It was an awesome holiday weekend.

After our wonderful evening Saturday, we followed up with an amazing evening yesterday.  We returned to our former town.  Not only did we get to see our best friends, we got to see the other couples who were always part of our circle.  Not only were our kids there, but even the older kids from the other families came along and brought significant others, and some other "kids" we had known for years stopped by.  We took a lot of pictures, and it all just made my heart so full.  After the last year, we don't take these things for granted.  I especially love that the kids want to be together, and that they still want to be a part of gatherings as well.  As so many issues have developed in my family and it just seems as though it is shrinking, I am so incredibly grateful for the friends that have become our other family.

A lovely evening and a lovely drive home

Yesterday afternoon we made the two-hour drive to visit our friends.  We had seen them twelve weeks ago, but I'm so grateful they decided we needed to not go the entire summer without seeing them again.  It was an absolutely lovely evening, and I've often felt as though their back yard is an oasis.  There was so much laughter last evening.  It was such a lovely visit.

We left them about 9:30 to make the two-hour drive home.  For the first hour, Andrew and I truly enjoyed watching various fireworks light up the sky.  It was a lovely visit with lovely weather, and then a lovely drive home!

The beginning of my summer break

I got off work just a little over an hour ago.  I don't have to be at work again until about 8:30 on July 12.  That sounds absolutely wonderful to me!  Since our office doesn't shut down at any point during the summer, this is the longest break I'll have.  I'll get some other days here and there, and of course the daily hours are shorter, but this is the only week I'm off the entire time.  Since we are leaving Monday and returning Friday, we even get the weekends at home to be productive, which helps me to feel less guilty about going away.  Today is even an incredible weather day.  The temps are in the 70's with no humidity and lots of sunshine.  It couldn't be more beautiful.  Although I'm not usually a day drinker, I poured myself a small glass of wine to celebrate the beginning of my time off!  It's delightful!

A bit of melancholy

I've been feeling so melancholy today.  I think a lot of it has to do with the death of the man I wrote about in my last post.  Andrew has also been gone since Sunday afternoon visiting his parents, and while he was there was dealing with some end-of-life issues.  I'm definitely melancholy about working all summer.  I've had some irritations with both my church job and my school job. It's also hotter than Hades around here.  I've been praying for peace in my heart all day, and for anyone who needs it!

A somber church service

Yesterday we learned the horrifying news about the death of a community member.  While Andrew and I had only met the gentleman a couple of times, we know the boys well.  One just graduated and one sone is Thomas's age.  That one had just played baseball for Andrew this spring.  Additionally, we go to church with this man's mother, in-laws, and sister and her family.  Andrew had just had the nephew in class this past year.  He was a highly respected professor at the local university, and even more highly respected as a person.  He had taken the graduated son and several of the son's friends on a backpacking trip to Alaska.  There was a tragic accident, and he fell to his death.  Our hearts are broken not only for all of his family, but for those boys as well.  This man grew up in the church we attend, so not only do we know the family, but many long-timers knew him as well.  His father-in-law was in attendance this morning.  I am grateful we are able to gather in person at a time like this, but it was so very somber.

An evening home alone

Catherine will be leaving shortly to go to work.  Andrew took Thomas to his swim meet.  Normally I would never even consider missing a summer swim meet, even when they were away.  However, this meet always starts later because of the diving afterwards, and it's the biggest team, so the coaches always do all the optional events.  I work tomorrow, so I don't get to just sleep in.  Not only do I hate to miss Thomas swimming, but I hate for Andrew to have to be alone.  However, they put out a plea for timers this morning, and Andrew doesn't mind timing, and that would solve him being alone...so home is where I am.

I've had a tremendously productive week, both at work and at home.  I'm so grateful for working fewer hours.  I'm only working about 5-1/2 hours each day and trying to leave between 2 & 2:30.  It's working out very well, and the house is even picked up (although that is also another post).

I'm grateful for the quiet time, and the time to reflect.  We are getting ready to enter Thomas's senior year.  We are becoming very close to being on the edge of empty nesting.  Honestly, I don't understand how it happened so fast.  I couldn't help but remember a moment that occurred fifteen years ago yesterday.  We had taken the kids to a church festival, and the younger two rode a little roller coaster.  Each time Thomas's little car passed us, he was becoming more and more concerned about the situation until it was just all out tears.  I'll never forget how comical it was (since we knew he was truly okay), and I vividly remember how Catherine was trying to comfort him from her seat.  I love that she is still such a good sister to him, he's so good to her, and they are friends.  I'm so, so grateful for that.

Which of course brings up thoughts of my oldest.  Last weekend at the closing ceremonies for Thomas's week, there was a lot of military fan fare.  To be honest, I feel guilt in terms of the fact that Robert was so awful in the military. I know it isn't my fault, but listing to things just hurt and made me sad.  It is what it is though.

I don't want to fail to mention that we have had absolutely gorgeous weather here for the last couple of days.  Tuesday it was actually chilly in the evening, and even though it is much warmer now, the humidity is still low.  Love these summer days with beautiful sunshine and awesome temps! 

All under the same roof again

We picked Thomas up this morning from his Buckeye Boys' State week.  We learned in the middle of the week that the parents would be allowed to attend the final ceremony.  It started at 9:30, and since it was right here in town it was super easy for us!  Thomas participated in the band, and it was easy to spot him when we arrived.  When we got him, I loved the fact that the first thing he said to Andrew was to wish him Happy Father's Day, and he looked so grown up in his sport coat and khaki pants...and an American Flag tie that belongs to Andrew.  He clearly had a wonderful week.  Because he was in the band, he was able to meet Governor DeWine and shake hands and have pictures taken.  It was so cool!  We are so, so grateful that Thomas was nominated and selected to participate this week.  It was awesome for him!