July & August - Better Late than Never

This summer was the shortest in my memory. The days slipped through my hands like grains of lakeshore sand. Yesterday, I indulged myself in a good long cry .... knowing that another summer was nearly over and feeling as if I had so little to show for the time. This is life. I must embrace whatever comes my way.

But there were pockets of time, pockets of joy amidst a stress-filled July and August. There were wildflowers along the gravel road of Scriver Creek -- our yearly camping destination as a family.

There were many many joy-filled moments surrounding water for my kids. Trips to the water park for screams of anticipated fear, swimming at the godparents' community pool, swimming in lakes and ponds for hours in a row, swimming lessons with the Blackhursts for yet another year (our 9th!), and of course, running through sprinklers on foot or huddled in the Ranger racing through the field as the pasture sprinklers blast away.

There were moments of quiet exploration, moments of quiet reading, moments of just quiet. Praise God for those moments. There weren't enough of them to suit my needs .... but they were what was given and so I will be thankful. I am learning ...... "Thankfulness brings contentment." - Elisabeth Elliot

And there was always this little one to light my world and my days, to make me laugh and ponder and be amazed at her creativity with string or dirt or all things first-aid. She is a gift beyond measure. I praise You God for this treasure.

And of course this one ..... with unceasing energy which, if not carefully directed, can create chaos and laughter and mischief in two seconds flat. He, forever my comforter and caretaker, was busy with games and balls and buildings of assorted shapes and colors. He is always ready for a competitor. I was willing but not able as much as I would have liked .... but again, it was what I was given and so I will be thankful.

And this one. Smile. He grew weary of studying by the middle of July and I was so glad. We missed him, his funny accents to smooth out the wrinkles of attitudes and grumbling and life amidst daily chores. We missed his willingness to put off being 15 1/2 and instead join into a world of Peter Pan or Adventurer or Patient or Evil Villain. And so, he came back :-) and we read under the willow tree (only twice, but it did at least happen!). He helped in a myriad of ways. We can now entirely count on him. What a gift -- trust, responsibility, accountability. He is becoming a man. Thank You Lord.

And then it happened again. Another year passed and another birthday arrived. I now have two teenagers and the wrinkles under my eyes prove that I am aging right along with them. Oh, but the blessing and gift of motherhood!! It's worth a thousand wrinkles.

So... another summer draws to a close. Homeschooling resumes in full fervor. My 12th year. Isn't that amazing? What's really amazing is JUST HOW MUCH God makes up the difference. The nights feel cooler and I'm having to wait longer each morning before going outside for the morning show of pink and purple sunrises, the sound of roosters crowing far and near, the stirring of the neighborhood, and the smell of freshly mown pasture grass. I'm hanging on to the green and the warm just a little longer . . .