July

He needed a quick headshot for work. I happily drug him out to snag a couple. 

Kate couldn't make it to assist in pre-k at church so Greg stepped in. His brutally honest assessment was that corralling cats would be easier. I loved seeing his bewildered facial expressions throughout the morning. That Sunday, I wasn't the only one who napped after church. 

The Fourth of July was a mostly quiet affair as the weather canceled the local show Ty requested we attend. Truthfully, Greg and I weren't too disappointed. I enjoyed a solo float session before Greg tossed some burgers on the grill. The next day, women at work were complaining about the noise of fireworks keeping them up all night. I reflected we didn't have any and wondered aloud if perhaps our neighbors were waiting for the weekend. That evening, Ty demanded to know how we managed to sleep through the chaos that kept him and Diesel up all night. As it turns out, Greg also heard nothing. Whereas I am grateful, I am also somewhat alarmed. 

This knucklehead slipped out with the dog early in the morning and took off for 20 hours. Ty was worried and kept scouring the neighborhood for him. He cared exactly not at all and returned when we was good and ready. 

The "view"

The weekend before our anniversary, we were summoned to meet the in-laws for dinner to celebrate anniversaries. Greg's parents have been married sixty years, his brother, twenty and we marked thirty years this summer. Whereas the milestone years are remarkable, especially in this day and age, the time spent together is something we all feel we must do and simply make the best of awkward time together. To recover, Greg and I spent the night in a swanky hotel in downtown Covington where the city noise reminded us how much we prefer country retreats. But taking time away together is increasingly more important as we navigate opposing schedules. This is not where we thought we would be at this season of our life together. However, we are grateful for the income and Greg is enjoying being back into his safety groove. 

Makenna snagged a few shots for us to mark this milestone anniversary. She has a good eye. Once life settles down for her a bit, I'd love to get my camera into her hands more frequently. She has always had skills and the creative outlet would be good for her too. (Mom stepping off soap box now)

Lauren and Austin moved back in at the end of this month. She realized after being out for ten months that she would prefer to save money and ultimately buy a house down the road. Rent prices are higher than the mortgage she had on her dream home in Georgia. Having our relatively peaceful house turned upside down will once again take some getting used to but we are quite used rolling with changes in our world.

Kristin sent a birthday gift. Thanks Kristin!

Ty and I now slip away from the chaos of our house on Wednesday evenings for dinner. I love our dates and all he has to say about the world. 

I called Ty from work on my lunch break one day and asked what he was up to. He had spent his morning rearranging his room to make sure he could add the desk he purchased for himself and still keep his old desk for Austin. He'd updated his old gaming system and set it up for Austin as well. "Austin is going through another big change. I just want him to feel like he belongs." This kid. Just wow. 

Landon told the waitress it was his birthday. He was less than thrilled with the public announcement that followed. 

Kendra has been Ty's best friend since first grade. Landon become a good friend in sixth. They all play video games online together but this was the first time they all hung out in person. It was a good day for everyone.

His birthday request was simple, two friends, Texas Roadhouse rolls (he was shocked I insisted on lunch too), the trampoline park and then the local event space for bowling and Lazer tag. This is the most he has ever requested for a birthday so I was happy to indulge. Fifteen has arrived and other than his recent requests for a motorcycle, he is quite reasonable and even delightful. I kinda like this kid. 

A friend sent this to me after seeing my monthly reading list. She was right, it was a great book. I read the Alice Network from the same author and loved it as well. Kate Quinn has now been added to my "to be read" list. 

July's List:

The Girls in the Stilt House

The Doctor's Wife

The Briar Club* 

Shark Heart (I need to be more discerning about where I get book recommendations 🤨. This one, despite the promise of a "weird beginning and premise, is very good"; was in fact, just weird.)

Biblical Literalism: A Gentle Heresy

The prettiest weighted blanket in all the land.

He was ready to see what it felt like behind the wheel. I was impressed with his parking skills but the brake is a bit heavy footed. I will require neck support for future drives. Since he isn't yet permitted as a driver, he is limited to large parking lots for now. I'm hoping this will reduce his pleas for a motorcycle. 

Sitting in the gym for over a half hour before the parent meeting, reading because my services were no longer required. He had a girlfriend to meet up with and friends so see. 

I took Ty to freshman orientation and he could not ditch me fast enough. I kept watching the moms of daughters sticking close and chuckled to myself. I'm a boy mom this round. Thank goodness I am not emotionally attached to this milestone because he could not care less about my feelings toward this season. As the days grew closer to the first day of school though, his energy became almost manic with uncertainty. School has never been something he enjoys but I still hope he finds something to love about high school.

We celebrated Makenna's 24th birthday with brunch around three sisters moving in multiple directions. Noah and Kenna bought a house and the deal fell through just days before her lease expired. So she moved into a storage unit and a friend's basement. Lauren and Austin (along with two large dogs that shed) moved into our house. (My house will never be quiet or clean again.) Meanwhile, Kate decided she wanted to live in Makenna's old rental with a boyfriend. Nothing about this delights me. Have kids they said. It will be fun they said. 

