Summer Vacation, Days 73 ~ 77

Days 73 ~ 77

Saturday, August 1

We packed up & headed to Wisconsin. Jim worked in the morning, so we got a late start, and stopped for lunch before getting on the interstate. Once there, we made a Walmart run. And then I spent an hour washing and prepping the fresh fruit & veggies, boiling eggs, making iced tea, etc.  Jim got pizza for supper. 

Sunday, August 2

Sunday morning found me sitting by the lake with a cup of hot tea & a breakfast sandwich. Aaah! 

Church was oh, so good!  During the sermon, the pastor quoted Oswald Chambers: "The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else." 

Lunch at an old-fashioned diner.  Afternoon of beach & fishing. 

Monday, August 3

We arrived at the waterpark just after lunch and left just before supper. I did the lazy river three times and rode one waterslide (perhaps the last one I will ever ride in my life!). Jim found a seat in the shade and read "Age of Opportunity." LM made friends, two girls & their homeschooling mom. One of the girls asked if we could share info so they could have a play date. Alas, we live hours away. Made it back to the WI house in time for LM to go to VBS!!

Tuesday, August 4

After a nice breakfast out & time for LM & me to walk the streets of the resort town, beach & fishing were the themes of the day. Of course, LM was at VBS from 6-8.30 ... and sad she would miss the last three days. "I made a friend, Mom!" Yes, of course she did! 

Wednesday, August 5

We left around 8.30 and were home by noon. A pleasant ride home. We all were tired! 

But we kept going ... Jim to PT, then BK to the farm, then LM to tutoring, and then BK to a youth group swim party. 

I didn't keep notes of our time there but sprinkled into our days there, in addition to the beach & fishing, were:

• lots of requests for mac & cheese (including for late night snacks),
• naps,
• Boxcar Children, 
• bicycle & scooter rides, 
• trips to the ice cream shop,
• lots of reading for Jim & me, 
• and in general - REST - big picture windows, mature shade trees, quiet street, open windows, box fans, & simple meals.  

Staying for four nights is exponentially more restful than two trips of two nights each.  

Summer Vacation, Days 68 ~ 72

Days 68 ~ 72

Monday, July 27

LM was up at 6.18 AM! Ai-yai-yai! I was definitely dragging by bedtime!

Jim & BK were at the farm in the morning. LM had tutoring from 2-3.30, while Jim had PT.  Then she stayed at Grandpa & Grandma's, while I went to a hair appointment and BK was with friends at the pool. Whew!

Tuesday, July 28

The children slept in. LM spent the afternoon with her aunt, while I took BK to the hearing clinic (70 miles away) for his annual hearing test. 

Wednesday, July 29

The children and I left at 9 to pick up snacks and then a friend and head to the Lincoln Museum & Lincoln Home. LM earned another Junior Ranger badge, and asked what happens when you earn ALL of them?! :) She has goals!

Home at 3.30. LM had tutoring 4-5. The friend's mom picked him up at 5.30. Jim took BK to Youth group. LM & I finished reading the next Boxcar Children book.

Thursday, July 30

LM came in our room at 4.15 AM. I exclaimed, "It's 4:00 in the morning!" And she excitedly asked, "It's morning?!?" She came back in at 5.15 and I sent her back to bed.  Whew! And then she slept til almost 10!

Somehow we made it to lunchtime. After lunch, LM & I visited the grandparents & then went to her orthodontist appointment, and to ALDI & Walmart and the pharmacy. 

Friday, July 31

I went to bed shortly after 8 PM, and got a great night's sleep! And had a VERY productive morning with chores in the kitchen (in part motivated by ANTS!), two loads of laundry, filling a month's worth of pill bottles, charging my Kindle & Fitbit, and in general crossing items off my to-do list.  Jim & BK finished some yardwork.  And then I spent a few hours on the phone with insurance & specialty pharmacies. That was just as fun as it sounds! 

After lunch, LM & I made the rounds of the post office, pharmacy, and library. 

At 5, we went to our small group's annual summer cookout. Yum! 

Summer Vacation, Days 61 ~ 66

Days 61 ~ 66

Monday, July 20

24 more days of summer vacation.  

I had my infusion. My nurse needed to do another infusion in another city first, so she came at 10, instead of 8.  I was tired afterward, and rested. 

LM went to Emerald Crossing VBS at 6 PM!

