If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know that I am not a fan of the month of August. I've experienced much sadness and stress over the years in the month of August. This date in particular has had stresses. Twenty-six years ago today a dear high school friend was diagnosed with leukemia. I will never forget that day as long as I live. Twenty-three years ago my dad was informed he needed to undergo testing for lung cancer. I am so incredibly grateful that ended up not being the case, although Dad did suffer for so many years. Twenty years ago a very dear friend was married. However, some quack thought it would be funny to threaten the wedding since it was "Friday the 13th". Definitely a memorable wedding! Fifteen years ago my dad was in the hospital suffering from shingles, and I had poison ivy so badly my eyes were nearly swollen shut. Other sad, stressful, and dramatic things have happened in August as well.
Today though, we received fabulous news. I can't go into details, but I have a friend whose daughter was the victim of a crime. Today's resolution was even better than we dared even dream it might be. I am so grateful, and hopeful that this can be the beginning of her mental and emotional healing. Along with a resolution yesterday to a stressful church situation, I'm beginning to feel much better and less stressed about current situations!
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Changes in sleeping
The last two nights I have slept for several hours, although not necessarily soundly. Last night I went to bed before 10:00, and I'll admit, it was awesome when I woke up around Midnight and realized I could sleep for another nine hours still! I doubted that I would, but it was 8:30 before I woke up. As I was opening my eyes, it occurred to me that I hadn't had to get up before 8:00 in nearly two weeks. I am so not a morning person and it has been wonderful. My next thought was that it will be over two weeks before I get to sleep past 8:00. Definitely sleeping changes on the horizon, but 'tis the time of year!
Monday, August 12, 2019
Love grows best in little houses
Many years ago I wrote about things I love about living in a smaller home. A few weeks ago, I was shopping one of my new favorite online sites, and came upon this wooden sign. It was on sale, and I've fallen in love with this particular company. I was thrilled to purchase it, and I love that it is hanging in our family room where we spend most of our time. I purchased several other signs along with it. One is for our hall bathroom, one is for the holidays, and a few I wasn't sure necessarily where I was going to put them. One of the signs mentioned how "I choose you, and I would choose you over and over and over again." It is such a meaningful sentiment in our family. I had it in the hallway leaning against the wall because it is one that I wasn't entirely sure where it was going to go. Thomas commented on the signs when he got home that evening. He said he had seen the one in the hallway, and that he really liked it. That meant such a great deal to me. It is so important to me that we understand we've chosen to be this family. I'm grateful he knows how much he is loved, and I love having the visual reminder!
Sunday, August 11, 2019
It was a lovely evening outside
Yesterday afternoon, we hosted a gathering for Andrew's department. Six of the seven others in the department joined us, and one brought the entire family. As we are close with that family and they have young children we adore, we were all thrilled. It was a lovely day and we all ended up being outside into the early evening. Everyone departed by 8:00, which was fine with us. It was so gorgeous outside though, and I told Andrew I didn't want to be cooped up in the house the rest of the evening. We took a drink and went out to the back patio. We even took my laptop so we could continue to follow along with the Reds game, which turned into a rout of the Cubs. It was an absolutely lovely evening to be outside and relax for a bit! We haven't had too many ideal outdoor evenings this summer, but I am grateful last evening was one of them!
Almost time for school to begin
This is the last Sunday of the summer. As it is, Andrew has to work tomorrow. We've both commented that we really loved this summer. We really enjoyed the memories that we made.
I'll be honest though, the last month has had its share of challenges. It began July 4 when Bryston passed away. There have been a number of medical issues in our extended family, and even here in our little immediate family. We are grateful things are currently stable, but would appreciate prayers as some testing is continued (the kids are fine). Two weeks ago the older brother of a student I know was killed in a workplace accident at just 21-years-old. Just this week, some colleagues at school lost their one-day-old son. We've known the father for years as Andrew had coached him in football when he was high school, and we attended their wedding eleven years ago. And of course there was the local mass shooting last weekend. These things aren't supposed to happen this way.
