August

I realized at the end of the day on August second, Diesel was officially three years old. Austin was pretty disappointed in me for failing to provide a birthday party. We kind of have a lot going on. Puppy parties aren't making the cut these days.

I introduced him to the Magic Treehouse and he couldn't let us read only a few chapters a day. He needed to hear the whole story in a single sitting. I understand this.

Austin asked about the white in my hairline and I called it wisdom glitter. The next night he discovered wisdom glitter in his mom's hair. Not everyone loved this. Also from Austin on a quiet Sunday morning, "watch out, my mom has a very angry attitude right now." Pops had to walk away to adjust his face. Mimi was glad she missed that one in person because laughter was absolutely required.

Cherie and her boys were in Louisville for a hockey tournament. I invited Austin along to watch one of their games. Austin had only one question about the day, "will I get to punch people?" When it was over and we were heading home he declared that when he gets to play, it will look like boxing. He was a little disappointed no one fought in that game. 

I invited Austin to church with us and asked he if he had to get dressed. It took a nano second for him to decline once he knew real clothes would be involved. He is his mother's child. As a preschooler, Lauren would be highly agitated if we had somewhere to go on her "day off." What three year old knows about a day off? Lauren did. 

Traffic coming home from work was so intense most of this month, I started listening to an audio book to pass the time and help me relax on the parking lot also known as the highway. It's too bad the hospital helicopter can't be borrowed for a quick commute because some knucklehead closed multiple roads simultaneously. 

Books read in August:

• The New Menopause
• Take my Hand *
• The Rose Code*

(* Indicates titles I recommend)

The old Wii has been reinstalled and several bowling games broke out as result.

Lauren asked Austin how he got dressed after his  shower without first using a towel. "Um, it was hard." 

Noah and Makenna ended up staying here while their house was prepared for a delayed closing. Makenna declared us, "packed in like sardines." But twice I came home to dinner prepared and decided things could be worse. 

Theresa treated us all the the Monet Immersion Experience in Cincinnati for Mom's birthday. We all enjoyed the day out together.

A lazish Sunday morning before church. Makenna braided Lauren's hair for the zoo and Austin stole a few minutes of screen time while I attempted to finish a book. 

Loving lately: sun flare rainbows and gentle summer rains; puppy snuggles, quick embraces with a husband half asleep before I slip out to work; school meetings with encouraging results; Austin's giggle; date nights with Ty; hair chopped off (I am calling it a weight loss program); a new car with a little pep in her step; classic rock on the radio; group chats with friends; sibling texts; freshly laundered sheets (with yellow flowers!); laughter with coworkers so hard we cry; impromptu dinner with Bible study partners; Diesel watching nature on TV at bedtime; reading with Austin; books that keep me up late (just one more chapter); vacation planning; Greg's Sunday meal prep for the week; infrared light therapy; fountain cokes gifted by a coworker; Amy Grant's Better Than A Hallelujah; a place at Kristin's family table and play time with a dear friend's busy grandson. 

Don't let these faces fool you......

They were responsible for this mess and others just like it 

Kate and her baby, Nali in their new place. It is ready for Halloween in August because, why not? 

Kate and Ty like each other more now that they no longer share a roof.

The cutest teacher in all the land spent a week working in special education at our local middle school before returning to her student observation hours in second grade. Both places have promised her positions whenever she is ready.

Greg and I spent a night in Bardstown, Kentucky with Chris and Kristin. They rented an adorable little house near the town square where we were able to walk to dinner and breakfast. We sat on the rental's patio and listened to live music and appreciated the relaxing moment. I played DD for the bourbon loving trio as they experienced a tasting at one distillery and the bar at another. I find the stories behind the businesses interesting even though I do not drink so we all had a great weekend.

Don't mind me. I'm just photographing adorable old cars on scenic roadways. I wish I'd brought my camera to capture the charm of Bardstown. It was a really cute little town, full of historic character.

Bedtime YouTube for dogs. I am this person now.

A. There is never a dull moment. B. Kate has nursed wild rabbits back to health, rescued a baby opossum and came dangerously close to catching a baby skunk. All of this has transpired just this  summer. She now works in a pet store part-time. I believe this is dangerous. She, of course, loves it.

Makenna and Noah closed on their house finally and are spending Labor Day weekend moving in, cleaning and painting. The to-do list is lengthy but they are delighted with the opportunity to put their own touch on the place. Anyone who saw Makenna's house tour of their rental would agree they could only move up from there. 

5am on a weekday and these two decided it was time for snuggles. Despite Greg only sleeping for a couple of hours, we enjoyed the few moments of conversation and connection before I had to start my day and the dogs got evicted.

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."