Tuesday, July 21

The children slept til almost 10-10.30 AM. I rested again. I think the summer just caught up with me!

LM skipped VBS, so we three could go to the end-of-season swim potluck, awards night, and pool party. We were gone 4.45 - 9.45!

Wednesday, July 22

I was gone from 9.30 - 1 for a doctor's appointment (regular checkup). LM stayed at the grandparents'. BK was at the farm. 

LM had tutoring from 4-5, and VBS from 6-8. BK had youth group from 6.30-8. I continue to drive more miles than I can imagine. 

Thursday, July 23

Thanks to a new medication, I got the best sleep in years, it seemed! At 7, BK popped out of bed happy because he got to go with the hired man to take a load to the dump! 

We've had a rough few days with three major incidents, so I was extra thankful that this morning was my weekly phone call & prayer time with a peer ~ a fellow adoptive mom who also understands a lot of my prior life. What a Godsend!

LM & I played games and read. Just before noon, I unloaded the dishwasher and loaded 2-3 days' of dishes, put my laundry in the washer, and made sloppy joes. After lunch I hung my laundry to dry (a task I usually procrastinate), and LM cleaned her room, one category at a time, while listening to Your Story Hour. 

After BK did his chores, too, we headed to the pool to which I purchased a membership this summer. I think we have only been once or twice. Oh, well! We are supporting a small town pool, I guess. ;) 

Friday, July 24

At 4 PM, I realized it was Friday. That tells you how our week has gone. ;) BK's friends were in & out all day.  Jim had PT.  Not sure where the rest of the day went. 

Saturday, July 25

BK slept in until almost 10 AM! and LM until almost noon! Hamburgers & corn on the cob for lunch! 

LM & I visited the grandparents, and then Grandma went with us to IGA.  Jim & BK returned to the farm. 

I canceled an online subscription we no longer use and was prepared to cancel a second, but they gave me a better deal. My to-do list is so long, but at this point, if it can wait until August 13th, it will. ;) 

Almost 3 weeks of unstructured days stretch out in front of us ... Lord, have mercy!

1000 Gifts, Vol. 7, #92

891. safely through another week

1 Safely through another week
God has brought us on our way;
let us now a blessing seek,
waiting in His courts today;
day of all the week the best,
emblem of eternal rest.

2 While we pray for pard'ning grace,
through the dear Redeemer's name,
show Thy reconciling face;
take away our sin and shame;
from our worldly cares set free,
may we rest this day in Thee.

3 Here we come Thy name to praise,
let us feel Thy presence near;
may Thy glory meet our eyes,
while we in Thy house appear:
here afford us, Lord, a taste
of our everlasting feast.

4 May Thy gospel's joyful sound
conquer sinners, comfort saints;
may the fruits of grace abound,
bring relief for all complaints:
thus may all our Sabbaths prove,
till we join the church above.

892. calming music

893. such a fun summer swim team

894. safely through the first week of unstructured summer vacation (!)

895. older women to speak truth to me

896. peers to share each other's burdens

897. fun book series in which I could escape

898. we ate this week, even though I was out of practice with cooking, after a week with relatives in town

899. spending a half hour of respite with Jim's 96 year old dad & his wife

900. watching the Lord arrange plans for the coming week

Summer Vacation, Days 54 ~ 60

Days 54 ~ 60

A Week with Relatives in Town 

Monday, July 13

8:15 AM swim practice, Facebook Marketplace pick up, drive-through second breakfast, Walmart, ALDI, drive-through lunch, home. 

Jim had PT from 2 to 3. Then I made the rounds here in our town of the post office, the library, and the gas station.

Cleaned the kitchen and cooked supper while Jim’s brother and nephew brought in the Facebook marketplace purchase…

Tuesday, July 14

While LM was at 8:15 AM swim practice, I went to an 8:30 AM lab appointment and then ran an errand before picking her up at 8:45. We came home and she slept until noon! 

We dropped her off at the grandparents at 12:30 and went to Jim’s two week post-op appointment, and came home via some of his distant fields to scout them on our way home.

While I went to the pharmacy, he visited with his dad and brother and sister-in-law. 

Home in time to pack some snack bags and go to a relay meet. LM and I arrived at 4:45 and were home by 8:30 or 8:45 PM. It was HOT!! Two more mornings of swim practice. Jim ate supper at his brothers’s with 9 family members. 

Wednesday, July 15

Morning swim practice and a stop by the thrift store (Vera Bradley purse for me). Jim’s brother took him to PT and stayed to visit a while. 

