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."