July

We celebrated a lot this July. We usually do. Austin returned safely from Hawaii after six weeks away. Greg and I marked 31 years of marriage. Ty turned 16. Makenna's golden birthday was doubly so, 25 on the 25th in the year 2025. New school years were launched. July is always a whirlwind. This year was no exception.

Makenna's classroom "needed" a reading corner chair when I saw an inspiration piece a couple months ago. I loved the transformation into the happy yellow. The process was also entertaining. Freddie had yellow paint on his ear for days since I refused to paint outside in the heat and humidity.

Erin spent two weeks in Tanzania; this trip more social than work. She went on a Safari, served in a few clinics and rekindled her love for Africa. I worried about her travel plans around the state of American politics but Amsterdam was an excellent compromise over her previous flight out of Ethiopia. She laughed off my fears, "if they won't let me return, it's a sign I should stay." Sigh. 

16

He wants us to buy him a motorcycle instead of a car. He's new here.

I had to work his birthday weekend. We ordered pizza to the lounge so I'd at least get to hug him after he and a buddy rode Go Karts and threw axes. 

Laughing as I explained Makenna will be able to drop in on his Echo while we are in Alaska to make sure he gets up for school. Her days start at 4am at the gym. She won't be here to drag him out of bed.

Caught the expression as he realized this wasn't actually a great gift for him.

The Edwards family was in town briefly and the gang was back together for a few hours. I love the laughter these kids always share when they reunite. 

Kristil and I met for a day of shopping, tea and lunch. It's taken eleven months to pull off our "easy hour to meet in the middle." Why is life so busy that a day away takes months of planning? Also, why are we so bad at taking pictures when we are together? But we have an October day planned to try again. Fingers and toes are crossed life won't interfere. Days out with my people are so good for my soul.

Fred loves the Roku channel. Sometimes he tries to chase the car around the back of the screen.

These guys got me into trouble with their momma. She house sat for over a week and came back commenting on the cats' weight gain. I didn't think anything of it until that night when I fed them. Surely she would have fed her cats before bed but they took me to their bowls, complaining they were empty. That's when I found out they only get breakfast. Oops.

I told Kate I was considering cutting off my hair because I needed a change. She suggested a new hair clip instead. I followed her advice for now. Kate can be pretty smart. We spent a significant amount of time together this month between visits with friends and a health scare. She experienced sudden onset vertigo while at work and it landed us in the ER for hours where a team explored multiple possibilities. We left without a diagnosis and Kate's world still spinning. Her momma was spiraling emotionally. Follow up appointments have created additional questions but we've ruled out the truly scary possibilities and have some action plans.

Makenna served on a jury her final week before back to school meetings and professional development courses. She found the process fascinating and was adored by the older staff. The bailiff warmed up her lunch daily and security knew her name on the first day. Her happy teacher energy and confidence follows her everywhere. We loved hearing stories from the courtroom. She cracked me up when she described the binders provided by the FBI agent. She really, really wanted to dig into them.  My girl is an organization nerd. She gets it from her momma. 

She put her teacher Amazon wish list on her dating app. A man or two sent classroom items as an excuse to contact her. I'm having some very mixed feelings about this. 

Austin and I had a day out together to see Matilda at the local dinner playhouse. He was so good and deeply enthralled. We are now making plans for a Christmas show in December. After the play, we visited Kate at work and met some frisky kittens. We then went to assist Makenna in her classroom. It's so good to have him back home. 

My friend, Lana brought her niece too. They chatted like old friends. And she let me know she could be available to join us in December if we get tickets to the Christmas show.

The shelter named them Nickel and Dime. I see Chaos and Havoc. Lauren suggested Kate needed to adopt them. Lauren gives terrible advice.

Lauren and Dean took him to see the Louisville Bats. His shirt says "Baseball players have the prettiest moms." 

We had a celebratory brunch for Ty and Makenna. My parents and sister were able to attend. Erin shared her photos from Africa and Jamie helped Lauren and Dean make plans for a new home. It was a big beautiful afternoon full of love and laughter. I'm just so darn happy to see each and every one of them living life so fully. 

This shot. This was the moment I remembered how devastated we were two and a half years ago when our son-in-law chose to dispose of his family. He sent them away without warning or remorse. We were shocked and grieved. But now? I see the peace in Lauren's life and the way Austin is adored by a man who never had to step up. This moment was well beyond my ability to see just a few short years ago. Dean bought eight acres and is now working on a home plan for them all. 

And finally, we ended the month back in school. No one was ready. We got to spend a couple days with Austin while his mom returned to her job as the PE teacher two days before students. I will always take whatever time I can get with my favorite human.

He says he painted a polar bear in a snow storm. He gets it from my dad. The DNA in this family is something else. 

After spending days on edge about his return to high school, Ty snapped at me for asking about his readiness, "it's not like I haven't had a first day of school before, mom." Then he missed the bus, couldn't locate his glasses and failed to charge his ebike battery for back up transportation. Greg got up and drove him because he was the parent most likely to keep his mouth shut in the car. Bless it.

This one was the most ready to get into the swing of things. There are twenty three incredibly lucky third graders this year. Her school has it's own therapy dog. Makenna believes she's won the lottery while Lauren is harassing her building principal until she also has a canine companion at work. 

He has no idea why schedules have to exist and prefers everyone just stay home to play and snuggle. Life is ruff.

June

I miss this stinker.

We launched summer with Ty taking classes, Lauren and Austin headed to Hawaii, my mom sitting bedside while my uncle slowly fights his battle with cancer and Makenna vacationing in Florida.

Lauren finally fulfilled her dream of swimming with sharks. She LOVED it 

The day before they headed to the island, Kate and I spent time with our favorite seven year old while his mom worked and finished packing. Lauren spent a week in paradise, grabbing some adventures with Austin before leaving him there for the summer with his father. This is the first extended trip he's taken away from Lauren and the first visitation where his father has not had grandparent support. This Mimi is anxious. No one loves the arrangement.

Father's Day was celebrated with our usual rowdy crowd. This is our circus. These are our monkeys. 

A hat with built in fans for mowing and walking Diesel during this season of ridiculous heat. Erin always finds quirky gifts.

I was able to sneak in a sleepover visit at Kristil's with Kristin after six months of planning. Seriously. But we shopped, dined, laughed and even cried a little. Life is richer with friends like these. 

Erin and Evan went on vacation with his family and asked me to house sit for them. I appreciated the quiet(ish) retreat and ability to work four of the six days closer to where I slept. I left a review of the experience when I departed. I do these things to amuse myself. 

This gorgeous shrub grows outside Erin's dining room. 

Kate came to visit one evening and Ada couldn't resist her nails. 

Erin's hand painted candlesticks could not be more charming.

While in Mississippi, she sampled fried shrimp and grits alongside fried green tomatoes. They toured a swamp and saw several alligators, much to her delight. "Life is too short to not experience new things." She isn't wrong. 

These two were grateful when I returned. Makenna expressed similar sentiments. Things run differently around here when I am absent.

Diesel chaperoned our date.

Lauren and Sydney traveled to Florida for a few days to celebrate a friend's upcoming wedding. Lauren needed the distraction and any time these two can spend together is good for her too. 

Look who is going to be teaching third grade this year! She has been thrifting books for her library and planning how to create her vibe in a bigger kiddo setting. I don't know what theme she will land on but I can promise it will be cheerful and welcoming. I also have some happy projects planned to personalize her space. School starts again at the end of July. It will be here before we blink.