Summer Break Week 1

We were at the library multiple times, toured an old cemetery in search of family names we learned in local historical buildings, attended the dollar movie with a friend, celebrated a graduation, explored fossil beds along the Ohio River with Benjamin who spent a few days with us and read a lot of books. It was a full week but relaxed compared to school weeks.

In church last Sunday, I was once again reminded why I remain so much more comfortable hanging out downstairs with the four year olds. During communion, I was reliving all the ways I had felt overwhelmed the week prior and God interrupted my thoughts with a vision of him carrying me, kicking and screaming like a toddler being removed from a situation I wasn't yet ready to leave. The image has stayed with me all week, showing me all he ways as an adult I can discern when a child needs a nap, a snack, a hug or firm discussion but still rely on myself and not God when I need the rest. How easy is it to see it in others and yet not see fully what it is I need? So Christ is more than willing to carry me but I resist, thinking I can shoulder all my world alone. He still loves me, more so even than I can love the child who was once again running away last week because I served Brussel sprouts.  He showed me I am very much like my child, resisting what is best for me and in this moment, that is the need to rest in God's grace. So whereas I learned more than I anticipated and leaned into that message a lot this week, I am looking forward to hanging out in the pre-k class this Sunday.

Gorj

Sometimes when life feels overwhelming, I find humor in the strangest of things. Recently, two young adults have announced their intentions of moving out this summer. Both of those same daughters are facing serious health issues with varying degrees of attentiveness and both ends of the spectrum drive me a little crazy when I am  not actively working to avoid losing my mind.

So when Makenna tried to unload an impulse purchase she and Noah made several months ago on our friends, they quietly waged war. This resulted in "Gorj" being propped up in Greg's truck when it was returned. Greg having none of this, set Gorj up to greet Makenna when she got home that night.

Makenna, believing her father had chosen sides when he in fact just wanted the giant monkey out of his truck, retaliated. This is not going to end anytime soon and is sure to get more colorful. I know all the parties involved well and believe Makenna has not chosen allies well.

But she gets bonus points for creativity. A few days after I put Gorj back upstairs, he showed up in the middle of the night in our bathroom clutching one of Greg's safety books.

Again, I put him back into her room so she crafted a new plan. She pulled a favorite sidekick in and they left the giant monkey on Noah's front porch. I assume he will be back.

Kicking off Summer

Friday night, Greg grilled steaks and we all dined on the back patio. Erin hung out with us because she was recovering from her biopsy which was answered in a negative for precancerous cells pathology. She will retest the abnormal cells again in six months. She wants something more final but will have to accept the answer as it is for now. Anyway, celebrating the exhale for the moment and enjoying fresh corn on the cob, Lauren video chatted and joined us from Texas. Austin, eager to show me what he was up to, took the phone into the fort his daddy built him and pointed around in the darkness excitedly talking in his own language about it. I was happy to explore with him, if even virtually.

We think we have convinced them to visit in July and pray it all works out. I cannot wait to spend time with them again.

Ty and Kate each had a friend spend the night Friday and the guests were quiet enough and actually went to bed so we all got sleep even though one choice was a little unconventional......Kate and Kaiya slept on the trampoline and even the sun rising on their dew covered accommodations didn't wake them. My call to breakfast did.

We spent the day together tackling some maintenance projects including a final attempt to prevent a bird nest in my dryer vent cover. Next up? Open season on wild birds, according to my redneck husband. The neighbors are either amused or annoyed with us.

We made a summer bucket list while sitting poolside at a friend's house and then I served Brussels sprouts with dinner so Ty had to move out again. It's unfortunate his electronic devices made it back into his posession for only twenty four hours before he lost his mind over vegetables. And again, we had witnesses which is my favorite part of parenting. But he then remembered he wanted to shoot his bow with his dad and forgot to run away.

Despite occasional drama, I kinda like the boy so I am glad he is still here this morning.

Final Day

After sending Ty off to his final day of third grade and Kate to the last of seventh, I went into their bedrooms to tidy up for the last time. They will start making beds again tomorrow, because the mom in this house recognizes where she has fallen short in this independence goal. The kids will love this, she says smirking.

Anyway, Kate had her writing folder sitting on her nightstand and given she has allowed me to read exactly zero writing assignments this year, I flipped through it. As a general rule, she does not enjoy reading or writing but this poem charmed me and I asked if I could share it here. She conceded.

Where I'm From 
by Kate Baughman

I am from cats and dogs

from makeup and footballs.

I'm from the crazy house on the hill

that is like a circus.

I am from the trampoline in the backyard to

the flower baskets on the front porch.

I'm from big family dinners and laughing, 

from Mom and Dad.

I am from flexibility and flips

and sleeping in.

I'm from once upon a time and happily ever after,

from learning ABC's

I am from big Thanksgiving dinners and from

Homemade Mac N Cheese and ice cream.

I'm from crazy stories of my sisters

and parents.

I am from trampolines and concussions, 

from gymnastics and dance.

I'm from lots and lots of food

and a big family.

I am from Ohio.

Memorial Day Weekend

Erin had Saturday and Sunday off for the first time in months. She spent both days with different friend groups swimming and relaxing by bonfires.

Kate may have taken the prize for best Memorial weekend as she left from school Friday to camp with her best friend's family until Monday evening.

While my mom attended the Indy 500 again this year, we entertained my dad. The guys saw the start and finish of the race on TV but we ran to Bass Pro and GFS in between. By the time all the kids were gone and my dad was still hanging out waiting on my mom, Greg suggested perhaps we should be charging for this babysitting gig as he was anxious to start a date night walk. 😏

My little storm trooper was not so patiently waiting on a call from his friend to start a sleepover with s'mores, swimming and video games. We cannot wait for summer!

Noah completed course work in early December and has been working full time as a special education support aid since while also completing additional firefighter training. However, he went back to graduate this weekend.

He calls me Mimi now and it consistently melts my heart. Sharing him with my parents is pretty sweet too. I suspect they enjoy watching me love him as well.

Monday's brisket at four o'clock in the morning. My hubby is a rock star. Even the animals agree.

Some routine home maintenance included evacuating a bird from my dryer vent. By the time Greg was in the attic, had the dryer disconnected and reconnected and repaired the vent cover, he contemplated a bird homicide. During his escapade, I purged our closet. Again. Being the primary catch-all space in our home means I do this frequently. And since I was on a roll, the garage was reorganized a bit too. At the end of the day, Ty had been swimming for days and was ready for bed. Kate returned equally exhausted and since Greg and I had out in a full day in the heat, our Memorial Day ended early.

Three more school days require we keep up with routine just a little longer but we are ready claim some care-free summer days.