As implied by my title, the past couple of months have been FULL! End of summer always is, I think. This update covers August and September both.
Something Told
5 favorite photos from the past (2) months.
Annalise finally has what she’s been dreaming of for quite a while…a kitty to pet and play with and even to dress occasionally. She named it Rainbow.
We spent Labor Day weekend in a cabin in the Appalachian Mountains with friends. The view of the mountains was lovely; they were always changing.
I love this painting style picture my Google photos app generated for me, love it better than the actual photo. The dreamy look in Annalise’s eyes and the wisps of hair framing her face, Teddy’s checkered shirt and the straight line of hair across his forehead, everything accentuated by the colorful kiddish backdrop…it makes me grateful for the innocence of their childhood and the peaceful country life we enjoy.
It was special to take our traditional golf cart ride to Saffiticker’s ice cream, possibly for the last time this season, with our cousin Larissa.
And of course we can’t miss a first day of school photo! Annalise is doing kindergarten at home this year. I plan to homeschool her at least through first grade. And I’ve even started Teddy on some simple, fun preschool work. We all love school–most of the time.
P.S. In honor of the title, the feature photo shows my children doing something I’m actually quite proud of them for: folding laundry. Annalise can buzz through a pile quickly when she puts her mind to it, and Teddy will fold the washcloths if I spread them out for him.
Something New
What I am learning or doing right now.
As always, and always, and always, I am learning how to use my time well.
I have said yes to quite a number of things for late summer and fall: helping with a 12-week class at the nearby women’s prison, reorganizing a mommy group with young moms from my church, canning pears and peaches and pizza sauce, homeschooling my children…just to mention a few of the many moving parts of my life. :)
I want to do these things. I also want to write. And writing, which takes focus and quiet, often feels like it gets pushed back. EVEN THOUGH I hire lovely young ladies in to help me so I can take the time I need to write, yes even in spite of that, it is still a struggle to juggle things, to know what to say yes to and when to cut back.
I am notorious for overloading, for being overly optimistic about how much time something will take, or to an even greater extent, overly optimistic about how much brain space I will have left for quiet things like writing and devotional time after jam packing my days.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t regret the 12-week ministry opportunity, or the chance to gain encouragement and wisdom from other moms, or the fun of watching my children learn.
But I am trying to learn to make my choices with forethought. I try to ask myself if I am doing something from obligation or because I really want to. And I try to be okay, sometimes, with not doing as much writing as I wanted, because I said yes to other things.
Slowly I grow: learn to think ahead, embrace moments, take time for relaxing anyhow (because it never turns out well when I don’t).
I shall not pass this way again.
Something Borrowed
I liked this; maybe you will too.
Speaking of juggling things, I loved this post by Esta Doutrich, who speaks of a time in her life when ordinary living overwhelmed her. She had no luxury to jam pack her days as I do mine.
I remember, in the worst season of chronic illness, being acutely aware that many people around me were overwhelmed by things they got to choose. Commitments, projects, or activities that they had chosen, said yes to, or could technically stop doing. It was hard to absorb, though I did not begrudge them their health and truly rejoiced in their exciting ventures. It was hard because it reminded me how carefully I measured out my energy and time, painstakingly intentional, and still I couldn’t complete the basic activities of daily life, due entirely to circumstances I hadn’t chosen and couldn’t change.
Esta Doutrich, in “The Great Fortune of Ordinary Overwhelm”
Her post reminded of another a friend with health issues once shared with me to help me understand what life was like for her: “The Spoon Theory,” by Christine Miserandino. Read the article if you haven’t. You will gain a new level of understanding for people dealing with physical or mental health challenges. Or if you are that person, words to describe what you feel.
Something Blue
A splash of color from the family journal.
Speaking of “to do’s,” Annalise likes to write lists, like she sees Mama doing. The other day she asked me to write her list for her (since she has not advanced to spelling yet). Here is her list:
- Tell Daddy I felt sick
- Go to the zoo
- Go to the library
I only wish my list was half as fun. :)