Thursday, August 6, 2015

Summer Dreams...

As I sit here reflecting on the summer, it's raining outside, and it feels like fall. I grow a bit nostalgic when I think of the approaching fall, as that was my mother's favorite season. It's mine too. The changing leaves, the cool nights and mornings, the crisp air. Sweatshirts and football. All of it sounds great. But, I'm not going to get ahead of myself. This summer I have not felt compelled to sit at the computer. My heart and mind have been in the present, living in the moment, being with my children. I saw a posting on Facebook earlier this spring that read, "18 summers". That's how many we have until our children are off to college. And so, enjoy each other, we did. The boys kept busy with swim lessons, basketball camp, and Cub Scout camp for Christian. I sat and watched them grow, and become just a bit more independent as they would venture out to the neighbors house down the road or across the street to play. Walkie-Talkies have become a very good tool for us while they are out. This summer, we also took a family vacation to Florida with our very good friends and their two daughters. We stayed in a house together and loved it. It was a lot of work- getting the kiddos beach-ready every day. However, I know that we are making memories. And as I sit here and think of how Teddy loved the waves and how Christian loved the Boogie Board, and how Charlie enjoyed playing in the sand, I am pleased that we took the 19 hour trek (yes, 19 with stops!). Memories are many from that vacation. Little Miss Maggie, or "Lady Mags" as we call here, has a beautiful spirit. Her personality is starting to come through. At nearly 5 months old, she gives us so much joy with her smiles, giggles, and silliness. She will often giggle without any reason, and so I imagine her having some kind of private joke in her head, one that only she knows and she laughs about it out loud. Maggie was baptized on July 12th and it was a very touching baptism. We had it during Mass, and she was amazing. She didn't let out a single sound until our priest held her up and introduced her to the congregation, at which point it was perfect. I felt so moved on that day, so blessed to have been a part of her first sacrament. And now we are in August. The older boys started school yesterday. And I am again with two children at home. Charlie will be in kindergarten next year, and the thought of that right now makes me quite sad. He has been with me through so much. While my Mom was going through treatments, he would sometimes have to tag along. He would light up the waiting room in the radiation therapy office. I'm so grateful for that time. The time spent with him, watching as he not only gave me joy, but my mother, and those around us; a blessing for them to not have to focus on their treatment, if only for a few minutes. Thus, I am finding myself taking the time with him; time to sit and read with him or put together a puzzle. I try to focus on his long, detailed stories about his imaginary friends with interest, and ask questions. His imagination is such a gift. I love watching him play and interact with his sister very sweetly and lovingly as a big brother should. He holds her pacifier in her mouth when I can't get to her right away, and he talks to her and makes her giggle. I love those moments. We are really beginning to feel plugged in to our church community. Chad recently accepted the a spot on the parish council. We are both lectors. And, I have made a friend, who is my "Rosary buddy". She has 5 children, and one in Heaven, and I smile when I think about God's plan for me, and how He brought her and her family in to our lives. She and I have very similar city-turned-country girl stories and when we are together, I sometimes feel as though God is speaking to me right through her. We have a plan to say the rosary together once a week and it has been a huge blessing. Her daughters babysit for us, another added bonus. As I end this post, I hear the grain trucks loading up at the grain bins for one last time today. Chad, his Dad, and the farm hand have been hauling grain for about 3 weeks. Gotta make room in those bins for the coming harvest! Finally...we have kittens. Three of them. Chad's dad brought them here to be mousers. They like to antagonize Murphy through the windows and screen door. Ugh. There's also constant talk between Chad and I of bringing chickens to the farm yet this year...stay tuned...