Two and a half weeks until school starts. That’s it. The lazy days where we lay around in our pjs are almost gone. The mornings spent riding scooters in the driveway – have all but disappeared. The nights when we stay up way too late – won’t be happening anymore. Where has the summer gone?
To be honest, usually at this point in the summer, I can’t wait to ship my kids off to school. I mean, I need a routine, people. But this year, I’m just not ready for school to start again.
When summer started at the end of May, I was dreading it. Dreading it. Brienne went to visit her Nanna and Pappy in Louisiana for a couple weeks and I was NOT looking forward to being “stuck” at home with the little kids. I could foresee temper tantrums, knock-down drag-out fighting, afternoons spent not napping, and no time to myself. My attitude was terrible which caused the outlook to seem very bleak.
But can I just say that this has been one of the best summers we’ve ever had? (I hope I’m not jinxing myself since there are still two weeks left.) Now, don’t get me wrong. There have been some tantrums. Some fighting. Some afternoons spent not napping. And there hasn’t been much time for myself. There have been moments when I wanted to run away. Times when I’ve felt the need for a heavy dose of medication. (Just being real, y’all.) But for the most part, it’s been a great summer.
Brienne took tennis and horseback riding lessons while she was in Louisiana. And when she finally came back to Valdosta, she joined the local swim team and she also started guitar lessons. She just came home from church camp last night, and I have loved hearing all about her crazy friends and the games they played, and seeing her so excited about new worship music makes me almost giddy. I love how she and I can just hang out and talk without too much attitude. I’m amazed at how much I enjoy being with her now that she is growing up. (It sounds like it wasn’t ever fun being around her. It totally was! But I love this new older version of her.)
Most days, Jonah and Vivienne completely exhaust me. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We’ve spent many mornings playing at a local park, and we’ve also enjoyed playing at Jump ‘n Jacks, which has tons of bounce houses and blow-up slides. Jonah is doing amazingly well in his OT sessions, and his therapist really feels like he will be completely fine in a couple years. That is music to my ears and an answer to my prayers.
Sweet Vivienne is truly an entity unto herself. Some days (and by “some days,” I mean every day), I really don’t know what to do with her. For instance, she spent three whole days wearing goggles. Who does that? She’s bossy and defiant, but she’s also loving and giggly. She’s my most cuddly child and I love it when she climbs up in my lap for snuggle time.
Just tonight, I was holding back tears of laughter while putting the little kids to bed. We were reading the story about David and Goliath and as I was reading, I pointed to Goliath and asked Jonah who he was. He answered with, “Goliath.” We read a little more then I pointed to David and asked Jonah who he was. His answer? “Otis.” Otis? Really? How many hundreds of times have we read this story?? Otis? Sheesh.
Then I turned to the story of Jonah and asked, “Should we read the story of Jonah and the Whale next?” And Vivi whined, “No! Read Vivi and the Whale!”
I’m telling you – these kids are a hoot!
I’ve recently been studying 1 and 2 Thessalonians and I came across this verse:
“How can we thank God enough for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”
1 Thess 3:9
Y’all, this is exactly how I feel about my kids. I can not thank God enough for the joy they bring me. They amaze me with their funny sayings and their cute facial expressions and their insights into life. They are precious jewels. Priceless to me.
Two and a half more weeks, then these long summer days will be over. We will rush through breakfasts, hurry off to school, and once again become busy with after-school activities and the hustle and bustle of life.
Two and a half more weeks.
Lord, don’t let me take this time for granted. Thank you for the joy my kids bring.