Fall Break Week Two

I am grateful for a two week fall break. The first week I spent getting caught up on all the life I fell behind on while working the last few months. Our weekend was perfect as it gave me some time to be alone with my thoughts and to make peace with some decisions. So we entered the second week ready to play together.

We got to pick up Benjamin for an overnight visit from his Dad's house in a neighboring town. He and Ty didn't miss a beat and were wrestling on the trampoline within moments of his arrival.

However, it appears we need to use the air mattress for subsequent sleepovers........

Austin loves Buzz Lightyear and was quite excited about his new pajamas. Then I took the kids to Target for dental floss sticks and ended up buying the baby light up Toy Story gym shoes because Uncle Ty says he will need them for Trick-or-treating soon. Given how little we get to do for and with Austin, it didn't take much to justify the purchase.

I had the pleasure of working in four photoshoots this week. If you are inclined, some samples of those sessions are posted on my business website.

We otherwise spent a day seeking pants for a boy too thin according to athletic brands everywhere and located some $3 jeans for me in the process. It wasn't the goal but I am not mad. We grilled out, visited with neighbors, read some books, baked some bread and cookies and colored for fun. The cooler temperatures created opportunity for open windows and cozy sweaters. This was the reset we craved. 

Lauren sent photos of our little stinker wearing the shark rain jacket we found him last year. He says, "oh no" in the most dramatic way and calls often to tell stories none of us understand. We cannot wait to see him again!

Saturday Greg smoked stew meat for chili and then he and Ty took the BB gun to the cans used for said chili. They had a literal blast. 

We wrapped our evening with a family showing of Toy Story 4. It was a great family movie, made moreso amazing with a basket full of M&M's.

No one is ready for school and routine to resume tomorrow so we are counting down until Thanksgiving break. It's in six weeks in case you were wondering. 

Brown County

Ty could not wait to take his buddy to Columbus, Indiana for the day. They started their day with a sleepover which required a normal bedtime (my favorite kind if you wanted to know) so they could be out the door with us at five in the morning. Knowing his friend was afraid of heights would have been helpful information prior to our day, but they managed to work around his phobia and created new games in favorite play places. As result of limited success we also located new sites to explore. They had a great day overall and I was happy to help knock Ty's number one item off his fall break bucket list.

It's a slide. They loved it. Of course they did. 

At one point, he had six hula hoops going and several small children gathered around him to observe. 

I spent my birthday grocery shopping, taking Ty to the pediatrician and having tires put on Greg's car. I am a party animal. But friends came over for dinner and they made me gluten free oatmeal cookies which I shared but loved. They knew my dad used to make them for me because they are my favorite. I also received flowers and countless birthday messages.

And then we took off for the weekend, just Greg and I to the cabin in Brown County we have rented twice before.  It's so relaxing, I find myself breathing deeper once we pull onto the first gravel road that leads to this quiet piece of heaven on earth. We have fallen so hard for the Relaxation Station, that we've joked we want to buy it and live there after Ty graduates. Upon a deeper investigation into the property this weekend, we realize it isn't going to work for us long term but it does set the vision for our empty nest years.

We arrived Friday afternoon on the coolest day of the season which was perfect for relaxing by the fire and soaking in the hot tub. Because I had been up since three that morning, I even stole a catnap before we had dinner in the gazebo. This place just envelopes you in it's quieter charming pace. And yet each time we arrive, we question if he should bring the kids someday. They would love it, but we treasure the time away from them as much. For now, this is our happy place and someday we may share it with them. Each night, as we walk out to the clearing beyond the cabin's drive to view the night sky, we know they would be in awe. It is literally like looking at a sky littered with glitter. All of us need this rest away from the noise of life.

Due to the weather finally changing and the temperatures dropping from the nineties to the seventies, the state park was packed full of people. So we opted instead to walk the roads that lead to the cabin and were delighted to not see another soul. And then we scored a free tour of a local distillery Greg wanted to explore so we wandered out for awhile on Saturday afternoon. Our meals were made simply with Home Chef kits we picked up on our way out of town Friday and cannot recommend them enough. The flavors are incredible and the ease of plating beautiful food makes those dining experiences special.