After lunch LM and I went to the orthodontist’s office south of us for a 10-minute appointment and then picked up a Walmart order  

For dinner we gathered at Jim’s dad’s with 12 family members. Portillo’s was on the menu. Yum! 

Thursday, July 16

Morning swim practice- the last one of the summer!  Jim had PT early afternoon. At 5:30 we took a taco bar and homemade tres leches cake to Jim’s dad’s to feed 12 for supper. Playing Trafalgar rounded out the evening.

Friday, July 17

A designated sleep-in day, but our AC stopped working so I was up early;) Thank the Lord that the air conditioner repair man could come within a few hours! 

LM and I (& 4 other relatives) had a fun girls’ lunch out at the tea room. 

As soon as she was packed for the swim meet, I left her at home with Jim, and I drove almost an hour to pick BK up from camp. An aunt picked her up and took her to the swim meet - sheer chaos as it was an eight team end-of-summer championship! 

I dropped BK off at home, and he and Jim ate supper at Jim’s dad’s with several relatives, while I went to the swim meet and worked medals.  Home around 9 PM.

Saturday, July 18

Up early for the 8.15 AM end-of-summer championship meet for the older swimmers. BK's relay team earned two 1st place medals, and he dropped time and set a PR for his individual event.  And that concludes our fourth summer of summer swim! Our team was undefeated this year, and won the championship!  

LM & I took naps most of the afternoon!! BK had a couple friends come over to play pool & ping pong.

At 5.45, I picked up our order at a nearby fire station's pork chop dinner and took it to Jim's dad's, where 13 of us ate supper.  

Sunday, July 19

After church, we met at a pizza restaurant with 11 relatives. Yum!  Afternoon naps & rest time at home before meeting back at Grandpa's for sandwiches, veggies, chips, and cookies... and, of course, another game of Trafalgar!

It was a good week!

1000 Gifts, Vol. 7, #91

881.  family in town for a week

882.  leaning hard into my village when our schedule requires me to be in two places at the same time

883.  safety in all the driving (one week recently I drove 1200+ miles - all within 30 miles of home!)

884.  getting to know so many swim moms better this summer

885.  we survived another summer of summer swim team! 

886.  LM especially made so much progress in her form, stamina, independence, etc.

887.  Jim's turning the corner in knee surgery recovery

888.  Looking back to 2 years ago and the daily crises we faced on multiple fronts, and seeing the Lord's patient provision in so many areas

889.  Knowing He will be faithful in these last 3 1/2 weeks of summer vacation ...

890.  ... and in the transition to the start of school (!)

Childhood Summers

As I parent my children through summer vacation, my mind wanders back a few decades to my own childhood summers. What were they like? Do I remember them correctly? Ha! 

In my memory, my childhood summers were a combination of:

• getting up early and hoeing in the garden with my mom & three sisters, as the sun rose higher & higher. Mom always took the turquoise metal kitchen timer and (in my memory) set it for an hour, reminding us that the earlier we started, the cooler the temperature would be.

• 

• related to that, NEVER sleeping in! (My first day home for summer vacation after freshman year of college, I slept in until 8.30, and my dad was aghast, and let me know that NO ONE had ever slept that late in that house for 90 years!)

• summer program at the library (I only remember the park ranger, whom I also saw when I took my nieces to the library in 2010! Remarkably, our family also ran into him when hiking in spring 2021! As we hiked through the spring forest and marshlands, the highlight was running into the forest ranger who I remember coming to speak to my elementary class. He still is full of enthusiasm and a delightful teacher of children, and LG & LM are, to this day, excited that they got to learn from him out in the wild!

• spending hours in the steaming hot kitchen, either canning beans or filling bags of corn for the freezer. I remember having box fans running to try to cool down that small yet HOT room!

• being transported to a different world, as I read the Cherry Ames series in a rocking chair on the front porch,

• spending a week or two at Bible camp,

• making the 600 mile drive to Grandma's house and spending a week traipsing around to various relatives', friends', and places of remembrance for my Mom in New York State, 

• one week of evening Vacation Bible School, which was THRILLING!

• spending all waking hours that week memorizing extra Bible verses to earn points for my team, 

• going across the highway & up on the ridge to swim in a friend's pool (complete with slide, diving board, and underwater lights for night swims)!