I've also been stressed about a work issue. When your boss at church tells you he needs to meet with you and the person you replaced but won't tell you why, it kind of sucks. Especially since the meeting can't happen for two weeks. Hopefully tomorrow's meeting won't be bad news, but I literally have no idea at this point. I've also learned about a change that took place at the high school that could make it significantly more difficult for me to get sub jobs. I may have to consider branching out to include elementary jobs if I want to work more. This time last year I had a bunch of jobs scheduled, and right now I only have one day in August and one day in September. I know I stress about this seemingly every year, and nearly every year it works out. I need to remind myself that it will be okay. No matter how much or how little I work, I want to be around for Catherine's senior year and take in as much of it as possible.
I don't look forward to the 5AM wake ups or how tired I am going to feel during the school year, but I am looking forward to a routine again. And honestly, whether I am ready or not, whether I am excited or dreadful, the school year begins this week and that's the way it is!
I'll be honest though, the last month has had its share of challenges. It began July 4 when Bryston passed away. There have been a number of medical issues in our extended family, and even here in our little immediate family. We are grateful things are currently stable, but would appreciate prayers as some testing is continued (the kids are fine). Two weeks ago the older brother of a student I know was killed in a workplace accident at just 21-years-old. Just this week, some colleagues at school lost their one-day-old son. We've known the father for years as Andrew had coached him in football when he was high school, and we attended their wedding eleven years ago. And of course there was the local mass shooting last weekend. These things aren't supposed to happen this way.
I've also been stressed about a work issue. When your boss at church tells you he needs to meet with you and the person you replaced but won't tell you why, it kind of sucks. Especially since the meeting can't happen for two weeks. Hopefully tomorrow's meeting won't be bad news, but I literally have no idea at this point. I've also learned about a change that took place at the high school that could make it significantly more difficult for me to get sub jobs. I may have to consider branching out to include elementary jobs if I want to work more. This time last year I had a bunch of jobs scheduled, and right now I only have one day in August and one day in September. I know I stress about this seemingly every year, and nearly every year it works out. I need to remind myself that it will be okay. No matter how much or how little I work, I want to be around for Catherine's senior year and take in as much of it as possible.
I don't look forward to the 5AM wake ups or how tired I am going to feel during the school year, but I am looking forward to a routine again. And honestly, whether I am ready or not, whether I am excited or dreadful, the school year begins this week and that's the way it is!
Monday, August 5, 2019
What I can do
Our family has had a challenging couple of weeks. Some of it is because of the time of year, some of it is because of the season of our lives, and some of it is just random challenges. I am tired, I feel a little beat down, and I am emotional. Ultimately, I think we will all be okay, but it's a bit of a rough patch. Yesterday's shooting in what is essentially the backyard of my hometown, in a place that not only myself and my husband, but nearly all of my friends and family have been at one time or another, really pushed me to the edge. Perhaps sometime I will write more about everything happening, perhaps I will not...I am still processing everything. Sometimes I feel helpless and don't know what I can do. I know this though...I know there are three things I can do. I can listen, I can love, and I can be kind. I think that's a pretty good start.
Waking up to horrible news
***I actually wrote this yesterday (8/4). I was so "out of it" that I forgot to hit publish when I finished.
Catherine had to work at 9:00 this morning. We were going to church at 10, so most of us were up and moving at 8:00. After showering, I came out to check emails and other information, and that was when I was greeted with the horrible news of the mass shooting in Dayton. Honestly, I just can't process this. It has come at the end of a really challenging couple of weeks for our family overall. Everyone is pretty much okay, but it's been a stressful and emotional couple of weeks. I just can't absorb all of this. This shooting occurred at a place that I have been. Not often, but I've been there. Andrew frequented there a lot in college. While I am grateful I didn't know any of the victims, my prayers go to those who did. Prayers aren't going to fix this though, but that is another post. I am too overwhelmed right now.
Catherine had to work at 9:00 this morning. We were going to church at 10, so most of us were up and moving at 8:00. After showering, I came out to check emails and other information, and that was when I was greeted with the horrible news of the mass shooting in Dayton. Honestly, I just can't process this. It has come at the end of a really challenging couple of weeks for our family overall. Everyone is pretty much okay, but it's been a stressful and emotional couple of weeks. I just can't absorb all of this. This shooting occurred at a place that I have been. Not often, but I've been there. Andrew frequented there a lot in college. While I am grateful I didn't know any of the victims, my prayers go to those who did. Prayers aren't going to fix this though, but that is another post. I am too overwhelmed right now.
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