While we were out of town, Kate was camping with friends. Makenna and Ty tackled the trampoline park and homemade waffles together in between his plans with friends. It's lovely being in a season we can safely leave for a few days and know everyone will be better for it. Although the following text from Makenna cracked me up.

And while we were away, our grandson got a haircut and discovered Toy Story. Lauren sent photos and we swooned. We were privy to a mother-son exchange that had us laughing off and on all weekend. Lauren, exhausted told Austin he needed a nap. She elongated the word nap. Austin replied in the same elongated tone, "BLOCKS". It is the most fun watching Lauren raise her mini-me.

The weekend was perfect. And now we get to spend another week together before those of us who go to school are required to resume routine. I am grateful for the time to recharge.

Fall Break

I am always ready for Fall Break and this year was no exception. By the time we faced down all the quarterly finals, dealt with a nasty asthma setback for Kate that ended with an oral steroid prescription, and I wrapped my first quarter as an instructional assistant I was beyond ready. The moment the doctor declared Kate needed the oral steroids, I internally reminded myself I could be brave and didn't need to cry in front of the doctor. Those things make her so mean and emotional. Ty was already losing his mind over all his final tests this week so I was over all of it. But I made it. We all did.

We have a lot of rest planned for the upcoming two weeks. We kicked off the weekend with a girl's trip to the outlets after a leisurely start Saturday morning. I was able to replace my favorite, threadbare jeans without much fanfare and we celebrated with ice cream at Ghirardelli's. And then, despite the ninety degree temperatures, I started a pot of chili because I am craving fall and all it's flavors. No one complained so I must not be the only one.

Erin came by for laundry Sunday and announced she's lost her 4.0 G.P.A. Given her full time job, her part time job and the intensity of her classes we weren't surprised. She quickly overcame her grief and declared, "C's get degrees". We are so proud.

Church on Sunday was a little insane. I know I am old now because I gave it exactly three minutes before declaring I was overwhelmed. Twelve hundred balloons with kids instructed to keep them in the air during worship had me coming out of my skin. Ty loved it. Of course he did.  But my friend and prayer warrior, Debbie was wearing a shirt that said, "imma gunna pray for you" and I couldn't help but laugh. That shirt would mean something else entirely if I were wearing it. Debbie would sincerely pray with and for anyone. Me? I say that when I am being ugly. It's important to understand where I fall spiritually, I suppose.

This Week

Our grandson has discovered how to video call us and the results are amazing. He runs around the house jabbering about his world in a language we don't yet understand but delights us, none the less. And when he is finished or his mom catches on to his antics, he quickly hangs up with his famous send-off, "bye you".

Every night,  Ty and I read together. If we are running behind, Oliver will be waiting on Ty's bed. If we get started early, he comes running into Ty's room and quickly settles in to also enjoy a bedtime story. Our current book is Hatchet,  a survival story.

We finally received Ty's pulmonary test results and it has been determined Ty has  asthma. We are attempting an inhaler prior to exercise as a first line of treatment. He dropped cross country when the practices were making him sick so we hope to find a workable solution soon. Kate's started like this and escalated quickly. Our prayer is his doesn't and they both outgrow it.

On Sunday I experienced my first autoimmune flare in over six years. It wasn't as intense as they were prior to my dietary changes but it was pretty rough and the residual effects lasted well into the week. I am still rather disheartened but trying to keep perspective. I work with approximately two hundred children each day and am clearly bombarded by a variety of germs. My immune system is likely overreacting and will hopefully settle down in time. But not being able to walk upstairs unsupported and the fatigue that settled in for days left me fighting tears of frustration in the tougher moments.