Obviously there was a lot more to my childhood summers than that, but these are my memories, true or not. ;) 

Summer Vacation, Days 48 ~ 51

Days 48 ~ 51

Tuesday, July 7th

Left at 7.50, dropped BK off at the pool, dropped LM off at day camp, picked BK up, and home by 9.40. 

Tidied the kitchen (counters, table, dishes, laundry), since I was gone ALL DAY yesterday. Sat down to rest. :)

For lunch (& supper & lunch & supper tomorrow) ;) a friend brought the most delicious beef stew, salad, berries, and bread. 

At 1.40 we left for PT & while Jim was there, I took BK to a friend's and went to the pharmacy.  Home at 3.15.

Left at 4.30 to pick up LM. Took her to the grandparents' with her supplies to spend the night. Then went to the swim meet, where I did ribbons.  Home at 9.30 PM. Whew! 

Wednesday, July 8th

Gone from 7.40-9.45 AM to take LM to day camp and run two errands.  Then I had Office Day! I paid paper bills. I paid five medical office bills that had come by text (not my favorite, because I want a paper trail), for both us and my mom.  I scheduled or re-scheduled 8 medical appointments.  

BK worked at the farm during the afternoon. (Translated: I drove to the farm twice. This summer is my driving era for sure!)

LM begged to stay at camp later than I had been picking her up, and this is the only day that worked. I was gone 6.45 - 8.15 picking her up.  Zzzz. :) Prayerfully, next year she can stay at camp!

Thursday, July 9th

Left at 7.45 to take BK to swim practice, LM to day camp, and then pick BK up. Telehealth appointment, took BK to the farm, spent an hour on the phone trying to get my daily meds from my Chicago doctor delivered correctly, picked BK up, & then went to his hair appointment. Home for less than an hour. Dropped BK off early for the swim meet. Picked LM up from day camp & took her to the grandparents to spend the night, while I went to the swim meet, and worked ribbons, arriving home at 9  PM. 

Friday, July 10th 

A friend rode with me on my morning drive so we could visit while taking LM to day camp. She got to go early today (in time for breakfast!) so I could be home in time to get Jim to PT.  Quickly cleaned the kitchen, did some laundry, made iced tea, and cooked some chicken I had thawed. 

Afternoon errands - bank, gas, medical supply lending library, dry cleaners, Dollar Tree for greeting cards, CVS, a scone for me :), Walmart (for flexible ice packs), and picked LM up at 4 PM. She can't wait to go to camp next year!! :) 

Summer Vacation, Day 47

Monday, July 6th

Today deserves its own post! I mentioned that Sunday after lunch I filled up the gas tank, and noted that that was foreshadowing.

What did I do today? Today epitomized my driving era!

8 AM LM & I left for Bible camp (40-45 minutes away), where she is attending as a day camper this week!! [Yes, I will be making that one-way trip 20 times Monday - Friday.]

From there I drove to Jim's orthopedic clinic to exchange his broken cryo cuff knee cooler for a working one! 

Then to ALDI & Walmart (including swim meet snacks).

Stopped at the hospital in the next farm town to purchase a DELICIOUS lunch of brisket and cheesy mashed potatoes in their cafeteria. 

Home at 11.30! 

I put groceries in the fridge, served Jim lunch, made a to-go dish for myself, and left again! 

After backtracking 6 miles to drop BK off at the farm, I was late for my 12.30 oil change & maintenance appointment. Boy, did I enjoy those 2 1/2 hours! :)  Lunch, hot tea, music in my ears, and a relaxing book to read. :) 

I arrived home just before 4, and had time to help Jim with a few things, before I picked BK up and brought him home. 

I left immediately to pick up LM. We drove through drive-through, and then took the wrong exit so had to turn around, and were home around 6.30. 

I think that was enough for one day. ;)

1000 Gifts, Vol. 7, #90

The Surgery Edition

871. The Lord enabled Jim to get through planting (at one point it looked doubtful)

872. a new recliner for recovery

873. air conditioning during a heat wave! (& the new windows as of last year which we so desperately needed to keep out the air)

874. all the decluttering I had done in weeks prior so our house was more walkable & enjoyable!

875. Grandpa & Grandma's hospitality overnight & waking up early & transporting children to swim practice at 7.45 AM

876. aunt, uncle, and cousins' hospitality overnight & transporting BK to Youth Group

877. swim team mom to drive them to practice & another swim team mom to be responsible for them at the meet

878. small town pharmacy that delivers our regular meds when I needed to stay home with Jim

879. surgeon's report that everything went very well

880. praying friends!

