thanks to the generosity of my very awesome in-laws, we got to do that just this weekend.  Friday night my in-laws drove away with two excited kiddos, leaving Chad and I to […]

View full post »

loading...
  • Sassytimes - November 8, 2011 - 12:51 pm

    I'm glad you got to spend that quality time together. It sounds wonderful.

    I can't believe you hiked for 3 hours though, in the woods, at 37 weeks pregnant. You are my hero.ReplyCancel

  • Trophy Life - November 9, 2011 - 12:59 pm

    that last hurrah sounds amazing!! i'm glad you got to do this. though i was getting a bit concerned when you kept hiking and hiking and i was afraid the sun was going to set on you!! : )ReplyCancel

  • Ky • twopretzels.com - November 9, 2011 - 7:34 pm

    SOBBING at my computer.

    I love you two. I'm so sad that I didn't get to know Chad better in college, and you for that matter. But I am SO THANKFUL for this blog.

    I'm so happy that you had that time… and I can't believe that you're that pregnant and hiked six miles.

    🙂ReplyCancel

  • Dri - November 15, 2011 - 4:25 am

    I am so happy that you guys discovered some of down town. We miss down town very much. The restaurants, the shops, the arts center…. you really do live in a GREAT town. 🙂 The weekend you had sounds amazing and a perfect way to get ready to welcome another beautiful Kellogg into the family.ReplyCancel

Sitting there in your pajamas & all the time in the world & if I could keep any moment it would be this: watching you & holding my breath with the wonder of it all. -Story People Sunday night. . . this is where I found her.  Lying on the floor, head propped in hands, […]

View full post »

loading...
  • Sassytimes - November 7, 2011 - 2:30 pm

    It makes complete sense to the rest of us about to add another bundle to our family.

    It's funny because I hate and love this feeling all at the same time.ReplyCancel