Mother's Day(ish)

The ancient art form of kintsugi has always fascinated me. It's the ability to convert something broken and recreate it beautifully. The correlation to life can't be missed. For those who love deeply, the brokenness is unavoidable. As a culture, we tend to hide the ugly and flawed but kintsugi highlights those areas with pure gold, celebrating the journey and recognizing the growth. Looking at shattered lives, dreams and love will never be the same. God is the gold making something of beauty out of our splintered hearts. So for Mother's day this year, I ordered myself a piece to display for remembrance. Whereas I would never elect to be hurt, I am stronger for it.

Erin and I hiked on Mother's Day after Kate and I traveled to Dayton together on Saturday. It was a full weekend of love and laughter. I was able to see friends and I always love quality time with one of my kiddos. It was a good weekend. 

Kate and I stopped along a rural area and I snapped a photo of the field behind the gas station. She attempted to make fun of me for it but did not realize someone had pulled up to the pump behind her with windows down. As Kate pointed across the street and exclaimed how beautiful she believed the Wendy's was, the lady in the car looked bewildered and nudged her passenger to look at the weird teenager admiring Wendy's. I somehow managed to keep a straight face until we were back on the road. I then roared with laughter and thanked Kate for making that lady's day. Maybe she will be kinder to her mother the next time she admires something unusual? This is highly doubtful. 

Based exclusively upon his failure to punctuate correctly and misusing the word their, his request was denied. 

She too, despite her creative plea, remained at school all week.

Lauren, Taylor and Austin are in town for a wedding. Our house is their final destination tomorrow and we can't wait for day together. It is then that we are celebrating both Mother's and Father's Day. We decided to toss in Kate's birthday too, for good measure. 

Friends, Feathers and Flowers

Saturday mornings have become an opportunity for Greg and I to slip off to Aldi. He had the nerve to call it our regular date and decided it was spicing things up since we've branched out from Home Depot. We are living the dream. 

Kate helped me photograph Anna and Ava last weekend so I captured these sweet images too. I just can't get over how big all of them are getting. Hours later, she needed a breathing treatment. Sigh.

Ty carried Piper outside for some fresh air and exercise last weekend. He is still just as smitten with her as he was when he brought her home a year and a half ago. She has a big personality for such a tiny creature. 

Our momma bird has been sitting steady in the nest again which sent me on a search to learn more about her. She is a mourning dove and is expected to lay up to five sets of eggs this season. Her babies are fully independent within fifteen days of birth and then the process begins all over again. Dad isn't ever too far away and has been spotted carrying supplies into the nest throughout the day. I've grown quite fond of the little couple and appreciate the tiny home they've built near my porch swing. 

The Fabulous Five, as they often refer to themselves, have conspired to celebrate both Greg and me next weekend when Lauren breezes through town for a wedding. Just having my entire brood gathered around the table at the same time is Mother's Day celebration enough. I can't wait to hug them all.

I lamented aloud how much I have wanted to try the black raspberry sherbert at our local ice cream shoppe. The sign has captured my attention for a few years and yet, I've never tasted it. Erin stopped me hard with a firm command, "adulting sucks and has so few perks, why on earth have you not eaten the ice cream? After all, you could eat ice cream for breakfast if you wanted! Go get the ice cream!" And so I did. It was delicious. I did not have it for breakfast. 

Speaking of Erin, she wrapped up her first semester of grad school with a 3.84 GPA and is completely uncertain what she is going to do with herself until summer classes begin. Asking her to relax appears to be out of the question but she occasionally fakes attempts. 

Kristil came through the area on her final trip to the University of Dayton this week and spent the night with us. I took a day off work to enjoy brunch and an old bookstore with her before she tackled the final leg of her drive. We both managed to get a photo of the bookstore and some of our food but none together. We need to be better about this. I love any opportunity I get to spend quality time with one of my people. The day was delightful. 

It was teacher appreciation week and I was included. A student gifted me with these gorgeous strawberries. I believed they were too pretty to eat but was able to power through. They were as delicious as they were adorable. And then another student brought these sweet cakes. I'm certain I will eventually risk a migraine to sample them. 

Not everyone appreciates Kate's need to snuggle.

