Rethinking life

Sounds a little dramatic, doesn't it?  Honestly though, the three days we spent on that island in the middle of Lake Champlain has changed our perspective.  Granted, we were there to relax, and since it was a short trip, our hosts joined us in doing so.  When we aren't there though, there is yard work and other general maintenance that is required at times.  There was also nothing but absolutely gorgeous blue skies and calm waters while we were there...not always the case!

Life can't be like that all year, or even all summer.  We know that.  Life has schedules.  We are very blessed to have our eleven weeks in the summer that do not have serious job and school responsibilities.  And Andrew and I have decided to really be mindful of how we are spending this time.  It's always been so easy to be staring at a screen of some kind...the TV, a computer (sometimes necessary), a phone.  We want to read more.  Just last week I finished reading my May magazines that arrived at the end of April.  I'm now onto June, but July is already arriving.  I miss out on things because I am so behind!  We've decided to spend more time reading, playing, or just being...but less in front of a screen.

We are off to a decent start.  Sunday evening Andrew and I sat outside and read on our back patio.  I couldn't remember the last time we did that.  I remember the first year we lived here and how I would just sit and stare at our backyard.  I couldn't believe we had a yard that size.  Then time passed and I began to take things for granted.  While reading I began to really look at our back yard again, and be grateful for it.

Our family has always had a "no electronics" rule during summer afternoons.  However, what were we doing with that time?  Nothing necessarily.  Yesterday we played a family game of euchre, and today I am taking the kids to visit my mother and grandmother.  Tomorrow we plan to hit the town pool.  After swim practice last evening, we played a game of Uno.  We are having a blast, and the kids are enjoying it too!  I am so grateful for these days!