We ended the month with back to school. Ty entered his freshman year, Austin started in first grade, Lauren is still the building substitute and Makenna is student teaching in both the elementary school and middle school this semester. As my dad often says, "like a shot in the dark, we're off."

June

Friends gifted us with local coffee shop card and we enjoyed a lazy rainy afternoon together.

We ushered in the month of June lamenting the adulting required for maintenance. This is the first summer as a mother I have not been home with my kids. I don't love this. But we also exhaled with the celebratory news of Greg's new job. After eleven long months, Greg landed a local safety gig. We had reached a breaking point spiritually and financially before this opportunity presented itself. It seems God likes to let us get this close​ to the edge before acting. I am trying to appreciate this about Him, but if I am being honest, I don't. I had a mild meltdown the Sunday before his offer and prayed to feel the peace of Jesus before walking into pre-k so I could show His love to some of my most squirrely friends. To His credit, peace filled my soul and the day was redeemed. Two days later, Greg was offered the job we hope he enjoys. Moreso, I pray Greg is valued and appreciated for the safety nerd he is. In my tears, I shared a desperate plea to friends to pray and as the news of Greg's job spread, so did the support of our community. We had groceries delivered and offers of financial assistance despite us assuring our people we were covered until paychecks started arriving again. Generous souls stepping up once they noted how frightened we were beginning to feel will always humble me. I am grateful for our people.

This new chapter comes with growth opportunities; as most usually do. Greg is going to be working second shift, while I remain on first. This will prevent us from seeing each other during the week. Finding a system of showing love and support to each other is challenging but we are intentionally working on it. I never imagined our thirtieth year together looking like a new beginning in so many aspects. But here we are. 

Just after kindergarten graduation, our favorite human started the month on an adventure with his dad's family. His Aunt Ellie was granted a wish through the Make A Wish foundation to see her brother in Hawaii and Austin got to go. Highlights included a dolphin tour, an awesome water slide and breakfast on the beach with his dad. This was a bittersweet week for most of us as the experiences were supposed to be something his family unit did together. Taylor surprising Lauren with divorce upended all their plans. Austin was introduced to his father's girlfriend and new dog. This impacted him in ways that weren't expressed until he was safely in his home again. We all caught ourselves crying, "it wasn't supposed to be this way." And despite that being true, it isn't helpful. It isn't supposed to be this way but it is. How do we humbly proceed from here? We hope to always err on the side of grace and believe we have managed thus far to do that well. However, there are times, I feel less than authentic for not speaking up on behalf of the hurt and broken trust. It wasn't supposed to be this way. 

We had guests for a weekend and loved it. The Rentschlers are the family we chose and losing them to new adventures a year ago, has at times been a bit tough to accept. Having the girls back around our table again just feels like home. 

Ty knocked out his first high school credit the first two weeks of break by taking Summer School physical education. He met some new kids, came home a sweaty mess and enjoyed every minute of it. This was a great way to ease into the high school that feels too big and overwhelming. With any luck, freshman year won't feel quite so intimidating.

In other news, he has asked for a motorcycle or a dirt bike. I am reasonable so I offered a tank as a compromise. He doesn't find me the least bit amusing. 

Not only did we have mourning doves in our porch flowers, but we had a little robin family in the back eave. I loved watching the momma feed her demanding brood. 

Father's Day was celebrated rather quietly as to not upset Austin. We slipped the questionnaires into the day without any fanfare and Austin, gratefully missed the meaning of the gathering altogether. But Kate brought her boyfriend's puppy and she found the ancient lounge chair as comfortable as Diesel does. The questionnaires have been tucked away for another year. And Austin made it through the day tear free. 

I took a day off to see my rheumatologist and then take a few of my favorite guys to Deam Lake. We picnicked, played Frisbee, splashed, swam and snacked our way through the toasty afternoon. It was a good day to have a good day. 

Ty requested buckeyes and I humored him. They were so good and it had been literally been years since I last made any. I suspect they will return again soon. 

He caught a 24 hour bug that knocked him down pretty hard. Regaining his energy afterward took a few days. Summer seems like an odd time for this but at least he had nothing school related to stress while recovering.

It's been awhile since he last stayed the night and we were all ready to have our favorite little guy again. He was sleepy from a full day in the pool with his mom so we tapered plans and went to bed early. Early morning snuggles and a tickle fight started our Saturday. I have missed this. 

May and June Reading List:

• Run
• None of This is True
• The Women * (so good)
• Hearts of Darkness 
• How to Walk into a Room
• No Higher Honor
• The Things We Do For Love

I met my mom for a day of wandering, dining and chatting in Lexington. It was good for my soul. We apparently made an impression at the Cheesecake Factory because the waiter continued to refill our drinks and refused to pick up the bill I had paid until we had talked for a couple of hours. We had only stopped in for dessert but he wanted us to stay. "This is so nice to see, no phones and people actually talking to each other." He was a delight and the company was pretty sweet too.

Noah is buying a house Makenna can live in while she works through her unpaid teaching hours. She sent us a link to the listing. I saw Greg expanding a picture and studying details so closely, I worried he'd found something significantly wrong. I peered over his shoulder to see what he'd discovered only to realize he was reading bourbon labels on the seller's collection. Apparently they have good taste so he isn't too concerned about the structure of the house.