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. 

May

 

While the vast majority of the city celebrated the 150th Derby, I not only introduced Austin to some friendly giants, but Evan, Erin, Lauren, Dean and Greg joined us. We picnicked, hiked, explored and played together for several hours. Austin and I though, were very much on the same page afterwards.......

I waited until we were home, but a nap was absolutely required.

I knew we needed to eat again but didn't want to cook. It has been a long time since I last played with food but it brought Ty and Greg around the table for casual dinner that was pretty too. 

 

Mother's Day was a non event in our world because I spent the weekend supporting the children of my friends. First, Laura's son, Mitchell nailed his role as Ren in Footloose. I loved seeing him sing and dance again. Then I went to Bloomington to surprise two little girls in a choir concert and a dance recital. I miss these kiddos. But Kate and Riley showed up just before I returned with bows and flowers. We enjoyed the afternoon on the back porch together.

Austin spent a night with us so his mom could work. Greg found himself supervising both Ty and Austin during an e-learning day. They all claimed to have survived unscathed and marked the day a success. I no longer check with Powerschool for regular grade updates, so maybe all is well? 😂

Young coworkers surprised all the mothers on our team with a rose and candy. How sweet was that?

The dog in this photo was not injured, just being dramatic because he wasn't getting attention.

Dinners in general are full of stories from Ty. I love this season. And meals on the patio are my favorite.

We spent several evenings this month cheering for little guys on the ball field. My personal favorite memories include the coach lifting a limp body up and out of the dirt because someone was exhausted. Apparently, Mimi isn't the only one with an eight o'clock bedtime. The moment two feisty five-year-olds exchanged fists that ended with them rolling in the same dirt had me laughing as well. How on earth did a tussle at first base over who was going to catch a ball escalate to that? And finally, Austin hopping up and down with his arms in the air as he celebrates his hits are the moments it all feels so worthwhile. The season wrapped with significant improvement and a lot of joy. 

We celebrated Kate's birthday and Mother's Day with brunch and "all about my mom" questionnaires from Makenna. I cannot love this more and hope it becomes a tradition. 

We spent Memorial Day weekend puppy sitting. That required extensive recovery time. The house may never be the same and we were exhausted. Ricky brings back memories of the early days with Diesel. Holy energy, Batman. But there were redemptive moments when he finally relaxed and calm prevailed for a few minutes at a time. 

Remi needed a break. Ty and I were both more than willing to hide with her.

He is so sweet; when he is asleep.

Ricky cried outside the door for quite awhile but we chose to ignore him. Everyone was tired. And I mean everyone. We kept threatening to keep Remi so she could rest well at Mimi's house when Ricky went home.

I had to sneak a photo. At almost 15, he still checks out the Lego section at Target. He now, however, notices the price point and laments how much the modern sets would cost him. I teased he could put them on his birthday wish list.

You would think we had human guests each morning based on the look of this bed but this is the work of Remi and Diesel after Ricky is crated for the night. Apparently it takes some effort to get cozy enough to sleep at Mimi's house.

Greg sent this gem to me as Ty left for his final day of 8th grade. It was a journey to land here and we are grateful for it's completion. After twenty cumulative years of parenting children through middle school, there were no tears as we marked this milestone. He was as ready as we were to say goodbye.