Kate's close friend lost her father to cancer last weekend and our girl is struggling hard.  We have had late bedtime snuggle sessions and so many tearful hugs. Her empathy toward K is painfully deep. Watching her grieve the silly dad who made her laugh every time she saw him is brutal. Life simply isn't fair. 

The boy requires a Dr. Pepper to get out the door every school morning. I am desperate as we embark upon the final few weeks and am apparently not above bribing him with a gas station treat on the way if we are on time. Clearly, he feels significant guilt over this.

Makenna and Noah traveled to Georgia this week to celebrate Noah's brother graduating from basic training. They worked in a few days in Myrtle Beach with Lauren, Taylor and Austin. I wish I was lounging by the ocean with them! Austin is having a blast and FaceTime calls are priceless as he jumps waves and digs in the sand. 

It's been a minute. Kate struggles with the fact we attended a middle school play to see this sweet face; a bit more grown up.

Almost ten years ago, I met Devyn. She, at eighteen months of age, pointed above my fireplace and said, "family." Sure enough, the letters for that sign remain to this day but my jaw dropped. Devyn could read almost anything and I continued to be stunned by her over the years as she spent her days with me. However, she was a timid little thing, often overwhelmed by the energy of my house and playtime that involved running, climbing and jumping. We literally had to teach her to be confident enough to walk down a step. Fast forward to tonight and Devyn took the stage for the first time as "that Grace" in the play Junie B. Jones. She was enthusiastic and clearly enjoyed herself. I am so proud of her. 

Camp, Bathroom Humor and Rest

Last weekend, Ty attended a middle school church camp and had a blast. He ran non-stop, played hard, ate well and barely slept. He can't wait for his sixth grade camping trip with his classmates in a few weeks. 

While Ty was at camp, Kate spent the better part of the weekend with Grace so Greg and I enjoyed some quality time at home alone. We lounged on the deck and relaxed around routine errands. Even meals were laid back. I'm fairly certain these glimpses into our empty nest years are necessary. Whereas I love our time alone, I also lament the seasons with our kids flying by.

Our grandson called concerned he accidentally swallowed gum. Greg, without missing a beat, asked if he can now fart bubbles. This delighted Austin and cracked up his mother. This grandparent gig is the best, inappropriate humor and all.

Greg has a new partner at church. They are greeters together and she has embraced her "job" so fully, she will have a name tag next time. 

Ty and I started reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane together and are enjoying the story. It's been awhile since we last read a bedtime book. He recently renegotiated his electronic rules, "once testing is over, can I turn off games at nine instead of eight thirty?" You drive a hard bargain, buddy and you've got yourself a deal.

Monday Kate took my car to work and I took full advantage. She went with my grocery list, books that needed returned to the library and and my debit card for gas. She likes driving and I'd rather not spend the evening running all over town. I'm calling this a win. 

Years ago, when our floors were new and I was fighting the uphill battle of maintaining them, I asked a friend how she fought every speck of dust showing on her dark floors. She, being much wiser than me, informed me it was easy. "Don't open the blinds and you can't see the dirt." As hilarious as her advice may be, I won't ever follow it. I simply cannot get enough of this gorgeous natural light. 

The last two weeks were exhausting and so very long. We have fifteen school days remaining and I'm beyond ready to finish. Testing for nine days with squirrelly fourth graders depleted me and apparently my sweet younger friends too.....

Me too, Ava. Me too.

Easter Weekend

My parents arrived for a weekend full of good food, laughter, chocolate bunnies and a bonfire. We attended church and gathered together for dinner afterward. 

When Grandma visits, even grown-up children get chocolate rabbits

 

Easter bunny cookies on a random Thursday. 

Saturday, I received mail from my favorite artist. 

The similarities are uncanny although I do wonder if Austin believes both Greg and I use the same barber.

This week launched state testing and the stress was palatable. We had tummy aches, tears and meltdowns. I wish the politicians mandating this would have to experience what this looks like in elementary schools. Our kids deserve better. 

Ty, who has inherited his father's sense of humor, asked what would happen if it rained for an entire year. I responded that I didn't know, thinking this was a serious question. Deadpan, he answered, "the ground would be wet." 🙄