1000 Gifts, Vol. 7, #89

861. The orange orb coming over the horizon at 4-something AM when I rolled over in bed

862. The quintessential blue summer sky with tall white clouds out my side mirror, with tall greenish-golden grass framing the bottom of the mirror

863.  A sanctuary filled with small groups of people huddled in circles praying for our nation

864.  The lovely pasture I drive by 8-12 times a week with good-looking cattle grazing & resting

865.  Watching LM confidently walk into swim practice, swim cap on her head, swim bag over her shoulder. 

866.  Ease of doing laundry & ease of keeping our home clean, as I have decluttered more and more!

867.  Amazing way the Lord provided someone driving 700+ miles between a friend's hometown & here, so they could hand carry an item to said friend. 

868.  Finding "The Blessing Series," when I was searching for historical fiction about Norwegian immigrants to the Upper Plains

869.  A shared love of books & learning - one of Jim's cousins brought a book to me at family reunion, and the other recommended a book!

870.  The coffee shop around the corner from swim practice. ;) [They serve great tea!]

Summer Vacation, Days 36 ~ 37

Days 36 ~ 37

Thursday, June 25

8.15 AM swim practice. I spent it on the phone with another mom in a similar situation.

Errands kept us busy until almost 11. Then tutoring from 1-2.30.

We left before 4 for a swim meet 45 minutes away.  LM swam in 3 individual events & one relay. She dropped her 25 fly time from 45.62 seconds to 32.19 seconds. Yay for fall/winter swim season!!

Home around 8 PM. Much more reasonable than Tuesday's meet. Many families are also going to an all-day meet on Saturday. (We declined.)

Friday, June 26

Today was a makeup swim practice, but I told LM she could sleep in.  How late do you think she slept? She was up at 10.45 AM, ate some chicken nuggets, and went back to sleep for another hour!

Jim & I lost sleep last night, because there was a planned power outage which went longer than expected, and with all the rain we've had lately, and the sump pump not working, we were fearful of a basement flood.  Jim had the portable generator ready to plug in, when, at that moment, the power was restored! Thank you, Lord!

The housecleaner was scheduled to come (for the first time in forever - I truly am doing so much better physically, and she started when I couldn't wipe a flat surface), but had a family emergency. It felt good to get the house ready (i.e., things put away!).

LM stayed with Grandpa & Grandma for a few hours, while I picked BK up from his 5th year of CEF camp. Sounds like he had a great week! We were all glad to be back together again.

Our 28-month-old van turned over 80,000 miles. 

Summer Vacation, Days 30 ~ 32

Days 30 ~ 32

Friday, June 19

Today felt like a Saturday, because BK had arrived home the night before, and there was no swim practice.  I set my alarm for 8 AM! 

LM had her last day of Reading & Math camp while I sat in the shade & read a book. 

We all were home for lunch together, and it felt good!

The other three went to the farm for the afternoon while I rested. 

Saturday, June 20

I enjoyed a quiet house before everyone else woke up. 

Tutoring from 10-11.30. Packing for camp. 

Early Father's Day celebration at Jim's dad's at 6 PM with extended family.  Yummy food & a late night. 

Sunday, June 21

It was hard for everyone to wake up! We were oh, so happy! to be back in our own church after two Sundays in Wisconsin. 

Father's Day celebration at Jim's dad's at 5 PM with extended family. More yummy food, but thankfully not as late of a night. :)

Summer Vacation, Days 27 ~ 29

Days 27 ~ 29

Tuesday, June 16

As LM & I were driving to swim practice, the heavens opened, some parts of that town had hail, and there was quite a bit of lightning.  Obviously swim practice was cancelled (at the last minute).  I parked under a gas station canopy during the worst of it.  

We filled our time by going to a coffee shop, having a treat, and playing games and reading books from the shelves there. :) 

Then LM went to Reading & Math camp for two hours, while I walked around the town. 

A quick trip to Walmart to get her new bike!! (A year after she really needed one ...)

Stopped to see Grandpa & Grandma. 

Rested. 

And then we left at 4.30 for a swim meet.  She dropped 8 seconds in both events! (Yay for fall/winter swim!) We were home by 8.45, since she only had two events. I sat with friends, and she lived her best life having a picnic with her friend & another girl. Honestly, at swim meets, I rarely see her! 

