Random Thoughts

I enjoyed an almost perfect day out with a friend who was passing through town on her way back to San Antonio from Dayton. It was then I was reminded how wonderful neighbors can be despite our desire for more land and privacy. I realized over breakfast, across town, I'd left the tea kettle on a warm stove. Leah went over and turned off the burner so my furlough day was not cut short by the need to return home.

My carpool buddies are cuter than yours. And this one knows it too.

The shopping; however, was fruitless because pant designers do not care that I am dressing a new shape with added weight. They have decided rayon and elastic is the way to go. Why? Just why? I am not a toddler learning to go potty all by myself so elastic waists are ridiculous. And what on earth is up with elastic ankles? And pleats?!? Have they lost their minds? This is not a good look for anyone and to be in the better quality stores that allegedly cater to my age group makes absolutely no sense. Pants are overrated anyway; especially when it's still one hundred degrees outside with no relief in sight. 

Way Maker has been on repeat all week in my mind. Kate and I are both leaning on His promise He is working even when we don't see it. I had a heart scan Thursday. I keep thinking about all the ways I can joke about needing it. No matter how I try to spin it though, I'm still not laughing. Results and additional labs will be discussed next week. It will be what it will be. 

Makenna and I slipped away to see a wedding gown in a boutique across town and fell in love. She said yes to the dress. They have decided to elope before the end of the year. They are pretty smart, these two, craving simplicity and togetherness over all the fuss of wedding planning in the midst of a pandemic. 

A sister, the sweet one, made her brother cry over homework. I swear we will survive sixth grade math. There may be tears and gnashing of teeth but we will prevail. Send prayers.

Anyone else remember this? She was fishing in the yard and yelling at her brother for scaring the fish. Well, she has decided to join the fishing club at school. Alrighty then. You do you, sister. You do you.

Life is Loud

The world has been too loud lately; so very loud. Being someone who eliminated the twenty-four hour news cycle decades ago, it took awhile to recognize the impact of watching people destroy one another in real time. I could no longer scroll past the ugly and deactivated Facebook. I had been considering it for some time because a lot of the information I'd like to have about the kids' schools and important issues in the lives of people I care are shared primarily on that platform, but in the end, decided ignorance may very well be bliss. I made no announcement, just quietly escorted myself out while visiting family who spent a half dozen hours debating a vaccine some trust and others don't. I'm exhausted. And while I sat praying for family peace, the pool containing my son burst open. He was sucked through the opening, drug under the deck and spit out through lattice on the other side. Miraculously, he suffered only superficial scrapes and bruises. Is it crazy I looked around at the swirling flood waters and my fully intact son and felt relief? God's got this despite the insanity of it all but as Greg and I processed later, we ran through the "what ifs" and hugged our boy a little tighter. 

Someone is catching up to Grandma and is delighted. I'm guessing they will be eye to eye at Christmas. 

When we weren't arguing about politics and science, we were celebrating birthdays. My mom turned seventy last week. My nephew turns seventeen this week and it is also my sister's birthday. Missing was my son-in-law who also celebrated a birthday this weekend. 

Taken five days before a seizure sent her into the hospital. 

Kate's best friend has been suffering for three weeks with a sudden onset neurological issue. As a strong, multi-sport athlete, it's difficult to see her wheelchair bound, unable to take herself to the restroom. Kate and I are remaining as close as we can without intruding. We spent some time with her Sunday afternoon, laughing and appreciating the small improvement to her constant twitching. The entire situation has been unnerving for everyone involved, including the slew of stumped medical professionals. If you pray, please keep Grace and her family close. Kate could use some prayers as well.

We kidnapped Grace for a Target run Thursday. It was so good to get her out for something other than medical appointments. 

Erin scored an internship with a program designed to spread cervical cancer awareness and provide HPV vaccines in third world countries. She will be gaining multiple certifications and trainings she can use in her future career in healthcare administration. http://ccapglobal.org/ 

We will be updating her headshot this weekend for their new website. We are pretty proud of her ability to turn a painful journey into a passion to protect others.

