Ten Things
1.) We had an absolutely freaking fabulous summer. One of the best ones I can remember. I'm actually REALLY sad that it's over. Weddings and camping trips and camps and beach days. School and the stress of it is just hard for me, and my kids. It just is. It totally sucks the life out of me. The planning, the problem solving. I took a few months to breathe, take in the no rush out the door in the mornings and take a lot of time for me. Taking charge of my stress levels, exercising, eating right, spending lots of one on one time with each kid, soaking up all Maine has to offer (and it's been SOOOO HOT-that the schools without AC were let out early on the first day) and breathing. Breathing is good.
2.) School is starting (11th, 8th and 6th!) and with it, some changes for our family. No one is riding a school bus this year. T and L will be driving (T dropped off on the way to Lucas until he gets his license), and Bre takes a van for her special transportation. Day 1 and I didn't miss racing to the bus stop.
3.) This Post By Kelle Hampton:
Someday, years from now, when my kids are out of the house and no longer depend on the over-the-top school lunches I make them to soften the blow of change, I will wake up in the morning, light my candles, brew my coffee, plan my run, wait for their phone calls to tell me what life adventures they’re enjoying, what hurts are stretching them. And there will be nothing I can do but listen, tell them I’m proud of them, believe in them, check in on them later but carry on with my daily routine of writing, making cinnamon muffins for the bridge group, checking our Amazon account to see what weird kitchen gadgets Brett ordered, redecorating a room that doesn’t need it simply because changing my home makes me happy. My kids will need me to do these things because loving my one wild and precious life is what makes me strong for them when they need me. And I will realize, years of drastic haircuts later, that even though things look different and even though my heart will long for days when our tub was filled with dinosaur toys and our windows were smudged with finger prints….not much has changed.
4.) We are talking a lot as a family about how the next two years will be working toward a major transition for T, and what that could look like for all of us. Next year at this time he will be starting his SENIOR year.
5.) I've been cleaning out and making trips to Goodwill like it's my job (cause it's Mom's New Year, and I can't control how fast my kids are growing up, but I CAN declutter!). The other day I decided I hadn't been inside the store in several years and I usually love picking up something while thrift shopping. We ended up picking up a REALLY nice laptop for T ($150!) and an Epson Mini Photo printer for me ($10!). Who knew.
6.) L will be attending a private school for the first time this year for middle school which doesn't start until next week. (hence no photos) We came to this decision over a period of 2-3 years, and it wasn't an easy one. While we LOVE and support public schools, what our middle school has to offer in terms of programming and movement time didn't feel right for L at this time. And as we make all our parenting decisions, we have to go with what feels right for our family and what each of our kids needs, which is completely different. So far, in my interactions with the new school, it feels really right (to us and to L) , I don't regret anything about it as of yet.
7.) L and I went blueberry picking a week or so ago and I LOVE this type of thing. and for the first time, I'm totally cool with going with just one kid as opposed to the whole family if it's not their thing. We split up so much more these days, and I find it's really more enjoyable when people are there cause they want to be. Being out there on the farm, seeing the views in the crisp morning and getting tons of fruit. 10 lbs of Maine Blueberries in my freezer to be exact. WE still love picking up our veggies and eggs at another local farm each week.
8.) I so meant to keep up with a photo a day on this blog, but it's just not gonna happen. My plan going forward is going to be more words maybe monthly and less photos (cause I just can't make the time to upload on a regular basis right now).
9.) My prepping for school this year included a lot of using what we already have around the house (which is a TON!). I small shopping trip for each kid (or online shipping). and then me just letting go. I think that's my new Mantra for this year, cause if a kid can start a fire or drive a car, he certainly can work out his own organization system.......Just Sayin'.
10.) B was invited to throw out the First pitch tonight at the Local Pro Baseball game. I'm so excited for her to get her moment of fame. She truly has an awesome life.
Looking Forward to:
Fall
Apple Picking and the Corn Maze
Hiking
Birthdays
Football Backyard parties with friends
Winter Travel