Wednesday, June 17

As LM & I pulled up for swim practice, a mom walked out and announced that practice was cancelled due to a tornado watch. Deja vu! We went to the coffee shop to wait until reading camp. After we ordered, and she changed clothes, and found a coloring book, I opened FB and said, "We're going home." The storms had already left destruction in their path and were headed our way. 

So she missed reading & math camp today also. Although she did have tutoring this afternoon.  

We are thankful to the Lord that both the morning storms & afternoon storms passed us by.  Others were not as fortunate...

Today was the day that I discovered that my Fitbit will buzz & congratulate me if I reach 20,000 steps!! I cleaned house all day! :) (Alas! Not the dusting, floors, and bathrooms.) It feels good to take out bags & bags of trash, to wash bed clothes and blankets galore, to fill the trunk yet again with donations for the thrift store, and to list some STEM activities on FB Marketplace. 

BK's youth group returned to civilization tonight for a meeting in a town, so it was good to receive some proof of life from him. :) The Youth Pastor also posted a video of a game, and it was great to see BK's smile! 

LM wrote out her schedule for tomorrow: 

• Swim team
• Reading Camp
• Riding my bike
• [Watching] Pollyanna

It's always good to have goals! 

Thursday, June 18

Third time's the charm for swim practice! Afterward, LM had reading & math camp, while I ran errands.  Home to cook lunch, straighten the house, and keep pushing laundry through. 

I was ready for an afternoon nap!!

BK arrived home happy from the Upper Peninsula at 10 PM, long after LM was asleep and I was almost asleep.

Summer Vacation, Days 24 ~ 26

Saturday, June 13

EARLY morning wakeup call so we could leave at 6 AM ... BK packed in his youth-group-issued black tote with a yellow lid (so they stack in the trailer & are critter-proof in their tents) and the rest of us packed for WI.

We waited in the church parking lot for the prayer circle (40 trip participants; almost a 1:1 ratio!) and then we got on the road.  After stopping at Walmart, we still reached the house before noon.  We three had a leisurely afternoon of reading, beach time, and eating at the same lakeside restaurant where Jim and I ate on our second date. :)

Sunday, June 14

Church was really special, as always. I sobbed my way through, "Hymn of Heaven," by Phil Wickham. (Video here. Lyrics here.)  

And on that day, we join the resurrection
And stand beside the heroes of the faith
With one voice, a thousand generations
Sing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain"

Lunch. Naps or reading. Safari!! (That was a new experience.) Walking around a touristy town, and trying out a new playground. Jim got takeout for supper.

Monday, June 15

We slept in. I paid bills (work which I had taken with me). LM & I walked almost 3 miles on the shore path. I love our tradition! I don't think we did it in 2025, but we did it together in 22, 23, 24, and this year! Jim met us at the restaurant at the end of our walk (near the Red Park, where LM played after lunch). 

Another leisurely afternoon of read alouds, napping, and, at 5.30, packing.  Home shortly after 9 PM (with another Boxcar Children read aloud completed in the van!) and very well-rested!

Summer Vacation, Day 23

Friday, June 11

Today was spent doing what I seem to do the most ... driving.  The silver lining was listening to a newfound podcast: Working with Dan Doriani. 

LM had pony camp 40 minutes south of us from 9 AM - 3 PM.  At 2 PM I picked BK up from a friend's house 20 minutes north of us.  

From 9.30 - 1.30 I ...

• picked up meds, 
• ran into a friend (fellow special needs mom) with whom I never get to have a leisurely conversation,
• talked with her for a long time, and 
• packed like a mad woman.

Supper was fried chicken in the air fryer. My family deemed it a success! 

... and I fell into bed!

Summer Vacation, Days 20 ~ 22

Tuesday, June 9 ~ Thursday, June 11

Tuesday, June 9

It was 97% humidity when we woke up, so I spent swim practice inside at the coffee shop around the corner. :) I had just enough time to combine all our various calendars and belatedly fill out our master summer calendar. :) We had a leisurely midday, all happy to be home again.  (Although I did about five loads of laundry and got over 14,000 steps!)

LM's Awana group had an end-of-the-year water night at a local gravel pit. She has been anticipating this ever since BK first went three years ago! 