Greg often comes home from work in desperate need of a shower. Poor Makenna said something about it this week. She is expected to make a full recovery. 

Our sweet grandson experienced his first broken heart when his beloved Carlos died. Austin loved that fish, always the first thing he greeted each morning and the last thing he said goodnight to each night. He called to tell me Carlos was sick and he cried. He wanted to take him to the doctor and was devestated to learn it wouldn't help. His final plea was for Carlos to be small and a baby again so he wouldn't get old and die. That little guy crushed me. 

Kate's first major journalism assignment has her interviewing three people for an article about a significant event in someone's life. She chose to learn more about her dad's accident since the incident occurred years before her birth. We suspect seeing her youth group leader in a similar situation made her more aware of the impact it had on our family. She's also interviewing me and Kristin for different perspectives. I'm looking forward to reading the finished product and seeing what she learns about us in the process.

Me: Ty, have you finished your math homework yet? Ty: no. Oliver won't let me. 

This sweet boy told his mom to send Mimi a cute picture. I'm glad she did. He has surgery to repair his hernia on the third of September. 

Finding Our Groove

We had our first middle school homework related meltdown. It was grand. My boss met me at the door the following morning with peanut M&M's and a hug. He gets it. 

Middle school has been good for Ty overall though. He likes changing classes and moving around the building but juggling eight classes and meeting so many varying expectations has depleted him. We anticipated a learning curve. Anticipating and experiencing require different energy from me.

However,we couldn't be more excited for Kate. She loves school this year. She has missed so many social opportunities throughout the last two years and is making up for lost time. Her friend group has grown and she is more confident than ever. It's a joy to watch her flourish. 

This week's joy moment happened when my favorite five year old told me her teacher is a real handful. 

Back to School

We spent the weekend preparing everyone for new adventures. Kate, Ty and I all entered new buildings this week and by Sunday afternoon, it was clear we all had some strong feelings about the changes. So we had ice cream for dinner. No one was mad.

Greg told Ty he was going through ice cream like it was nobody's business. Without missing a beat, Ty countered, "it's not anyone's business." He is starting to fit right in around here. Finally.

Layla turned eight. Well, we assume Sunday was her birthday. She was a rescue six years ago and was turning two soon when we got her from her original family. We assigned her a birthday because having one is better than not, or so I was told. Anyway, we went all out celebrating her. She got her prevention heartworm, flea and tick medicine. There were some groans over the lack of new toys. Since Layla, unlike her predecessor has never learned to pick up her toys, I have opted out of providing more for me to pick up. So happy birthday, Layla. I anticipate you will calm down any minute now. Sigh.

On Monday, I started my new job with an all day training on emotional intelligence. The material was good and the speaker, engaging. However, discussing personality tendencies and emotions with strangers was a bit overwhelming. Added to the fact this past year was one of constant change for the team I'm joining, they have a bond, just like the one I have with the team I left. It's going to take awhile to find my people. 

Tuesday, Kate started her sophomore year. This was the first she has been in a school building for an entire day in almost two school years. The concussion kept her from full days in eighth grade until March 2020. Then the world shut down. On her second day of her freshman year, she had a severe asthma attack and was denied treatment because of covid. She remained virtual the entire year as result. We are praying for a successfully completed sophomore year. She was excited to return and text half way through her day she was having a great time. Thanking God. For real.

Ty started sixth grade in middle school on Wednesday. He was unsettled and nervous the entire night prior but had a successful start. He likes all of his teachers and came home talking about his day as a happy kid. "Mom, did you know some people try to give middle school kids drugs? I mean, who does that and why? I guess maybe some kids are dumb enough to fall for that but gosh, what kind of person thinks this is a good idea?" Welcome to middle school, buddy. I'm glad all our prep work about things you may see or hear at school sunk in. He amuses me with his delayed observations but I'm glad he absorbed his principal's concern for safety.

The week was long and hard and good and we are all tired.