This dog. She reads situations all wrong. Consistently. I was up reading at four in the morning because I ached too much to sleep and she was sure it was playtime. Not only did she keep bringing me a toy but she ran through the house tossing a ball all over the place despite being reminded people were sleeping repeatedly. She is as delicate as a herd of elephants in any given social situation. In a nutshell, she fits right in around here. But we think she misses Erin's cat because she is acting out a bit during the day after at least a year of model behavior. We are back to reminding her she is supposed to guard the house, not destroy it. But I suppose Ada provided the entertainment factor she craves as that darn cat was constantly into some shenanigan or other.

Kate enjoyed her choir concert for this quarter and was delighted to show me her art work on display at school. She is working on another project she talks about quite a bit. I am a little disappointed she isn't going to have room in her high school schedule for either music or art because they both clearly breath life into her creative soul. Despite our prompting to enjoy school, most of our kids have been sucked into the world's philosophy that academic success is priority and it needs to be intense. Obviously we want them to do their best but it doesn't have to be at the expense of feeding their creative minds. It's no wonder most of us struggle to find balance when even our tiniest students are measured and tested every day.

Makenna and Noah have been dating for a year now and wanted a quick session to mark the anniversary. They couldn't stop laughing to pose so the shoot was a good time and honest reflection of their relationship.

Kate bathes Pip every other weekend. He hates it. I happened to walk in on today's grooming and decided he might be cute. We aren't friends but his little face is growing on me.

Porch Swing and Tea

This week my friend Jen, whom I have missed for two years now was joined in heaven by her sister, Debbie Sue. It wrecked me. Debbie Sue loved selflessly and was a true light in Jen's daughter's life. How one young woman is supposed to keep losing vital people in her life and still thrive the way Shelby does is beyond me. But she does.

We had a conference with Ty's teachers with hope of gleaning deeper understanding of his unwavering dislike of school. They were kind and encouraging but are as confused as we are because he is so stoic at school. His anxiety is at an all time high despite a lot of measures in place to support and empower him.  And so we continue to pray and listen carefully.

One morning this week I text Greg asking him to join me on a quick errand that evening to put air in one of my tires. He responded something about it being a hot date a few hours later. I was on my way to the office with a tiny friend from Kindergarten when I read his text and was immediately confronted by a co-worker who let me know she thought my husband was good looking when she met him the afternoon of the conference. Before I had time to think, she then added she understood how we have so many children. I am not easily embarrassed but knew without question I could not respond in my typical sarcastic fashion with a five year old in tow so I left her, laughing. My response when I saw her later and she worried she'd embarrassed me was, "twenty five years of marriage and our hot dates are to the gas station for air in my tire but I will be sure to let him know my older coworker thinks he is a hottie". For the record, she isn't wrong. And about being embarrassed? Please. I am currently raising my fourth adolescent. It's going to take a whole lot more than a crude comment to rattle me but my husband plans on getting a lot of mileage out of this one.

Friday evening, I found myself alone for several hours, much to my surprise. I was suddenly faced with a dilemma. What does a mom do with a few unplanned hours all by herself? Shower and early bedtime was taking the lead before Greg mentioned needing a new belt. So I compromised. TJ Maxx kid free followed by a shower and early bedtime for the win! The housework didn't make the cut. I am proud of me.

The weekend held a sleepover here with a friend of Ty's, the neighborhood garage sale we all enjoyed wandering around, an outdoor movie, church and a Costco run that coincided with yet another car repair for Erin. But Saturday morning, I was able to comfortably sip tea on my porch swing and wonder where my favorite season is hiding, all the while laughing at the meme Anne sent:

The yard sale was a success. Greg's been working out and wanted a weight bench to further support his efforts. We scored one in brand new condition for forty dollars. Kate got a beautiful new coat for five bucks and Ty purchased a new hovercraft for an additional five dollars. But the highlight had  to be Ty's buddy exuding pure joy over his lucky find. He could not wait to sleep on his cozy new pillow, a breastfeeding pillow. I could not stop laughing and hope his parents have a similar sense of humor and are laughing too.

I almost always have a running grocery list on my planner and Ty slipped some items onto the current list: villilla ice cream, coclate ice cream and mint coclate ice cream. Spelling is not his strong suit but his list was far more popular than mine. Who needs lettuce when three varieties of ice cream are available to choose from?