Yesterday was the graduation party/Bon Voyage party for Robert. It's why I didn't write much last week. We were working our little rear ends off and it was crazy. The weather was dangerously oppressive, and that didn't help either. It really zapped our energy.
Things worked out fabulously though. Our house was extremely clean, and we even had things pretty well set up by noon yesterday. My aunt and uncle had spent the week smoking pork and chicken wings, and they arrived to help get that all ready. My best friend Steph also arrived at that time to help with final details.
We were blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather for the afternoon. Highs in the low 80's and low humidity. It was fabulous. Over 70 guests came to visit, and I regret that I didn't get to visit with each one more. A couple of them who came from our former town brought tears to my eyes, and a life long friend flew in from New York to be here. It was a wonderful afternoon!
While I was starting to wind down and be ready to begin my evening of relaxation, my friends Jen & Amanda were inside washing all of our dishes. I was grateful beyond words! I was able to spend the evening visiting instead of cleaning.
I don't know that there has ever been a day when I have felt as much gratitude and full of as many blessings as I did yesterday. It really showed us who our friends were, and even one of my mom's friends mentioned I was so lucky to have friends like family. I was grateful that Robert was able to be celebrated, and to say good bye to so many friends and family. It was a day where my home was full, but my heart was even more full!
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Monday, July 2, 2018
Everyone is home
Andrew and Robert arrived home about 6:00 last evening, and Catherine and Thomas arrived home nearly seven hours later. It was so fabulous having everyone under the same roof, and I was so grateful. I had decided weeks ago that no one was going to swim practice this morning and we would sleep in.
Andrew and Robert were able to accomplish a great deal while at Andrew's parents. My mother-in-law became very emotional when it was time for them to leave since Robert leaves for the Navy in three weeks. There is part of her that is convinced Robert will never see his grandfather again. I'm glad I wasn't there to see her be so emotional.
Catherine and Thomas had a an amazing experience in Houston for their church trip. I loved hearing their stories and I am more grateful than I can put into words that they were able to make this trip. The next ELCA youth gathering is in three years in Minneapolis, and while Catherine will be too old, Thomas is already making plans to attend.
This summer continues to fly by!
Andrew and Robert were able to accomplish a great deal while at Andrew's parents. My mother-in-law became very emotional when it was time for them to leave since Robert leaves for the Navy in three weeks. There is part of her that is convinced Robert will never see his grandfather again. I'm glad I wasn't there to see her be so emotional.
Catherine and Thomas had a an amazing experience in Houston for their church trip. I loved hearing their stories and I am more grateful than I can put into words that they were able to make this trip. The next ELCA youth gathering is in three years in Minneapolis, and while Catherine will be too old, Thomas is already making plans to attend.
This summer continues to fly by!
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Controlling the remote
I've been busy working on the house since I've had it to myself since Thursday afternoon. This is the longest amount of time I've had to myself since before I was married. I've been able to get a lot done, but I am so very ready for everyone to come home tomorrow.
One thing I am enjoying is having control of the remote to myself. Today I had the Reds game on while scrubbing cabinets in the kitchen. It was a fun game to watch as a Reds fan! I then took Abby on a walk, watered the flowers, and took a much needed shower. I knew that tonight I could watch whatever I wanted, and I settled on my favorite movie, Bull Durham.
I can't wait until we are all reunited under one roof, but in the meantime I am enjoying my television watching for the evening!
One thing I am enjoying is having control of the remote to myself. Today I had the Reds game on while scrubbing cabinets in the kitchen. It was a fun game to watch as a Reds fan! I then took Abby on a walk, watered the flowers, and took a much needed shower. I knew that tonight I could watch whatever I wanted, and I settled on my favorite movie, Bull Durham.
I can't wait until we are all reunited under one roof, but in the meantime I am enjoying my television watching for the evening!
This last day of June
Today is the last day of June. I love June. At no point during June do I really have to care what the date is...it's June. It is a month without much of a schedule. It is a glorious span of time because no matter what, we still have all of July and a couple of weeks of August. We aren't even half way through yet. It is spectacular.
This next week is the last week before school activities begin again. We will be busy getting ready for Robert's graduation/bon voyage party. The following week Andrew begins football, and the week after that band begins. I'm grateful we are still not yet to the half-way point, but I'm always sad to see June end.
The weather is certainly like July though! The heat indices this week (beginning today) are supposed to be over 100 degrees. It's miserable out there!
This next week is the last week before school activities begin again. We will be busy getting ready for Robert's graduation/bon voyage party. The following week Andrew begins football, and the week after that band begins. I'm grateful we are still not yet to the half-way point, but I'm always sad to see June end.
The weather is certainly like July though! The heat indices this week (beginning today) are supposed to be over 100 degrees. It's miserable out there!
Thursday, June 28, 2018
I'm emotional today
Andrew and Robert just left to visit Andrew's parents. It was hard for them to leave, and I had Abby in the yard with me waving her little paw goodbye. Catherine and Thomas texted quite a bit last evening and again this morning, and they are missing the dog terribly. It is hard for me to have our family in three different states. I know though, that this is the future of our lives. Robert leaves in a few weeks, and that is the beginning. Our days of being a household of five are nearly done, and it will continue to get smaller. I love my husband and I don't dread those days when it is just he and I, but I sure have loved being a mother to these three. I know I am always going to be their mother, but I'm not needed to parent 24/7 like I used to be!
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
My babies (and my heart) are out the door
Andrew just left with Catherine and Thomas. They are meeting the group at the church and Andrew is helping to transport to the airport. They should be in Houston in about six hours. I know that air travel is the safest, and I know that this is definitely the most efficient way to go, but oh goodness. My heart and prayers are with them. This is definitely an emotional summer!
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Moving along through summer
Summer is going quickly, as it does every year! Next Wednesday is the 1/2 way point, which just seems so hard to believe. Robert leaves in 26 days. Time is moving rapidly.
Tomorrow morning Catherine and Thomas leave for a church trip to Houston...which means they have to fly. I want to vomit about it, but I am working on making sure my anxieties and neuroses do not have an impact on my children. I have dreaded this day since last fall when they signed up, and will be so grateful when they are home again late Sunday night (actually early Monday morning).
I have applied for a job, but not one I wrote about recently. This one is at the University in town, but is still part-time. It pays much better, but of course would be year-round. I have tremendous guilt about the fact that I really don't want this job. I love, love, love what I do with subbing. However, we have bills to pay, and after all of the unexpected bills of the last several years and redoing our bathroom, our safety net is much smaller. Andrew is very supportive and says he is okay if I still only sub this year, but I really feel as though I need to be adding more to our income.
We are busy, busy around here trying to get the house ready for Robert's send-off party. I am grateful, for the most part, for how everyone is working together!
Tomorrow morning Catherine and Thomas leave for a church trip to Houston...which means they have to fly. I want to vomit about it, but I am working on making sure my anxieties and neuroses do not have an impact on my children. I have dreaded this day since last fall when they signed up, and will be so grateful when they are home again late Sunday night (actually early Monday morning).
I have applied for a job, but not one I wrote about recently. This one is at the University in town, but is still part-time. It pays much better, but of course would be year-round. I have tremendous guilt about the fact that I really don't want this job. I love, love, love what I do with subbing. However, we have bills to pay, and after all of the unexpected bills of the last several years and redoing our bathroom, our safety net is much smaller. Andrew is very supportive and says he is okay if I still only sub this year, but I really feel as though I need to be adding more to our income.
We are busy, busy around here trying to get the house ready for Robert's send-off party. I am grateful, for the most part, for how everyone is working together!
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