One to Remember

Summer is winding down and school is just around the corner.  For the first time in years, I will be returning to school with the kids.   Honestly, I have never been excited for the start of school, I love the time with the kids and the relaxed schedule.  This summer has been different though.   As Mark put it, it is one that if possible, I would put it in a bottle and keep it on the shelf, never to forget.   Our summer was full, like most every summer, but it was a different kind of full.

Full of Family.   We focused on family time this summer, with a family vacation, Mark taking many days off of work, and I was able to be home everyday with the kids this summer.   Mark and I had a week together while the kids were at camp, it was like a second honeymoon.   The time has been good and much needed coming off a busy school year last year.

Full of Relaxation.   There was no agenda this summer.   As much as I tried to put myself on one at the beginning of the summer, it just didn't happen.   I realize now, I needed it, deep down at a soul level I was parched and exhausted.    I feel rested, revived, and truthfully I am seeing the difference it is making in my life. 

Full of Books.   I have spent the summer reading.   I have read a record number of books this summer, taking me to different places, learning about different people.   It has been a fun way for me to relax.  Perhaps I will have to share about some of the books that changed my life in another post.

Full of Change.   I ended my ten year career as a piano teacher, one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.   We are getting ready for middle school, years that scare me, not because of who my son is, but just because of what those years are in a young person's life.   We have a young daughter who desperately needs to be stimulated and challenged, which is proving to be a challenge for this mom, but I am excited about some new opportunities for her.   Mark continues with school, and we are looking at that addition of busyness to the normal busy schedule that reigns during the school year. 

The summer is over, and yet, I am not depressed.   It has been a very, very good summer.   A gift of time and family.   A time of relaxation and rest.

Church Camp

They are on their way.   This is the first year that either of them have gone to church camp.  The week was filled with preparations, many trips to the store, much excitement, and a little anxiety thrown in the mix.  

They left this morning, one is all smiles ready for a week away, one is a little hesitant. The house will be quiet this week without their laughter and bubbly personalities.  But I am praying that they will make new friends, come to know God on a deeper level, and have a great week away. 

As for Mark and I.  We have a week of vacation time with just the two of us, and I am excited about that as well. 

Three Days

What a gift my sister gave us when she called and asked us if we could watch the girls for three days.   The days have been full of laughter, playing, smiles, but most importantly cousin bonding time.

Thank you, dear sister, for giving us time to enjoy and love your girls for a few days!   

Breathe

As the day has progressed, there is one constant thought or feeling that encompasses the whole day.  Breathe.   While the sun is shining in sky which is the shade of blue that I love most, the breeze is blowing.   The wind chimes are singing their songs, the breeze is taking away the stresses and pressure that has been building up for the past few weeks.  I can breath again.   It is not the hurried, quick inhale of breath to get me to the next appointment, event, or activity.   No, it is the deep inhale that brings in the calm and the cleansing exhale that takes the tense, frantic, frazzled feelings away. 

We spent the morning catching up on cleaning the house, something that really needed to be done.   As order came to the stacks of papers, and dust was lifted off the surfaces, I felt like I was able to breathe.   Laundry is now caught up and I was able to even do a few extra loads that are not part of the mountain of clothes that I face every week, and I began to breathe a little more easily.  

The humidity that was present this morning moved out with the breeze and we opened the windows allowing the fresh air and bird's song to fill the house.   Again I breathe.    I couldn't stay indoors today, it was just to beautiful and I have spent the past three weeks indoors.   I need to get outside, so we took a blanket, settle under our tree, and read.  I was now able to relax.   





My kids have had healthy meals and snacks today.   It feels good to know that their bodies are being fueled the proper way with nutrients they need to grow and function on rather than the hurried convenience foods of the past weeks.   Another breath of fresh air fills my lungs.  

Today, beginning the week that I have been looking forward to for a long time, was everything that I needed and wanted it to be.   A day spent with my children, relaxing, and just being together.  

A Quiet Start

Like my gardens absorbing the morning rain, I am soaking up the calm that the rain brings to my soul.   While E and Addy play together, sounds of laughter coming from their side of the room, Pix is curled up beside me.   My book, within reach is today's agenda.   I am thankful for the quiet Monday morning. 

Memories

The kids have spent the better part of today with their friends.   After a summer of very little contact with their friends from school, they were more than ready for today.

E was invited to go swimming and time at the gym with his friend.   Up and ready first thing this morning, a better afternoon could not be planned for the two boys.

Addy had a friend come over to our house today.   After playing Barbie and Littlest Petshop, next on the agenda was make-up.   The girls got out my old make-up and had a blast.

And the final result, two beautiful and excited girls ready to continue their afternoon of fun. 

It reminded me of the summers growing up with my sister and the days on end that we would dress up and enter our world of make believe.

Does It Get Any Better?

Summer.   You will hear many times over how much I love summer.    The sun shining in the bright blue sky, green grass, warmer temps.   These are just a few of the reasons.   Today being Friday brings around another reason I love summer.  

Grilling.  We grill for two or three nights in a row, and I love it.   Mark has been working on his grilling techniques over the past few years, and if I can brag about his grilling for a minute, let me tell you, he is getting really good at it.   A couple of years ago he moved from the gas grill to a charcoal grill, a change I was not excited about and did not totally understand at the time.   In those three years, Mark has worked on his grilling skills, read cookbooks, and practiced.   He is pulling some amazing meats off the grill now, and I am enjoying every time he cooks.

Tonight we are having BBQ chicken.   We had it a couple of weeks ago because I had some chicken in the fridge that needed to be used up and a half bottle of BBQ sauce, so why not.   I am here to tell you that he pulled off some of the most amazing chicken I have ever had!   It was moist and the BBQ sauce was thick and not charred around the edges.   It was as if we had gone to a BBQ joint and we were eating their house special.   I cannot wait for dinner tonight.

The chicken is only part of the meal.   Summer means fresh fruit.   I could eat fresh fruit for every meal and never get tired of it.    Right now the berries and melons are amazing, and when you mix them all together in a fresh fruit salad, it just doesn't get any better than that.