Summer 2016

Something about the summer was weird and 'off'.  

I'm still not totally sure what it is, maybe this blog post will help me resolve it mentally ;).  It got off to a weird start- the kids got out of school really late (June 17).  It started off full speed in the best of ways with lots of travels, but kinda stalled out mid-July.  It was crazy hot (100s for weeks!) and there were changes in plans, dropped plans & mishaps.  Grandparents are also in a different season than before, surrounded by illness & suffering of those they love, and we love.  :(

  I also think that the summer schedule is a little unexpected.  We live in an awesome neighborhood surrounded by families and friends we love, full of community.  So I have this idea in my head- SUMMER: wildly unscheduled days full of friends and idyllic summer activities.  But in reality, ATTITUDES (kids' attitudes and lack of cooperation and mom's attitude).  Also, VACATIONS- when our plans and vacations tag team the weeks with neighbors & friend vacations, we miss the community.  When grandparents aren't as available as they used to be, its different.  Also, OPPRESSIVE HEAT!  I love some warm weather and some summer, but I admit, there were a few too many hot days for my taste.

We are grateful for the days we did have- days at the pool, days of community living:

'I'll take your kid', 'can you watch mine?'

We did big ticket items (trip to NY, VBS, BG, etc) but I realized its the smaller things I missed most.  A big part of that may be having a 2 year old (we love you, Benny) who needs naptime, and can't zip in and out with the bigs (tho they draaaaag a lot too!).  Its the smaller things we didn't do as much.  I loved the younger preschool days of 'school' with my kids, sitting with the kids at the table.  I know that it takes a lot for them to have willing attitudes, and those days were nearly non-existent this year.  And I didn't push the envelope. (There are equally or more wonderful things about their ages now.)  With the start of summer being on the go, we didn't get into a routine to begin with so then we just never really did.  It was only the big schedule items and no smaller daily, home routines.  I'd had dreams of learning cursive and writing the Bible but we only wrote the Bible once and we never did cursive.  There were no art projects, only one pinterest fail.  So sometimes, I'd grasp for what I could get: making you a cake batter milkshake today and taking pics of your cute squishy legs another day.

The summer also went FAST.  I'm sure it'll only get faster so would love to consider how it could be different. Lord, help us number our days that we'd gain a heart of wisdom.  

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.