As I pulled out of the driveway to pick her up at 7.45 PM, I remembered what one of our neighbors said when we ran into each other at the hair dresser's.  Her husband came for a cut while she & I were both sitting in chairs, and she pointed out who I was to him, and added, "You know, we watch her go in and out of the neighborhood all day long." Sure enough! It was my 9th time in or out of the neighborhood for the day!

Wednesday, June 10

Up early for swim team pictures and a modified practice schedule (BK 8-9 and LM 9-10). A friend of BK's joined us for errands ... DG, thrift store, UPS store, Walmart, and picked up lunch (swim team fundraiser)... and a few hours at our house.

In the midst of their Nerf battles, goofing around, and video games, they also started packing BK for an upcoming youth trip.  The friend left at 3. 

While LM was at 4-5 PM tutoring, I ran errands in yet another farm town. 

Youth group from 6.30-8 (+ travel time). Another good but choppy day.

And a choppy night as there were lots of storms. Thankfully we were preserved from any tornadoes near us.

Thursday, June 11

Swim practice at 8.15. (I went to a coffee shop.)

Telehealth appointment from 10 - 11.20.

Dropped BK off at a friend's at 3.40 for a birthday party! 

LM & I ate supper in the basement while Jim worked late and the storms rolled through. So thankful for protection!

Swimsuits

In the past 18 hours, I have ...

• searched & found this year's team suit for LM (which arrived 5/15 per the FedEx email, but which was buried in a closet),
• thrown away a swimsuit that was falling apart,
• put three swimsuits in a hand-me-down bag and left it on a friend's doorknob,
• ordered a new hopefully tug-less tankini top & swim skirt,
• listed & sold an outgrown (but new with tags) swimsuit on Marketplace, and 
• returned a swimsuit to Amazon via the UPS store. 

And don't even get me started on goggles! :) 

Thankful for swim & what a great outlet it is!

Summer Vacation, Days 14 ~ 16

Wednesday, June 3 ~ Friday, June 5

Wednesday (Summer is not slowing down!)

BK & I left at 7.45 for swim practice. 

Jim & LM left at 8.45 for VBS. 

I did uninterrupted housework from 9.45 - 11.15! Made laundry detergent for the first time, cleaned out the laundry soap cabinet, and attacked the laundry "room" floor (a small pass-through from garage to house... ugh).

Picked LM up from VBS at 11.30 and visited with other moms. 

All three of us attended our library program, "Bingo for Books," from 12-1.

At 1.40, we left to drop BK off at a friend's home with a whole gaggle of soon-to-be 7th grade boys.

LM had tutoring 2.45-3.45. 

We picked BK up at 5.40 for youth group. (LM & I went to prayer meeting.) Dropped him back off at 8.50 at his friends' home.  (The other boys had gone to another youth group.)

So, today from 7.45 AM - 9 PM, I took a tour of six small towns around us. This is what summer days look like when you live in the middle of nowhere and have children who are old enough to have lots of friends & activities but are (thankfully!) too young to drive. 

Thursday

9 AM - dropped LM off at VBS 

Swung by the pharmacy to pick up this week's refills (6)

1.5 hours to work on housework and enjoy introvert time ;)

11 AM - picked BK up from his friends'.

11.30 AM - picked LM up from VBS

12-2.40 at the pool with friends from church. 

ZZZ

Friday

My nurse was here at 8 AM, and I was hooked up to an IV until almost 1 PM. 

Jim took LM to Grandma's, and she delivered LM to VBS and picked her up afterward.

BK was at the farm part of the day. 

This infusion went really well!!  I wasn't so exhausted that I slept during it. I wasn't fatigued after it. Thank you, Lord! 

I did more housework, LM & I ran an errand, I made my favorite meal for supper (salmon, rice, & broccoli), I shot some hoops with BK, and I made Scotcharoos.  Wow!

It's a Boxcar Children Summer

For over a year, LM listened almost exclusively to Ranger Bill [available on Podcasts, but also for purchase on Audible - we purchased all 217 episodes for less than $10!]. 

She listened to him while falling asleep, when waking up, during breakfast, and on van rides. 

This summer's story of choice is The Boxcar Children. We have Volume 1 (Books 1-3) on Audible, and she has listened to each of them over & over & over again. She can recite certain lines!

We stumbled upon the above paperbacks at Goodwill, and made it our summer goal to read them! Read-alouds have never been so fun! She claps, she cheers, and she laughs out loud!

No doubt we will be checking the rest out of the library. What other series do you recommend for summer read-alouds?