Lazy Days of Summer 2015

When we started our summer June 1 we were READY for lazy.  I was overjoyed to have a genuine sense of completion--- our first year of homeschool- COMPLETE! 

It had been a season of perseverance... with hopes of building depth of character, fostering resilience and deepening the roots of our foundation ... I was relieved... being home SO much was a bit against my grain and yet, it's where I found myself.

There were blurry eyed tears as we finished our math lessons.  Sloppy pencil smears of meager paragraphs.  Restless hearts and whining that rattled my last nerve.  It was 2 months ago... and these weeks since have been good. 

Frankly... I wasn't just limping across that finish line... but felt like I was sliding face first through the dirt.  Some dear mama friends and I were able to giggle about it.  That's the thing about knowing we are on the RIGHT path... no matter what it takes, we are committed and even on days and weeks when it's hard, messy and downright discouraging we look at one another in the eye with a spark and that knowing smile to say THE race IS worth running well. 

 

Intention + action is biblical!  I remember how when we make effort and then are diligent in focus and follow through, there is much to be said about our habits and our character.  The illuminated path of the genuine call.

I am no different than any other mom... no special place in heaven for me (as some have labeled this mission of "homeschool" mothering).   The tribe of moms I celebrate GIVE selflessly at home, at work, in their community... it may look a bit different for each of us but it is HOLY when we embrace not only who God made our kids to BE but find our BEST self in the process whatever that combination IS. And if we are being honest... once we figure that out... it most likely changes if we are willing.

 

We had an amazing two week vacation with both sides of grandparents and family- bucket list trip to North Carolina- Outer Banks, Washington DC and Wisconsin family 4th as shown above!!! 

And of ALL the BIG Plans written on paper for summer... LEGOLAND for the FIRST time!!! 
swimming, movies, bowling, beach, Hollywood Bowl Summer Sounds, playdates, CANDY,
ice cream, parks, baseball, art... we did most of them while being intentional about LAZY too...which feels really, really good.

My mama mind pictured REST this summer...
coffee in pj's,  a bit more media than typical, some waves, library trips, forts, reading leisurely, playing with the hose, playdates and many, many picnics to simplify meals - YES! 

I giggle at a few of these first glimpses of summer... oh simple JOY! 

    

With many gearing up for back to school soon... I just wanted to glance back at "summer 2015"...
as my kids keep growing... we are a few weeks away from hitting double digits in parenthood...
with a 10 YEAR OLD, and 7 and 4 at his heels.

 

 

 

It just sounds different than kids ages 9, 6, & 3.

And as the clock strikes midnight I turn 39, there is a wholehearted urgency I have of documenting our seasons... this mama wants so much not just to BE more mindful of MY choices... but the habitual actions of a disciple who lives with intention so my mama soul is unified and we all can truly flourish in who God envisioned for each of us to BE.  Here's to all that is upon the horizon.